Jury Selection Underway In Buncombe Murder Trial
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Jury selection is underway in a Buncombe County murder trial. It's been more than two-and-a-half-years since 67-year-old Belva Smeltzer was shot to death at a home on White Oak Gap Road. Investigators arrested her housemate, 76-year-old Ronald Haynes, Senior, for murder. Prosecutors and the defense started to narrow down potential jurors yesterday.
Asheville Business Named A Top Beer Bar
(Asheville, NC) -- A west Asheville business is being called one of the best beer bars in the country. That's according to USA Today readers, which ranked The Whale on Haywood Road at number-six overall. The Citizens-Times reports the bar usually have over 150 options of beer from the region and worldwide. Since its founding, a location called The Whale Outpost has opened in east Asheville's Haw Creek neighborhood.
Auto Insurance Rates To Rise In NC
(Raleigh, NC) -- Auto insurance rates in North Carolina are rising. State Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced yesterday that a settlement was just reached with the North Carolina Rate Bureau that will still save a significant amount of money for drivers. That's because the bureau suggested earlier this year that rates should jump more than 28-percent. Causey says the increase will now be a much lower rate of four-and-a-half percent in both 2023 and next year.
Buncombe Schools With Positions To Fill
(Asheville, NC) -- Buncombe County Schools is trying to fill dozens of support staff positions before class begins. WLOS-TV reports there were 100 full and part-time positions that needed to be filled ahead of a job fair yesterday. The system's transportation director says he's hopeful most spots will be filled within a few weeks. The first day of school is August 28th.
Naked Man Arrested After Attempted Break-Ins
(Buncombe County, NC) -- A Marion man is accused of trying to break into multiple Asheville homes while naked. Witnesses told police that the 30-year-old was running around the Madeline Avenue neighborhood without any clothes on last Friday. Two children reportedly saw the man during the episode. Officers found him hiding in a home under construction nearby and arrested him on charges including indecent exposure, breaking-and-entering and trespassing.
City Detouring Traffic For Asheville Stormwater Work
(Asheville, NC) -- Lane closures are coming for a road in Asheville. The city says Patton Avenue from Pearl Street to French Broad will reduce to only eastbound traffic for around six-weeks starting tomorrow so that crews can work on the Carter-Ann-Patton stormwater project. Signs will be in place for a westbound detour. Drivers are also encouraged to use I-240 instead.
Activist Filing Lawsuit Against CMPD
(Charlotte, NC) -- An activist is filing a lawsuit against the city and a CMPD officer. Jamie Marsicano was initially arrested for allegedly assaulting Major Brad Koch during protests over George Floyd's death just over three years ago. Marsicano's attorneys say that while the charges were eventually dropped, the records from the arrest have still not been expunged. They're expected to release more details about the lawsuit this morning.
Two Tornadoes Confirmed In Charlotte Area
(Iredell County, NC) -- The National Weather Service is reporting another tornado from Monday's storms in the Charlotte area. The first twister had winds that reached 85-miles-an-hour on a two-mile path in Mecklenburg County. The second tornado lasted close to 40-miles, hitting wind speeds of 80 through Catawba, Iredell and Rowan counties. Some damage and downed trees were reported.
Bull On Loose In Queen City
(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte residents could possibly find a 900-pound animal in their backyard this week. The CMPD says a large bull ran off from a Moores Chapel Road property after getting spooked by Monday's storms. The owner later tried to lasso in the bull, while officers unsuccessfully used a heat-seeking drone when the longhorn ran into the woods. Anyone who sees the bull is urged to stay back and call three-one-one.
Union County Commission Chair Dies
(Union County, NC) -- The Union County community is mourning the loss of its commission chair. Government officials revealed that 51-year-old Stony Rushing passed away yesterday after battling health issues over the last year. He served on Union County's board of commissioners for nearly a decade. A statement from the county read that Rushing was passionate about serving the community.
Auto Insurance Rates Going Up
(Raleigh, NC) -- Auto insurance rates in North Carolina are rising. State Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced yesterday that a settlement was just reached with the North Carolina Rate Bureau that will still save a significant amount of money for drivers. That's because the bureau suggested earlier this year that rates should jump more than 28-percent. Causey says the increase will now be a much lower rate of four-and-a-half percent in both 2023 and next year.
Panthers Announce First Depth Chart
(Charlotte, NC) -- Panthers' players know where they stand heading into their first preseason game. Coaches released Carolina's first depth chart for 2023 yesterday, which features rookie Bryce Young at quarterback as expected. The starting offensive line and defense remain similar to last year's line-ups. The Panthers will host the New York Jets at Bank of America Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Central North Carolina Still Recovering From Monday's Severe Storms
(Raleigh, NC) -- Cleanup and recovery efforts will continue today across parts of central North Carolina, in the aftermath of Monday's severe storms. Strong straight-line winds knocked down hundreds of trees and powerlines, resulting in widespread property damage and outages. Duke Energy responded to more than 500 locations that were impacted by the storms. At last report, around 84-hundred customers were still without power.
Juvenile Vehicle Theft Ring Broken Up By Durham Police
(Durham, NC) -- Durham police are reporting the break up of a juvenile vehicle theft ring that has operated in the Triangle area this summer. The Department announced Tuesday, that juvenile petitions had been issued against nine individuals under the age of 18. Investigators say they are responsible for a string of vehicle thefts and break-ins across the Triangle in June and July. Court records also show the group targeted sections of Raleigh, Cary, Wendell, Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
Dozens Of Firearms Seized And Multiple Arrests Made In Glenwood South District
(Raleigh, NC) -- Police in Raleigh made 36 arrests and seized more than a dozen guns in the Glenwood South entertainment district this past weekend. According to RPD, the law enforcement operation is part of a stepped up effort to crack down on a recent uptick in violent crimes in the area. Some of the charges include assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, indecent exposure, reckless driving and DWI.
NC Auto Insurance Rates Going Up In A Couple Of Months
(Raleigh, NC) -- Auto insurance rates will soon be going up in North Carolina. That, from the North Carolina Rate Bureau and the Department of Insurance, which announced on Tuesday, that rates will increase by four-and-a-half percent beginning December 1st. Another four-point-five-percent increase in premiums is set to go into effect on December 1st, 2024.
First Phase Of Internet Expansion Project Set To Take Effect Next Week In Orange County
(Orange County, NC) -- Leaders in Orange County have announced that a public-private partnership with fiber optic company Lumos to expand high speed internet service, is set to begin next week. According to a statement, approximately 320 addresses went on line July 31st as part of Phase 1. The goal is to make high-speed internet service available to a total of 28-thousand residents and businesses across Orange County.
Bulls Down The Red Birds 8-6 In First Of A Six Game Series
(Durham, NC) -- The Durham Bulls were back home at the DBAP last night, taking on the Memphis Red Birds. The home team got three home runs from Austin Shenton, Alex Jackson and Raimel Tapia, along with three hits from Osleivis Basabe, to help secure an 8-6 win in the first of a six-game series. The two teams reconvene tonight, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Davidson Co. Teacher, Husband Killed In Crash
(Ashe Co., NC) -- Davidson County Schools is mourning after a teacher died this past weekend in a crash in Ashe County. Authorities say Wallburg Elementary School teacher Stephanie Ann Schneggenburger and her husband Bruce Schneggenburger, died after a crash Sunday on U.S. Route 221. Stephanie Schneggenburger had been a first-grade teacher with Davidson County Schools since March 2000. The school district said Stephanie's passing is a tremendous loss for her family, friends, and students.
Woman Charged With Murder Of Husband In Forsyth Co
(Forsyth County, NC) -- A woman is charged with murdering her husband in Forsyth County. Verena Denise Taylor was arrested following the shooting death of Chante Ezequil Taylor. Authorities say Taylor was shot and killed yesterday morning at the Woodbriar Apartments. The incident remains under investigation.
Man In Custody In Deadly Winston-Salem Shooting
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A man is in custody following a deadly shooting last month in Winston-Salem. Police say Devontay Demon Atkins was gunned down July 21st in eleven-hundred block of East 17th Street. Investigators believe Demario Marcell Williams shot Atkins during a fight. Williams turned himself into authorities yesterday after an arrest warrant for murder was issued. He is being held without bond.
Assistant Middle School Principal in Piedmont Triad Arrested
(Burlington, NC) -- An assistant middle school principal in Piedmont Triad is accused of having sex with a student. The Alamance County Sheriff's Office says an investigation this week into misconduct involving a student led to the arrest of James Tyler Kelly. Kelly was the assistant principal at Southern Alamance Middle School and the misconduct didn't happen on school grounds. Kelly has been employed with the school district since 2011.
Triad Man Accused Of Attacking K-9 Officer
(Thomasville, NC) -- A Triad man is accused of attacking a K-9 officer in Thomasville. Police say officers were called out Sunday to the intersection of Memorial Park Drive and Culbreth Avenue on a report of a man armed with a gun shouting profanities. Officers found Luis Alvarez, who pointed the firearm at them. The K-9 officer was released and Alvarez began kicking and choking the animal. He was eventually arrested, and the dog was taken to a local veterinarian hospital, who said it should make a full recovery.