Several Dead In NC Flooding
(Alexander County, NC) -- Western North Carolina stayed out of danger in Thursday rain, but it was deadly in other parts of the state. Three people died as floodwaters swept through a campground in Alexander County yesterday. A baby and an adult are still missing. The National Weather Service reported seven inches of rain fell in the county. An eleven-year-old child also drowned in Wake County.
State Sending Out COVID-19 Tests For College Students
(Raleigh, NC) -- The state is starting a massive effort to test college students for COVID-19. Governor Roy Cooper announced an initiative yesterday to send out nearly 75-thousand rapid tests to all public and private colleges and universities in North Carolina. The goal is to test every student ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday before many plan to travel. The tests are federally funded.
Face Masks Required For High School Volleyball Players
(Raleigh, NC) -- High school athletes playing volleyball must start wearing face masks. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association issued new guidance yesterday that directs players and coaches to put on coverings during practices and games. Volleyball is scheduled to start back up on high school schedules next week. The decision was made after consultations with the state's public health officials.
Runway Project Complete At Asheville Airport
(Asheville, NC) -- The runway project at Asheville Regional Airport is finally complete. WLOS-TV reports the new runway opened last week after six years of work on the project. The original anticipated cost of 80-million-dollars jumped up to around 115-million by the time everything was done. The main project was to repave the 50-year-old runway surface.
No Fans At Asheville's Maui Invitational
(Asheville, NC) -- A college basketball tournament is coming to Asheville with no fans in the stands. The Maui Invitational begins on November 30th at Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville. Organizers say they'll be following the governor's orders on limiting mass gatherings. Essentially, only staff will be allowed in the stands. UNC and Davidson College will represent the state.
Asheville Native Wins Big At Country Music Awards
(Asheville, NC) -- An Asheville native is a big winner again at country music's top awards show. Luke Combs won for Album of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year at Wednesday night's CMA Awards. He was also nominated in four other categories, and has won three other CMA awards in previous years. Combs graduated from A.C. Reynolds High School in 2008.
Five, Including Police Officer, Shot Outside Gastonia Nightclub
(Gastonia, NC) -- An investigation is underway into a nightclub shooting in Gastonia. WBTV is reporting five people were shot outside the Remedies Nightclub on Union Road late last night. At least one of the victims was said to be a Gastonia police officer. Injuries weren't considered life-threatening.
Flooding Causes Problems Across Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Charlotte area is reeling from historic flooding. Drivers were stranded across the city yesterday as rain from Tropical Storm Eta's remnants pounded North Carolina. More than 140 people were evacuated from Corvian Community Elementary School with help from the Charlotte Fire Department. Cabarrus County declared a state of emergency due to flooding and road closures.
Search Continues For Two Missing In Alexander County Flooding
(Alexander County, NC) -- The search is continuing for two people who went missing in dangerous floodwaters in Alexander County. Investigators say three people staying at the Hiddenite Family Campground died yesterday during a deluge of rain. One of the missing is a one-year-old. The National Weather Service says around seven inches of rain fell in Alexander County.
Church At Center Of Coronavirus Outbreak Sending Buses To Event
(Charlotte, NC) -- Mecklenburg County health officials are showing concern over the potential health impacts of another large church event. It's been over a month since the United House of Prayer for All People held a multi-day convocation, which led to 200 positive COVID-19 cases and nine deaths. NBC Charlotte is now reporting eleven busloads of members plan to head to Virginia for another convocation this weekend. County health director Gibbie Harris says being on a bus is one of the worst situations to be in with a person who has COVID-19.
Confederate Statue At Center Of Lawsuit Against Gaston County
(Gaston County, NC) -- Several groups are suing Gaston County over its confederate statue. Commissioners voted in late August to keep the monument in its current location after the Sons of Confederate Veterans backed out of a plan to relocate it. The Gaston Gazette is reporting the NAACP and other civil rights organizations filed a civil lawsuit yesterday, claiming the location of the statue violates the state's Constitution. The lawsuit alleges the monument exhibits racial discrimination and denies equal protection.
UNC Charlotte Students To Be Provided COVID-19 Tests
(Raleigh, NC) -- The state is starting an effort to test UNC Charlotte students for COVID-19. Governor Roy Cooper announced an initiative yesterday to send out nearly 75-thousand rapid tests to all public and private colleges and universities in North Carolina. The goal is to test every student ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday before many plan to travel. The tests are federally funded.
Residents Being Warned To Prepare For Overflowing Rivers Today
(Raleigh, NC) -- A number of rivers across central North Carolina are expected to crest above flood stage today, creating an even greater threat to residents and businesses located near their banks. The rivers swollen by heavy rains from the remnants of Hurricane Eta Thursday. The Tar River flowing through Rocky Mount and Tarboro, The Noose River flowing through Smithfield and Goldsboro and the Cape Fear River running through Fayetteville, could all overflow their banks later this afternoon.
Four Dead, Two Still Missing From Flash Flooding In North Carolina Thursday
(Raleigh, NC) -- Flash flooding is being blamed for the drowning deaths of three people at a campsite in Alexander County on Thursday. Two other people are still missing. In the town of Rolseville, an 11-year-old boy was swept away by rising floodwaters from a nearby creek near his home. Search crews were able to retrieve his body and get him to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Between 11-and-12 inches of rain fell on the state Thursday, forcing many highways and interstates to temporarily close.
NC COVID-19 Hospitalizations Have Reached Record Levels
(Raleigh, NC) -- State health officials reported the largest single-day total for COVID-19 hospitalizations Thursday since the start of the pandemic. The one-thousand-279 figure was also accompanied by a positivity rate of nearly eight-percent. HHS reported there were two-thousand-893 people who tested positive for the coronavirus yesterday, a decrease of only 15 from the day before. A total of 47-hundred-six people have died from the disease.
Fayetteville Home Invasion Leaves Mother And Father Dead, Little Girl Injured
(Fayetteville, NC) -- Fayetteville police are investigating the deaths of a man and woman during a home invasion on Thursday. A little girl was also wounded. Officers responded to a call of shots fired around 3 p.m. at the Sleepy Hollow Mobile Home Park. When they arrived, they found the bodies of 33-year old Lunell Lewis and 28-year old Tyshauen Tally. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. The girl was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for an injury to the leg. She is expected to recover. No arrests have been made in this case.
Incumbent State Supreme Court Justice Assumes Lead As Vote Counting Continues In NC
(Raleigh, NC) -- As the counting of the final absentee and mail-in ballots continued late into the night Thursday, incumbent Democratic State Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley took the lead over her Republican challenger Paul Newby by one-thousand-101 votes. That's according to the North Carolina Board of Elections website. Last night, President Donald Trump was still leading Joe Biden by over 71-thousand votes. County Boards of Elections are expected to meet again today to resume the counting of an estimated 133-thousand ballots.
Triad Pounded By Heavy Rain, Flooding
(Greensboro, NC) -- There's widespread flooding after two storms collided over the Piedmont Triad. Forecasters say up to four inches of rain fell yesterday, prompting hundreds of road closures, shutting down interstates and washing out bridges. In Winston-Salem, folks had to be rescued from their flooded vehicles. The state Department of Transportation is warning people never to drive through flooded roads.
Child Drowns In Rolesville Creek
(Rolesville, NC) -- A child is dead after falling into a swollen creek in Rolesville. Police say an eleven-year-old boy was playing with his siblings yesterday afternoon when he fell into the creek. A body believed to be his was found a few hours later off of Lord Granville Way. Heavy rain caused flash-flooding across much of North Carolina yesterday.
No School Friday For Two Winston-Salem/Forsyth Co. Schools
(Greensboro, NC) -- There is no in-person school today for two Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools due to widespread storm damage and flooding. Students at Meadowlark elementary and middle schools will learn remotely again today. The city does not think Meadowbrook Drive will be cleared in time for buses. Conditions around Brunson Elementary School have improved, so students may report to school at their regular time, according to the district.
Marketplace Mall In Winston-Salem Flooded
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Marketplace Mall on Peters Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem is closed due to flooding. A daycare, with 12 children and four employees, was evacuated as a precaution. Police do not believe water got into the building. They'll assess the damage today.
Tanglewood Park Hit Hard By Storm
(Forsyth Co., NC) -- Tanglewood Park in Forsyth County is drying out after it was hit hard by floodwaters. Organizers of the annual Festival of Lights event say despite the rain, it will go on as planned. They say it will likely take a few days for the water to recede, but the festival will still kick off today.