Governor Stops In Cherokee For Talk On Economy
(Cherokee, NC) -- North Carolina's governor is speaking about economic development in the mountains. Roy Cooper stopped to speak at the Rebounding Stronger Summit in Cherokee yesterday. One of his main talking points addressed the addition of more high-speed internet access thanks to new infrastructure spending. Cooper also emphasized the importance of community colleges on the economy.
Elderly Man Dies In Burke County Drowning
(Burke County, NC) -- More details are in concerning a drowning in Burke County. Investigators revealed yesterday that a 78-year-old Morganton man died on Lake James last Saturday. He was reportedly found near the Fonta Flora access point off North Carolina Highway 126. The victim was said to be visiting the lake with his family at the time of the drowning.
Polk County Foundation Invests In Trail
(Polk County, NC) -- Plans are moving forward for a trail redevelopment in North Carolina. WLOS-TV reports the Polk County Community Foundation is injecting a quarter-of-a-million-dollars to help purchase a rail corridor for outdoor recreational benefits. The project spans the Saluda Grade Trail, which runs for more than a dozen miles in South Carolina into North Carolina, where it extends another 15-miles.
Asheville Schools Shelling Out Money For Superintendents
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville schools have been pouring money into superintendent searches over the last decade. WLOS-TV reports the city district has spent over 360-thousand-dollars for buyout expenses. Close to 50-thousand-dollars has gone towards searches for new superintendents. Asheville City Schools Superintendent Gene Freeman announced earlier this summer that he'd be retiring close to six-months before his original intended date.
Fire Damages Asheville Home
(Asheville, NC) -- A house fire is being investigated in Asheville. Witnesses told WLOS-TV there was a loud boom before flames tore through a home on Sunset Summit yesterday afternoon. The flames caused a response of 20 fire trucks. The residents were able to escape safely.
CarMax Coming To Asheville
(Asheville, NC) -- A used car dealership is coming to Asheville. CarMax is in the process of building a new center on Brevard Road at the site of a former Toys-R-Us. An opening is scheduled in February of next year. The closes CarMax facility to Asheville now is in Greenville.
Drunk Driver Suspected In Charlotte Death
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a deadly accident involving a suspected drunk driver. Officers say a 73-year-old man died after he was struck by a car on East Independence Boulevard early Tuesday morning. He was reportedly checking on his own car after an accident. The suspect is expected to be charged with felony death by motor vehicle.
Bank Submits Only Bid For Epicentre
(Charlotte, NC) -- The bank that foreclosed on uptown's Epicentre property is likely to keep its possession. NBC Charlotte reports Deutsche Bank Trust was the only bid at 95-million-dollars when the property went up for auction on Tuesday morning. Over a dozen interested bidders showed up at the courthouse yesterday, but no on else actually threw in an offer. Bidders are still allowed to offer five-percent above the bank's bid.
Immigrants Coming To Charlotte In High Numbers
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Queen City is seeing an influx of immigrants. The executive director of the Latin American Coalition told NBC Charlotte this week that around 14-hundred people have showed up looking for help since May. More than half of those migrants have come from Venezuela. Charlotte's immigration court has reportedly been a draw for families looking for citizenship.
CATS Proposes Light Rail Station
(Charlotte, NC) -- A new light rail station is being proposed by the Charlotte Area Transit System. The agency just held hearings this week on a proposal for a stop in the South End near the Public and Sycamore-Atherton Lofts. Construction would begin within the next three-years.
Fire Damages Salisbury Chemical Plant
(Salisbury, NC) -- A fire is being investigated at a Salisbury chemical plant. Crews responded to the Henkel Corporation off Cedar Springs Road near South Main Street early Tuesday afternoon. The exact damages are unclear, but no employees were injured.
Mayfield Impressing At Panthers' Camp
(Wofford, SC) -- Baker Mayfield might be winning the Panthers' quarterback battle. Offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo said Tuesday that Mayfield has been impressive in his short time with the team so far during preseason camp. Coach Matt Rhule also said he was impressed with how much the quarterback has done in just ten-days of training camp. Mayfield and Sam Darnold are competing for a place to take the first snap this fall for Carolina.
All Pittsboro Municipal Buildings Closed Due To COVID
(Chatham County, NC) -- The Chatham County town of Pittsboro has announced that all in-person services have been shut down due to COVID. This includes the Pittsboro Town Hall and the police department headquarters building. Residents can pay water and utility bills online or by using a drop-box. City leaders say they hope to reopen by Monday, August 15th.
177-Million Dollar Bond Proposal For Johnston County Schools To Appear On November Ballot
(Johnston County, NC) -- The Johnston County Board of Education Tuesday night, passed a resolution authorizing a 177-million dollar bond proposal to appear on the November General Election ballot. If approved, money generated from the sale of bonds would be used to help fund infrastructure repairs and upgrades, including HVAC equipment and other capital improvement projects.
Most North Carolina Civil Rights Activists Disappointed But Not Surprised At Mississippi Grand Jury Decision On Emmett Till Accuser
(Raleigh, NC) -- Reaction coming in from across the country to a Mississippi grand jury's decision not to indict Emmett Till accuser Carolyn Bryant Donham, who reportedly once lived in the Raleigh metro area. This, after an unserved kidnapping warrant was recently discovered in Leflore County, Mississippi, where the 14-year old Till was murdered back in 1955. Former Duke University researcher Tim Tyson said despite the disappointing decision, the quest to find justice for Emmett Till will continue.
Canes Re-Sign Naces On Same Day That Pacioretty Goes Out With An Achilles Injury
(Raleigh, NC) -- The Carolina Hurricanes announced Tuesday the re-signing of forward Martin Naces to a two year contract worth six-million dollars. The 23-year old will earn two and a half million during upcoming season and three-point-five-million next year. This comes as the organization also announced yesterday that new forward Max Pacioretty will be out for at least six months after suffering a torn Achilles. He is scheduled to undergo surgery today.
Solarize The Triangle Initiative Kicks Off Today In Central North Carolina
(Raleigh, NC) -- Starting today, some 11-communities across central North Carolina will launch a new program known as 'Solarize the Triangle'. Organizers say the joint initiative is designed to help residents and businesses in the area reduce the cost of solar energy installation and usage by obtaining volume discounts when purchasing materials and installation services.
North Carolina abortion Law Watchers Anticipating A Federal Judge's Ruling This Week
(Raleigh, NC) -- Both sides of the abortion debate continue to await a ruling by North Carolina federal judge William Osteen, on whether or not to re-instate a 20-week ban on abortions this week. Osteen placed an injunction on enforcing the ban back in 2019, but after the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, many legal experts believe Osteen will have no other choice but to lift the injunction.
State Gets Top Marks For Best Business Climate
(Greensboro, NC) -- North Carolina has been named the Best Business Climate in the nation by Business Facilities magazine. Editors say the state's success can be attributed to partnerships between local and state governments and private entities. Earlier this week, North Carolina was also recognized by CNBC as America's Top State for Business in 2022.
Greensboro Officials to Consider Action at Blind Tiger Bar
(Greensboro, NC) -- Greensboro officials are exploring what stronger action can be taken to curb violence at the Blind Tiger Bar. Assistant City Manager Nathaniel Davis says they're considering how the city can intervene because of the growing number of violent incidents at the bar. Last week's deadly shooting was the latest. The club reportedly has received over 60 calls police calls over the past two years. The state suspended its liquor license on Friday.
Wednesday Meeting will Update Winston-Salem's Strategies To Address Gun Violence
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Northeast Ward Council Member Barbara Hanes Burke is hosting an update meeting on the city's efforts to curb gun violence. The meeting will be held at the Carl H. Russell Community Center at 6 p.m. Wednesday night. The gathering is a follow-up to May's town hall meeting on gun violence and will include updates on the city's efforts. Residents will be given the chance to question officials and share their comments.
President Biden Nominates Police Chief To Serve As U.S. Marshal
(Washington, DC) -- President Biden has nominated Winston-Salem's police chief to serve as a U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of North Carolina. A White House news release announced the nomination of Chief Catrina Thompson Tuesday. Winston-Salem's top cop had announced previously that she will be retiring from the department at the end of this year.
Gas Prices Continue to Decrease
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Gas prices in the area are easing even more. Triple A says the average price for a gallon of gas in North Carolina is three-dollars, 71-cents as of Tuesday. That's down about five cents from a week ago. In Winston-Salem, gas prices are just below the state's average at three-dollars, 66-cents per gallon. In Greensboro, the price of a gallon of gas is at three-dollars, 70-cents.