Burr Under Investigation Again For Stock Sales
(Washington, DC) -- Senator Richard Burr is still being investigated for potential shady stock sell-offs at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Court documents filed last week reveal the Securities and Exchange Commission is looking into allegations that the North Carolina Republican may have sold more than one-and-a-half-million-dollars'-worth of stocks due to information he heard on the job ahead of lockdowns. The Justice Department already investigated Burr's actions, but closed the case on Donald Trump's last day as president. Several other lawmakers have been similarly accused.
Hotel Tax Funds To Be Released
(Asheville, NC) -- Millions of dollars in hotel taxes are being released in Buncombe County. The Citizen-Times reports close to eight-million-dollars in the Tourism Product and Development Fund has been frozen since 2019 due to concerns the tourism industry was starting to have a negative impact. The Tourism Development Authority decided this week to release the money. The board is expected to decide what to do with the funds before the end of the year.
Some Confusing Canton Addresses Changing
(Canton, NC) -- Addresses are changing next week for some people in Canton. The mayor told WLOS-TV the town must alter some street names and numbers to come into compliance with E-911 protocols. Certain names and numbers have caused problems due to inconsistencies and duplications. The change will help frontline workers respond to emergencies quicker.
Haywood County Altering School Schedule
(Haywood County, NC) -- Haywood County Schools is making an alteration to its calendar next month. The superintendent says Friday November 12th will now be a remote learning optional workday across the district. The change was made due to anticipated staff shortages the day after Veteran's Day, when schools will be closed. A remote day initially scheduled for February 2nd will shift to a regular in-person day due to the change.
Nasty Weather Impacts WNC
(Mount Mitchell, NC) -- The weather is proving to be a headache for some in western North Carolina. The rain is expected to stick around today, though the gusty winds have tapered off for the most part. State officials were forced to close Mount Mitchell State Park yesterday when snow and ice mixed with high winds were too dangerous. Temperatures won't make it out of the 40s for some parts of the mountains today.
WNC Nature Center Wins Award For Teen Program
(Asheville, NC) -- A program for teens at the Western North Carolina Nature Center is gaining national attention. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recently gave a Significant Achievement Education Award to the center for its Young Naturalist program. Kids aged 13-through-17 remain engaged in nature-based programs in the initiative, which has served the local community for 40-years.
Large Investment Coming To West End
(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte's historically Black West End neighborhoods are getting a huge financial boost. Fifth-Third Bank announced yesterday it's investing 20-million-dollars into a revitalization effort. Local Initiatives Support Corp will help the bank by working with three local organizations to figure out how to spend the money.
Charlotte Area Remains High For COVID Transmission
(Charlotte, NC) -- All of the Charlotte metro area remains in the red zone for COVID-19 spread. More than eighty-percent of the state is still considered high-community spread, which means the positivity rate is above ten-percent and the rate of cases remains above 100-per-100-thousand people. As of Thursday, Mecklenburg County was just outside the case range, with 105. The positivity rate is under six-percent.
Street Signs Unveiled To Honor African-American Marines
(Charlotte, NC) -- The first African-Americans who enlisted in the Marine Corps are being honored in Charlotte. The signs for newly-named Montford Point Street were unveiled in a ceremony yesterday. The name replaces Phifer Avenue due to its ties to slavery and the Confederacy. Charlotte native Howard Perry was the first African-American Marine to arrive for training at Camp Montford Point near Jacksonville, North Carolina during World War Two.
Driver Shot In North Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is searching for the suspect in a north Charlotte shooting. Officers say a man was shot while driving near North Tryon Street and Atando Avenue early Thursday morning. His status is unclear. A passenger inside the truck was able to escape unharmed.
Main Charlotte Library Closing Doors
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Main Charlotte Library is closing down today. The building is being emptied out in preparation for a future move to a new location. A 140-million-dollar project underway will transform a new main library into a five-story, technologically-advanced location for the public. Users of the library system are encouraged to use other branches until the new main location opens in a few years.
Hundreds Of Wake County School Bus Drivers Threatening A Walkout Today
(Wake County, NC) -- Thousands of Wake County students may have to find another way to get to school today. That's because school bus drivers are threatening a walkout over wages, overtime and benefits. This comes after after a month-long negotiation broke down with no satisfactory agreement for the drivers. Wake County has about 688-school bus drivers whose starting pay is about 15-dollars an hour. The Wake County Board of Education is expected to vote on a proposal next week that will give bus drivers a raise using COVID relief funds.
Cary Announces It Will No Longer Enforce A Mandatory Indoor Mask Mandate
(Cary, NC) -- The town of Cary is dropping its mandatory indoor mask mandate. According to Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, the change in policy was made in response to the Governor's Coronavirus Task Force reporting earlier this week. The reporting said new cases and hospitalizations have seen a significant decrease over the past few weeks. The new optional order goes into effect at noon today.
Fight Between A 25-Year Old And A 79-Year Old Leaves Elderly Man Stabbed To Death And Young Man With Multiple Gunshot Wounds
(Johnston County, NC) -- A fight between two men in Johnston County left one of them stabbed to death and the other hospitalized with bullet wounds. It happened Thursday at a home in the Four Oaks community. The victim, identified as 79-year old Keith Slocomb, was pronounced dead at the scene. The 25-year old suspect, Isaac James Martin, is being treated at WakeMed for multiple gunshot wounds. He was last listed in serious but stable condition. No word on a motive.
Coroners Report Confirms Body Found Monday Was That Of A Missing Robeson County Woman
(Robeson County, NC) -- State medical examiners are identifying a body found in a wooded area of Robeson County Monday, as that of a woman who had been missing since late September. 42-year old Jessica Lawrence worked at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Although the report did not release a cause of death, Sheriff's investigators said that foul play is suspected. A man found driving her Jeep Grand Cherokee on October 14th is being held at the Robeson County Detention Center on a one-point-five million dollar bond. He is facing a separate charge of failure to report a change of address by a sex offender.
Ex Davidson Co. Deputy Charged With Domestic Assault
(Lexington, NC) -- An ex-Davidson County sheriff's deputy and his wife are facing domestic violence charges. Police say 41-year-old Paul Eagle and 34-year-old Brandi Eagle assaulted each other. They responded to the scene on N-C-47 in Lexington Wednesday evening. Both people were injured. Since Eagle is a former employee of the sheriff's department, the SBI will investigate the incident.
Gov. Cooper. Visits Walkertown Childcare Center
(Walkertown, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper is encouraging childcare facilities in the state to apply for federal stimulus funds. The governor toured the five-star Church Childcare Center yesterday in Walkertown. He touted the importance of early childhood education and how it prepares children for school. Cooper says there are over 800-million dollars in stimulus funds, which can be used to upgrade buildings, buy supplies or even increase teacher pay.
Body Found In Robeson Co. ID'd As Missing Woman
(Robeson Co., NC) -- Robeson County sheriff's officials are identifying a body found earlier this week as a missing woman. Forty-two-year-old Jessica Lawrence was last seen on September 26th. Her body was found in the area of Tom M. Road near Rowland. Forty-two-year-old Michael Brayboy was caught driving the victim's Jeep. He's facing charges unrelated to the crime, but additional charges are possible.
UPDATE: Salem Parkway Wins National Award
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- The Salem Parkway project in Winston-Salem is the winner of a national award. The parkway was one of 12 finalists nominated for the 2021 America Transportation Award. It's a one-point-two-mile improvement project that includes new bicycle lanes, updated shoulders and ramps, and new bridges.
American Red Cross Issues COVID-19 Safety Tips For Halloween
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- With the spread of COVID-19 continuing across North Carolina, the American Red Cross is issuing some safety tips ahead of Halloween. The agency suggests holding any gatherings outdoors to lower the risk of virus transmission, making sure kids have hand sanitizer with them while trick-or-treating and making a cloth mask part of your costume. Also, people who are giving out candy should wash their hands often. Parents should check their child's candy and throw out any items that are open or appear to be contaminated.