Homes Evacuated During Maggie Valley Brush Fire
(Maggie Valley, NC) -- A brush fire in Maggie Valley is threatening homes. Flames spread over 50 acres on Sheepback Mountain yesterday, which forced the evacuation of nearly 20 homes. Cavalry Road Baptist Church has been set up as a reunification center. No structures have been damaged so far, as crews continue to battle the blaze.
Haywood County Man Pleads Guilty To Capitol Riot Charge
(Washington, DC) -- A Haywood County man is admitting his role in the U.S. Capitol riot. The Citizen-Times reports Lewis Cantwell pleaded guilty in late March to obstructing law enforcement during the commission of civil disorder. According to video recorded on January 6th 2021, Cantwell yelled there needed to be fresh patriots up to the front as the crowd stormed the Capitol building. His sentencing comes up this fall.
Funds Considered For Asheville Airport Expansion
(Asheville, NC) -- Buncombe County commissioners are set to consider funding for a big expansion at Asheville Regional Airport. The airport authority is looking for approval of 275-million-dollars for revenue bonds, which will fund construction of an expansion at the current terminal building. Expansions are also planned for the ticket lobby, TSA screening area and baggage claim. Commissioners will discuss the funding tonight, with construction slated to begin this summer.
Large Apartment Development Considered In Enka
(Buncombe County, NC) -- A 300-unit apartment development is being considered in Enka. Buncombe County's board of adjustment is expected to discuss plans for the development next week. The developer wants to construct eleven buildings between I-40 and Hollbrook Road. Construction would take two-years after beginning this fall.
Catalytic Converters Recovered During Theft Ring Investigation
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Some catalytic converters tied to a large theft ring have been recovered. Buncombe County investigators found ten converters in a Jeep operated by a Candler man in late March. The sheriff's office says the suspect is connected to a massive theft ring that involves more than 300-thousand-dollars'-worth of copper wire.
City Leaders Eyeing More Affordable Housing
(Charlotte, NC) -- City leaders are discussing more affordable housing projects in the Queen City. The city council has been presented with seven different proposals which would total more than 600 new affordable living units across Charlotte. Taxpayers would fund just under 13-million-dollars for the projects. A potential vote is coming up next week.
Mortgage Relief Offered In Mecklenburg County
(Charlotte, NC) -- Mecklenburg County is offering mortgage relief for those affected by the COVID pandemic. CARES Act funding will help provide one-million-dollars in assistance. Applications are now being accepted for the relief. Homeowners must live in the unincorporated part of the county, or in six county towns.
Organization Looks To Open Food Distribution Center
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Cornelius-based organization wants to establish a food distribution center in Charlotte. Carolina Farm Trust is looking for permission from the city to renovate a South Hoskins Road warehouse. The plan is to produce and distribute food for underserved communities at the two-point-tree acre property.
Cornelius Lotto Ticket Nets Two-Million-Dollars
(Cornelius, NC) -- The latest big lotto winner is a man from Cornelius. The North Carolina Education Lottery says he purchased a Diamond Dazzler ticket from a Harris Teeter grocery store. He won two-million-dollars last week as a result. The take-home amount was just over 850-thousand after withholdings.
Another Bonus Possible For Cabarrus County Teachers
(Cabarrus County, NC) -- Teachers could receive another bonus in Cabarrus County. The school board discussed an idea last night that would give all certified staff an extra 475-dollars at the end of May. It doesn't affect an earlier-approved bonus. Final approval is scheduled for next week.
Families Kicked Out Of Gastonia Hotel
(Gastonia, NC) -- Nearly two-dozen families are being kicked out of a Charlotte hotel. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program was helping the tenants find a place to stay at Gastonia's Fairfield Inn, but an agreement reportedly fell through. WSOC-TV reports the families were just told on Friday that they had to leave.
North Carolina Blows A 16-Point Halftime Lead To Lose To Kansas In The Last Two Minutes Of The National Championship Game
(New Orleans, LA) -- North Carolina's amazing run for the national championship came to an end Monday night, with a heartbreaking 72-to-69 loss to Kansas. In what was also the largest comeback deficit in title game history, the Jayhawks clawed and scraped their way back from being down 16-points at halftime, to take the lead with just over a minute left in the game. The Tar Heels failed to score any points during the last minute and 41-seconds, including a three-point-desparation shot at the buzzer by Caleb Love. A severely sprained ankle forced Armando Bacot to leave during the last minute of the epic battle, but not before he scored 15-points and grabbed 15 rebounds to become the first player in tournament history to record double-doubles in all six games.
Organizers Of The Dreamville Festival Being Encouraged By Tourism Officials To Make The Next Event Bigger And Better
(Raleigh, NC) -- So successful was the Dreamville Festival in Raleigh this past weekend, that local tourism officials are now talking about expanding the festival to include more activities. Dennis Edwards of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau said he'd like to see a third festival that features opportunities for the public to engage with songwriters, producers and video production directors. Organizers say it will be a couple of weeks before an exact figure will be made public on how many people attended to the two-day event at Dix Park.
Apex Police Captain Arrested Following Violent Altercation With His Wife
(Apex, NC) -- Authorities in Apex are investigating allegations of domestic violence on the part of a high ranking official within the police department. Records show Johnston County Sheriff's Deputies arrested Captain Eric Buchannan on Friday. He was charged with one count of assault on a female in what was described as a domestic incident. Buchanan has also been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation. The victim was identified as Buchanan's wife.
Sweepstakes Parlor Security Guard Shot During Robbery Attempt
(Rocky Mount, NC) -- A security guard who worked at a Rocky Mount sweepstakes parlor is recovering after being shot during a robbery attempt. It happened early Monday morning at the Taps location on Wesleyan Boulevard. Investigators say the guard, identified as Willie Moore, tried to intervene and stop a robbery when he was wounded by the shooter. He was taken to UNC Health Care where he was last listed in stable condition. The alleged shooter was last seen leaving the parking lot on foot.
Republicans File An Appeal To Overturn Last Weeks Ruling On Former Felons Voting
(Raleigh, NC) -- On Monday, attorneys representing North Carolina Republican leaders asked a state appeals court to overturn a lower court decision allowing former convicted felons to vote. This comes after a three-judge State Superior Court ruled last week, that a 50-year old law preventing those who have completed their sentences but remain on probation from voting, is unconstitutional. The motion filed Monday request that the Court of Appeals block the ruling from taking effect.
Elderly Woman Hospitalized After Being Struck By A Pickup Truck
(Raleigh, NC) -- Police in Raleigh are investigating a case where an elderly woman was struck and injured by a pickup truck while trying to cross the street last night. It happened around 9:00 p.m. along the 700-block of West Peace Street. Authorities say the woman was clipped by the vehicle and was taken to the hospital in an ambulance unconscious. No word on her condition. Police also say the driver of the pickup remained on the scene and cooperated with investigators. No word on whether any charges will be filed.