Deputy Clerk Arrested For Courthouse Peeping
(Buncombe County, NC) -- A former deputy clerk is accused of peeping at the Buncombe County courthouse. Dakota Barker was arrested and fired earlier this week after investigators say he set up a video recording device inside a woman's office. His charges include felony secret peeping. The clerk of the superior court says the office doesn't condone that behavior.
Another Candidate Joins Asheville Mayor Race
(Asheville, NC) -- Another candidate is joining the race for mayor in Asheville. City council member Kim Roney announced her intentions to run against Mayor Esther Manheimer yesterday. Roney stated she'll be focusing on issues including affordability, public safety strategies and an improved public meeting process. Dr. Cliff Feingold and Michael Hayes are also running for the seat.
Mural Honoring Black Businesses Unveiled In Asheville
(Asheville, NC) -- A mural commemorating the historic all-Black business district in Asheville is complete. Artwork on the south side of the Pack Square parking garage was unveiled yesterday after about a year's work. Artist Jenny Pickens says the symbol of freedom behind the painted eagle mural should be a reminder of what the area used to be.
Developers Seeking Money For Affordable Housing Projects
(Asheville, NC) -- Several developers are looking for help in developing affordable housing in Buncombe County. A community development official told the Affordable Housing Committee earlier that the developers have requested just over nine-million-dollars. The projects would provide more than 780 affordable units in apartment buildings and homes. The committee has a goal of building three-thousand affordable units by 2030.
Asheville's Downtown Dribble Comes Back
(Asheville, NC) -- A big event surrounding the Southern Conference basketball championships is getting underway tomorrow morning in Asheville. Hundreds of kids and families are expected to come out to the Downtown Dribble in Pack Square Park for games, pep bands, a parade and more. Organizers say there will be enough basketballs to give away for 750 children. Conference tournament games began yesterday at the Harrah's Cherokee Center.
Historic Building To Be Boutique Hotel
(Asheville, NC) -- A historic building in downtown Asheville is transforming into a boutique hotel. The planning and zoning commissioner gave approval Wednesday on a plan to modify the century-old Star Building into a 35-room hotel with street-level retail space. The bricks and glass are expected to be restored. The commission also approved plans for two residential developments.
Record Crowd Expected At Charlotte FC Match
(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte FC's home opener is expected to be a record breaker. The organization says more than 73-thousand tickets have already been sold for tomorrow's match against LA Galaxy at Bank of America Stadium. That already surpasses the highest-attended match in Major League Soccer's history. Charlotte dropped last weekend's season opener against DC United.
One Dead In Salisbury Shooting
(Salisbury, NC) -- Salisbury police are investigating a deadly shooting at a shopping center. One man was killed in a parking lot near the Walmart on South Arlington Street last night. The suspect hasn't been caught. Investigators say there is no threat to the public.
NoDa Mural Painted Over By Accident
(Charlotte, NC) -- A local artist is figuring out how to replace a large mural in the NoDa district. Osiris Rain told NBC Charlotte this week that a painting company accidentally painted over his mural, Bloom, which had been covering a wall at East 35th and Davidson streets. The company was supposed to be painting over a nearby advertisement. Rain is either repainting the same mural or creating a new design.
Cooper Discusses New Grant At Central Piedmont
(Pineville, NC) -- A new grant is being offered to community college students in North Carolina. Governor Roy Cooper visited Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte yesterday to outline details for the Longleaf Commitment Grant. Graduating seniors will be able to receive between 700-and-28-hundred-dollars per-year for two-years.
Suspect Arrested After York County Machete Attack
(Charlotte, NC) -- A man is facing charges for an alleged machete attack in York County. The assault happened early Thursday morning around Fort Mill. The victim was rushed to the hospital, but there's been no update on the seriousness of the injuries. The sheriff's office says the suspect was tracked down in Charlotte last night and arrested for attempted murder.
Temps Hit Record High In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- A temperature record has fallen in the Queen City. The high climbed to 85 yesterday, which eclipsed the previous record of 84 set for March 3rd in 1976. That's also roughly 24-degrees above the normal high for this time of year. The thermostat could hit 80 again on Sunday.
Davidson Men Look For Outright Basketball Title Tomorrow
(Dayton, OH) -- The Davidson men's basketball team can wrap up an outright regular season title tomorrow. The Wildcats will secure the Atlantic Ten's title with a win at Dayton, or a VCU loss to Saint Louis. Davidson has already secured at least a share of first. The team begins the Atlantic Ten conference tournament in the quarterfinal round one-week from today.
Durham City Council Votes To Try Out ShotSpotter Technology For A Year
(Durham, NC) -- After rejecting the idea for many years, Durham city leaders have finally decided to allow the use of ShotSpotter technology in combating gun violence. On Thursday, a majority of the Durham City Council voted to approve spending 197-thousand dollars to begin a one year pilot program, with the first three months being free of charge. ShotSpotter is an audio detection system that uses sensors to tell police dispatchers exactly where the shots came from. The goal of the ShotSpotter system is to improve police response times, catch the shooters and to provide quicker medical attention to the wounded.
State Board Of Education Votes To Revoke The Charter Of Majority Black And Hispanic Charter School In Raleigh
(Raleigh, NC) -- The North Carolina Board of Education has voted to revoke the charter of Torchlight Academy, a mostly Black and Hispanic charter school based in Raleigh. The action comes after school administrators last year were sanctioned for falsifying records of special education students and for violating conflict of interest rules. Torchlight, which is one of the oldest K-12 charter schools in the city, has an enrollment of approximately 600-students.
New Report From State Shows North Carolina Student Academic Performance Down Across The Board Because Of COVID
(Raleigh, NC) -- New figures released by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction show that disruptions caused by COVID-19 has negatively impacted student academic performance in all grades and in almost every subject. The report, released Thursday, also showed the subjects of Math and Biology were especially hard hit. But overall, most students continued to progress during the pandemic, but at a slower pace than they would have done otherwise.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools Vote To End Outdoor Masks Mandate
(Chapel Hill, NC) -- The Chapel Hill-Carrboro school district has decided to end its outdoor mask mandate. In a unanimous vote, the Board of Education on Thursday, approved a resolution making masks optional starting Monday. The Board also voted to implement a new "masks recommended' policy for indoors. That is set to go into effect on April 4th.
Students At UNC Chapel Hill Offering Transportation To Fellow Students Needing Off-Campus Mental Health Service
(Chapel Hill, NC) -- Officials at UNC Chapel Hill have announced the launching of a new program designed to provide rides to students needing to travel off-campus for counseling. The student-run program, known as "Well Ride", will offer transportation to those who don't have cars, but need to travel off-campus to receive therapy and psychological services. Although it's free, students will still have to register for the service online.
Canes To Play Washington Next Year At Carter-Finley, In First Outdoor Competition In Franchise History
(Raleigh, NC) -- The Carolina Hurricanes have announced the team they will take on in the first outdoor hockey game in franchise history. In a statement released Thursday, the Canes said their opponent will be the Washington Capitols, with the contest being played on February 18th, 2023 at NC State's Carter-Finley Stadium. The NHL initially wanted the Hurricanes to play a game outdoors last year, but it had to be postponed because of COVID. Organizers say Carter-Finley will be transformed into a traditional-style outdoor hockey rink.