Sentencing For Dixon Begins Today
(Asheville, NC) -- A convicted killer could learn his fate today in Buncombe County court. A sentencing hearing begins this morning for Nathaniel Dixon, who was found guilty last week in the murder of Candace Pickens. Pickens was pregnant when she was shot to death in Asheville more than three years ago. The death penalty is on the table.
Hiker Falls To Death In Linville Gorge
(Burke County, NC) -- A Chicago man is dead after a fall in Linville Gorge. Burke County emergency officials say the man was climbing on Shortoff Mountain without any harnesses when he fell 80-feet late Sunday morning. The Morganton News Herald is reporting crews used rappelling equipment to reach him around 90 minutes after the accident. The U.S. Forest Service is continuing to investigate what happened.
Fire, Gas Leak Causes Road Block In Marion
(Marion, NC) -- Marion fire investigators say a small courthouse blaze and an unrelated gas leak forced a closure in downtown on Saturday. The fire was found in the basement of the courthouse and appears accidental. It caused minor damage. Firefighters found a gas leak in a natural gas line across the street after a bystander notified them of an odd smell. A city block was evacuated while South Main Street was closed for about two hours.
Interstate 40 Bridge To Be Replaced In McDowell County
(McDowell County, NC) -- The DOT will soon begin work to replace a bridge on I-40 in McDowell County. The Citizen-Times is reporting a 12-million-dollar contract was awarded to National Bridge Builders of Kernersville to build a three-lane bridge at Exit 81. Construction could begin in late July, with a completion date in March 2022. The existing bridge will remain in place during construction.
E. Coli Levels Down On French Broad
(Asheville, NC) -- E. coli levels are down in the French Broad River. The French Broad Riverkeeper tested samples collected by volunteers last week which revealed eleven of 24 sites tested met the EPA standard. WLOS-TV says just two of 26 sites tested up to standard the week before.
Asheville Listed Near Top For Airbnb Business
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville appears to be a great place to run an Airbnb. The financial group SmartAsset just ranked the city as the second best in the country, just behind Nashville. The study shows that nearly half of Asheville's Airbnb listings are rented out at least three times a month. Nashville and Asheville tied for the top spot last year.
One Injured In Waffle House Shooting
(Salisbury, NC) -- Police are investigating a shooting at a Waffle House near downtown Salisbury. Investigators say one man was shot during a fight with another man around three Sunday morning inside the Innes Street restaurant. The victim was last said to be in critical condition. Salisbury police are still trying to identify the suspect, who ran away from the restaurant after the shooting.
Hornets' Star To Sign With Celtics
(Charlotte, NC) -- Hornets' star Kemba Walker is heading to Boston. The three-time All-Star announced yesterday that he plans to sign a four-year deal worth over 140-million-dollars with the Celtics on the first day of free agency Saturday. Walker has spent his entire career in Charlotte since being drafted in the first round in 2011. The Hornets reportedly came up short of offering Walker the max deal.
Suspect Arrested After Exposing Himself In Front Of Kids
(Charlotte, NC) -- A suspect is facing charges for allegedly exposing himself to three children and their mother in east Charlotte. The victims told the CMPD that he exposed himself and performed indecent acts on Eastcrest Drive Saturday. Douglas Parsons was arrested on multiple felony counts of indecent exposure and indecent liberties near the intersection of North College and East 12th streets a short time later. He is a registered sex offender.
Hiker Falls To Death In Linville Gorge
(Burke County, NC) -- A Chicago man is dead after a fall in Linville Gorge. Burke County emergency officials say the man was climbing on Shortoff Mountain without any harnesses when he fell 80-feet late Sunday morning. The Morganton News Herald is reporting crews used rappelling equipment to reach him around 90 minutes after the accident. The U.S. Forest Service is continuing to investigate what happened.
Family Displaced In Charlotte Fire
(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte firefighters are investigating a blaze that left a family of nine without a home on Saturday night. The fire took about 15 minutes to control after it broke out on Whayhill Drive in northeast Charlotte. The home was heavily damaged. Firefighters also helped rescue a dog from the home.
Non-Profit Seeks Bra Donations To Help Turtles
(Charlotte, NC) -- An area non-profit animal rescue organization is looking for donations of one item that may seem unconventional in helping save the lives of turtles. Carolina Waterfowl Rescue of Union County went on social media last week to request used bras. The organization's director says the clasp of a bra can be used to help heal a turtle with a cracked shell. It usually takes anywhere from three to eight weeks of rehab before the reptiles are released back into the wild.
Sunday Evening Storms Knock Down Trees, Power Lines, Damage Homes
(Undated) -- People in Wake and Johnston counties are cleaning up after storms that blew through Sunday evening knocked down trees and power lines and damaged homes. Thunderstorms packing fierce winds made a mess in the Five Points area. Falling trees damaged a number of homes. Power was still out to about four-thousand homes at 10 p.m.
Water Main Break Could Slow Morning Commute
(Raleigh, NC) -- A water main break on Atlantic Avenue could slow the commute for some Raleigh drivers this morning. The break Sunday afternoon forced crews to shut down Atlantic from Whitaker Mill Road to Six Forks Road. The line should be fixed before dawn but the City of Raleigh said in a release Atlantic might not be open to traffic until this afternoon, depending on when work restoring the pavement is finished.
Man Found Drowned In Durham Pond
(Durham, NC) -- Durham police say a man who drowned in a pond over the weekend had wandered away from a nearby senior living community. The man was in his 80s and suffered from cognitive impairment, according to police. His body was discovered Sunday morning. Police say his death doesn't appear to be suspicious.
Duplin County Wildfire Could Burn All Week
(Duplin County, NC) -- A wildfire in Duplin County could burn all week. Fire officials say the 100-acre fire burning about an hour east of Fayetteville is partly contained, but the area is still not safe. Duplin County Fire Marshal Matt Barwick says the fire could spread, because of a lack of rain and possible winds. One firefighter was taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion.
Deadline Nears To Claim $487,105 Lottery Ticket
(Raleigh, NC) -- Someone who's holding a nearly half-million dollar lottery ticket has only a week to claim their prize. The winning Cash 5 ticket was sold at the Circle K on South Main Street in Lillington in Harnett County. The prize is more than 487-thousand dollars, and whoever bought the winning ticket needs to contact the NC Education Lottery by next Monday, July 8th.
Child Hospitalized After Near-Drowning In Rockingham Co.
(Rockingham Co., NC) -- A child is recovering after a near-drowning in Rockingham County. The rescue squad responded to the Lindsey Bridge Road public access point to the Dan River yesterday afternoon. The boy was rescued with a Stokes basket. Authorities call the access point a "drowning machine" because of the hydraulic force. There's no word on how old the child was or how badly hurt he was.
Chicago Man Falls Off Shortoff Mountain, Dies
(Burke Co., NC) -- A Chicago man is dead after falling off of Shortoff Mountain. Burke County officials say Austin Howell was free-climbing in one of the most difficult parts of Linville Gorge when he fell about 80 feet. Rescue crews were able to reach him with repelling equipment, but he did not survive the fall. The U.S. Forest Service is investigating.
Deadly Shooting Under Investigation In Greensboro
(Greensboro, NC) -- A deadly shooting is under investigation in Greensboro. It happened Friday night on Watkins Street. Police say James Cashier was shot and killed. They believe the incident was domestic. The suspect has not been identified.
Man Stabbed To Death In Asheboro
(Asheboro, NC) -- A man is dead after he was stabbed in Asheboro. Randolph County sheriff's officials were called to the Dinah Road area yesterday about a stabbing and assault. The unidentified victim was rushed to a local hospital where he later died. There's no word on what led up to the stabbing or who is responsible.
Pedestrian Hit By Car In Winston-Salem
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Winston-Salem police are investigating a crash involving a pedestrian. It happened Saturday evening along U.S. 52, near the Clemmonsville Road ramp. Police did not say whether the pedestrian will survive. They also did not say who was at fault.