Rainy Weekend In WNC
(Asheville, NC) -- It's expected to be a rainy weekend in western North Carolina. The National Weather Service is calling for a few inches of rain to fall between now and Monday. The threat of flash flooding will increase with multiple days of moderate to heavy rain. There may be a few storms with gusty winds.
Asheville Council Considers Moves On Districts
(Asheville, NC) -- Some Asheville city council members are trying to figure out how to fight state-drawn political lines. Mayor Esther Manheimer said on Facebook this week that suing would only allow the city to draw new districts instead of getting rid of them again. The state Senate passed a bill that would divide Asheville up into five council districts, even though voters opposed using districts in a 2017 vote. Three city council members wrote to the Citizen-Times this week that Asheville needs to sue over the districts.
Swannanoa Man Accused Of Lighting Woman On Fire
(Buncombe County, NC) -- A Swannanoa man is being accused of lighting a woman on fire. The Citizen-Times is reporting that Luis Cortes was indicted this week for assault with intent to kill and malicious injury by use of an explosive or incendiary device, both felonies. Investigators say he poured flammable liquid on a Candler woman last December. Cortes will be in court again next week to face attempted first-degree arson charges.
Two WNC Nursing Homes Considered Among Nation's Worst
(Franklin, NC) -- Two western North Carolina nursing homes are showing up on a list of some of the nation's worst. The Department of Health and Human Services compiled a list of nearly 400 underperforming nursing homes in May. Ten of those listed are in North Carolina, including Macon Valley Nursing and Rehab in Franklin and Tsali Care Center in Cherokee. A Pennsylvania Senator said families choosing a nursing home need as much information as possible.
Hendersonville Pride Day Coming June 15th
(Hendersonville, NC) -- Pride Day is coming to Hendersonville on June 15th. Mayor Barbara Volk announced the proclamation last night at the courthouse. Events are scheduled for the day, including a picnic in the park and the Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus Stonewall Concert. It's happening in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising in New York City.
Be On Lookout For Bears In Panthertown Valley
(Jackson, NC) -- The U.S. Forest Service wants visitors to the Panthertown Valley in the Nantahala National Forest to be on the lookout for bears. WLOS-TV is reporting there's been a recent increase of bears going through personal belongings on campsites, sometimes staying there for hours. One district ranger says the black bears get used to campers and residential neighborhoods close by. Visitors are urged to clean up garbage and never leave food unattended.
Rain Expected To Drench Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Charlotte area is expected to get drenched with rain over the next few days. The National Weather Service is calling for showers and thunderstorms that could produce heavy rainfall and possible isolated flash flooding. The Queen City could get anywhere from two-to-four inches of rain. It won't be until Wednesday when the chance of precipitation falls under 50-percent.
Chase Leads To Wreck With Police Car
(Union County, NC) -- A Charlotte man is accused of slamming his car into a Union County sergeant's cruiser during a high speed chase early Thursday. Investigators say Rashaun Harris sped off from an attempted traffic stop at Stewart Street and U.S. 74 before leading a deputy on a chase toward Monroe. Speeds allegedly reached close to 120-miles-an-hour when Harris' car went airborne on an exit ramp and hit the car of a sergeant who came to help. The officer and Harris suffered minor injuries.
Jewelry Store Manager Fired After Refusing Deputy
(Iredell County, NC) -- A jewelry store manager who turned away the business of an Iredell County deputy is off the job. The sheriff says a manager at the Kay Jewelers in Statesville refused to let his deputy inside to pick up an engagement ring Wednesday because he was armed with his service weapon. The deputy reportedly told the manager that it would be a violation of policy to remove the weapon. Kay Jewelers apologized and said yesterday that the manager is no longer employed there.
Charlotte Home Fire Set On Purpose
(Charlotte, NC) -- Firefighters are investigating an arson at an east Charlotte home. The fire broke out early Thursday morning on Sudbury Road, causing about 30-thousand-dollars in damage. No one was injured. The CFD says it looks like it was intentionally set, but there's no word if any suspects have been identified.
Police Looking For Missing Salisbury Woman
(Salisbury, NC) -- Police are on the lookout for a missing Salisbury woman. Salisbury police say Carolyn Abron left her home a few days ago and was last spotted in Tennessee. Officers now believe the 56-year-old may be coming back to Salisbury. Her family is concerned because she may be suffering from a mental illness and has passed out behind the wheel before.
Taste Of Charlotte Begins Today
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Taste of Charlotte begins today on Tryon Street in Uptown. The three-day event features area restaurants, food vendors and live entertainment. You can get a taste of samples from the vendors by purchasing festival coins when you get there. The festival will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. today and tomorrow, with an 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. schedule on Sunday.
Former NAACP Leader Barber Found Guilty Of Trespassing At General Assembly
(Raleigh, NC) -- Former state NAACP President Reverend William Barber says he'll appeal his conviction on charges of trespassing at the General Assembly. Jurors took only 22 minutes Thursday to find Barber guilty on charges from a protest he led in 2017. Barber was arrested when he refused General Assembly Police's orders to leave because, he said, lawmakers ignored his requests for meetings about the Affordable Care Act. Judge Stephan Futrell gave Barber a one-day suspended sentence, 12 months of unsupervised probation, 24 hours of community service, and a 200 dollar fine.
Investment Adviser Convicted In $15-Million Ponzi Scheme
(Raleigh, NC) -- A Raleigh investment adviser is guilty of taking people for more than 15-million dollars in what prosecutors call an elaborate Ponzi scheme. A federal court jury convicted Stephen Condon Peters on Thursday. The 46-year-old Peters, who owns General Assembly VisionQuest Wealth Management, was found guilty of all nine charges. He was taken into custody and will be sentenced later.
Durham Pull Funding For Extra Police Officers
(Durham, NC) -- Durham won't be expanding its police force. The Durham City Council on Thursday voted 4-3 to pull funding for 18 additional officers from the 2019-20 city budget. Police Chief C.J. Davis requested money for more officers at a time when Durham's murder rate is up 75-percent over last year.
800 Electric Scooters Coming To Durham
(Durham, NC) -- Hundreds of electric scooters are coming to Durham next week. The city has approved permits for 800 scooters, operated by four companies. The permits require 20-percent of each company's scooters to be in areas where people with low to moderate incomes have access to them. The companies also will have to have payment options for people who don't have credit or debit cards or smartphones.
Thunderstorms, Low 80s In Triangle Today
(Undated) -- It'll be a rainy Friday in the Triangle, with highs only in the low 80s. The National Weather Service says there's an 80-percent chance of thunderstorms today, tonight, and Saturday. We could see as much as three-quarters of an inch of rainfall today. The rainy weather will continue into next week.
Winston-Salem Market Closed Due To Fire
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Cooks Flea Market in Winston-Salem will be closed this weekend after a fire swept through it. The fire started Wednesday afternoon and caused significant damage. FOX 8 says about 500 people have shops inside the building, and a lot of the vendors lost their merchandise. There's no word yet on what caused the fire, but some of the vendors suspect it might have been electrical in nature.
UPDATE: Woman Charged After Unrestrained Child Killed In Crash
(Yadkin Co., NC) -- A Yadkin County mother is facing charges after her unrestrained child died in a car accident. Samantha Jolley is charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle and DWI, among other things. The accident happened Wednesday morning on Gospel Way Church Road. Troopers say Jolley's vehicle ran off the road and hit several trees. Neither her nor the child was buckled.
Man Shot, Killed In Winston-Salem
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Winston-Salem police are investigating a deadly shooting. It happened late Wednesday night near Waughtown Street and Cole Road. Police say David Pineda was pronounced dead at the scene. So far, no arrests have been announced. Anyone who may have witnessed the shooting is urged to call Winston-Salem PD.
Historic Winston-Salem Church To Shut Down Monday
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A historic Winston-Salem church will hold one last service this Sunday before it has to hand over its keys. A bankruptcy judge is giving Greater Cleveland Avenue Christian Church until Monday to vacate the property. A bank bought the church in a foreclosure action after it racked up more than three-million dollars in debt.
Guilford Co. Teachers, School Supporters Ask For More Education Money
(Greensboro, NC) -- Guilford County teachers are asking the Board of Commissioners for more education money. Several dozen teachers and school supports made their case yesterday at a hearing. They said the county's proposed 212-point-seven-million-dollar allotment was not enough. Teachers said they're dealing with poorly-maintained buildings, among other things. The board did not comment.