Rock Band Sues Over Beer
(Los Angeles, CA) -- A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band is trying to stop a North Carolina brewery from selling one of its beers. Guns N' Roses has filed a lawsuit in California court against Oskar Blues Brewery over its Guns N' Rose [[ roh-zay ]] Ale and the merchandise associated with it. Oskar Blues is headquartered in Colorado and opened up a taproom in Brevard seven years ago. The lawsuit claims the brewery is trying to get a free ride off the band's reputation.
WNC Lawmaker Won't Seek Re-Election
(Hendersonville, NC) -- A western North Carolina lawmaker isn't planning to run for office again. Representative Chuck McGrady announced yesterday that he is forgoing his state seat for more time with his wife and personal interests. The Republican was elected to represent District 117 in 2010. The district covers half of Henderson County.
Public Invited To Comment On Flatiron Building
(Asheville, NC) -- The community has a change to weigh in on plans for the Flatiron Building in downtown Asheville today. The building's owners are planning to turn it into a hotel at a cost of around 20-million-dollars. WLOS-TV says a public hearing will take place during this afternoon's city council meeting at City Hall.
No Date On Re-Opening Of Asheville Soccer Complex
(Asheville, NC) -- There's no word yet on when a damaged soccer complex in Asheville may reopen. Problems first arose at the John B. Lewis complex a year ago when severe flooding caused it to close. The clean-up had just begun when the Swannanoa River flooded again last month and halted all restoration efforts. An Asheville Parks and Rec official said yesterday that they're still waiting on a new quote for clean-up costs.
Marshall Man Sentenced For Ax Attack
(Marshall, NC) -- A Marshall man is heading to prison for an ax attack. Jeremy Barker was arrested in April 2018 after he allegedly got upset with a friend and assaulted him with an ax. WLOS-TV says the victim had some teeth knocked out and was cut multiple times in the face. The judge sentenced Barker yesterday to serve between five to seven years in prison.
Opting Out Of Duke Smart Meter Costs Customers
(Asheville, NC) -- It will cost you some money to opt out of using the new smart meter through Duke Energy Progress. A local resident told WLOS-TV yesterday that he was notified it would cost 170-dollars to opt out completely, plus close to 15-dollars a month for meter reading. Most Duke Energy Progress customers in Asheville already have a smart meter installed. Some have cited health concerns as a reason for wanting to stick with the old meter.
Diocese To Release List Of Credibly Accused Clergy
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Diocese of Charlotte plans to release a list of any local clergy that have been credibly accused of sex abuse by the end of the year. Bishop Peter Jugis [[ JOO-giss ]] said yesterday that they'll be investigating any actions as far back as 1972, when the Charlotte Diocese was established. It covers the western half of North Carolina. The Diocese will be following new procedures for reporting and conducting investigations that were put in place last week by Pope Francis.
Man Suspected Of Killing Family Members Pleads Not Guilty
(Gaston County, NC) -- A Gaston County man accused of running over and killing two of his family members nearly a year ago says he's not guilty. Prosecutors read the indictments against Roger Self in court yesterday. He allegedly drove his SUV into the Surf and Turf Lodge last May, which killed his daughter and daughter-in-law. His not guilty plea means the trial will go on as scheduled next February.
CMPD Looking For Suspect Accused Of Exposing Himself
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is looking for a man accused of flashing children at bus stops across Charlotte. Eight cases of indecent exposure have been reported since the beginning of February, with the victims ranging from eight to 18-years-old. It's unclear if the same man is connected to each one, but investigators say the descriptions of the suspect and car are similar in most cases. None of the victims were touched in the crimes.
One Injured In Home Fire
(Charlotte, NC) -- The cause of a home fire is being investigated in east Charlotte. Firefighters rushed out to Clark Street around ten last night, where flames reportedly started in a utility room. Medics treated one person from the home for injuries. It took crews less than 15 minutes to control the blaze.
Fight Locks Down High School
(Charlotte, NC) -- Some students are facing possible discipline for a fight that locked down Vance High School yesterday. Witnesses told WBTV that it started inside during an argument and then spilled over into the courtyard. The school's principal says law enforcement is investigating.
Jonas Brothers Performing This Fall In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Jonas Brothers are coming to the Queen City. The group has announced it will perform at the Spectrum Center on November 20th as part of their Happiness Begins Tour, which is their first in six years. You can purchase tickets this Saturday. The Jonas Brothers' father owns Nellie's Southern Kitchen in Belmont.
Tornado Confirmed In Wake County
(Wake Co., NC) -- The National Weather Service is confirming a tornado in Wake County. Serious storms across Central North Carolina yesterday spawned a tornado that hit Wendell and Zebulon. The strength of the twister isn't known yet, but it did cause some serious property damage. Golf ball-sized hail damaged a number of cars in Garner. No injuries have been reported yet.
Deputy Pleads Guilty To Excessive Force
(Wake Co., NC) -- A Wake County deputy is out of a job after pleading guilty to excessive force. Yesterday in court, Deputy Cameron Broadwell admitted to going too far when restraining and arresting Kyron Hinton. Felony assault charges were dropped as part of the plea deal. Broadwell was sentenced to one year of probation and will have to surrender his law enforcement certificate.
Wake County Sheriff's Dept May Make Changes To The K-9 Division
(Wake Co., NC) -- The Wake County Sheriff's Department is making some changes now that a deputy admitted guilt in an excessive force trial. Former deputy and K-9 handler Cameron Broadwell was officially terminated from the force yesterday. Wake District Attorney Lorrin Freeman urged the department's K-9 division to adopt a no bite policy. Sheriff Baker said that as a result of the court decision, they are working to revise their K-9 policy.
Father Of Boy Killed In 1998 Charged With His Murder
(Mebane, NC) -- The father of a boy found dead in Mebane decades ago has been charged with his son's murder. The body of ten-year-old Robert Whitt was found under a billboard near I-85 back in 1998. His murder had remained a mystery, until deputies say they used DNA technology and other forensic tools to identify John Whitt as a suspect. Whitt is charged with first-degree murder for the boy's death, but is also suspected in the death of the boy's mother. She was found dead that same year in South Carolina.
More On Raleigh Pilot Facing Three Murder Charges
(Louisville, KY) -- New details are emerging about the Raleigh pilot accused of three-murders. Fifty-one-year-old Christian Martin is accused of killing Calvin and Pamela Phillips and Edward Dansereau [[ dan-SARE-oo ]] in Kentucky back in 2015. He was arrested on a plane in his pilot's uniform this week. The Phillips' son, Matt Phillips, said his dad was going to be the key witness in a child sex abuse case against Martin, and his parents were killed to get the charges dropped. Martin is due in court next week.
Raleigh Man Accused Of Killing His Brother
(Raleigh, NC) -- A Raleigh man is accused of killing his brother. Deputies in Wake County say that on Sunday, 40-year-old Larry Ruffin stabbed 40-year-old Carlton Ruffin at a Creech Road home. Deputies say Larry went there to fix a video game system, and the pair got into a heated altercation that spun out of control. Carlton Ruffin died on his way to the hospital. Larry Ruffin is charged with murder and is due in court next week.
Third Grade Girl Hit, Killed By Jeep In Randolph Co.
(Randolph Co., NC) -- No charges are filed after a third-grade girl was hit and killed while waiting for the school bus in Randolph County. The accident happened yesterday morning on Whites Memorial Road. Troopers believe Ayanna Jimenez Crump ran into the road before she was hit by a Jeep Wrangler. They say the school bus was close by. The Highway Patrol says the driver doesn't appear to be at fault.
Two Kids, Teacher Charged After Gun Found At School
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Two kids and a teacher are charged after a handgun was brought to a Winston-Salem school on several occasions. The weapon was brought to Paisley Magnet School twice last week. Authorities say both times, it was in the possession of different students. During their investigation, officers learned Miss Sarah Wilson knew about the gun during a separate incident in April, but did not report it to authorities. She was charged with aiding a minor to possess a firearm on educational property. Criminal charges were also brought against the two juveniles.
Person Arrested After Police Pursuit In Archdale
(Archdale, NC) -- A person is under arrest after a police pursuit and crash in Archdale. Deputies gave chase yesterday afternoon when they witnessed the suspect cut off another driver on I-85. Twenty-six-year-old Johntae Thompson exited on Main Street before wrecking near Walmart and Sheetz. He took off on foot and was arrested.
Guilford Co. School Board To Vote On Several Action Items
(Greensboro, NC) -- The Guilford County School Board will decide on several action items at today's meeting. Board members will vote on whether to drop the last day of school for students on the traditional calendar. If that happens, the last day would become Monday, June 10th. Board members will also decide on a 2019-2020 budget to send to the county's Board of Commissioners.
Man Hit, Killed By Car In Forsyth Co.
(Forsyth Co., NC) -- State troopers are investigating a deadly hit-and-run crash in Forsyth County. It happened around 1:30 yesterday morning on I-40 near Harper Road. Troopers say 41-year-old Miguel Aquino was standing outside of his van on the shoulder of the road when he was hit by another vehicle. He died at the scene. Anyone with information is urged to come forward.