Negotiations Continue In Cases Against Former Managers (Buncombe County, NC)
Negotiations are continuing in the federal cases against two former managers in Buncombe County. Wanda Greene and Mandy Stone have been accused of offering up contracts in exchange for lavish gifts. The U.S. Attorney's Office agreed to continue the case yesterday until December. Both face an array of fraud charges.
Council To Consider Scooter Ban Tonight (Asheville, NC)
Asheville officials are set to decide the immediate fate of electric scooters in the city tonight. The city council is considering a fine to operate the rentals on Asheville's streets or sidewalks. Transportation officials are studying ways to bring back the scooters legally next year. The scooter company, Bird, dropped off around 200 in October that they didn't have permits for.
Tractor Trailer Driver Charged In Deadly Marion Crash (Marion, NC)
A tractor trailer driver is facing charges in a deadly Marion crash. The rig and a car collided last Saturday at the intersection of North Carolina 226 and U.S. 221. The traffic light at the intersection reportedly wasn't functioning properly due to power outages in the area. The truck driver has since been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle.
Temps Plummet In Mountains (Undated)
Mountain residents should embrace for some cold and windy weather through tomorrow. The National Weather Service doesn't expect temperatures to reach 40 this afternoon, with some gusts blowing over 40 miles an hour. Lows overnight are expected to plummet down to 20 in the Asheville area. Wind chill values could reach below zero in some higher elevations.
Highlands Residents Want Cross Back On Christmas Tree (Highlands, NC)
Some residents in Highlands are protesting to have a cross put back at the top of the town's Christmas tree. The tree was put up this year without the usual star due to some high winds that damaged the tree in the past. Highland's mayor says a town employee inadvertently placed a cross on top instead, but it was taken down due to the plan to have nothing there this year. WLOS-TV says dozens showed up at the tree last night in hope of returning the cross.
Carolina Day Transfer Out For Season (Asheville, NC)
A high school basketball star hoping to get some playing time after transferring from Carolina Day is out for the season. Wofford commit Annabelle Shultz tore an ACL in Erwin High's first game of the season. The Carolina Day program has been facing adversity this fall after the girls' basketball coach was fired and the season was canceled.
Inmate Linked To Alexander County School Threats (Alexander County, NC)
A Taylorsville prison inmate is being accused for his part in a threat to blow up three Alexander County schools. DNA samples from the threatening letter reportedly matched up with Sadarius Douglas, who is serving time for a Lincoln County rape. Douglas has allegedly admitted to licking the letter, but says he didn't write it. Alexander County's sheriff believes the letter was a setup to get an inmate in trouble.
Speed Limit Going Down In Charlotte Neighborhoods (Charlotte, NC)
The speed limit is going down in Charlotte neighborhoods. The city council approved last night to lower the speed limit to 25 miles an hour in neighborhoods if it is requested by residents. Other changes implemented will make it easier to request a speed hump and more stop signs. The city is looking for ways to stop pedestrian deaths.
Panthers' Beanie Sales A Huge Success For Children's Hospital (Charlotte, NC)
Thousands of dollars from the sale of a special edition Carolina Panthers beanie are going to help the Levine Children's Hospital. Panthers tight end Greg Olsen and New Era teamed up on the design for the winter cap, which completely sold out in just a few minutes Sunday morning. Olsen's foundation committed five dollars from every purchase to the children's hospital. Five-thousand beanies sold means 25-thousand-dollars is going to a good cause.
Celebration Of Life Planned For Mooresville Teacher (Davidson, NC)
A Celebration of Life is planned for an Iredell County teacher found dead in Mexico. The Davidson College Presbyterian Church will host the celebration for Patrick Braxton-Andrew on December 15th. He was allegedly killed by a criminal organization while on a visit to the state of Chihuahua in Mexico at the end of October. Braxton-Andrew taught Spanish at the Woodlawn School in Mooresville.
Student Allegedly Found With Gun At Statesville High (Statesville, NC)
Another student is facing charges for bringing a gun to school. A school resource officer reportedly caught a 15-year-old showing a handgun to some other students at Statesville High School yesterday. A search revealed the gun and a round of ammunition was in his backpack. School officials said instructional time wasn't interrupted.
Home Of Bojangles' Coliseum And Ovens Auditorium Named (Charlotte, NC)
The area that houses two Charlotte entertainment venues is getting a new name at the beginning of the year. A new multi-million-dollar facility will soon connect the Bojangles' Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium. The expanse of buildings will be known as the Bojangles' Entertainment Complex on January 1st.
ESPN: Mack Brown Agrees To Once Again Coach UNC (Chapel Hill, NC)
It looks like Mack Brown might be coming back to UNC. He started with the team in 1988 and led them to eight consecutive winning seasons before leaving to be a massively successful coach at the University of Texas. Brown is now 67 and retired, but ESPN reports that he has agreed to become North Carolina's next head coach. If a deal is finalized, Mack Brown would replace former coach Larry Fedora, who was fired this weekend after back-to-back lackluster seasons.
NC's Attorney General Warning Hurricane Florence Victims To Beware Of Scams (Fayetteville, NC)
Folks in North Carolina hit hard by Hurricane Florence are being warned of another threat: scammers. Yesterday North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein said people need to beware of scams related to price gouging such as home repairs, tree removal, charitable donations and flooded cars. He said his office is investigating more than 800 price gouging complaints related to Hurricane Florence. Stein says folks shopping for a used car should watch out for hidden flood damage and if unsure, ask a mechanic to check.