Gangs On Rise In Asheville,Wettest Year for Mt Mitchell,Wood Vendors Needed

Lawmakers Meeting To Discuss Medicaid Expansion

(Raleigh, NC) -- State lawmakers are set to meet in Raleigh today to talk Medicaid expansion. Governor Cooper has already vetoed the GOP-backed budget, which doesn't include that healthcare initiative. House Speaker Tim Moore said yesterday that Republicans will hold a committee meeting this morning to hash out details in a proposal called Carolina Cares. The plan is what Moore calls a type of Medicaid expansion with work requirements.

Mount Mitchell Reports Wettest Year Ever In NC

(Yancey County, NC) -- State climate officials are reporting record precipitation numbers on Mount Mitchell. The Hendersonville Times-News says nearly 140 inches of precipitation fell on the mountain in 2018, which was the wettest year on record anywhere in North Carolina. Hurricanes in the fall boosted the high amount of precipitation that fell, along with torrential downpours that flooded western North Carolina in May. The state's lowest-ever temperature was also recorded on Mount Mitchell in 1985.

Hendersonville Police Continuing To Investigate Deadly Shooting

(Hendersonville, NC) -- Hendersonville police haven't yet filed charges in a deadly shooting last Wednesday. Investigators said yesterday James Franklin Stepp died after an altercation on Brooklyn Avenue. They've identified a Fletcher man as the alleged shooter. The department is still investigating leads in the case.

Gangs On Rise In Asheville

(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville police are confirming there are more than one-thousand known gang members in the area. The department told the Citizen-Times last week that the number of identifiable gangs has increased up to about 65. Deputy Chief Jim Baumstark told the city council in late June that gangs were in part to blame for a 55-percent increase in gun violence over the past three years in Asheville.

Cherokee Leaders Trying To Revitalize Their Language

(Cherokee, NC) -- Cherokee leaders are making a push to save their native tongue. WLOS-TV is reporting three federally recognized tribes met in Cherokee recently to declare a state of emergency in order to revitalize the language's development. The Eastern Band in western North Carolina has just over 200 of the remaining two-thousand people who can still speak the language fluently. They're urging Tribal members to make learning the language a priority.

Firewood Vendors Needed For Some BRP Campgrounds

(Undated) -- National Park officials are seeking firewood vendors for a number of Blue Ridge Parkway campground sites. The firewood will be sold from mid-May through October. Vendors must complete a form and pay a 100-dollar application fee by July 22nd.

CMPD To Increase Patrols, Focus On Repeat Offenders

(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is focusing on repeat offenders to try to curb an increase in violent crimes. Police Chief Kerr Putney and District Attorney Spencer Merriweather presented plans on making the community safer at last night's city council meeting. The chief also says they'll be increasing foot patrols and bringing awareness to education. Merriweather says there's a need for more judges and prosecutors. The 60 homicides in Charlotte this year have surpassed 2018's numbers.

Stolen Car Suspect Crashes On I-85

(Gaston County, NC) -- A suspect is facing charges for allegedly crashing a stolen car on I-85 yesterday. State troopers say the man drove the wrong way before slamming into a wall and hitting a tractor trailer in Gaston County. He is accused of then assaulting a woman who was trying to help. The suspect is facing counts of DWI and possessing a stolen vehicle, among other charges.

Charlotte Firefighter Sues City

(Charlotte, NC) -- A firefighter is suing the city of Charlotte. A lawsuit filed by Marty Puckett claims he's been threatened with disciplinary action, denied his access to public records and been treated differently than co-workers. The allegations are made in part for Puckett's support of ex-councilwoman Claire Fallon and former fire inspector Crystal Eschert. Puckett is seeking 75-thousand-dollars in damages.

Resident, Suspect Exchange Gunfire In Attempted Break-In

(Charlotte, NC) -- A suspect is on the run after a home break-in was reportedly thwarted in north Charlotte. A resident on Darbyshire Place told the CMPD that he fired shots at an armed man just before noon yesterday. The suspect allegedly fired shots back at the home as he ran away. There were no injuries.

Suspects Caught After Holding Up Wells Fargo

(Charlotte, NC) -- Three suspects are accused of holding up a Wells Fargo in Charlotte. The CMPD believes they tried to rob a Family Dollar before moving on to the bank on West Sugar Creek Road yesterday afternoon. Officers chased the getaway car until the suspects bailed at Freedom Drive and Little Rock Road. Two adults and a juvenile were arrested.

Lowe's To Receive Millions In Local Tax Incentives

(Charlotte, NC) -- Lowe's is looking to haul in millions in incentives for building its new tech hub in Charlotte. Local officials told The Charlotte Observer yesterday the city and county is offering the home improvement retailer more than 16-million-dollars in grants. That's in addition to over 54-million-dollars from the state. Lowe's must meet its promise of creating 16-hundred new jobs in order to receive the incentives.

Wake County To Expand Popular Apex Park

(Apex, NC) -- A popular park in Apex is going to get a lot bigger. The Wake County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to quadruple the size of Crowder County Park. The measure approved yesterday will add 96 acres to the 33-acre park. The expanded space could include walking and hiking trails, fishing, environmental education, and other recreational features. Upgrades are expected to be completed by 2025.

2 Adults Killed, 2 Children Hospitalized In Warren County Shooting

(Manson, NC) -- Two children are in the hospital after a shooting that killed two adults in Warren County. It happened Monday afternoon at what neighbors thought was a vacant house in Manson. Warren County Sheriff Johnny Williams says one of the injured children is younger than ten and the other is younger than 16. The sheriff says the shooting involved only people who were at the house.

Radioactive Material Found In Middle Of Durham Street

(Durham, NC) -- The North Carolina Radiological Society is investigating how a package of radioactive material was handled after it was found in the middle of a Durham street on Monday. Durham Fire Chief Robert Zoldos told CBS17 the package fell off the back of a pickup truck that was leaving a car wash on Duke Street. Someone passing by moved it out of the street, read what was on the packaging and called 911. The package contained radioactive material known as Cobalt-60, which has a wide variety of medical and industrial uses.

Delta Flight Makes Emergency Landing At RDU

(Morrisville, NC) -- A Delta Airlines flight made an unscheduled landing Monday at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The Atlanta to Baltimore flight landed at RDU a little before 1 p.m. after the pilots got an indication of a possible problem with one of the engines. The MD-88 landed safely. The 148 passengers continued their trip on another plane.

Electric Car Owners Won't Pay Higher Registration Fees

(Raleigh, NC) -- People who drive electric vehicles won't pay higher North Carolina registration fees, at least not yet. The News and Observer reports a 230-dollar annual fee was stripped out of the budget bill. The senators who sponsored it say they'll try again. Republicans Jim Davis and Tom McInnis proposed the fee to make up for gas taxes electric vehicle owners avoid.

Police: Deadly Drive-By Was Not Random

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Winston-Salem police are now saying the drive-by shooting that killed a five-year-old boy was not random. However, police say the child -- identified as Alberto Rios Navarrette -- was not the intended target. The shooting happened Saturday in the Cole Village area. Police are not sure why the apartment was targeted. Three teenage boys were arrested on suspicion of murder.

Teenage Girl Hit, Killed Along Highway 64 In Mocksville

(Mocksville, NC) -- A 17-year-old girl is dead after a wreck along U.S. Highway 64. The accident happened Sunday afternoon near Mocksville. Troopers say Adrianna Barber was headed westbound in her Jeep when she crossed the median and collided with another car. The Jeep flipped over, and Barber was killed. The other driver was not badly hurt.

Autopsy: Woman Killed In Road Rage Incident Was Shot Twice In Head

(Greensboro, NC) -- The woman killed in an alleged road-rage incident back in March was shot twice in the head. That's according to newly-released autopsy results. The incident happened March 3rd near South Elm-Eugene Street and Patton Avenue. A semi-automatic rifle was reportedly used to kill 26-year-old Carolyn Tiger. Police are still looking for a newer model, light blue Hyundai in connection with the crime.

Greensboro Hopes To Adopt LEED Program

(Greensboro, NC) -- Greensboro is hoping to adopt a new building rating system that will help it to become more eco-friendly. A public meeting was held yesterday on the city's effort to become LEED-certified. That means being a Leader in Energy and Environmental Design. Right now, it's collecting data to help with the process.

Man Wanted In Waffle House Shooting

(Salisbury, NC) -- Salisbury police are looking for the man in connection with a Waffle House shooting in Salisbury. Jaquan Morris is wanted for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. The scene unfolded early Sunday morning at the Waffle House on East Innes Street when a fight between customers broke out. One man was shot but is expected to survive. Police say Morris should be considered armed and dangerous and urge anyone who sees him to call 9-1-1.


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