Asheville Boil Advisories Lifted
(Asheville, NC) -- It appears that water service is back on around Asheville. The city announced yesterday that all boil advisories had been lifted after lab results revealed there were no contaminants. The last water to be restored came in the western part of the county yesterday. Customers may still see discolored or cloudy water.
Poaching Investigation Underway In Cherokee
(Cherokee, NC) -- A poaching investigation is underway in Cherokee. The Natural Resources Office says an elk was found dead, shot with an arrow, the weekend before Christmas. A combined reward of six-thousand-dollars for information leading to an arrest in the case. Elk are not allowed to be hunted on the tribal land of the Eastern Band of the Cherokees.
New Insurer For State Health Plan
(Raleigh, NC) -- A different company is taking over as the state's health insurer. State treasurer Dale Folwell said yesterday Blue Cross Blue Shield is being replaced by Aetna in 2023. Blue Cross has been used by the state for 40-years, but Aetna presented lower costs and transparency. The News and Observer reports an appeal is expected from Blue Cross.
State Gas Tax Rises
(Raleigh, NC) -- The state gas tax is higher than it was in 2022. The North Carolina Department of Revenue announced in November that the rate was going up two-cents at the beginning of the year. This brings the state gas tax up to 40-point-five-cents-a-gallon. That number is 12-cents more than what is charged in neighboring South Carolina.
Rental Assistance Available In Buncombe County Again
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe County is offering rental assistance again. The board of commissioners voted this week to accept nearly eight-million-dollars from the state, which was initially provided by the federal government. Applications for those who have been impacted by COVID-19 and still need help with rent or utilities are being taken starting tomorrow. Rental assistance was initially put on hold in September.
Asheville Studied Emergency Preparedness Before Water Problems
(Asheville, NC) -- The city of Asheville has been in the works of improving emergency preparedness. The city manager says a consultant had already been hired to go over Asheville's operating plans before encountering water problems last week. She says there have been some lessons learned over the past week or so.
One Dead In North Charlotte Homicide
(Charlotte, NC) -- A homicide is being investigated in north Charlotte. Officers say a man died after he was shot at West 24th near Graham Street on Wednesday afternoon. No arrests were announced. Three homicides were reported in Charlotte on New Year's Day.
Drug Trafficking Suspected After Big Cash Find
(Charlotte, NC) -- A suspect is facing charges after trying to make it through Charlotte's airport with drug money. Investigators say a man was caught with around 45-thousand-dollars in cash. It was confiscated at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport last year before a flight to Los Angeles. The money was divided into a couple of different bags and a hoodie.
New Insurer For State Health Plans
(Raleigh, NC) -- A different company is taking over as the state's health insurer. State treasurer Dale Folwell said yesterday Blue Cross Blue Shield is being replaced by Aetna in 2023. Blue Cross has been used by the state for 40-years, but Aetna presented lower costs and transparency. The News and Observer reports an appeal is expected from Blue Cross.
Car Thief Steals Bond Agent's Vehicle
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Charlotte car thief is accused of stealing again. A bond agent's car went missing right after Anthony Goddard was released from jail a week ago. He allegedly stole the agent's car after someone else posted bond for him. The agent called him the dumbest and boldest criminal in the city.
Statesville Police Investigate Cold Case
(Statesville, NC) -- Statesville police are looking to crack a cold case death. Officers found Ethel Weaver stabbed to death inside her home on Bond Street in 1992. No suspects were ever identified and no arrests have been made. Investigators say there were no signs of forced entry.
Hornets Fall To Memphis At Home
(Charlotte, NC) -- The struggle is continuing for the Hornets. Memphis took down Charlotte 131-to-107 at the Spectrum Center last night. It marked the Hornets' third loss in a row and their 14th in 18-games. Next up is a trip to play one of the league's best teams in Milwaukee.
CDC Raises Many Area Counties' COVID-19 Levels To High
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- An increase in the number of COVID cases has caused the CDC to raise the spread level to "high" in the Triad area. The latest update from the Centers for Disease Control shows, as of December 28th, high levels of COVID have been seen in Forsyth, Yadkin, Surry, Stokes, and Davie counties. Officials say the B-Q strain of the omicron variant is causing the most infections in the state.
Alleged Shooter in Custody, Victim in Critical Condition
(Greensboro, NC) -- Greensboro police say a man is now in custody and another person remains in critical condition from a shooting Tuesday afternoon. It happened at a house in the Comstock Lane area around 4:30. Suspect Ti'on Conaway has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, among other counts. The victim's name, as well as the circumstances surrounding the shooting, aren't yet being released.
Missing 11-Year-Old's Mother, Step-Father Indicted
(Cornelius, NC) - A Cornelius woman and her husband are being charged with a felony under Caylee's Law for not reporting her young daughter's disappearance. Police say it took three weeks for Diana Cojocari and husband Christopher Palmiter to report 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari missing. She was last seen in school bus video more than 40 days ago. Investigators say the parents only reported her gone when school authorities confronted them.
Treasurer's Office Changing Providers for State Health Coverage
(Raleigh, NC) -- The North Carolina State Treasurer's office says Aetna will soon be administering the state's health plan. The office announced Wednesday that Aetna has won the state contract for coverage beginning in 2025. The company will replace Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, which has managed the plan for the state for over 40 years. The new coverage is for state government workers as well as teachers, retirees and their family members.
NCDOT To Provide Free Bicycle Helmets To Organizations Across The State
(Raleigh, NC) -- The North Carolina Department of Transportation is giving away free bicycle helmets for child riders. The NCDOT says helmets will be given to organizations across the state as part of its annual Bicycle Helmet Initiative, with distribution starting this spring. The program is funded by the "Share the Road" specialty license plate.