State Lawmaker Takes Plea Deal In Cyberstalking Case
(Transylvania County, NC) -- A western North Carolina lawmaker is taking a plea deal in a cyberstalking case involving his wife. Cody Henson was ordered to take domestic violence classes and undergo treatment for mental health and substance abuse in Transylvania County court yesterday. His wife was awarded a protection order against him earlier this year when the charges were filed. His wife says their marriage was a nightmare that made her feel powerless and trapped.
North Carolina Reaches Settlement Agreement Over Bathroom Bill
(Raleigh, NC) -- Transgender people in North Carolina can use a public bathroom that fits their gender identity after a settlement was reached Tuesday over the state's "bathroom bill." Three years ago the state passed House Bill Two, which limited people to use public bathrooms that conform with the gender of their birth. That led to boycotts and condemnation from around the country. The executive branch is issuing a decree that nothing in the controversial law can stop transgender people from using public bathrooms of the gender they identify with. The agreement also dismisses outstanding lawsuits filed against state officials.
Playground To Be Named After 12-Year-Old Shooting Victim
(Asheville, NC) -- A playground in Asheville is being named after a 12-year-old killed in a drive-by shooting last summer. Park officials announced yesterday that a playground will be built at the Lee Walker Heights apartment complex in honor of Derrick Lee, Junior. He was shot outside the complex. The case still remains unsolved.
Suspect Indicted In Old French Broad School Fire
(Asheville, NC) -- A Swannanoa man is facing charges in connection to a fire at the old French Broad Elementary School building in Alexander. The Citizen-Times is reporting Justin Caristo was indicted earlier this month on charges of first-degree arson and attempted voluntary manslaughter. Caristo's attorney said the fire was an attempted suicide that didn't work. Several people were living inside the converted studio space when he allegedly set fire to the building in February.
Suspect Arrested For Threatening McDonald's Employee
(Brevard, NC) -- A Brevard man is being accused of threatening to shoot a McDonald's employee. Police say the man allegedly made the threat after he was confronted for dumping his trash in the restaurant's dumpster on Asheville Highway. He was arrested for communicating threats. A woman was also arrested this week after firing shots inside a Georgia McDonald's over cold fries.
Funds Approved For Renovations At Asheville Transit Facility
(Asheville, NC) -- Renovations are moving forward at the ART Transit Facility in Asheville. The city council approved funding for a little more than one-million-dollars last night to complete the second phase of renovation. Plans include the installation of solar panels and improvements to the bathroom and passenger waiting areas. The stormwater drainage system and sidewalk have already been replaced.
Canadian Police Identify Suspects In Murder Of Charlotte Woman
(Charlotte, NC) -- Canadian police are now searching for two suspects accused in the murders of a Charlotte woman and her boyfriend. Chynna Deese and Lucas Fowler were found shot to death more than a week ago along a highway in British Columbia. The teen suspects have also been accused in a separate suspicious death. Investigators said yesterday there was a reported sighting of the suspects more than one-thousand miles away in the province of Manitoba.
Tega Cay Removes Controversial Police Monument
(Tega Cay, SC) -- The city of Tega Cay is removing a monument dedicated to fallen police officers. City officials originally decided to remove the word "Lord" from the monument after some backlash from the community. It reportedly upset so many people on both sides of the issue that city leaders decided to remove the monument completely yesterday. They say they fully support law enforcement, but are now looking at other solutions.
North Carolina Reaches Settlement Agreement Over Bathroom Bill
(Raleigh, NC) -- Transgender people in North Carolina can use a public bathroom that fits their gender identity after a settlement was reached Tuesday over the state's "bathroom bill." Three years ago, the state passed House Bill Two, which limited people to use public bathrooms that conform with the gender of their birth. That led to boycotts and condemnation from around the country. The executive branch is issuing a decree that nothing in the controversial law can stop transgender people from using public bathrooms of the gender they identify with. The agreement also dismisses outstanding lawsuits filed against state officials.
State Trooper Recovering From Serious Injuries In Crash
(Charlotte, NC) -- A North Carolina state trooper is still in the hospital with serious injuries suffered in a Charlotte chase. The CMPD says Trooper Christopher Wooten was trying to pull over a late 1990s model Toyota Avalon with a missing hood on Monday. Wooten's motorcycle hit a pick-up truck at the intersection of Edgewood and Tuckaseegee roads. Officials told WBTV that Wooten is steadily improving.
Hiker Rescued After Fall On Crowders Mountain
(Gaston County, NC) -- A hiker is safe after a rescue at Crowders Mountain in Gastonia yesterday. About 20 emergency responders rushed out to the scene near David's Castle, where the woman had fallen 15-feet below on Tuesday. She was brought down the mountain and taken to Caromont Regional Medical Center with injuries that weren't considered life-threatening.
City Council Approves Funds For Affordable Housing Projects
(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte leaders are taking a step to add affordable housing in the Queen City. NBC Charlotte says the city council approved to a plan to use close to 18-million-dollars for eight housing projects at its meeting last night. The funds will help add close to one-thousand affordable housing units. The city previously said the community needs 24-thousand total units.
Police: Remains Of Missing Raleigh Man Found
(Raleigh, NC) -- Raleigh police say they've found the remains of one of the two young men who've been missing since last week. Police said Tuesday they've found the remains of 23-year-old Brendan Hurley, as well as remains of another person that have been sent to the medical examiner's office. Hurley and 23-year-old Anthony McCall went missing on July 16th. Three people are charged with murder and being an accessory to murder.
Judge Approves Bathroom Bill Settlement
(Raleigh, NC) -- A federal judge is approving a settlement of North Carolina's bathroom bill controversy. According to the News & Observer, the settlement announced Tuesday says state agencies and public universities can't ban transgender people from using bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity. The settlement clarifies that part of the law that replaced the notorious House Bill 2, which required people to use bathrooms that matched the gender on their birth certificate. A number of organizations canceled events scheduled for the state, including the 2017 NBA All-Star Game, which was scheduled for Charlotte.
Anti-Robocall Bill Goes To Governor
(Raleigh, NC) -- A bill to give people some protection against robocalls disguised as local calls is on its way to Governor Roy Cooper's desk. If Cooper signs it into law, it would require fines of up to five-thousand dollars for solicitors who block caller ID or make robocalls look like they're coming from local numbers. The law would take effect on December 1st.
Heat Kills Lion At Pittsboro Cat Sanctuary
(Pittsboro, NC) -- The Carolina Tiger Rescue in Pittsboro says one of its lions died in last week's brutal heat. The cat sanctuary says a 17-year-old female named Sheba got overheated and day-long efforts by staff to help her cool down couldn't save her. According to its website, Carolina Tiger Rescue is a wild cat sanctuary that takes in animals that have been abandoned or seized or that need a new home.
Zion Williamson Joins Jordan Brand
(New Orleans, LA) -- Former Duke basketball superstar Zion Williamson is signing a monster sneaker deal with the Jordan Brand. The deal the New Orleans Pelicans rookie announced on Tuesday is said to be worth 75-million-dollars over seven years. Williamson was the number-one pick in this year's NBA Draft after winning national Player of the Year awards in his one season at Duke.
Man Accused Of Hurting Child In Winston-Salem
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Randolph County sheriff's deputies are looking for a man who's accused of intentionally hurting a child. They say a child was taken to Brenner Children's Hospital last month with bruises and an older brain bleed. They say Christopher Forde was taking care of the child on both occasions. Warrants have been issued for his arrest.
Child Believed To Be Suspect In Gun Theft
(Wilson, NC) -- A six-year-old is suspected of helping to steal nearly a dozen handguns from a store east of Raleigh. The crime unfolded last week at Durham Sports in Wilson. Three other suspects, who are young teens, are already charged in connection with the theft. Their identities have not been released because of their age. The handguns have since been recovered.
IFB Solutions Announces Job Cuts
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A Winston-Salem-based company that touts itself as the nation's largest employer of the visually impaired is cutting nearly 140 positions. Winston-Salem IFB Solutions says the job losses are due to policy changes at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The company announced yesterday it will undergo a series of cuts that will devastate the blind community. The first round is expected to happen at the end of the month.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District Needs Teachers
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools needs hundreds of teachers for the upcoming school year. District officials say there are over 230 elementary, middle school and high school teaching positions available, as well as about 30 bus driving gigs. They say these numbers line up with last year's.
VA Police Looking For Missing Davidson Co. Man
(Davidson Co., NC) -- Virginia State Police are looking for a Davidson County man who vanished after a car wreck nearly two weeks ago. Officers say Joseph Barrette walked away from a crash on Highway 58 on July 12th. They say his phone was last on in Montgomery, near Uwharrie National Forest. Barrette is described as five feet, eleven inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone who may have seen him is urged to call Virginia State Police.