Buncombe County's Indoor Mask Policy Expiring At Noon Today
(Buncombe County, NC) - Buncombe County's indoor mask policy expires today. The board of commissioners decided to let the policy run its course after a previous extension on August 18th. Though the policy expires at noon, businesses can still require customers to wear masks. A federal mask requirement for public transportation remains in place through March 18th.
Haywood County Schools' Board Of Education Votes To Make Masks Optional
(Waynesville, NC) - Haywood County Schools is making masks optional. The decision was made by a unanimous vote at the district's Board of Education meeting. Over 100 residents showed up Tuesday night to support dropping the schools' mask policy. The Haywood County Health Department issued a statement in response to the decision, saying the school board now assumes responsibility for medical outcomes that result from it.
Three Buncombe County High School Students Arrested And Charged
(Buncombe County, NC) - Three high school students are facing charges in Buncombe County. Eighteen-year-old Bryson Josiah Peters and two juveniles were taken into custody Tuesday after an incident at North Buncombe High School. All three are charged with first-degree kidnapping and attempted first-degree sex offense. Police say the investigation into the incident is ongoing, but there is no active threat to students.
Asheville Man Arrested For Felony Hit-And-Run Charges
(Asheville, NC) - An Asheville man is in custody after being arrested on a fugitive from justice warrant. Twenty-nine-year-old Darius Harris was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center Monday night. Asheville Police say Harris was wanted for felony hit-and-run charges. Harris will be extradited back to the area to face those charges.
Asheville Group Proposes Changes To Merrimon Avenue
(Asheville, NC) - A non-profit group in Asheville is proposing changes be made to Merrimon Avenue during an upcoming NCDOT resurfacing project. Asheville on Bikes suggests making Merrimon Avenue one lane in each direction between I-240 and Midland Road at Beaver Lake. The plan would add a center turning lane and bike lanes in lieu of having two lanes in each direction. City leaders will hear from the public on the proposal during an open house on February 28th at North Asheville Community Center from 5-8 p.m.
Hickory Grove Vehicle Accident Leaves 1 Dead, 5 Injured
(Charlotte, NC) -- Police are continuing to investigate a Tuesday vehicle accident that left 1 person dead and five others injured. The accident happened yesterday afternoon in Hickory Grove near East W.T. Harris Boulevard and Duncroft Lane. Among the injured, one person is reportedly facing life-threatening injuries. There has been no report of any charges in the accident.
Victim Found Shot Dead Inside Vehicle On Lasalle Street
(Charlotte, NC) -- CMPD is searching for clues in the killing of a man in the 15-hundred block of Lasalle Street. Investigators report the victim was found shot inside a vehicle yesterday morning. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Anyone with additional information on the shooting is asked to call police.
Authorities Release The Name Of Teen Who Died In Hotel Balcony Fall
(Charlotte, NC) -- Authorities are now sharing the identity of a Charlotte teen who died this past weekend in Chapel Hill. Thirteen-year-old Brick McDermott suffered fatal injuries when he fell from a 5th floor balcony at the Graduate Hotel Saturday night. Police are investigating the incident. McDermott was a student at Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School.
Catawba County House Fired Called Suspicious
(Catawba County, NC) -- Officials are calling a Tuesday evening house fire in Catawba County suspicious. A home along Highway 16 North went up in flames just after 6 p.m. yesterday. Authorities report that no one lives in the home and no injuries were reported.
222 New COVID Cases Reported In Mecklenburg County
(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- COVID statistics continue to be counted locally and around the Tar Heel State. On Tuesday, health officials reported 222 new Coronavirus cases in Mecklenburg County. The North Carolina Department of Health yesterday revealed 2,888 new cases statewide and 54 new deaths.
Protesters Demand End To Masks Mandates
(Wake County, NC) -- Dozens of parents and supporters rallied outside of the Wake County Board of Education meeting Tuesday, demanding that the District end its mandatory face mask requirement. This, as more and more school districts across the state, have switched to masks optional policies. Inside the meeting, members heard from several parents and at least one student who urged the Board to drop the mandate. However, the Board did not take up a vote on the controversial issue last night, opting instead to revisit the revisit the debate at its March 1st meeting.
Indoor Masks Mandate For Cumberland County To End On Sunday
(Cumberland County, NC) -- The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has decided to discontinue its indoor masks mandate. The move comes after the health department cited declines in overall COVID-19 key metrics. At its regular meeting Tuesday, members voted to continue the masks requirement for all government building. The revised policy goes into effect on Sunday, February 20th.
Carteret County Announces There Were No Survivors Of Small Plane Crash
(Carteret County, NC) -- The U.S. Coast Guard announced yesterday that it has suspended its search for additional victims of a small plane crash off the coast of North Carolina Sunday. This, after the sheriff of Carteret County positively identified all eight people who were on board the Pilatus PC-12 that died. Authorities say four teenagers and four adults were returning from a hunting trip, when the aircraft went down in the Atlantic Ocean about 18-miles northeast of Beaufort. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
72-Year Old New York Man Killed While Trying To Cross Highway
(Garner, NC) -- Authorities in Wake County are investigating the death of a 72-year old man who was struck and killed by a car as he was trying to cross the street. It happened around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday along U.S. Highway 70-in Garner. Investigators say the victim's car broke down and he was apparently walking to get help when he was hit by a vehicle. The driver remained on the scene until first responders arrived. The man, identified as Donald Bates of Lakeview New York, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Newest Set Of Congressional District Maps Expected To Be Voted On Today
(Raleigh, NC) -- House and Senate leaders in the North Carolina General Assembly, are expected to take a vote on a new set of Congressional district lines as early as today. The maps were ordered redrawn by the state Supreme Court two weeks ago, after the panel ruled that the first set of district lines had been created with extreme partisan gerrymandering by the GOP. The new maps must be turned over to a trial court by February 18th.
Coach K. Falls Ill; Misses Second Half Against Wake Forest Last Night
(Durham, NC) -- Some scary moments for Duke basketball fans Tuesday night after Coach Mike Krzyzewski failed to return for the second half of play in an interstate rival game against Wake Forest. A spokesperson for the University confirmed the 75-year old Coach K. did not return because he" wasn't feeling well." However, the school did not release any further specifics about the coach's health. Duke went on to win the game at Cameron Indoor Stadium 76-74. Afterwards, Associate Head Coach Jon Scheyer said Coach K. was feeling better.