Black Mountain Pastor Back In U.S. (Washington, DC)
Black Mountain pastor Andrew Brunson is back on American soil. President Trump welcomed him at the White House Saturday after Brunson's arrival at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, DC. The 50-year-old pastor was released Friday after being detained in Turkey for two years. He prayed aloud for the President in the Oval Office, asking him to be blessed with supernatural wisdom.
Crews Still Restoring Power (Undated)
The number of power outages in North Carolina is down to under 30-thousand, four days after Tropical Storm Matthew barreled through the Southeast. Most of those left in the dark are in Guilford and Rockingham counties. Duke Energy said last night that crews of more than ten-thousand were still working to restore power in the Carolinas.
Early Voting Begins Wednesday (Undated)
Early voting begins across the state on Wednesday. Any registered voter can cast an in-person absentee ballot between the 17th and Saturday, November 3rd at any one-stop absentee voting site in your county. Voters will decide on six amendments to the North Carolina constitution in addition to all general assembly seats and various local races.
Sears Closing 150 Stores (New York, NY)
The once-powerful retail giant Sears is shutting up to 150 locations. The company filed for bankruptcy after failing to pay a 134-million-dollar debt. It isn't known if Sears stores in Hendersonville and Brevard, along with Sears appliance stores in Spruce Pine and Marion, will be affected. The company also owns Kmart stores which are still in operation in Asheville, Morganton and Waynesville.
Pedestrian Struck And Killed In Haywood County (Clyde, NC)
State troopers say a pedestrian was struck and killed in Haywood County. The victim was allegedly trying to cross U.S. Highway 19 in Clyde when the accident happened. WLOS-TV says investigators found no evidence that speed or road conditions were a factor. No charges were filed.
Outdoor Businesses Getting Boost In WNC (Asheville, NC)
Outdoor businesses in western North Carolina are getting a boost through a new regional initiative led by an organization called Mountain BizWorks. The project aimed at expanding growth in the industry is the recipient of an Appalachian Regional Commission grant and local matching funds totaling one-point-seven-million dollars. BizWorks' investment director says it will help develop almost three dozen new outdoor businesses and expand 100 others all across the North Carolina mountains.
Body Found Off I-77 (Huntersville, NC)
Huntersville Police are investigating a scene off I-77 where a body was reportedly found last night. Officers say a driver called them out to a wooded area off the interstate at Gilead Road. It's unknown how the person died and how the body got there. The southbound ramp at exit 23 was closed while officers were at the scene.