McCain Remembered By Fellow Senators In NC (Washington, DC)
North Carolina's political leaders are expressing admiration for the late Arizona Senator John McCain. Senator Thom Tillis says McCain was a true titan of the Senate who was one of our nation's greatest war heroes and public servants. McCain was called a true patriot by Senator Richard Burr, who said he placed his duty to his family and country above all else. The Arizona senator will be laid to rest at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Maryland on Saturday after his body lies in state at the Arizona State Capitol and U.S. Capitol this week.
Protesters Clash At UNC (Chapel Hill, NC)
At least seven people are in custody as two groups of protesters clashed at the University of North Carolina. The planned demonstration Saturday was in support of the Silent Sam statue that was torn down last week. The statue payed homage to the Confederate soldier and had been on the campus since 1913. As tensions rose between opposing protesters, several were slapped with charges including assault, inciting a riot, destruction of property and resisting an officer.
Suspect Sought In Drive-By Shooting (Hendersonville, NC)
Hendersonville Police are looking for the suspect of a drive-by shooting. One man told investigators he was walking on Highway 25 to the grocery store last night when he was shot in the shoulder. He was able to make it back home to call police. Investigators say there isn't a threat to the public.
Construction Begins At App State Project (Boone, NC)
Construction is underway for a massive student housing project at Appalachian State University in Boone. Crews have been clearing space for the first phase of a plan called The Village at the Rock, which includes a new parking deck and replacements for seven residence halls. The parking deck is the first component slated to be completed for use by fall 2019. Construction on residential buildings begins in February.
Topless Rally Held In Asheville (Asheville, NC)
A topless rally that has become an annual event in Asheville is in the books. Demonstrators gathered in downtown's Pack Square in what organizers say was an effort to show equality between men and women. It coincided with the 45th annual Women's Equality Day. The Citizen-Times said topless rallies first started in Asheville in 2011.
Apple Festival Coming This Weekend (Hendersonville, NC)
The opening of the annual North Carolina Apple Festival usually means fall is just around the corner. The streets of downtown Hendersonville are expected to be packed beginning Friday for the four-day street fair event. Arts and crafts, festival food and free entertainment are scheduled throughout the weekend. Henderson County reportedly grows around 65-percent of the state's apples.
CMPD Investigating Two Weekend Homicides (Charlotte, NC)
Two weekend homicides are being investigated by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police. One suspect was arrested for the shooting death of a 20-year-old woman on Fairwood Avenue overnight Saturday. Another shooting was reported just over an hour later on Palm Breeze Lane, where one man was rushed to the hospital and later died. Officers are looking for a suspect in that case.
Three Arrested For Toppling Silent Sam At UNC (Chapel Hill, NC)
Three people are accused of toppling a Confederate monument at the University of North Carolina. This weekend 27-year-old Jonathan Fuller, 23-year-old Lauren Aucoin and 27-year-old Raul Jimenez were each charged with misdemeanor rioting and misdemeanor defacing a public monument. They allegedly toppled the Silent Sam statue during a protest last week. Police say they're continuing to investigate and more arrests are possible.
U.S. Army Parachuter Is Dead After A Plane Crash In Georgia (Swainsboro, GA)
A member of the U.S. Army's parachute team, The Golden Knights, is dead after a tragic plane crash. The Army said that 31-year-old Staff Sergeant Aliaksandr Bahrytsevich [[ ba-ROT-si-VICH ]] was on a small plane that crashed Saturday in Georgia. The Belarus native was stationed at Fort Bragg. Deputies say of the five people on that plane, there was only one survivor.
Inmate Death Investigation (Durham, NC)
The state bureau of investigations is looking into an inmate death at the Raleigh County Detention Center. Deputies say on Saturday they found 56-year-old Jean Carolyn McGirt unresponsive at the jail but couldn't save her. She was serving time for drug related crimes. The Medical Examiner is working to determine McGirt's cause of death.