WNC Congressman Calls State of Union Powerful
(Washington, DC) -- Western North Carolina Congressman Mark Meadows is calling last night's State of the Union a powerful speech from President Trump. The Republican asked Democrats if they are more interested in attacking the president or working together in a tweet after the address. Trump urged for an end to partisan investigations and politics of revenge. Democratic Congressman David Price criticized Trump for not addressing how to avoid another government shutdown.
Fire Rips Through Former School In Buncombe County
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Fire officials are investigating a fire that ripped through a former school in Buncombe County. The blaze began around 2 a.m. Tuesday at French Broad Elementary School in Alexander. Three people inside were able to escape safely before the fire caused the roof to collapse. Tanker trucks were forced to bring water in since there are no fire hydrants near the building.
New Buncombe County Manager Chosen
(Buncombe County, NC) -- An eastern North Carolina deputy county manager is heading to the mountains to lead Buncombe County. Commissioners unanimously chose Avril Pinder yesterday to serve as the new county manager in Buncombe. The Citizen-Times is reporting that she'll be the first person of color in the position. Pinder has spent the last 13 years in various administrative positions for New Hanover County on the coast.
Suspects Accused Of Starving Horses
(Polk County, NC) -- Two Polk County residents are being accused of starving four horses. Deputies found the horses when they went out to a home in Tryon after someone complained about a dog being mistreated. The Foothills Equine Rescue Center is caring for three of the horses, while one had to be euthanized. The suspects were arrested for animal cruelty charges last month.
Public Charter School Closes Due To Illnesses
(Pisgah Forest, NC) -- A public charter school in Pisgah Forest says classes are canceled today over an unprecedented number of illnesses this week. The director for Brevard Academy says crews will thoroughly clean and sanitize the building. The school plans to open on Thursday, as teachers will sanitize surfaces throughout the day.
Public Session For New Asheville Police Chief Search Tonight
(Asheville, NC) -- The Asheville community is invited to come out for a public session tonight as the city seeks a new police chief. It begins at six this evening at the Stephens-Lee Recreation Center. City manager Debra Campbell said at last night's first public session that police relationships have been tumultuous over the past couple of years in Asheville. Chief Tammy Hooper stepped down last month.
Car Stolen With Toddler Inside
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD says a two-year-old is safe after the car she was in was stolen from a south Charlotte QuikTrip. Investigators said the girl's mother left the car running while she went inside the store on South Boulevard for around five minutes Monday night. The Ford Focus was found abandoned by the suspects near Arrowood and South Boulevard with the toddler safe in her seat. The mother was charged with child neglect.
Tepper Suggesting A Roof For Bank Of America Stadium
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Carolina Panthers' owner is suggesting that a roof over Bank of America stadium may be possible. David Tepper said yesterday that he would love to put a roof up to host college basketball's Final Four. The remarks were made during a charity event yesterday where Tepper and the team donated 120-thousand-dollars to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The organization is expected to discuss renovations to the stadium in focus group sessions today.
Suspect Arrested For Kannapolis Murder
(Kannapolis, NC) -- A suspect in last Saturday's deadly shooting in Kannapolis is in jail. Kenneth Lamont Robinson was arrested by Kannapolis Police yesterday for first-degree murder. The victim was found dead at a home on Wilson Street Saturday afternoon.
Suspects Caught With Counterfeit Money
(Charlotte, NC) -- Some suspects who were pulled over on I-85 yesterday are accused of possessing thousands of dollars in counterfeit money. The state highway patrol says the car was pulled over near Belmont for speeding. Around 16-thousand-dollars worth of fake bills and drugs were reportedly recovered from the car. The Secret Service is now investigating.
Car Lands Upside Down In Pond
(Charlotte, NC) -- Investigators are trying to figure out how a car landed upside down in a west Charlotte pond. Dive crews and the fire department were working yesterday to recover the vehicle from the pond near Samlen Lane. There's no word if anyone was inside.
City Warning Residents About Increased Traffic, Road Closures
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Queen City is preparing for thousands of extra visitors for next weekend's NBA All-Star Game events. The CMPD is already warning drivers to avoid Independence Boulevard on Friday the 15th as fans flock to Bojangles Coliseum for the celebrity game. Streets around the Spectrum Center in uptown will be closed as well. Over 100-thousand people are expected to be in Charlotte for All-Star weekend.
Police Shoot A Man After A Hammer Attack
(Wilson, NC) -- The Wilson Police Department says one of their officers had to shoot a man who attacked another officer with a hammer. Police say yesterday morning 36-year-old Jason Woodall approached cop cars parked outside the Calvary Pentecostal Church. They say he hit one cop with the hammer, then started after another officer who shot him in the shoulder. Woodall was sent to the hospital, but has since been released. He's charged with misdemeanor assault on a law enforcement officer. The officer who fired the shot is on leave while the incident is investigated.
Former Wake County Deputy Accused Of Assaulting Girlfriend
(Wake Co., NC) -- A former Wake County deputy is accused of assaulting his girlfriend who was also a deputy. Court documents say 36-year-old David Chamblee pushed the victim off of a bed last summer, causing her to slice her head open on a nightstand. He was recently arrested and yesterday he posted bond. Chamblee was fired from the sheriff's office last week, but they say it had nothing to do with this case. WRAL reports that he violated department policy when he was found in possession of steroids.
Deputies Crack Double Homicide Cold Case
(Spartansburg, SC) -- Deputies in Orange County say they've cracked a 20-year-old cold case double homicide. In 1998, the remains of a young boy were found underneath a billboard in Mebane. His mother's remains were found around the same time in South Carolina. A 23 and me DNA test helped identify the victims and zero in on the child's father as a suspect. WSPA reports that deputies in Spartansburg County, South Carolina got a confession from the child's father who's in prison until 2037 for unrelated crimes.
Couple Accused Of Child Abuse After Teenage Girl Found Naked By Road
(Wayne Co., NC) -- A Wayne County couple is facing child abuse charges after a 13-year-old girl was found naked on the side of the road. Deputies say the girl was found Monday night wandering around Highway 55 near Seven Springs. Investigators say they were able to determine she had been assaulted and abused by her 40-year-old mother Tehran Richard and her 28-year-old step father Ryan Montague. They were both jailed on five-thousand-dollars bond for felony child abuse inflicting serious injury. The girl was taken to the hospital and released to a family member.
Sketch Released Of Woman Found Dead In 2016
(Durham, NC) -- Durham police are trying to identify a woman who was found dead in 2016. Sketches were recently released of the woman whose body was found on Carpenter Fletcher Road. Her remains may have been there for up to ten years. She was described as a white female, approximately five-feet-five-inches tall and in her late 20s or early 30s. Her death is being investigated as suspicious and police ask anyone who recognizes the woman in the sketch to call them.
Police Investigate Slur At A Raleigh School
(Wake Co., NC) -- Deputies in Wake County are investigating a racial slur found on a wall at Raleigh's Ravencroft School. School officials say the slur found written in a stairwell yesterday was quickly removed. The school denounced acts of hatred and racism and called this a cowardly act. Deputies are still trying to find the culprit.
Orange Co. Cold Case Cracked With Help Of DNA Technology
(Mebane, NC) -- Cutting-edge DNA technology is to thank for helping to crack a 20-year-old cold case murder. Orange County sheriff's officials yesterday identified the boy found dead under a billboard in Mebane back in 1998 as ten-year-old Robert "Bobby" Adam. The boy's mom was found several hundred miles away in Spartanburg County, South Carolina around the same time. His father is expected to be charged soon with their deaths.
Man Found Dead In Lake Reese
(Asheboro, NC) -- An investigation is underway in Asheboro where a man was found dead. The body of 59-year-old Michael Mayo was found in Lake Reese yesterday afternoon. Police say it's not clear if he jumped or fell in. Foul play is not suspected.
Davidson Co. Residents Encouraged To Check Their Properties For Missing Man
(Davidson Co., NC) -- Davidson County residents are encouraged to check their properties for a missing man. Thirty-two-year-old Bradly Shoaf disappeared on January 12th after his car broke down. Sheriff's officials say Shoaf went to a home on Ridge Road, near Lake Leonard Road, but hasn't been seen since. They say it was icy and cold that morning. Anyone who can help with the investigation is urged to come forward.
NCDOT To Hold Public Meeting On Road Improvements
(Greensboro, NC) -- The state Department of Transportation wants to hear from residents about improvements to the intersection of Air Harbor and Lake Brandt roads in Guilford County. The department is holding a public meeting tomorrow regarding proposed improvements. They include adding a left turn lane from Air Harbor Road onto Lake Brandt Road and mitigating traffic congestion. The meeting starts at 4 p.m. at Covenant Grace Church in Greensboro.
Harlem Globetrotters Coming To Triad
(Greensboro, NC) -- The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to the Triad. The famed basketball team is bringing its Fan Powered World Tour to the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem on March 23rd. Tickets are on sale now.