Asheville Holds Reparations Town Hall
(Asheville, NC) -- The city of Asheville is beginning a series of town halls to address reparations for Black people. A town hall was held last night at Harrah's Cherokee Center to discuss racism. Future meetings this month will focus on present day and future issues for the community. Mayor Esther Manheimer said there's a long way to go for the city to gain the trust of the Black community.
Trump Visiting NC GOP Convention
(Greenville, NC) -- Former President Donald Trump is heading to North Carolina this weekend. The state GOP is welcoming Trump to its annual convention in Greenville tomorrow. He is planning to speak at the convention dinner. Trump carried North Carolina in the 2020 election by close to one-and-a-half-percent.
Footage Shows Suspects In Bar Shooting
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville police need the public's help in identifying two suspects wanted in a bar murder. The department released surveillance footage that captured two armed men outside the Westville Pub off Haywood Road last Saturday morning. Nearly 30 bullet cases were discovered at the scene where 31-year-old Keith Blair was shot to death.
NC House Passes Bill Ending Weekly Unemployment Supplement
(Raleigh, NC) -- A bill to end a 300-weekly boost in federal unemployment aid is making its way through the state legislature. The North Carolina House approved a bill yesterday which cuts off the payment, which has aided jobless workers in addition to regular benefits during the pandemic. Supporters say it's a way to encourage people to get back to work. The Senate is now slated to vote on the measure.
Property Taxes Increasing In Hendersonville
(Henderson County, NC) -- Taxes are going up for Hendersonville property owners. The city council passed a budget Thursday that includes a three-cent hike to help cover capital projects, employee salaries and recruiting. The increase was originally intended to be higher, but strong tax collections kept it down for this fiscal year. Fees are also going up for water and waste collection.
Buncombe County Seeking Input On COVID Funding
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe County is seeking input on how to spend COVID recovery funds. Applications are now being accepted from organizations proposing projects to help recover from pandemic impacts. The county will be dividing out just over 50-million-dollars. The application deadline is July 15th.
Driver Charged In Deadly Hit-And-Run, Robbery
(Charlotte, NC) -- A suspect is being accused in an armed robbery and deadly hit-and-run in west Charlotte. Investigators say a driver lost control of his car shortly after robbing a Family Dollar Thursday morning. The car slammed into a bus stop enclosure on Beatties Ford Road, killing a 57-year-old man. The driver ran away from the scene before officers caught and arrested him soon after.
Child Sex Assaults On Rise In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- Child sex assaults are on an alarming climb in Charlotte. The CMPD reported yesterday there's been an increase of more than 200-percent so far this year when compared to the first five months of 2020. The 31 cases also mark more than 2020 and 2019 combined. A detective says children back in the classroom are most likely confiding in teachers and counselors about things going on at home.
Second Lawsuit Filed Against Paper Mill
(Catawba, NC) -- Another lawsuit is targeting a Catawba paper mill. Thousands of complaints have been filed against New Indy Containerboard over an odor that investigators say is caused by Hydrogen Sulfide. NBC Charlotte reports a second class-action lawsuit was filed just before Memorial Day which alleges the odors have interfered with the residents' enjoyment of life. A similar lawsuit was filed a few days before.
County, CMS To Meet Over Budget
(Charlotte, NC) -- Mecklenburg County and CMS will meet on Tuesday to discuss the budget. County commissioners approved a spending plan this week that withholds 56-million-dollars from the district, unless school officials can present a plan to improve low-performing schools. Former Charlotte city attorney Mac McCarley will serve as a mediator during the meeting.
Hiker Falls To Death In Linville Gorge
(Burke County, NC) -- Burke County emergency officials are confirming the death of a hiker in Linville Gorge. An Illinois man reportedly fell 80-feet off a ledge on the Rock Jock Trail just after noon on Thursday. Crews found the victim a few hours later, but were still trying to recover the body late last night.
Postmaster DeJoy Under Investigation
(Greensboro, NC) -- Greensboro resident and US Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is under federal investigation. It centers around campaign fundraising activities related to DeJoy's former business. A spokesman for DeJoy tells "The Washington Post" the probe is about campaign contributions his employees made when he was still in the private sector. DeJoy was a prominent GOP fundraiser before he was appointed Postmaster General during former President Donald Trump's term.
Five Juveniles Arrested During Pursuit
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Five juveniles are under arrest after a police pursuit in Winston-Salem. Officers gave chase overnight Wednesday after a home was shot into on the city's east side. It ended on a dead-end road on Highway 52. All five juveniles got out of the vehicle and ran. They were taken into custody without incident. No one was hurt in the shooting.
More Than 80% Of North Carolina Elderly Vaccinated
(Raleigh, NC) -- More than 80-percent of North Carolina's elderly population is at least partially vaccinated for COVID-19. The state Department of Health and Human Services says 77-percent of residents 65 and older are fully vaccinated. Nearly 54-percent of state residents ages 18 and older have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine.
Coach K Talks About His Upcoming Retirement
(Durham, NC) -- Duke University men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski [[ sheh-chef-ski ]] is speaking out about his plans to retire. Coach K said yesterday he plans to retire at the end of next season. He talked about learning the game from one of the greatest coaches of all time, Bob Knight, while he was at West Point. He said his early years at Duke were a challenge, and he credited Duke Athletic Director Tom Butters with believing in him and sticking with him.
Mount Tabor High Names First African-American Valedictorian
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem is getting ready to crown its first African-American valedictorian. Ehime Abhulimen [[ ei-hee-mei ah-BUHL-uh-men ]] has a GPA of four-point-685, earning him the number-one rank in his class. In addition to his academics, Abhulimen also served as a team captain and played point guard on his basketball team. The graduation ceremony is set to take place tomorrow afternoon at Winston-Salem Dash Truist Stadium.