Asheville To Vote On Increase For Reparation Funds
(Asheville, NC) -- Funding for reparations in Asheville could nearly double from original plans. The Citizen-Times is reporting the city is voting today to potentially use some funds from a recent Charlotte Street land sale. That would bring the initial commitment of one-point-two-million-dollars to over two-million. A resolution to provide reparations for the Black community was passed last summer by the city council.
Tourists Offering Free Tickets For Vaccinated Individuals
(Asheville, NC) -- The Asheville Tourists are offering an incentive for those who have received their COVID vaccinations. The baseball organization is inviting anyone to bring their vaccination card to the McCormick Field box office tomorrow. It'll get you a free ticket to the Tourists' game on June 15th. The team will also honor a friend's vaccination card if you bring it.
DMV Expecting Long Summer Lines
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina's DMV is preparing for what could be an especially busy summer. The department is expecting a busy couple of months in its offices as students and others waiting on the pandemic to subside seek their licenses. DMV Commissioner Torre Jesup said yesterday he's encouraging people to head online or wait until after Labor Day if they can. The News and Observer reports appointments are still necessary at many DMV offices.
Naked Man Breaks Into West Asheville Homes
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville police are looking for a man accused of breaking into several homes in the nude. Investigators say the suspect wasn't wearing any clothes when he stole items from unlocked homes in west Asheville late Sunday night. The man also allegedly stole a Volkswagen Jetta wagon.
Driver Injured After RV Plummets 200-Feet
(McDowell County, NC) -- A driver is being treated for serious injuries suffered in an RV wreck off a McDowell County mountainside. A highway patrol trooper told WLOS-TV the motorhome dropped 200-feet off the side of Highway 226 when the brakes failed last Friday. The driver was pulled from the burning RV by witnesses. She was identified as a 56-year-old from Rogersville, Tennessee.
Fourth Of July Fireworks Coming Back To WNC
(Canton, NC) -- Fourth of July celebrations are returning across western North Carolina. The city of Asheville is planning a fireworks display in downtown, while Buncombe County will hold its own celebration at Lake Julian Park the night of the 4th. Haywood County commissioners also announced yesterday that both Maggie Valley and Lake Junaluska will set off fireworks that evening. The town of Canton will follow up on the 5th.
No Progress In Meck County-School District Budget Talks
(Charlotte, NC) -- CMS and Mecklenburg County still appear to be at a standstill in budget discussions. The board of education and county commissioners held a public mediation meeting yesterday with hopes of resolving a dispute over 56-million-dollars in funding. The county is withholding the amount until the school system can provide an in-depth plan to improve performance in the district. There was no resolution after the two boards talked for a couple of hours.
Detention Officer Fired After Alleged Sexual Assault
(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- A Mecklenburg County detention officer is out of a job due to sexual assault allegations. The sheriff's office is confirming Kyle Harris was fired yesterday after his arrest for seven sex-based criminal charges. He was accused last month of assaulting an inmate at the jail. Sheriff McFadden said there's no place in his office for any employee who violates the public's trust.
Man Accused Of Girlfriend's Murder In Catawba County
(Catawba County, NC) -- A suspect is accused of killing his girlfriend in Catawba County. The man allegedly shot Iris Robertson four times while she was getting ready for a family cookout at a South Caldwell Avenue home over the weekend. The two reportedly argued a short time before the shooting. The suspect appeared in court yesterday for the first-degree murder charge.
Fire Destroys Mint Hill Home
(Mint Hill, NC) -- Firefighters are investigating a massive blaze in Mint Hill. Flames tore through a home on Grey Timbers Court early Monday morning. One firefighter was treated for injuries suffered from falling debris during the response. The family and three dogs made it out okay, but the home was completely destroyed.
DMV Expecting Long Summer Lines
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina's DMV is preparing for what could be an especially busy summer. The department is expecting a busy couple of months in its offices as students and others waiting on the pandemic to subside seek their licenses. DMV Commissioner Torre Jesup said yesterday he's encouraging people to head online or wait until after Labor Day if they can. The News and Observer reports appointments are still necessary at many DMV offices.
Charlotte Nonprofit Expanding To Help Homeless
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Charlotte nonprofit is expanding its presence to help the homeless. The Harvest Center announced yesterday it will soon be able to add more services for career training, housing, recreational activities and a cafeteria thanks to a recent land swap. The center uses its Airport Road facility to help homeless people get back on their feet by finding them jobs and affordable housing. Leaders with the organization have a goal to transform two-thousand lives over the next decade.
Wake County And City Of Raleigh Approve Billion Dollar FY 2022 Budgets
(Raleigh, NC) -- Both the Wake County Board of Commissioners and the Raleigh City Council voted to approve their operating budgets for fiscal year 2022 on Monday. The one-point-57-billion-dollar Wake County budget does not include a property tax increase. However, residents in the Raleigh city limits will see about a 35-dollar increase in their property taxes plus, a one-point-five-percent increase on sewer and water bills. Raleigh's budget totals over one-billion.
Law Enforcement Continue To Search For Blue Mazda In Connection With Road Rage Shooting
(Chapel Hill, NC) -- Authorities in and around Chapel Hill are searching for a blue colored, four-door Mazda sedan wanted in connection with a road rage shooting on Monday. One person was wounded in that incident. It happened around 7 p.m. near Fordham Boulevard and Sage Road. Investigators say the occupants of two vehicles began shouting at each other after one cut the other off in traffic. A person inside the Mazda fired gunshots into the other vehicle, wounding one man in the leg. He was treated at UNC Hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries.
Durham Bus Driver Charged Following Accident That Killed Woman Standing Outside
(Durham, NC) -- A Durham bus driver is now facing charges following a crash last month that killed a woman who was standing on the sidewalk. It happened on May 20th at the bus station on Pettigrew Street. Police records show the driver of the GoDurham bus, Alexandra Tavarez, apparently lost control of the vehicle, causing it to jump the curve and slam into 56-year-old Lawanda Rigsbee. She was taken to a nearby hospital where she later died. Tavarez was also injured in the accident. On Monday, Tavarez was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle and making an unsafe movement.
Fayetteville Bail Bondsman Charged After Shooting Person While Serving Arrest Warrant
(Fayetteville, NC) -- A Fayetteville bail bondsman has been charged with two felony counts after he reportedly shot a person by mistake while serving an arrest warrant. It happened Saturday near a home in Cumberland County. Court documents show Nicholas Dawson of 'Nick of Time Bail Bonds,' was attempting to serve a warrant when his handgun accidentally discharged, hitting the victim in the arm and hand. The victim was treated at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and is expected to survive. Dawson was later arrested and charged with shooting into an occupied vehicle and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.
Authorities In Harnett County Asking Public For Help In Locating Missing Teen
(Harnett County, NC) -- An Endangered Missing Child Alert has been issued for a Harnett County girl who has not been seen since May 29th. Family members say 16-year-old Kiara Sharp did not return home for her 10 p.m. curfew more than a week ago. Her parents also say she suffers from depression and ADHD. Witnesses say she was last seen around 6 p.m. that day on Lynn Street, wearing black shorts and a red white and blue Tommy Hilfiger jacket. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Harnett County Sheriff's Office.
High School Student Finally Gets Diploma After Controversy
(Asheboro, NC) -- An Asheboro High School student who was denied his diploma at graduation last week is finally receiving it. Ever Lopez was escorted off campus after he draped himself in a Mexican flag during the ceremony. He was handed his diploma yesterday after his family held a press conference, promoting school policies that encourage students to express their ethnic identities. The family met with Principal Crooks and said she agreed to reevaluate the graduation dress code.
Suspect Turns Himself In After Shooting Of 5-Year-Old Girl
(Reidsville, NC) -- One of two suspects accused of shooting a five-year-old girl is behind bars. Nineteen-year-old Nickellion Womack turned himself in at the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office over the weekend. He's charged with assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Bro Hayes is wanted on similar charges. The girl was shot on June 29th while playing in the front yard of a home on Northwest Market Street. She's expected to be okay.
Two People Found Dead Under Wilkesboro Bridge
(Wilkesboro, NC) -- An investigation is underway in Wilkesboro where a man and a woman were found dead under a bridge. Police believe 35-year-old Chase Crawford and 40-year-old Stephanie Chahoy were walking on the Yadkin River Bridge when they were hit by a car and knocked into a grassy area below. Their bodies were found Sunday, but police are not sure when the accident happened. They're asking anyone with information to come forward.
Portion Of High Point Greenway To Be Closed
(High Point, NC) -- A portion of the High Point Greenway will be closed starting next week. The area between North Centennial Street and University Parkway will be shut down starting Monday, June 15th for repairs. The closure is scheduled to last up to two months. The rest of the greenway will remain open.
Man Drowns In Buddle Creek
(Davidson Co., NC) -- A man is dead after a drowning accident in Davidson County. Sheriff's deputies were called to the Buddle Creek boat access and swim area Sunday evening. Witnesses say the man fell off a float and never resurfaced. His body was found a short time later, about 15 feet from the shore. The victim has not yet been identified.