Another Coach Leaving Carolina Day (Asheville, NC)
An Asheville school is out another coach. Twelve-year swim coach Graeme McGufficke has resigned from Carolina Day over disagreements with some decisions that have been made at the school. He told parents in an email that the school cared more about the student's parent's bank accounts. Girls basketball coach Joe Carrington was fired last month.
Freezing Rain Possible In Forecast (Asheville, NC)
Rain may continue to cause problems in Western North Carolina this week. The National Weather Service is calling for some showers today with possible trouble looming on Wednesday. Heavy rain on Wednesday night could cause some icy conditions as temperatures drop, especially north of I-40. Parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway both north and south of Asheville remain closed due to bad road conditions.
Asheville Mayor Proposes Sales Tax Increase (Asheville, NC)
Asheville's mayor is proposing a sales tax increase to help out with the city's transit and infrastructure. Esther Manheimer told the Council of Independent Business Owners on Friday that a quarter-cent sales tax increase would help boost transit by 13-million-dollars a year. The plan is to put a tax in place that visitors to Asheville can contribute to when they spend money locally. Any proposal would be decided by voters in a referendum.
Six Murder Suspects Return To Court Next Year (Mountain City, TN)
Six suspects charged in the murder of a Burke County man won't be heading back to court this year. Investigators believe Lamaar Edmonson was kidnapped from his home in Morganton in January before he was taken to Tennessee and beaten to death. The Watauga Democrat says the suspects will next appear in Johnson County, Tennessee court in February. Five of those charged are from either Watauga or Ashe counties.
Lost Haywood County Hikers Found Safe (Haywood County, NC)
Two people who got lost hiking near the Herrin Knob Overlook are now safe. WLOS-TV says they lost their way on Sunday and ended up having to camp out overnight. Rescue crews located the pair as they made their way out of the woods yesterday. The overlook is around mile marker 424 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Haywood County.
Taste Of Asheville Is Thursday (Asheville, NC)
The Taste of Asheville is returning to downtown on Thursday. Over 40 of Asheville's independent restaurants will be offering samples and craft drinks. Funds raised in the event go to the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time through EventBrite-dot-com.
Accused Kidnapper Out Of Hospital, Now In Jail (Charlotte, NC)
A man accused of kidnapping his daughter in Gastonia is now in jail. Maurice Knox had been in the hospital after he crashed a stolen car Sunday trying to get away from CMPD officers and U.S. Marshals in Charlotte. The three-year-old girl was treated for minor injuries at the hospital before returning home safely with her mother. Investigators said Knox was impaired at the time of the crash.