Hundreds Of Thousand In Vaccine Coordination Funds Being Redirected In Buncombe County
(Asheville, NC) -- Buncombe County commissioners are giving the OK on the re-issuance of leftover COVID vaccination program funds from last year. Last night's vote facilitates 388-thousand dollars toward the coordination and expansion of COVID vaccine services, particularly to underserved communities. The funding comes as new omicron-specific booster shots are becoming available. Residents can visit vaccines.gov for more information and shot availability.
Police Looking For Two Masked Men After Labor Day Weekend Shooting
(Asheville, NC) -- Police are releasing more details regarding a weekend shooting in Asheville. It happened in the 200-block of Sulphur Springs Road around 2:30 a.m. Sunday. Officers were investigating a call of shots fired and found a man with a gunshot wound at a residence in that area. He told police he was leaving a nearby nightclub when two men wearing masks approached him from behind, shoved him, and then shot him.
Asheville Food And Beverage Group Demanding Lower Parking Rates Downtown
(Asheville, NC) -- Hospitality workers say they're being gouged by the downtown Asheville parking rates and are demanding change. Members of Asheville Food and Beverage United aired their grievances outside the Buncombe County Courthouse Tuesday. The rally's organizer says most members of the group are paying between one-hundred and four-hundred dollars monthly, just for parking, calling it beyond unreasonable. The group, that has grown to more than 14-hundred members in a year, has already filed a petition for cheaper parking with Asheville City Council and Buncombe County Commissioners.
Monday Storms Still Affecting Parts Of Western North Carolina
(Lake Lure, NC) -- Cleanup efforts are still underway in Henderson and Rutherford Counties after severe storms washed out the area Monday. A mudslide left a portion of U.S. 74-A in Bat Cave near Freeman Knolls closed for much of the day Labor Day. Lake Lure officials were forced to issue a state of emergency after the torrential downpour caused damage to the wastewater treatment plant. Buffalo Creek Road between South Drive and Rumbling Bald Resort is severely damaged and will take some time to repair.
Pipe Work To Close College Street Roundabout For Four Nights Starting Sunday
(Asheville, NC) -- The Public Works Stormwater Division is replacing storm drain piping along College Street in Asheville this weekend. The work will begin this Sunday evening, the 11th. The College Street roundabout will be closed for about four nights, between 7 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. Detours will be posted.
Top Vote-Getter For Mayor Pro-Tem Turns Down Role, Votes Winston
(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte has a new mayor pro-tem. City council unanimously voted councilmember Braxton Winston into the position at last night's regularly scheduled meeting. Tuesday night was the first meeting of the new City Council term members, including four brand new members of council. While council member Dimple Ajmera was the top vote-getter this election, she turned down the role and endorsed Winston for the position.
CMS Staff Asked To Put On Their Teaching Hats To Fill Vacancies
(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials are coming up with short-term fixes for the ongoing teacher shortage. District officials sent an email to CMS central office staff who are licensed to teach to step up and fill some much-needed positions to start the school year. As of this week, there are still about 74 classroom assignments that need filled. The CMS staff is asked to fill any position, temporarily, that best fits their expertise.
First Monkeypox Case Detected At Mecklenburg County Jail
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office is confirming the local jail's first case of monkeypox. A Mecklenburg County Jail inmate recently contracted the virus and has since been isolated. Tuesday, sheriff's office officials said the virus was detected in the inmate during a routine health examination that is performed on every inmate that comes through the jail. The monkeypox protocol, that was implemented just last month with cases increasing across the country, is now in place at the jail.
Person Of Interest Wanted In Deadly Charlotte Shooting
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are asking the public's help finding a person of interest related to a deadly gas station shooting over holiday. Monday morning, around 3:30 a.m., officers responded to the Circle K on West Sugar Creek Road at W.T. Harris Boulevard. The victim was identified as 28-year-old Rahmiek D. Brown, who died at the scene. Now, police are circulating a photo of a man wearing a white shirt, white shoes, black basketball shorts, and a blue Dodgers hat.
Teacher Accused Of Visiting Her Assault Victim After She Was Arrested
(Charlotte, NC) -- A former Iredell County teacher accused of rape is facing new charges after violating her initial bond. According to court documents, 36-year-old Elizabeth Bailey continued to go to the victim's home after her initial arrest on August 1st. Since that arrest, Bailey is accused of visiting the teenage victim nine times. Now her bond has been raised to 800-thousand dollars, up from the initial 75-thousand dollars, and charges of felony interference with a state witness have been filed
Suspected Bank Robber Arrested in Greensboro
(Greensboro, NC) -- A man accused of robbing a bank in Greensboro last week has been arrested and charged. Greensboro Police say Bryan Lamont Weeks faces charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon after he allegedly hit the Bank of America on Bessemer Avenue. Officials say a gun was 'implied' during the hold-up, but no one was injured.
Joy Ride Ends With Five Juveniles Taken to Hospital
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Five kids are recovering after police say they crashed after a joyride. The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office says a deputy tried to pull over their white sedan early Monday morning after he saw a moving violation in the 1000 block of University Parkway. The driver reportedly refused to stop and tried to get away from the deputy but ended up crashing on West Northwest Boulevard. All five people in the car were juveniles, including the driver, who did not have a license.
Public Invited To View Pre-Election Tests On Voting Machines
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Forsyth County Election officials are inviting residents to watch as they conduct pre-election tests on voting machines. Jay Lerman who is with the county election board says he wants to make sure voters know transparency is key. The public can view the process until September 14th. Anyone interested can reserve a time to watch by calling the election board at 336-703-2804.
Public Comments Sought on Proposed Downtown Historic District
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Members of the Forsyth County Historic Resources Commission will be taking public comments on a proposed historic district for downtown. City leaders say if the designation is granted, the area could become eligible for a 20 percent federal income investment tax credit. The item is on the agenda at the commission's meeting Wednesday night, which begins at 4:00 p.m.
Greensboro Science Center Reports Death of Green Anaconda
(Greensboro, NC) -- Staffers at Greensboro's Science Center are mourning the loss of a giant snake named Babalou. A news release say the green anaconda likely passed away Sunday night. A necropsy showed the 30-year-old snake nicknamed "Babs" may have had cancer. Center officials say the average lifespan of a green anaconda in the wild is about 10 years.