Buncombe Deputy Fired For Child Abuse Charges
(Buncombe County, NC) -- A Buncombe County school resource officer is out of a job due to criminal charges. The sheriff's office confirms Deputy Matthew Lund was fired Friday after he was charged with multiple counts of child abuse. The district's communications director told the Citizen-Times that Lund was assigned to Owen High School, but the minor involved was not a student there. Lund was also fired from the Hendersonville Police Department following a controversial shooting in 2012.
Search Continues For Suspect In Officer Assault
(Buncombe County, NC) -- The search is continuing for a man who allegedly assaulted a Mars Hill police officer. Larry Wayne Hipps is accused of stealing a patrol car after assaulting the officer Saturday morning. The car was recovered the same day, but Hipps was nowhere to be found. Mars Hill's police chief says Hipps should be considered armed and dangerous.
Bryson City Teen Advances At Olympics
(Bryson City, NC) -- A Bryson City teen is competing among the world's best at the Olympics. Evy Leibfarth advanced through heats in the Women's Kayak competition yesterday to make it into tomorrow's semifinals. The 17-year-old is scheduled to compete again on Wednesday as the canoe segments begin.
Restaurant Owner To Appeal Verdict In COVID Violation Case
(Asheville, NC) -- The owner of an Asheville restaurant is appealing a guilty verdict. A judge ruled Friday that the Rise N' Shine Cafe on Merrimon Avenue violated COVID restrictions by offering dine-in as an option in May 2020. No other businesses were cited for that offense in Asheville. The owner was sentenced to a year of probation and fines.
Air Quality Improving In WNC
(Asheville, NC) -- Rain may be reducing the impact of air quality in western North Carolina. The mountain region was listed as a Code Yellow by the air quality forecast center yesterday. There's been haze in the air for nearly a week because of dozens of wildfires in the western U.S. The chance of heavy isolated rain and thunderstorms increases throughout today.
Buncombe Deputies To Help In School Supply Drive
(Buncombe County, NC) -- The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office is making it easier for students in need. Deputies will be outside the Walmart on Hendersonville Road in Asheville this Friday and Saturday to collect a variety of school supplies for students of every age. No electronic devices are being accepted.
Four Arrested In Murder Of Monroe Teen
(Monroe, NC) -- Four suspects are behind bars for the murder of a Monroe teen. Investigators say it appears 13-year-old Loyalti Allah was sitting on a picnic table with friends when shots were fired from a car driving-by on Icemorelee Drive Saturday night. The suspects were all arrested and taken to Union County jail yesterday. The police chief called it a devastating act that has far-reaching implications which were uncalled for.
Group Protests Outside Senator's Home Following Gas Spill
(Huntersville, NC) -- Protesters are calling out Senator Thom Tillis for what they call inaction in a recent gasoline spill. The Charlotte Observer reports more than 60 people from a group called the Sunrise Movement chanted and beat drums outside of Tillis' Lake Norman home early Sunday evening. The response comes after Colonial Pipeline was ordered to improve leak detections in connection to a million-gallon leak at the Oehler Nature Preserve. A Tillis spokesman said Congress has no jurisdictional regulatory authority over this issue.
Face Masks Optional In Mooresville Schools
(Mooresville, NC) -- Face masks are optional for Mooresville schools. The board of education made the decision last night after hearing from parents. Governor Roy Cooper recently lifted a statewide face mask mandate in favor of strongly encouraging them. Mooresville's first day of class is one week from today.
Former Rock Hill Officer Killed Ten Months After Retirement
(Rock Hill, SC) -- The Rock Hill Police Department is mourning the loss of a retired officer. Investigators say Larry Vaughn was killed at the Anderson Apartments complex on Main Street in Rock Hill Friday afternoon. It came just ten months after he retired with 30 years under his belt with the department. The Rock Hill Herald reports a former Chester County sheriff's deputy was arrested for the murder.
One Dead In South Charlotte Homicide
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a homicide in south Charlotte. Officers say a man died after he was shot on Deep Rock Circle last night. The search is continuing for suspects.
Olympian With Charlotte Ties Finishes Canoe Slalom Finals
(Charlotte, NC) -- The 2020 Olympics are a wrap for one athlete with connections to Charlotte. Zachary Lokken advanced to the final stage of the canoe slalom finals this morning in Tokyo, but came up short for a medal. It was the first Olympic games for Lokken, who attended Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte.
Rev. Graham's Grandson Critical With COVID
(Raleigh, NC) -- Billy Graham's grandson is in a tough fight with COVID-19. Graham's daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, announced yesterday that her son and Reverend Graham's grandson, Jonathan Lotz, is in critical condition. Jonathan grew up in Raleigh, where his mom founded AnGeL Ministries. She's asking for prayers as Jonathan receives treatment in the ICU.
Four Hurt In Dog Attack
(Raleigh, NC) -- Four people, including a child, are hurt after a dog attack in Raleigh. Police say two dogs attacked a father and his 10-year-old son who were taking a walk yesterday afternoon in North Raleigh on Summerland Drive. The boy and two others were taken to the hospital, and they're expected to survive. The dogs were captured, and the owner is facing charges.
Fire Damages Home In Raleigh
(Raleigh, NC) -- A home is damaged after a fire in Raleigh that sent a firefighter to the hospital. It started yesterday afternoon at a two-story home on Cadmore Court. A woman and her dog were able to get out OK, but the home is uninhabitable. A firefighter was taken to the hospital for a heat-related illness, but there's no word on his condition.
Activist Working On Proposal To Reduce Violence
(Durham, NC) -- A local activist is working on a proposal to reduce violence in Durham. Antonio Jones, chairman of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, says crime has gotten to a place where people can't even feel safe sleeping. He was referring to a report of a woman who was shot yesterday morning while she was sleeping in her home. Jones tells CBS 17 his plan to be released in a few weeks will focus on ways young people can occupy their time.
Canes Resign Smallman
(Raleigh, NC) -- The Carolina Hurricanes are thrilled with a recent signing. That's what President and GM Don Waddell said yesterday about re-signing forward Spencer Smallman. The 24-year-old was a fifth-round pick of the Canes in 2015, and he has yet to play in the NHL. Waddell describes Smallman as a hard-nosed forward who is tough to play against.
Man, Woman Found Dead In High Point
(High Point, NC) -- An investigation is ongoing in High Point where a man and a woman were found shot to death. Officers responded to a home on East Martin Luther King Junior Drive late Friday night after a woman called 9-1-1 and said she'd been shot. Both the man and the woman were found dead when officers arrived. Police say they are not looking for suspects at this time.
Greensboro Teen Accused Of Murdering father
(Greensboro, NC) -- A Greensboro teenager is behind bars on suspicion of shooting and killing his father. Eighteen-year-old Jalen Thurman was taken into custody Friday night near the scene of the crime. His dad, 43-year-old Thomas Thurman, was found dead on the two-thousand-block of Twain Road. Jalen is being held at the Guilford County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder with no bond.
Two Overnight Shootings Under Investigation In Greensboro
(Greensboro, NC) -- Greensboro police are investigating a pair of overnight shootings. The first one happened around 3:30 a.m. Sunday at the Southside Johnny's Gentlemen's Club on West Market Street. The second shooting happened about an hour-and-a-half later at a barbecue event on the 17-hundred-block of East Gate City Boulevard. Both victims are expected to be okay. Police have not yet identified any suspects or motives for the shootings.
Winston-Salem Taco Restaurant Closes
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A craft food restaurant in downtown Winston-Salem is closing its doors. Management at Crafted, The Art of the Taco shut down their location on North Liberty Street. They made the announcement yesterday on social media but did not say why. Customers were encouraged to visit the other location on South Elm Street in Greensboro.