Hendersonville Officer Cleared In Shooting
Hendersonville, NC) -- A Hendersonville police officer is being cleared in an April shooting. Officer Keenan Nesbitt shot an armed man in the shoulder after he ran away from Hanna Flannagan's Pub in downtown Hendersonville. The owner of the bar told police that the suspect was displaying his gun outside the business. District Attorney Greg Newman said this week that Officer Nesbitt acted reasonably in the circumstances.
Top NC Democrat Accused Of Being Influenced By Duke Energy
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina's Senate Minority Leader is being accused of being influenced by Duke Energy. The environmental group NC WARN filed an ethics complaint yesterday that claims Democrat Dan Blue is serving the interests of Duke in the legislature because his law firm has been hired by the company to represent them in the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project. Blue told the Raleigh News & Observer that he hasn't been influenced by Duke. NC WARN wants both the ethics commission and federal prosecutors to investigate.
Judge Drops Murder Charges, Orders Man To Psych Hospital
(Henderson County, NC) -- A Hendersonville man accused of killing his mother in 2014 is being ordered to be taken to a psychiatric hospital. The Hendersonville Times-News is reporting Superior Court Judge Peter Knight dropped the murder charges against Brendan Allen this week after three forensic psychiatrists agreed he is suffering from schizophrenia. Allen's mother was stabbed to death inside her home. The DA said Judge Knight made the right call.
Asheville Police Chief Candidates Being Interviewed
(Asheville, NC) -- The timeframe to hire a new police chief in the city of Asheville is growing closer to an end. City Manager Debra Campbell is expected to spend the next couple of weeks interviewing candidates from a list of nearly 90 who applied for the job. There will be a public meeting on Monday night at the Stephens Lee Recreation Center to talk about the selection process for the new chief. A decision is expected to be made by June 21st.
WNC Counties To Receive Help In Expanding Broadband
(Raleigh, NC) -- Five counties in western North Carolina are getting some help in expanding high-speed internet service. Governor Roy Cooper announced yesterday that a total of 19 counties statewide will receive nearly ten-million-dollars combined in grant money to help close to ten-thousand households and 600 businesses have better broadband access. Companies in Clay, Jackson, Macon, McDowell and Swain counties will benefit.
I-40 Re-Opens Close To Tennessee
(Haywood County, NC) -- Interstate 40 near the Tennessee state line is now completely open again. The DOT wrapped up repair work this week on a stretch of the interstate that was damaged in a February rockslide. A contract worker was injured yesterday near Exit Seven in Haywood County during rehab on a separate project. One lane was closed temporarily.
Suspect Charged In Murder Of Missing Rowan County Teen
(Rowan County, NC) -- A suspect is in jail for the murder of a missing Rowan County teen. Nineteen-year-old Michael Earley disappeared from his home on Sides Road late Sunday night. Rowan County investigators told WBTV that Earley was found dismembered yesterday. Carlos Rosas was arrested on charges of murder and concealing the death.
Time Almost Up To Pass Panthers' Incentive Bill
(Columbia, SC) -- It's officially crunch time for a Panthers' tax incentive bill in South Carolina. Lawmakers have until five this afternoon to vote on the bill before the legislative session wraps up. The proposal would give the franchise roughly 115-million-dollars in tax breaks and incentives to move the Panthers' headquarters and practice facility into York County. Panthers' owner David Tepper said yesterday that he can stay in Charlotte if the bill fizzles.
Thousands Expected At Funeral For Mooresville Officer
(Mooresville, NC) -- Thousands of law enforcement personnel from around the country are expected to be there when a fallen Mooresville police officer is laid to rest tomorrow. Officer Jordan Sheldon was killed during a traffic stop last weekend. The funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Charlotte's Calvary Church. A processional of over two-thousand emergency vehicles will travel from the Queen City to Mooresville after the service. Mooresville's school district is dismissing classes early tomorrow.
UNC Charlotte Holds Commencement This Weekend
(Charlotte, NC) -- UNC Charlotte is preparing for spring commencement in the wake of last week's tragedy on campus. Ceremonies are taking place this Friday and Saturday at Halton Arena. Chancellor Phillip Dubois says the victims in last week's shooting will be honored at the ceremonies. Nearly five-thousand combined graduate students and undergraduates are expected to receive their degrees.
Gun Found At CMS Elementary School
(Charlotte, NC) -- CMS says another gun has been found on a school campus. Police were notified yesterday about a report that there was a weapon at Cotswold Elementary School. An unloaded gun was discovered after a search. Cotswold's principal says no students or staff were harmed or threatened.
CMS Names Teacher Of Year
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMS teacher of the year is Kimberly Tuttle. The 11th grade English Honors teacher at Levine Middle College High School was awarded the title last night at Mallard Creek High. CMS named Tuttle its New Teacher of the Year when she started at West Charlotte High School two decades ago. Tuttle gets a one-year lease on a new car, school supplies and 17-hundred-dollars from the award's sponsors.
Hurricanes Play Bruins Tonight
(Boston, MA) -- The Hurricanes are in Boston and ready to play game one. They face off against the Bruins tonight for the first game of the Eastern Conference Final. The Hurricanes have their work cut out for them against the intimidating Bruins, but they've been exceeding expectations lately. The puck hits the ice at eight o'clock tonight. If the Canes come out on top of Boston, they play for the Stanley Cup.
Warrant Out For STAYUMBL Driver
(Wake Co., NC) -- Wake County deputies are looking for an infamous local driver. They say an arrest warrant is out for Diana Mems who drives in a car with the plates STAYUMBL. She's charged in an incident involving a Durham bus. Mems also faces speeding, careless and reckless driving charges. Durham police say she's been involved in 31 wrecks since 2000 and they've had a number of calls about her this year already.
Eleven Men Accused Of Robbing Minority Business Owners
(Durham, NC) -- Eleven Durham men are accused of targeting and robbing minority business owners. A federal indictment says the suspects learned where some Middle Eastern and Asian business owners lived, and robbed them at their homes. They say the suspects have been doing this for more than three-years. They targeted business owners in Durham and Hillsborough. The men face up to 20-years in prison if convicted of these charges.
Mother's Day Thunderstorms
(Raleigh, NC) -- It could be nasty weather for Raleigh on Mother's Day. Forecasters say that we can expect a little rain today and tomorrow, but the real rain will be starting Saturday. They're calling for a good chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms on Saturday, and better chances on Sunday. It's going to be a hot and muggy weekend either way, but things cool down a bit on Monday.
Alleged Rapist Faces 65 Felony Charges
(Fayetteville, NC) -- The so called Durag Rapist faces 65 felony charges. Yesterday, 45-year-old Johnnie Green appeared in court for rape and kidnapping charges dating back nearly a decade. He was tied to a series of Fayetteville rapes after his DNA was entered into the system when he was arrested on an old arrest warrant. Yesterday in court, Green's bond was raised to 14-million-dollars. He's due back in court next month.
Orange County Educator Child Pornography Arrest
(Orange Co., NC) -- A former Orange County elementary school teacher is facing child pornography charges. Investigators seized electronic devices belonging to former New Hope Elementary School fifth grade teacher Stefan Anders, and three computers belonging to the school district. He resigned after being suspended last month due to his arrest on 15-counts of sexually exploiting minors. School officials say no students are connected to the charges. Anders is due in court later today.
Judge Dismisses UDC Statue Case
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- The Confederate monument that had stood outside the former county courthouse in Winston-Salem since 1905 will not return to its original spot. The city took down the monument in March. The United Daughters of the Confederacy turned to the court, hoping it would force the city to return the statue. However, a judge yesterday dismissed the UDC's complaint with prejudice, meaning the group cannot bring up the issue again in the future.
One Person Killed In Head-On Wreck With Winston-Salem Vehicle
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- One person is dead after a head-on crash with a Winston-Salem city truck. It happened just before 11 yesterday morning near Shattalon and Walnut Hills drives. Police say an Isuzu Trooper crossed the center line and crashed head-on with a bulk pickup truck. The driver of the Isuzu died, and two people in the city truck were hurt.
Greensboro Woman Accused Of Burning Infant's Feet
(Greensboro, NC) -- A Greensboro woman is accused of burning the bottom of her infant's feet. Twenty-two-year-old Loretta Ford is charged with felony child abuse, inflicting serious bodily injury. Officials say the baby suffered second-and-third-degree burns on the bottom of both feet. An investigation is ongoing.
Winston-Salem Seeking Public Input For Dixie Classic Fair
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- The City of Winston-Salem wants the public to help rename the Dixie Classic Fair. It's currently taking suggestions on Survey-Monkey-dot-com, which can be accessed on its website. The city is gathering possible names and plans to hold a vote in August. The new name would become official in 2020.
Dozens Of Arrests Made In 'Operation End Game'
(Yadkinville, NC) -- Yadkin County sheriff's officials are announcing dozens of arrests following the first-phase of their latest drug raid. Thirty-five arrests were made during "Operation End Game," sheriff's officials announced yesterday. They say another 200 people were charged with various drug-related crimes. Sheriff Oliver says it was the biggest round up of drug-related arrests since he took office in 2011.