Flooding Hits McDowell County Hard
(McDowell County, NC) -- Flooding rain could still threaten parts of western North Carolina this morning. A flash flood watch issued by the National Weather Service ends at noon for more than a dozen counties. McDowell County was hit especially hard yesterday, where a number of water rescues were performed by emergency personnel. A State of Emergency was issued by the board of commissioners' vice chair.
Buncombe School Board Against Proposal To Change Elections
(Buncombe County, NC) -- The Buncombe County school board is taking a stand against a plan to change the way its members are elected. A resolution was approved yesterday which mirrors one signed by county commissioners this week. The state House bill proposes that Buncombe County's school board be chosen by individual districts. There's a plan to change the way the school board is chosen for Asheville City Schools as well.
Harrah's Cherokee Opens New Hotel
(Cherokee, NC) -- Visitors to Harrah's Cherokee Casino can finally take advantage of a huge expansion. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians opened a new hotel and convention center a week-ago. The 330-million-dollar project was three-years in the making. The hotel is 19-stories tall.
Transylvania County Deputy Dies After COVID Battle
(Transylvania County, NC) -- COVID-19 is being blamed for the death of a Transylvania County deputy. The sheriff's office says Sergeant Donald Ramey died at the end of September after reportedly contracting the virus at the county's detention center. There have been eight cases reported there since September 5th. An outbreak of seven cases was just reported at the Haywood County Detention Center.
Face Mask Mandate Extended In Buncombe Schools
(Buncombe County, NC) -- A face mask requirement is being extended in Buncombe County Schools. School board members unanimously approved the mandate yesterday, which must be voted on monthly. WLOS-TV reports the meeting was relatively quiet despite threatening outbursts that have recently been reported against school boards across the country due to pandemic decisions.
Downtown Asheville Hotel Okayed By Board
(Asheville, NC) -- A new hotel is coming to downtown Asheville. The Planning Commission gave the thumbs-up on Wednesday for a 115-room hotel at Biltmore Avenue and Alston Street. The construction will be attached to an Aloft Hotel already at the corner.
Two Arrested For Concealing Death In Iredell County
(Iredell County, NC) -- Two people are accused of concealing an infant's death in Iredell County. The newborn baby was allegedly buried in early September on the property of 19-year-old Alex Best, who was the father. Best and the 21-year-old mother were arrested on a felony concealment of death charge.
North Carolina Reaches Another Vaccination Milestone
(Charlotte, NC) -- North Carolina is past another vaccination milestone. State health officials revealed yesterday that 70-percent of adults have now received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Health Secretary Mandy Cohen said if you're not vaccinated, it's not too late. Pfizer just asked the government for emergency authorization to use its shot in children between five-and-eleven-years old.
Suspect Arrested After SWAT Standoff In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- No injuries are being reported from a SWAT standoff in south Charlotte. The CMPD says a 23-year-old man refused to leave a home on Calloway Glenn Drive yesterday after officers tried serving warrants for burglary and assault. He peacefully surrendered after around three-hours.
Suspect Identified In Huntersville Park Shooting
(Huntersville, NC) -- A suspect is wanted in a Huntersville shooting death. It's been more than a month since a 27-year-old was shot at North Mecklenburg Park after an argument during a basketball game. The victim died a week after the shooting. Huntersville Police announced yesterday that 25-year-old Michael Withers is wanted for second-degree murder.
Charlotte City Council Attempting Transition To Electric Fleet
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Charlotte City Council is highlighting efforts to transition to an electric fleet. The Mayor Pro Tem said yesterday that there is a desire to quickly add more, but the supply chain is causing difficulties. The city currently utilizes more than 40 electric vehicles. It's part of an effort to eliminate Charlotte's carbon footprint by 2030.
Two Middle School Students Could Be Charged With Assault After Slapping Teacher
(Robeson County, NC) -- Robeson County school officials are vowing to pursue assault charges against two seventh graders who slapped a teacher Thursday as part of a TikTok challenge. It happened at Lumberton Junior High School in Robeson County. The teacher was not hurt, and the two students were immediately disciplined. However, the District did not specify what the punishment was.
Robinson Asked To Resign Over Comments Recently Made About Homosexuality
(Raleigh, NC) -- Lt. Governor Mark Robinson is coming under fire from several LGBTQ groups after comments he made at a church four months ago surfaced on social media. Speaking at the Asbury Baptist Church in Seagrove, Robinson referred to homosexuality as 'Filth' and invited anyone offended by the characterization to "come see me and I'll explain it to you." The video of the speech was posted on social media by a group called Right Wing Watch. State Senator Jeff Jackson of Mecklenburg County responded by calling for Robinson to resign.
City Council And County Commission To Consider New Ordinances Strengthening Protections For LGBTQ People
(Raleigh, NC) -- The Wake County Commission and the Raleigh City Council are set to take up proposed new ordinances next week that will provide stronger protection against discrimination of LGBTQ individuals. The new laws would ban discrimination in public places like stores, restaurants, hotels and in hiring practices. The separate proposals will be considered at the two respective meetings on Monday and Tuesday.
Tent City Set Up In Nash Square To Protest Evictions In North Carolina
(Raleigh, NC) -- Dozens of people who've been evicted since a CDC moratorium was lifted camped out in tents at Nash Square Thursday night, demanding that federal pandemic rental assistance be sped up. Although the North Carolina Housing Commission says it normally takes about two weeks to process from application to payment, hundreds of North Carolinians have been evicted since the end of July. Activists say problems with staffing has slowed the application process of helping renters facing evictions.
North Carolina Awarded Over $800M To Help Child Care Centers
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper has announced the awarding of more than 800-million dollars in federal pandemic relief funds to help North Carolina child care centers. In a statement released Thursday, Cooper said the money will be used to recruit and retain teachers, fund mental health programs and offer better health care benefits for staff. Cooper said the funds will start being distributed in mid-November.
High Point Couple Accused Of Concealing Baby's Death
(High Point, NC) -- Two High Point University students are accused of burying a baby in the backyard of a Statesville home. Police say 21-year-old Olivia Billington gave birth to a baby boy in her dorm room at High Point University last month. Nineteen-year-old Alex Best is accused of taking the dead infant to his home in Iradell County and burying it in the backyard. Both Billington and Best are charged with felony concealment of death.
Dozens Of NC Health Employees Face Termination
(Raleigh, NC) -- Dozens of employees with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services face termination. This after a COVID-19 vaccination mandate deadline has passed. Officials say there are still 40 unvaccinated employees at several of the state-run health care facilities. The deadline for vaccinations was September 30th.
Bank Of America Raising Minimum Wage To $21 An Hour
(Undated) -- North Carolina-based Bank of America is raising its minimum wage to nearly three-times the federal amount. The bank announced it will now pay its U.S. employees at least 21 dollars an hour. It's the next step in a multi-year plan to increase pay across the company. Bank of America has continued to raise its minimum wage over the last few years and plans to increase it to 25 dollars an hour by 2025.
Man Shot, Killed At Greensboro Apartment Complex
(Greensboro, NC) -- An investigation is underway in Greensboro where a man was found shot to death at an apartment complex. The shooting happened yesterday morning around 7:30, near Freeman Mill Road and West Florida Street. The victim was identified as 26-year-old Malike Jordan. The motive for the shooting is under investigation, and police have not yet identified a suspect. They're asking anyone with information to come forward.
Guilford Co. Elementary School Catches Fire
(Guilford Co., NC) -- A Greensboro elementary school hit by a tornado in 2018 is hit by another disaster. A fire broke out yesterday morning at Peeler Elementary, which is currently abandoned. It's one of about a dozen schools that are on a list to get renovated. Officials are currently looking into whether the fire was electrical or caused by a person. An investigation is ongoing.