Black Ice Remains A Problem (Buncombe County, NC)
Regional temperatures in the 20s are still making black ice a problem this morning. The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory until 10 a.m., when things are expected to thaw out again. Asheville's public works director says property owners could face a fine if snow isn't removed from adjacent city sidewalks within 48 hours after a snow event. Snow is back in the forecast in some areas overnight Thursday.
WNC Congressman Considered On Short List For Chief Of Staff (Washington, DC)
A Western North Carolina congressman is close to becoming the next Chief of Staff in the White House. Mark Meadows is on a short list being considered by President Trump after General John Kelly said he was leaving at the end of the year. Meadows said it would be an honor to serve as Chief of Staff. A special election will be held in the 11th House District if the Republican gets the job.
Snow Causes Roof To Partially Collapse In Black Mountain (Black Mountain, NC)
Two businesses in downtown Black Mountain are closed due to a partial roof collapse. Firefighters told WLOS-TV that heavy snow caused the roof at a Sutton Avenue building to sag four feet early Tuesday morning. The building inspector now says it's not safe to stay inside. There's no word when Poppy Hand Crafted Popcorn and Sassafras on Sutton will reopen.
Some Schools Still Closed In WNC (Rutherford County, NC)
School is still closed today for a number of districts in Western North Carolina. Students will stay home in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Mitchell and Polk counties. The power is still out for more than ten-thousand customers in the state. A good chunk of those are in Polk and Rutherford counties.
Two Arrested In Flat Rock Crime Spree (Henderson County, NC)
Two Flat Rock brothers are facing charges related to a late-November crime spree. The Henderson County Sheriff's Office says Shawn and Justin Morton were accused of breaking into Artisan of Flat Rock, Highland Lake Inn and Hubba Hubba Smokehouse. Felony counts include breaking and entering, larceny and attempted burglary.
DOT Awards Funding For Bridge Replacements (Washington, DC)
The U.S. DOT is awarding the state 23-million-dollars for bridge replacements. Close to 80 across the state are considered structurally deficient or functionally obsolete by the DOT. Most are over half-a-century old. Broadband capability will be added to some of the structures.
GOP Calls For New Congressional Election Due To Voting Result Leaks (Bladen County, NC)
The North Carolina GOP is calling for a new congressional election in the Ninth District due to a new allegation. A poll worker in Bladen County says early voting results were leaked a few days before the midterm election. The party's executive director Dallas Woodhouse claims that information would be enough to hold a new election because it would give a campaign an unfair advantage. The state is already investigating absentee ballot irregularities in Bladen and Robeson counties.
Peach Stand Killer Sentenced To Life (Fort Mill, SC)
One man is heading to life in prison for a murder at The Peach Stand in Fort Mill. Christopher Mendez entered a guilty plea yesterday in the January shooting death of Karon Whitsell. She was working as a clerk in the store when Mendez walked in and opened fire. The plea helped him avoid the death penalty.
White Figure Hanging From Noose Found On UNCC Campus (Charlotte, NC)
Staff at UNC-Charlotte says a white figure hanging by a noose on campus this week was an art project. School officials investigated the incident and removed the item yesterday after a picture circulated on social media. The school later described the representation of a figure being lynched as threatening and offensive. It was seen hanging from a tree outside the Rowe Arts building.
Governor Roy Cooper Says Be Patient With Weather (Raleigh, NC)
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is telling people in his state to sit tight and wait for conditions to get better before venturing out. Cooper says the massive winter storm has claimed the lives of at least three people, and one death is still under investigation. The government's main priority is making roads safe to travel on again. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the Piedmont Triad until 11 this morning due to the risk of black ice.