Buncombe Jail Passes State Inspection
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe County's jail is on the passing end of a recent state inspection. Investigators advised Sheriff Quentin Miller that the detention center had no deficiencies during a biannual check earlier this month. The sheriff says the jail is safe and clean thanks to the hard work of the county's supervisors, jail staff and medical teams. Just under 40-percent of the state's jails failed inspection in a December 2022 report.
One Hurt In West Asheville Shooting
(Asheville, NC) -- Police are investigating a shooting that injured one man in west Asheville. A man was shot on State Street late Tuesday morning, but the suspect remains at-large. It's the 19th shooting involving an injury or death in Asheville so far this year. Local residents told WLOS-TV that there's been an increase in crime related to drugs, and they're fed up.
Buncombe County Considers Open Burning Rule Changes
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe County is trying to crack down on open burning. Commissioners are considering a change to the local ordinance that will fall more in line with state standards. The fire marshal told the board this week that it should include a ban on burning anything other than leaves and wood. Bonfires and recreational fires would also require a permit under the new changes, which could be voted on at the beginning of August.
Haywood County Man Imprisoned For Child Sex Crimes
(Haywood County, NC) -- A Haywood County man is heading to prison for child sex crimes. A judge sentenced the 70-year-old to 80-years yesterday for multiple statutory sex offenses and indecent liberties involving two young girls between 2018 and 2022. The victims are now just 15-years-old.
Former Deputy On Trial For Assault In Buncombe
(Buncombe County, NC) -- A former Transylvania County deputy is on trial for assault charges in Buncombe County. The SBI says the charge stems from an excessive force allegation in a February 2021 arrest. WLOS-TV reports the trial began this Monday. The Buncombe County sheriff's office hasn't released further details in the case.
Tourism Dollars Help Jackson County Park Improvements
(Jackson County, NC) -- Jackson County is looking to fund improvements at two town parks. A clean-up of Scott's Creek and paving upgrades are planned at Sylva's Bridge Park. Half of the 800-thousand-dollar project will be paid for using tourism funds, while the remainder comes from American Rescue Plan money. Tourism dollars are also expected to help cover costs to replace a pedestrian bridge in Dillsboro's Monteith Park.
Business Owner Accused Of COVID Fraud
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Charlotte business owner is accused of stealing more than one-million-dollars in COVID funds. The man was indicted this week on wire fraud and money laundering charges dating back to 2020. Investigators say he filed fake paycheck protection program loans and disaster loans. His customers pocketed 600-thousand-dollars, while the suspect took home over 500-thousand-dollars. Prosecutors report the man forced his customers to pay for loan preparation fees in cash to go undetected.
StarMed Laying Off Some Before Big Move
(Charlotte, NC) -- A medical care company is shifting priorities as it moves to a central location in Charlotte. StarMed is firing 15-people before the company switches from urgent care to primary care. More than 200 people will be working at the ten-thousand-square foot facility off South Boulevard.
Mayor's Racial Equity Initiative Nears Goal
(Charlotte, NC) -- A racial equity initiative in Charlotte has almost reached its goal. The Charlotte Business Journal reports close to 250-million-dollars has been raised for the mayor's project. It started nearly two-years ago with a kickoff at Johnson C. Smith University, where commitments of nearly 200-million-dollars were announced.
Campbell Soup Co. Letting Dozens Go
(Charlotte, NC) -- Dozens of employees are being let go at a Charlotte office. Campbell Soup Co. already announced it is shutting down its corporate office in the Queen City. The Ballantyne location closure is part of a company effort to consolidate operations. The change is taking place by December 1st.
Fire Destroys Union County Home
(Union County, NC) -- Union County firefighters are investigating a home fire. It took crews around an hour to put out the blaze on McManus Road early Wednesday morning. WBTV reports the home was vacant after recently being put up for sale. No injuries were reported, while investigators still seek the cause of the fire.
Former UNCC Player Signs NFL Extension
(Charlotte, NC) -- A former Charlotte 49ers star is signing a contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers. ESPN reports Alex Highsmith has come to an agreement with the team that will earn him nearly 70-million dollars over four-years. The pass rusher nabbed 14-and-a-half sacks for the Steelers last season. Highsmith totaled 15 sacks during his senior year in Charlotte.
EF-3 Tornado Causes Widespread Damage
(Nash County, NC) -- People in Nash, Edgecombe and parts of Halifax Counties, are dealing with the aftermath of a major EF-3 tornado that tore through the region yesterday. Local EMA officials are reporting at least 89 homes and building structures were damaged and 16 people were injured. The 150-mile-per-hour twister that traveled for about 20 miles, also caused significant damage to the Pfizer pharmaceutical plant in Rocky Mount, where over 50-thousand pallets of medicine were destroyed. Several roads in the area will remain closed today, due to downed trees and power lines.
Temporary Emergency Shelters Now Open
(Rocky Mount, NC) -- Two shelters have been opened in Rocky Mount to provide assistance to residents who were displaced, or lost power due to the severe storms. The American Red Cross is operating a shelter at 5515 Red Oak Road in Red Oak. In addition, the Rocky Mount Senior Center on South Church Street will also be open to those displaced by the tornado. For more information call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
NDOC Worker Killed In Hit-and-Run Near Ft. Liberty
(Ft. Liberty, NC) -- An investigation is underway into the death of a North Carolina Department of Transportation worker, who was struck and killed by a vehicle while picking up trash on the side of the road near Ft. Liberty. It happened Tuesday morning along I-295 and the Murchison Road interchange. No information has been released about the suspected driver. The investigation is being headed up by the Department of the Army's Criminal Investigation Division.
Three NC Republicans File Suit Against State Party
(Raleigh, NC) -- The North Carolina Republican Party is being sued by three of its own members. Documents filed in Wake County Superior Court Monday, claim the use of a mobile voting app during last month's annual convention in Greensboro, violated state party rules by allowing delegates who were not on the convention floor to cast ballots. The plaintiffs also claim the virtual voting compromised election integrity.
Pendo Announces The Intro Of New AI Software Into The Marketplace
(Raleigh, NC) -- Raleigh based Pendo has announced the launching of a package of new Artificial Intelligence products aimed at improving the software experiences of businesses through automation. In a statement released Wednesday, Pendo said the new AI products will help companies and government agencies speed up research, with features such as one-click guides, analysis and instant summaries. Pendo AI is also promising its customers 10-times better software experiences.
Wrexham No Match For Chelsea In Exhibition
(Chapel Hill, NC) -- Despite the team's celebrity ownership and recent global media exposure, Wrexham AFC were shut out 5-nil by Premier League side Chelsea last night at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill. Nevertheless, the more than 50-thousand fans from all 50 states and six foreign countries got to witness two of the most storied teams in all of international soccer compete on North Carolina soil. Chelsea jumped out early with the first score just three minutes into the game. The Lions' Ian Maatsen got two goals, while Connor Gallager, Ben Chilwell and Christopher Nkunku scored one apiece.
Tornado Hits North Carolina
(Rocky Mount, NC) -- Cleanup is underway after a tornado hit North Carolina. The tornado touched down yesterday north of Rocky Mount, causing storm damage and multiple injuries. The roof was torn off the Pfizer building in Rocky Mount and a portion of I-95 was closed due to downed trees in the roadway.
Two Dead, One Wounded In Greensboro Shooting
(Greensboro, NC) -- Authorities are investigating a deadly triple shooting in Greensboro. Police say three people were found shot Tuesday night in the four-thousand block of McIntosh Street. Two of the shooting victims died. They were identified as Kristopher Wilson and Victor Banks. The third was hospitalized in critical condition. No one is in custody.
Man Charged In Deadly Shooting In Forsyth Co
(Forsyth Co., NC) -- A man is charged in a deadly shooting in Forsyth County. Authorities say they received reports Tuesday night about someone wearing a mask and carrying a handgun while walking on Kerner Road north of Kernersville. There was also reports of gunfire in the area before Quay'mon Nicholas Swaringen was discovered armed with a firearm and arrested. Deputies searched the area and found Christian Lee Arrington suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He died at the scene and Swaringen was charged with murder.
20 Displaced In Winston-Salem Apartment Fire
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- No one is hurt following an apartment fire in Winston-Salem. The blaze broke out in an apartment building on Village Ridge Road. Twenty people were displaced. The cause of the fire hasn't been released.
Greensboro Library Hosting Block Party
(Greensboro, NC) -- A Greensboro library is hosting a block party later this month. The free event will be held July 29th at the Vance Chavis Branch Library. There will be games, crafts and activities for children as well as music, snacks and giveaways. Community organizations will be on hand to share information about their services and staff will offer library card sign-ups.