Judges' Panel Pushes Through North Carolina Maps
(Raleigh, NC) -- The state's new legislative maps are now set in place. A three judge panel approved newly-drawn North Carolina House and Senate maps yesterday, but decided to go with the plan of an independent group for Congressional districts. Appeals from Republicans and Democrats were quickly shut down by the state's Supreme Court. Candidate filings begin this morning.
Buncombe Health Director Encourages Face Mask Use
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe County's public health director is still encouraging mask use indoors. Stacie Saunders said yesterday that parents should talk to their kids about when it's okay to go without a face mask and when it might be better to use one at school. Her comments come after the school board decided to drop a face mask requirement in Buncombe County Schools beginning Monday. COVID cases and hospitalizations are declining, but the positivity rate still remains above 12-percent.
Asheville Delays Appointments To Reparations Committee
(Asheville, NC) -- Appointments to Asheville's new Community Reparations Commission are being delayed. The city council decided this week to push back its choices to give more time for legacy neighborhood groups to chime in. The board will instead take up the appointments on March 8th. Asheville's equity director said they're trying to make sure the community has its voice.
Asheville Chefs, Restaurants Nominated For James Beard Awards
(Asheville, NC) -- Some Asheville chefs and restaurants are up for prestigious awards this year. The James Beard Foundation just announced its list of semifinalists for regional and national recognitions. The restaurant Curate [[ cure-ah-tay ]] was nominated for outstanding hospitality. Head chef of Curate, Katie Button, is also in the running for best chef in the southeast.
Company Consolidating Into Fletcher Campus
(Fletcher, NC) -- A performance exhaust systems company is moving into a Fletcher industrial complex. Rinehart Racing announced this week that it's purchasing property from BorgWarner Thermal Systems to bring dozens of jobs into the area. Rinehart's two campuses around Asheville will now be consolidated. The company's owner is a native of western North Carolina.
Tourists Hiring Ahead Of Baseball Season
(Asheville, NC) -- The Asheville Tourists are gearing up for a new baseball season. The organization held a job fair yesterday, marking the second one in a week for the minor league team. Positions included ground crew, ushers and mascots. The Tourists' first home game is scheduled for April 12th against Greenville.
CMPD Seeking Two Kidnapping Suspects
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is on the lookout for two suspect who allegedly kidnapped a teen. Investigators say the 17-year-old girl was forced into a car at gunpoint during a robbery along Millerton Avenue last Saturday. She was found safe in Davidson County. The police department has released surveillance footage of the two suspects.
Charlotte Man Wanted In Connection To Mooresville Homicide
(Mooresville, NC) -- A Charlotte man is considered a person of interest in a Mooresville homicide case. Iredell County sheriff's deputies found a woman shot to death inside a car on Rocky River Road last Saturday. Investigators are seeking Arthur Givens for questioning. He's already wanted for two assault charges.
Gun Crimes Up In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- Gun crimes are up slightly in Charlotte this year. The CMPD revealed yesterday that assaults involved guns have risen six-percent so far when compared to the same time last year. Violent crime, though, is down in 2021. The department's Crime Gun Suppression Team recently arrested six suspects charged in multiple shootings.
Charlotte Chef Nominated For James Beard Award
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Charlotte chef is up for a prestigious award this year. The James Beard Foundation just announced its list of semifinalists for regional and national recognitions. Greg Collier is one of 20 regional chefs nominated for the Best-in-the-Southeast award. It marks the third consecutive nomination for the award. He and his wife head up the Bayhaven Restaurant Group.
Charlotte Schools Seeks More Bilingual Educators
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Charlotte school is looking for more bilingual educators. The NewSchools Venture Fund is providing 200-thousand-dollars to help the Charlotte Bilingual Preschool in its efforts. The school's principal told NBC Charlotte they have a goal of serving 15-hundred Hispanic and Latino children by 2030.
Davidson Basketball One Step Closer To Regular Season Title
(Pittsburgh, PA) -- Davidson is continuing to cling to first-place in Atlantic Ten men's basketball. The Wildcats took down Duquesne [[ doo-cane ]] 74-to-50 in Pittsburgh last night. Up next is a match-up against Fordham at home Saturday. The 23-and-four Davidson team holds a one-game league lead over VCU with three regular season games to go.
Zebulon Teen Struck By Speeding SUV Dies From Injuries
(Zebulon, NC) -- A Wake County teenager who was struck by a speeding SUV in Zebulon Monday night, has died from his injuries. 16-year old Darrell Jent, who was hit while walking along Highway 96, had been on life support at WakeMed for the past three days. After knocking the victim into a ditch, the driver of the SUV then slammed into three other vehicles that were stationary at a convenience store. Authorities say charges will likely be filed.
Primary Elections On Again After State Supreme Court Upholds Latest District Maps Drawn By The Legislature
(Raleigh, NC) -- Candidate filing for upcoming primary elections are expected to resume today in North Carolina. This, after the state Supreme Court on Wednesday, rejected a request by state Republican leaders to delay the use of recently drawn Congressional and legislative district maps. The decision means the primary elections will still be held on May 17th. An early analysis of the new Congressional district maps shows the state has up to six Republican seats, six Democratic seats and two that could go either way.
Widespread Fears That Durham's McDougald Terrace Could Be Ordered Demolished By HUD
(Durham, NC) -- Some anxious moments today for residents of the McDougald Terrace Public Housing community, as the Durham Housing Authority is expected to unveil a new plan for its future. Many families are worried that the 250 unit HUD complex that was built in 1960, could be ordered torn down instead of renovated and they be forced to relocate. CEO Anthony Scott has scheduled a news briefing for 11 a.m.
FBI Says Robbers May Have Held Up A Total Of Five Banks In The Triangle Area
(Wake County, NC) -- Two suspects wanted for robbing several banks in the Triangle area on Tuesday are still at large. This, as FBI agents leading the investigation are reporting that the two men are now believed to have robbed a fifth bank on that day. The holdup took place last Friday at a Wells Fargo branch on Spring Forest Road in Raleigh. There have been no reports of injuries in either of the robberies and authorities have not said if any guns were used. The suspects were last seen running away from the parking lot of an apartment complex near NC State, after they set fire to a Ford Mustang.
Raleigh Joined Hundreds Of Other Cities In Holding Memorial Runs For Ahmaud Arbery Wednesday
(Raleigh, NC) -- In Brunswick Georgia and in communities across the country Wednesday, people held two-point-23 mile memorial runs to honor the second anniversary of the death of Ahmaud Arbery. Arbery was gunned down while jogging through a predominantly white neighborhood on February 23rd, 2020. In Raleigh, a run/walk sponsored by Together We Stand NC and Fleet Feet Raleigh-Morrisville was held on Neil Street. Another memorial run will be held today at the Aboretum in Cary.
Tough Second Half Defense Helps Duke To Edge Past Virginia 65-61
(Charlottesville, VA) -- Number seven Duke staged a furious comeback against Virginia last night, to dominate the second half and avenge a loss to the Cavaliers two weeks ago. Duke, holding off every attempt by Virginia to re-take the lead in the paint, sealed the victory by a score of 65-61 at John Paul Jones Arena. Duke guard Jeremy Roach scored a season high 15 and teammate Treavor Keels added 13, along with freshman A.J. Griffin contributing 10-points to secure the win. Roach and Keels were also teammates at Virginia's Paul VI High School, when they won the state championship two years ago.