North Carolina Governor To Call For Special Session Of Legislature (Raleigh, NC)
Governor Roy Cooper is calling for North Carolina lawmakers to return to Raleigh for a special session to fund recovery efforts from Hurricane Florence. Cooper called the destruction he's seen in the eastern half of the state historic and said now is the time to come together to begin rebuilding. He's calling on the General Assembly to convene on October 9th. There have been 31 storm-related deaths in the state and flooding continues to be a problem. Several roads remain closed and a little more than 50-thousand buildings still don't have power.
Explosion Kills One In Haywood (Haywood County, NC)
Investigators are looking into the cause of an explosion that killed a man in Haywood County. Neighbors tell WLOS-TV that the explosion woke them up around 6:30 Thursday morning. The mobile home was completely destroyed. One resident was home at the time and died at the scene.
Driver Hits Deputy Car Twice (Buncombe County, NC)
A man who led deputies on a chase through several counties is facing charges. Erik Jones reportedly hit one deputy's patrol car twice with a stolen truck during the chase. It began in Buncombe County at the I-26/40 split before ending in Haywood County. Deputies say the truck had a flat tire during the chase.
Pretty In Pink Star At Orange Peel Sunday (Asheville, NC)
A member of the so-called acting Brat Pack is appearing at the Orange Peel in Asheville on Sunday. Molly Ringwald will take part in a question and answer session during screenings of two movies she starred in during the 80s. The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink will be shown. You can purchase tickets for 25 dollars.
Recreation Areas Re-Opening In WNC (Asheville, NC)
Recreation sites in Western North Carolina are re-opening after storm clean-up. The Pisgah, Grandfather and Appalachian Ranger Districts are now allowing access to campsites and almost every road. There are still a few road closures where debris remains to be cleared.
Equestrian Games Drawing To A Close (Tryon, NC)
The World Equestrian Games wrap up in Polk County Sunday. Competitors and horses from around the world have been at the Tryon Equestrian Center since September 11th to take part in the world's largest horse competition. Event organizers are reporting that ticket sales have been roughly half of what was originally expected. Some events were canceled or re-scheduled due to the effects of Hurricane Florence on the region.
Thirteen-Year-Old Arrested For Armed Robberies (Charlotte, NC)
A 13-year-old boy is facing charges related to a string of armed robberies in Charlotte. All five of the robberies he has been connected to happened in the first two weeks of September. Most of the crimes were committed on or around South Tryon Street. The juvenile was arrested for counts ranging from robbery with a dangerous weapon to assault.
Boy Shot While Waiting On Bus (Charlotte, NC)
The CMPD says a 12-year-old boy was shot while waiting on the bus yesterday. A Mecklenburg County deputy happened to be in the area where the shot was fired and chased the getaway car down I-85 The alleged shooter was caught after he got out of the car and ran. The person driving the car is at-large. Investigators believe the gunman accidentally shot the boy in the leg while aiming for a group of people at a north Charlotte motel.
DOT Fines Toll Construction Company For Accident (Charlotte, NC)
A construction accident on I-77 is costing one company more than three-million-dollars. A bridge was damaged by a dump truck when a subcontractor tried to pass under it without the bed lowered. It happened in the toll construction zone and caused massive delays during the repair. The DOT is fining Cintra, which is in charge of the toll project. The company plans to appeal.
Wells Fargo Cutting Jobs (Charlotte, NC)
Wells Fargo is cutting up to 10 percent of its workforce in the next three years. The company's CEO says it's a move to streamline the bank's services and make it more customer-friendly. It's unclear how many jobs in the Charlotte area will be affected. Wells Fargo employs more than 25-thousand people in the region.
Two Workers Rescued From Scaffolding (Charlotte, NC)
Emergency crews say two people found hanging from scaffolding in Charlotte were rescued yesterday. The workers were lowered down with a crane at a building near Church and Stonewall streets, just a block from Bank of America Stadium. One person was reportedly taken to CMC with serious injuries.
Panthers Aiding In Hurricane Relief Efforts (Charlotte, NC)
Team owner David Tepper and the Charlotte Panthers are joining the cause to help in hurricane disaster relief efforts. One-million-dollars has been pledged to the American Red Cross through the David Tepper Charitable Foundation and Carolina Panthers Charities. Money will also be provided to send out 25-thousand food packs across the Carolinas. Fans attending Sunday's game at Bank of America Stadium will have an opportunity to donate cash.
North Carolina Governor Warns About Continued Flooding (Raleigh, NC)
Recovery efforts are ongoing in North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. Governor Roy Cooper says there have been nearly five-thousand rescues, twice as many as Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Major flooding is still a problem as rainfall pushed many rivers past their banks. Cooper said the flooding from Florence is like nothing they've ever seen. While flooding on some roadways is subsiding, authorities are warning evacuees hoping to return home to be cautious. NC Department of Transportation Secretary Jim Trogdon says people should not go back to their homes if power or water is still out in their area.
Folks In Cumberland County Are Devastated By Flood Damage (Cumberland Co., NC)
Folks in Cumberland County are finally coming home, only for many there's not much of a home to come back to. Flood waters in Fayetteville crested about 26-feet above flood stage this week. Flooding in Spring Lake took the Starlight Motel's roof off and washed away a number of motel rooms. FEMA is assessing the damage to homes and in some cases it's so bad homeowners are considering completely rebuilding their homes.
Remains From North Korean War IDd As MIA North Carolina Teen (Punchbowl, HI)
The remains of one North Korean War veteran brought back to the states are from North Carolina. A Hawaii forensics lab identified one of two recently recovered bodies as 19-year-old Army Private First Class William H. Jones, from Nash County. The other was 32-year-old Army Master Sergeant Charles McDaniel, from Indiana. Both soldiers went M-I-A in 1950. Their remains were among those returned in 55 boxes to the U.S.
Inmate Accused Of Mailing Bomb Threats To Spite Ex Girlfriend (Durham, NC)
A Durham inmate is accused of making bomb threats to Raleigh City Hall. Federal prosecutors yesterday said Michael Brodie mailed threatening letters to Durham Police HQ and Raleigh City Hall to frame his ex-girlfriend. Their relationship ended more than a decade ago, but police say news of her new marriage made him mad. Brodie was charged with mailing bomb threat hoaxes and if convicted, faces up to ten-years in prison and a 250-thousand-dollar fine.
Congressional Republicans Pushing Tax Changes For Carolinians Affected By Florence (Washington, DC)
Three Republican Congressmen are pushing for tax breaks for Carolinians affected by the hurricane. Yesterday Representative George Holding from Raleigh introduced the Hurricane Florence Tax Relief Act in the U.S. House. If passed, it would change deductions, add exceptions to penalties and add special rules regarding tax credits. This is co-sponsored by David Rouzer of Johnson County and Tom Rice of South Carolina.