Crews Removing Last Of Flood Debris In Haywood County
(Haywood County, NC) -- Removal of flood debris in Haywood County is almost complete. It's been more than three-months since the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred caused major damage across western North Carolina. A Haywood County Emergency Services official tells WLOS-TV that crews are making their final residential pick-ups this week. More than 43-thousand cubic yards of debris have been removed so far.
Buncombe State Lawmaker Not Seeking Re-Election
(Asheville, NC) -- A state lawmaker from Buncombe County is planning to sit out next year's election. Democrat Representative Brian Turner is stepping down after five-terms due to lengthening legislative sessions. Also, an Asheville city councilwoman has decided to make a run for a state seat. Sandra Kilgore announced last weekend she's interested in joining the race for Senate District 49.
Animal Activist On Trial In Transylvania County
(Transylvania County, NC) -- The trial of an animal rights activist is underway in Transylvania County this week. The co-founder of Direct Action Everywhere is charged with larceny and breaking-and-entering after allegedly taking a baby goat from a goat ranch in June 2018. The act was broadcast live on Facebook.
No COVID Tests Available At Asheville City Schools
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville City Schools officials are awaiting COVID tests to arrive that were meant to be available yesterday. The district originally wanted to have tests for staff and students right after the Thanksgiving break. Tests from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are reportedly in low supply right now. Buncombe County Schools currently has tests available.
CMS Board Discussing Superintendent's Performance
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMS board of education is discussing the superintendent's performance this afternoon. Members will go behind closed doors at 4:30 before a special session on school improvement plans at six. Earnest Winston has served in the superintendent's role for just over two-years, which covers the entirety of the COVID pandemic.
Vice President To Visit Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- The vice president is heading to the Queen City. Kamala Harris is planning to stop in Charlotte Thursday to tout the newly-signed infrastructure bill. Joining her will be Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Congresswoman Alma Adams. It's Harris' first visit to Charlotte since just before the election last year.
Burn Ban Issued Statewide
(Raleigh, NC) -- A statewide burn ban is in effect. North Carolina officials issued the ruling amid low humidity and windy conditions. Crews have already been battling a fire that has spread over 500-acres in Pilot Mountain in Surry County. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows Mecklenburg and surrounding counties are in moderate drought conditions.
Tree Lighting Set Outside Bank Of America Stadium
(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte FC and the Carolina Panthers are kicking off the holiday season this evening. The public is invited to come out to Bank of America Stadium, where a Tree Lighting Festival will be held at Mint and Graham streets. Santa Claus is making an appearance at the event, which features balloon artists, a photo booth and a performance from the PurrCussion Drumline.
Fire Damages Charlotte Apartments
(Charlotte, NC) -- The fire department is investigating a blaze that damaged ten apartment units in Charlotte. Close to 20 people were displaced when fire started at a property on Runaway Bay Drive Monday afternoon. No injuries were reported.
Panthers' McCaffrey Out For Season
(Charlotte, NC) -- Carolina Panthers' running back Christian McCaffrey won't return to the field this season. He left the game during Sunday's loss to the Dolphins after rolling his ankle. It marks the second time this year McCaffrey has missed games due to injury. He stated on Instagram that he'll fight to return bigger, stronger and faster.
One Injured After Fight At Sweepstakes Parlor Followed By Chase And Shooting
(Raleigh, NC) -- One man is injured after a fight, chase, and shooting. It started with a dispute between two people at the sweepstakes parlor in the 35-hundred block of Maitland Drive at two o'clock in the morning Monday. A man left the business and was chased by another person down Yonkers Road near I-440. At least one shot was fired during the chase and a man was hit in the leg. Police are still investigating.
Search Efforts For Missing Boater Suspended
(Raleigh, NC) -- Efforts to find a missing boater have been suspended after 53 hours. Coast Guard officials say the man was supposed to meet a friend three miles west of Frying Pan Tower on Saturday, but didn't show up. The 44-year-old was last seen in a 19-foot SeaCraft boat, which had a radio and life jackets.
Raleigh Family Stuck In South Africa Gets Flights Home
(Raleigh, NC) -- A Raleigh family is on their way home after being stuck in South Africa. They struggled to book a flight home from their vacation because of the omicron variant of COVID-19. The four family members have now been booked on two separate flights. They are expected to be back home this afternoon.
Durham Man And Wife Facing Firearms Charges
(Durham, NC) -- A Durham man and his wife are facing firearms charges. Deputies seized an AR-15 and a Glock nine millimeter handgun during a traffic stop in Durham. Two children were riding in the car at the time. Derielle Jackson was arrested Saturday and Ashley Rorie was cited for carrying a concealed weapon.
Former Shopping Center Becoming Lab And Manufacturing Space
(Raleigh, NC) -- A former Raleigh shopping center is being transformed into a lab and manufacturing space. The former Kroger grocery store location at Six Forks and Wake Forest Roads will become the 100-thousand square-foot Midtown BioCenter. The facility could be completed before the end of 2022.
Another Lawsuit Filed Against UNCSA Also Alleges Former Students' Sexual Abuse
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A second lawsuit has been filed against the University of North Carolina School of the Arts by a group of 40 former students. Their attorney says they came forth after the first lawsuit was filed last month alleging that another set of former students were victims of sexual abuse and exploitation at the school. Los Angeles Attorney Gloria Allred said in a statement Monday that the second group says they were either victims or witnesses in what the suit calls a culture of abuse and neglect. It names 23 former administrators and faculty members who are alleged to have either participated in or condoned what the students call a culture of systemic abuse on the campus.
Fire at Pilot Mountain State Park Has Burned About 500 Acres So Far
(Pinnacle, NC) -- About 40 firefighters are battling a blaze at Pilot Mountain State Park. North Carolina Forestry Service spokeswoman Christie Adams says the fire has now grown to cover about 500 acres as of Tuesday. She says the fire has not been contained but no structures are threatened. The fire was reported Saturday night - its cause hasn't been determined. Authorities want people to stay away from the area and to not use drones because they may interfere with firefighting aircraft.
Woman in Critical Condition After Being Thrown from a Car in Crash
(Thomasville, NC) -- A woman who was thrown from a car is in critical condition after the vehicle she was in crashed into a business. Thomasville police say it happened around 1:30 Monday morning when the car two women were in crashed into The Barn. A Thomasville officer allegedly saw the driver speeding beforehand and saw where the car crashed about a mile later. An occupant inside the vehicle, Kelechi Williams wasn't hurt, but a second woman was thrown from it and critically injured. She remains in the hospital. The estimated damage to the business is about 75-thousand dollars.
East Gate Public Input Meeting to be Held Virtually Thursday
(Greensboro, NC) -- A meeting to discuss the future growth of the area known as the East Gate City corridor in Greensboro is set for this week. Greensboro is holding a virtual "community conversation" about the development of East Gate City Boulevard at 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 2. The city wants to hear public input to possibly identify areas in need of improvement and to connect existing and future resources in the area. You need to register with the city by today to participate in the discussion.
Special Weather Statement Issued for Dangerous Fire Conditions
(Raleigh, NC) -- The National Weather Service out of Raleigh says there's an increased fire danger for the state through 7 o'clock tonight. Forecasters say the combination of continued dry conditions and wind gusts of up to 20 to 25 miles per hour, coupled with low humidity will lead to an increased risk of dangerous fire growth. The state of North Carolina has also issued a state-wide burning ban, which prohibits outdoor burning.