Two Suspects Arrested For Bringing Drug To Rutherford Jail
(Rutherford County, NC) -- Two suspects are facing charges for giving drugs to Rutherford County inmates. Investigators say they snuck fentanyl pills into the detention center, which may have led to some overdoses. WLOS-TV reports there were five overdoses at the jail in just the first two-days of the week. The drugs were allegedly traded for commissary items.
Counselor To Inmates Arrested For Drug Possession
(Buncombe County, NC) -- A woman who counseled Buncombe County inmates is facing drug charges. Asheville police say the social worker was arrested earlier this week for suspected possession of fentanyl. She's no longer allowed access into the Buncombe County Detention Facility.
Upgrades To Memorial Stadium Being In Spring
(Asheville, NC) -- Upgrades to Asheville's Memorial Stadium are starting soon. The city's capital projects director told the city council this week that improvements are on track to begin in the spring. Included are new bathrooms and a rubber track around the stadium. Just over four-million-dollars will be spent on the project.
Parking Meters Coming To Hendersonville
(Hendersonville, NC) -- Parking meters could soon be coming to downtown Hendersonville. City council members are looking over a proposal to install meters which would run two-dollars-an-hour to park downtown. This is in addition to a new parking deck, which is expected to open up next spring. A vote is scheduled to take place next month for a meter contract.
Asheville Brewery Expanding
(Asheville, NC) -- An Asheville brewery has plans for an expansion. The Citizen-Times reports the owners of Dssolvr have purchased a neighboring lot to increase its brewery space by 25-hundred square feet. It will also include an event space. The brewery just opened up in Asheville three-years ago.
NC Workers Hit Burnout In Late June
(Asheville, NC) -- A study on worker burnout shows North Carolinians are ahead of most American employees. The website MyBioSource-dot-com says the average American worker experiences burnout as early as July 10th. For North Carolina, that date comes on June 29th. Earliest burnout sectors were education, legal and media positions.
No Charges Against Concord Officer In Deadly Shooting
(Concord, NC) -- A Concord police officer won't face charges in a deadly shooting earlier this year. Investigators say Timothy Larson shot 29-year-old Brandon Combs at a Nissan dealership during a fight. Combs was allegedly trying to steal a car at the time. The district attorney decided this week that no charges will be filed.
New Rail Stop Coming To South End
(Charlotte, NC) -- A new light rail stop is being added in Charlotte's South End. The Charlotte Metropolitan Transportation Commission approved an initiative yesterday which makes way for a location on South Boulevard. Two-million-dollars was already set aside for the project last year. It's expected to be completed some time in 2026.
Central Piedmont Opens New Building
(Charlotte, NC) -- A new building is open on the campus of Central Piedmont Community College. A dedication ceremony for the 113-million-dollar student union was held earlier this week. Mecklenburg County bonds and other county funds were used to finance the project.
Public Comment Needed On Interstate Widening Project
(Gaston County, NC) -- Public feedback is welcome on an interstate widening project in Gaston County. The DOT is expanding I-85 from three to four-lanes in each direction from exit 17 to 27. The 600-million-dollar project is expected to wrap up in 2030. Online comments and questions are being taken through September 23rd.
Bus Delays Expected For CMS
(Charlotte, NC) -- Classes are starting soon in CMS, and delays are expected. The system's transportation director told WBTV that more than 900 buses will hit the roads on Monday. Drivers have been conducting test runs this week to prepare for the increase in traffic. Families are encouraged to download the Here Comes the Bus app to keep track of routes and timing.
One Dead In Caldwell County Shooting
(Caldwell County, NC) -- Investigators in Caldwell County are piecing together details in a fatal shooting. Deputies found a man shot to death inside a Range Rover parked on Harpertown Drive late Tuesday night. Deputies are questioning a person of interest in the case.
Former Panthers Linebacker Opening Sports Lounge
(Charlotte, NC) -- A former Panthers' star is opening a sports bar in uptown. Thomas Davis owns the new Ten58 lounge on 4th Street, which is expected to be open by Carolina's first game on September 11th. Davis said on social media it's going to be one of the hottest spots in Charlotte. He played most of his 16 seasons in the NFL with the Panthers.
Launch Of ShotSpotter Gunfire Detection System Delayed Until November
(Durham, NC) -- Activation of the Durham Police Department's new ShotSpotter technology has been delayed for at least another two months. According to a post on the Department's web page the launch date has been pushed back to sometime in mid-November. A ShotSpotter spokesperson says the extra time is needed to secure permission from property owners for gunfire detection sensors to be placed in certain locations within a three square mile radius in the City of Durham.
COVID-19 Numbers Down In All Categories In North Carolina
(Raleigh, NC) -- Data released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services show there's been a slight drop in the number of new COVID-19 cases. Key metrics from last week show new infections were down 20-percent from the previous week, while the number of coronavirus particles in wastewater saw a 28-percent reduction. The number of people hospitalized with COVID related illnesses in North Carolina was also down by four percent.
Landlord Arrested For Stealing Slain Sheriff's Deputy's Belongings Out Of His House
(Wake County, NC) -- The landlord of a slain Wake County Sheriff's Deputy has been arrested on allegations of stealing items out of his dead tenants home. 59-year old Andrew Culbreth is charged with felony breaking and entering and larceny, just 48-hours after Officer Ned Byrd was shot and killed on August 11th. Court records show Culbreth took from the home three mountain bikes, a helmet and guns and ammo belonging to Deputy Byrd.
Second Sotelo Brother Makes Court Appearance In Byrd's Death; Third Brother In Custody On Illegal Weapons Charge
(Wake County, NC) -- A second suspect charged in Deputy Byrd's death made his first appearance in U.S. District Court in Winston-Salem Wednesday. 25-year old Alder Marin-Sotelo is facing charges in a separate case not related to the slain officer's death. However, he and his brother Auturo have both been indicted on first degree murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting of Ned Byrd. It was also learned yesterday that a third brother, 18-year old Rolando Marin-Sotelo, has been jailed in Forsyth County on an illegal weapons possession charge.
Agriculture Department Announces Plan To Invest 19-Million In Rural North Carolina To Slow Climate Change
(Raleigh, NC) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the awarding of a 19-million dollar grant to the state of North Carolina to help rural counties combat climate change. The funds are part of the Biden Administration's Inflation Reduction Act. The money will be used to purchase and install equipment for renewable energy systems.
First Ever NIL Business-Athlete Exchange Reception Held At UNC Chapel Hill
(Chapel Hill, NC) -- Earlier this week, UNC Chapel Hill became the first school in the state to host a 'Carolina NIL Exchange Program' reception. The goal of the event was to connect Tar Heel student athletes with area businesses to legally discuss product endorsements and payments. Hundreds of UNC athletes attended the historic reception.
Schools Reveal New Code of Conduct for 2023 School Year
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Officials with Forsyth County Schools are revealing a new code of conduct as the academic year gets underway. Superintendent Tricia McManus says the code is based on inclusive relationships and fair expectations, particularly toward Black and Hispanic students who she says are suspended at far higher rates than white students. District leaders have removed language they believed was subjective like "disrespect" and "subordination" from the previous code.
School District Staffers, Teachers To Get "Back-To-School" Bonuses
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Employees of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools will soon be getting a thousand dollars each in "back-to-school" bonuses. The school board approved the funds Tuesday night for all district employees, pending state approval. The bonuses, which are expected to total eight-and-a-half-million-dollars, will be paid with federal COVID relief funds.
Third Brother Accused in Wake Deputy's Death Charged
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A third brother of the two men charged with killing a Wake County deputy has made an appearance in federal court. Alder Alfonso Marin-Sotelo has been charged previously with first degree murder for allegedly killing Deputy Ned Byrd. His brother Rolando Marin-Sotelo has not yet been charged in the case but was arraigned Wednesday on ammunitions charges. Their brother, Arturo was indicted last Thursday; he was arrested and charged with murder according to court documents.
Officials Say Invasive Spotted Lanternflies Are Spreading
(Kernersville, NC) -- The state's first invasive brood of spotted lanternflies has reportedly now spread beyond Forsyth County. A spokeswoman for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says new adults have been found just inside Guilford County near Interstate 40. They are linked to the original invasion discovered in Kernersville in early July. The bugs produce a buildup that can cause black, sooty mold to grow on infested plants, as well as on homes and businesses.
Central Carolina Fair Returns To Greensboro
(Greensboro, NC) -- The Central Carolina Fair is returning to the Greensboro Coliseum. Promoters say the annual event will begin Friday September 9th and run through Sunday the 18th. In addition to more than 25 rides, the fair this year also offers the Roaring Metal Rage - a freestyle motocross and BMX Rider show that will be free with fair admission. More information is available at the Greensboro Coliseum's website.