Gyms Re-Opening Ahead Of Governor's Business Decisions
(Raleigh, NC) -- Some North Carolina gyms aren't waiting on another decision by the governor to re-open. The News & Observer reports select Planet Fitness, Crunch Fitness and O2 Fitness locations are planning to open this week or have already opened using a medical waiver. Governor Roy Cooper is expected to give some more details this afternoon into potentially easing business restrictions. Gyms and fitness centers in general haven't been allowed to re-open since the first restrictions were put in place at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
Ban On Late Night Alcohol Sales Extended
(Raleigh, NC) -- Restrictions on late night alcohol sales are being extended across the state. Governor Roy Cooper announced yesterday that an order to cut off sales at 11 p.m. for restaurants and breweries will last until October 2nd. The mandate doesn't apply to places like grocery stores, which sell alcohol for consumption off-premises. The initial restriction was put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 at packed-out areas.
Part Of Monument Shroud Rips Away
(Asheville, NC) -- Part of a downtown Asheville Confederate monument is exposed again despite efforts to cover it up. City officials confirmed to WLOS-TV that heavy weekend wind tore off part of the shroud on the Vance Monument. It cost Asheville more than 18-thousand-dollars to put in place. There's no timeline on when the rip will be repaired.
Asheville Coffee Shop Makes Local History
(Asheville, NC) -- A new Asheville coffee shop is making history. WLOS-TV says Grind in the River Arts District is putting the final touches in place in preparation for a late September opening. It will reportedly become the first Black-owned coffee shop in the city's history. Co-owner J. Hackett says there's been a lack of Black representation in the coffee industry, so now they're providing a place that can serve as a hub for the African-American entrepreneur to hang out and continue to work.
Asheville Police Investigating Violent Assault
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville police are investigating a violent assault. Officers say the victim was allegedly attacked with a baseball bat at a home on Baity Drive August 23rd. There's a person of interest in the case, but no arrests have been made. The victim is in the hospital with serious brain injuries.
Rare Illness Identified In More NC Children
(Raleigh, NC) -- Some North Carolina children are continuing to develop a rare illness in the aftermath of a COVID-19 diagnosis. Public health officials revealed yesterday that 25 children have suffered from the multi-inflammatory syndrome known as MIS-C since the beginning of the pandemic. Symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, skin rash and diarrhea. More than 18-thousand children in the state have tested positive for COVID-19.
Airbnb Party Shooting Possibly Linked To Previous Shooting
(Union County, NC) -- A deadly house party shooting in Union County may be connected to a dispute that goes back more than five months. One man was killed and another was seriously injured during an exchange of gunfire outside an Airbnb rental off Idlewild Road early Sunday morning. Deputies said yesterday the shooting possibly stemmed from a March drive-by shooting that injured in a child in Kannapolis. That child is believed to be the injured man's brother.
Governor Expected To Announce Ease On Restrictions
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper is expected to outline a potential ease on business restrictions this afternoon. Some gyms around the state have decided to re-open using a medical waiver, but they're still generally not allowed to open under the current re-opening stage. A governor spokesperson says any business decisions made by Cooper today would most likely go into effect later this week. The late night curfew on alcohol sales at restaurants was extended yesterday to October 2nd.
Two Dead In Fort Mill Murder-Suicide
(Fort Mill, SC) -- Two people are dead in an apparent murder-suicide in Fort Mill. Police say a man reportedly shot his mother-in-law before turning the gun on himself at the H&R Block on Main Street early Monday afternoon. The mother-in-law was identified as 68-year-old Deborah Buchanan of Charlotte. An officer told NBC Charlotte violent crime is highly unusual in the Fort Mill jurisdiction.
Charges Officially Dropped Against Ronnie Long
(Cabarrus County, NC) -- Charges are officially dropped against Ronnie Long, who served 44 years in prison for a Cabarrus County rape. His attorney said yesterday the DA's office vacated charges Friday, which was one day after his release from the Albemarle Correctional Institute. The federal court of appeals ruled that Long's constitutional rights were violated due to police misconduct in his rape trial. The attorney says they'll now be working on a pardon.
Flash Flooding Causes Problems In Salisbury
(Salisbury, NC) -- Some areas of Salisbury are recovering from Monday flash flooding. Fire crews rushed out to the Sacred Heart Church and Wellington Hills subdivision area to perform several water rescues. Some residents were forced to evacuate before the water started receding. A number of vehicles were damaged as well.
Parts Of Central North Carolina Drenched With Heavy Rainfall Overnight
(Raleigh, NC) -- There were numerous reports of flash flooding in locations throughout the Triangle Monday night as between four and six inches of rain fell across central North Carolina. Many motorists had to be rescued from their vehicles as flash flood warnings were issued for several counties. Wake, Durham and Johnston Counties were all hit by torrential rains last night. Scattered showers are also possible in the Triangle this afternoon.
Gyms And Fitness Centers To Reopen Today Under A Legal Medical Loophole
(Raleigh, NC) -- Several gyms and fitness centers across the state of North Carolina are set to reopen today, despite an executive order keeping such businesses closed still in effect. Gym owners citing a recent state Attorney General's opinion that said indoor gyms should be open to people who use them for prescribed medical reasons. Governor Roy Cooper's extended Phase Two order keeping gyms and fitness centers closed is set to expire on September 11th.
Cooper To Announce If Phase Two Will Be Extended Today
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Cooper is scheduled to make an announcement this afternoon on whether or not he will ease COVID-19 restrictions and allow the state to move into Phase Three of reopening. This after he announced Monday, an extension of a statewide curfew on alcohol sales at bars and restaurants between 11:pm and 7: am. The executive order prohibits the sale of alcohol at such businesses through October 2nd.
New COVID-19 Cases Trending Slightly Upward In NC
(Raleigh, NC) -- The latest coronavirus data released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services showed there were 11-hundred-86 new cases reported on Monday. That was an increase of 135-over the day before. The total number of people who have tested positive for the virus now stands at more than 167-thousand. Of that figure, 923-patients were in the hospital. At last report, the state's COVID-19 positivity rate was seven-point-two percent. Two-thousand-702 people have also died from the disease.
COVID-19 Outbreak ID'd At Alamance Co. Detention Center
(Burlington, NC) -- The Alamance County Sheriff's Office Detention Center is dealing with a large coronavirus outbreak. About 100 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at the facility, including six staff members and 93 inmates. The agency says it's working closely with the county health department on testing and safety precautions.
President Trump, VP Pence To Visit North Carolina This Week
(Wilmington, NC) -- President Trump is headed back to North Carolina this week. He'll be in Wilmington tomorrow to help celebrate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two. On Thursday, Vice President Mike Pence is expected to visit Raleigh, where he'll attend an anti-abortion event. Both Trump and Pence were in Charlotte last week for the Republican National Convention.
Carolina Panthers Will Not Have Fans In Stands Sept. 13
(Undated) -- Fans will not be allowed in the stands at the Carolina Panthers' home-opener this month. The Panthers' are playing the Las Vegas Raiders at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on September 13th. The team announced yesterday it will not have fans in the stands due to statewide coronavirus restrictions. The team hopes to allow a limited amount of fans at its October 4th home-game against the Arizona Cardinals. Governor Roy Cooper is expected to make an announcement on the next phase of reopening today.
Trinity High School Going Virtual
(Trinity, NC) -- Trinity High School is switching to virtual learning after a coronavirus case was confirmed on campus. Randolph County School System Superintendent Stephen Gainey said the positive case was discovered on Sunday. Students will transition to online learning for two weeks and return to campus in the middle of the month. Gainey says the school is working with county health officials to handle the situation.