Over 18-Million In Federal Funds Comes To WNC Flood Victims
(Asheville, NC) -- Residents of three western North Carolina counties are set to receive more than 18-million-dollars in federal flooding relief. It's been three-months since the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred ravaged the region, leaving six-people dead in Haywood County. Close to 700 people will receive FEMA grants, while more money will be paid out in disaster loans and National Flood Insurance Program claims. Funds are going to those whose applications were approved in Haywood, Buncombe and Transylvania counties.
Cawthorn Considers Run In District East Of Asheville
(Henderson County, NC) -- Western North Carolina's Congressman is considering a run in a district that would move him out of the Asheville area. The chairwoman of the 11th District GOP said yesterday that Madison Cawthorn is thinking of mounting a bid for the 13th District. It covers Polk, Rutherford, McDowell, Burke, Cleveland and a part of Mecklenburg County. A decision is expected to be made by the beginning of next week. The newly-drawn 13th district is considered to be Republican-leaning.
APD: Man Found In River Was Shot To Death
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville police are searching for clues in the death of a 40-year-old man. The body of Benjamin Hoffman was recovered from the Swannanoa River in mid-October. The police department revealed yesterday that Hoffman was shot to death. A 19-year-old was also found dead in the river just over two-weeks before.
Buncombe, Asheville Schools Hosting Vaccine Clinics
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Several upcoming COVID vaccine clinics are being coordinated by Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools. Parents can bring children five-years-and-up to any of four clinics between this Saturday and December 11th. Asheville Middle School will be the host of the first clinic this Saturday.
New Surgery Center Slated For Mills River
(Mills River, NC) -- Pardee UNC Health Care is opening a new surgery center in Mills River. The Hendersonville Times-News said yesterday the town's zoning administrator approved plans for a 15-thousand-square-foot center which will house 16-beds off Highway 280. Around two-dozen employees will be hired.
Asheville Welcoming College Basketball Tournament
(Asheville, NC) -- College basketball is coming to Asheville this weekend. Harrah's Cherokee Center is preparing to host the first-Asheville Championship. South Carolina, Minnesota, Princeton and Western Kentucky are taking part in the event, which takes place Friday through Sunday. Those wishing to attend must be vaccinated against COVID or show proof of a negative test.
Apparent Suicide Reported On Mooresville School Campus
(Mooresville, NC) -- Mooresville families are being encouraged to talk with kids about mental health in the wake of a campus suicide. Students were sent home early Wednesday morning after an apparent suicide was reported at Mooresville High School. A suicide prevention advocate told WSOC she was just at the school two-weeks ago to teach students how to recognize and respond to suspected suicidal signals. A counseling crisis team is available at Mooresville High.
Suspect Wanted In Shelby Murder
(Shelby, NC) -- A suspect is wanted for a Shelby murder. Investigators say a 16-year-old girl was killed in a drive-by shooting while she was outside a home on Tuesday afternoon. Shelby police are looking for 20-year-old Santana Eaves, Junior. The police chief told WBTV the teen was most likely not the target.
City Council Considers Bringing Back Red-Light Cameras
(Charlotte, NC) -- Red-light cameras are a possibility again in the Queen City. The city council recently discussed the idea of adding it to Charlotte's legislative agenda. It's been about 15-years since the city last had red-light cameras. Nearly all of the proceeds from tickets would go back to the school system, in accordance with state law.
Deadly Northeast Charlotte Shooting Investigated By CMPD
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a deadly shooting in northeast Charlotte. Officers found a man shot to death inside a car at a gas station on Sugar Creek Road overnight Monday. It's believed he was actually shot at an apartment complex on Merlane Drive before attempting to drive off. Investigators released photos yesterday of a person of interest in the case.
Charlotte Nonprofit Helping Local Artists
(Charlotte, NC) -- Artists in Charlotte are receiving help from a local nonprofit. NBC reports ArtPop has launched a program that connects artists with community businesses to help them make livable wages. So far, the Inspiration Projects initiative has provided over 200-thousand-dollars. Some of the works commissioned for the artists include massive murals around the city.
Suspended International Flight Expected To Resume At CLT
(Charlotte, NC) -- Flights could soon be heading overseas again out of Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. A spokesperson for American Airlines told WSOC-TV that a route running from CLT to Munich is expected to resume December 16th. The airline has unsuccessfully attempted to restart the route several times during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pitt Bull To Be Put Down For Violent Fatal Attack On Newborn Baby Wednesday
(Johnston County, NC) -- Animal control officials in Johnston County are calling a deadly dog attack on a newborn baby an accident. It happened about 5am Wednesday inside a home on North Church Street. Authorities say the animal, described as a female Pitt bull, attacked and killed the infant boy who was just eight days old. The dog was taken into custody by Animal Control and will be euthanized.
Judge Orders 1-Point-75 Billion Set Aside For Public Schools In North Carolina
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina Republicans are vowing to appeal a state court judge's order to pay out one-point-75 billion dollars to help narrow the state's public education inequities. The order, issued Wednesday by Judge David Lee, is the latest development in a 27-year old case that seeks increased funding for teacher salaries, the hiring of more teachers and support personnel, expanding pre-kindergarten and boosting funding for school districts in economically marginalized counties.
State Health Officials Recommending Vaccinations Now Before The Start Of Thanksgiving Weekend
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolinians planning on gathering with friends and family for Thanksgiving are being advised to act now to get vaccinations or booster shots. Dr. David Wolfe of UNC Health says it normally takes between 10-to-14 days for antibodies to start building strong enough to fight off the COVID-19 virus. He also says the risk of COVID transmission at social gatherings during the four day holiday weekend will greatly increase among those who are not vaccinated and those whose 1st and 2nd doses are now growing weaker.
Striking School Bus Drivers Say They Won't Return Unless They Get A Pay Raise.
(Cumberland County, NC) -- Dozens of school bus drivers in Cumberland County staged a sick-out for a second consecutive day on Wednesday, in a dispute over low wages and working conditions. The Cumberland County School District reported at least 30-drivers failed to show up for work yesterday and around 97 vehicles were lift idle. More than a third of the 47-thousand students enrolled in Cumberland County schools depend on buses for transportation to and from their destinations. The strike is expected to last through next week.
Traces Of New Delta Variant Confirmed In North Carolina Labs
(Raleigh, NC) -- The so-called 'Delta-Plus' variant of the coronavirus has been discovered in North Carolina. That from state epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore, who said Wednesday that the AY.4.2 subvariant, accounts for only a small portion of total cases nationally and in the state of North Carolina. Moore also said the 'Delta-Plus' variant had been found in labs and not in the human population. By contrast, the 'Delta-Plus' variant now accounts for more than 11-percent of all human cases in the U.K., where many believe is the variant's point of origin.
Arrest Made In Forbush H.S. Student's Shooting Death
(Yadkinville, NC) -- Authorities are confirming that an arrest had been made in the death of a Forbush High School student. Police took a juvenile suspect into custody Tuesday night. The suspect is charged with second-degree murder. The suspect, whose name has not been released, is also a student at the school. The shooting happened Friday, November 5 at a home on Gospel Way Church Road. The victim, a 17-year-old girl who was a student-athlete, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Twenty-Year-Old Man Arrested for Murder after SWAT Team Investigation
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A 20-year-old suspect has been arrested after a man was found dead on a Winston-Salem sidewalk last Monday. Winston-Salem police say Damond Craig Roosevelt Hudson has been charged with murder, robbery and drug possession - among other counts - after a SWAT Team investigation at his home Tuesday. The shooting victim, Blake Warren, was found unconscious and later died at the scene in the 21-hundred block of Burke Meadows Road. Hudson is being held in the Forsyth County jail without bond.
Gas Prices Decline a Bit
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The average price for a gallon of regular gas in North Carolina has come down a little bit compared to a week ago. Triple-A says the price at the pump statewide as of Thursday is three-dollars-and-23-cents. Gas is actually a little cheaper in Davidson County where the average is currently 3-17 per gallon. The national average for regular gas is three-14 a gallon. A year ago, gas was 1.96 per gallon in North Carolina.
First Honor Flight in 10 Years Set to Leave Thursday
(Greensboro) -- The first Honor Flight in nearly ten years is leaving Thursday on Veterans Day from Piedmont Triad International Airport. Under the umbrella of a new organization that's affiliated with the national group, some 100 veterans from the Triad will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to visit the veterans' memorials. A spokeswoman for Triad Honor Flight says Thursday's trip will include World War Two, Korean, Cold War and Vietnam veterans. Past Honor Flights from the Triad only included WWII veterans, but the new organization allows all veterans 65 and older to take part.
Many Discounts, Freebies Offered for Veterans Thursday for Veterans Day
(Winston-Salem, NC ) -- Thursday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day and in honor of the men and women who've served and are serving our country, restaurants and businesses across the state are ready to serve them. National restaurant chains honoring veterans include Applebee's, Bob Evans, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chili's, Cici's Pizza, Golden Corral, IHOP, Red Lobster, Red Robin, Starbucks and Texas Roadhouse locations. Great Clips is offering free haircuts, or a card for a future haircut, to veterans and active military Thursday. Military ID is required to receive the discounts.