State Attorney General Reviewing Hospital Deal (Raleigh, NC)
North Carolina's attorney general is reviewing details behind HCA Healthcare's proposal to purchase Mission Health. Josh Stein told the Asheville Citizen-Times that he wants to ensure specific health care services at Mission Health are continued through the sale. He's also researching whether the one-point-five billion dollar sale price is enough. The deal includes Mission and five other hospitals in Western North Carolina.
Parts Of WNC Under Winter Weather Advisory (Asheville, NC)
Higher elevations of Western North Carolina are under a winter weather advisory until noon today. Snow accumulations from last night into today could reach up to two inches. Forecasters are still calling for a messy weekend across the region that will include anything from sleet, freezing rain and snow. Gusty winds will make it feel like it's in the 20s all day today.
Fire Destroys Marion Home (Marion, NC)
Marion Police are calling on the community to help a family who lost everything in a fire this week. Chacara Lindsey, her two kids and her mother weren't injured in the blaze. Lindsey says she had just finished wrapping her last Christmas gift before the fire destroyed it all. The police department says the Marion Walmart has a drop-off for donations.
Former Administrator Seeks Court's Permission To Travel (Asheville, NC)
A former Buncombe County assistant manager who pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme is looking for permission to go out of the country. Jon Creighton is currently awaiting his federal sentencing and must get the go-ahead to travel. A request to head to Puerto Rico for Christmas has been filed in court. Creighton is one of three former administrators accused in a kickback scheme with a contractor.
Hundreds Give Input On I-26 Connector Project (Asheville, NC)
The DOT now has the feedback from hundreds of residents who came out last night to discuss the I-26 Connector proposal for Asheville. The proposal was laid out during a drop-in and public hearing at the Asheville Renaissance Hotel. The DOT is expected to start purchasing land from property owners in the project area in 2020.
App State Coach Moving On To Louisville (Louisville, KY)
Scott Satterfield's tenure as head football coach at Appalachian State University is over. He was officially named the new head coach for the University of Louisville yesterday. The Mountaineers made the transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision level and won three Sun Belt Conference Championships under Satterfield's leadership. He spent more than two decades either playing or coaching at App State.
Mount Holly Pastor Severely Burned In Fire (Mount Holly, NC)
A Mount Holly pastor is suffering from severe burns in a fire yesterday. The blaze started around three in the morning at a home next to Goshen Free Will Baptist. Clayton Burch has been pastor at the church for seven years. He was flown from his home next door to a Winston-Salem burn unit.
Principal Arrested For Alleged Assault On Student (Lincoln County, NC)
A Lincoln County principal is facing assault charges. Union Elementary principal Patrick Nelson is accused of dragging a student through the hallway last week as he tried to run away. He bonded out of jail on the misdemeanor charge.
Elections Board Continues Investigation In Ninth District (Raleigh, NC)
The state Board of Elections is continuing to investigate fraud allegations in the ninth district congressional race. The News and Observer is reporting that investigators were in Robeson County again yesterday collecting more information. Irregularities in absentee ballots from there and Bladen County have kept the board from certifying the results in the election. A hearing is expected within a few weeks.
Wintry Mess Heading To NC (Charlotte, NC)
Forecasters are closely monitoring a winter weather system that continues to move closer to North Carolina. The National Weather Service is calling for a mix of rain, snow and sleet in Charlotte on Sunday and Monday. The mountains are expected to be bombarded with a significant amount of snow through the weekend.