Person Pulled From River After 15-Plus Minutes Underwater
(Canton, NC) -- One person is at Mission Hospital in Asheville after a near-drowning Wednesday afternoon. Authorities told WLOS-TV that rescue crews were called out to the Pigeon River near the Canton Water Treatment Plant, where the person went under. The victim spent between 15 to 20 minutes under the water until being rescued. There was a heartbeat detected at the scene, but there's no more word on the person's condition.
Planning Commission Approves Downtown Asheville Development
(Asheville, NC) -- Plans for a mixed-use development in downtown Asheville are heading to the city council for approval. The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the Create 72 Broadway project last night, which would be located on Broadway and North Market streets. The 40-million-dollar plan calls for construction of a 150-room boutique hotel with 30 residential units and nearly four-thousand-square feet of commercial space. The developer says it could open by 2022 if the council moves forward with it.
Judge Denies Former County Manager's Request To Delay Sentencing
(Asheville, NC) -- A former Buncombe County manager will be sentenced later this month for fraud. Wanda Greene was seeking to delay the sentencing date of August 28th, but a federal judge denied the request yesterday. She pleaded guilty in January to federal counts relating to fraud, false tax returns and receiving kickbacks. Other former county administrators connected to the case are set to be sentenced the same day.
Property Owner Given More Time To Fix Sinkhole
(Asheville, NC) -- The city of Asheville is giving a property owner a little more time to fix a large sinkhole. It's been several weeks since the hole opened up in a parking lot on Merrimon Avenue. A temporary repair failed when heavy rain caused debris from the hole to flow into the bird sanctuary at Beaver Lake. WLOS-TV says the new deadline is August 16th.
Etowah Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested
(Henderson County, NC) -- A suspect is being charged with an armed robbery at a western North Carolina Dollar General. Ronnie Lail of Pisgah Forest is accused of holding up a store in Etowah last Sunday before fleeing the scene with cash. He was arrested in Transylvania County on Tuesday for armed robbery, second-degree kidnapping and possession of a firearm by a felon. There were no injuries.
Flatiron Rooftop Bar Closing Soon
(Asheville, NC) -- A well-known bar atop downtown Asheville's Flatiron building is closing its doors soon. Owners of Skybar said on Facebook yesterday that this will be its last season, although an exact date wasn't given. The Flatiron building is set to undergo major changes in 2020. It's being converted into a boutique hotel with commercial and retail space
Canadian Police: Bodies Of Suspects Accused Of Killing Charlotte Woman Found
(Charlotte, NC) -- The search for two teens accused of killing a Charlotte woman and her boyfriend in Canada may be over. The Royal Mounted Canadian Police said yesterday they found two bodies on a riverbank in Manitoba that are believed to be the suspects. Chynna Deese and her boyfriend were found shot to death along a highway in British Columbia more than three weeks ago. The suspects were also charged in the murder of a professor from the University of British Columbia.
CMPD Investigating West Charlotte Homicide
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a homicide in west Charlotte. A man was found shot to death outside a business complex on West Boulevard around five Wednesday afternoon. Investigators believe the victim and suspect knew each other, but no arrests have been made. Residents told WSOC-TV that they heard five gunshots.
CMS Stepping Up Safety Measures
(Charlotte, NC) -- CMS is stepping up safety measures for the upcoming school year. The district said yesterday that all teachers will be equipped with a panic card that has a tracking device, which enables officials to find the location of an emergency. Random safety screenings that began at high schools in January will be expanded to elementary and middle schools. There are also plans to upgrade security measures on doors and main entries at each school.
Person Seriously Injured In Lake Norman Boat Accident
(Iredell County, NC) -- One person is in the hospital with serious injuries suffered in a boating accident on Lake Norman. WBTV is reporting the victim lost part of their leg on Wednesday night. A helicopter flew the person from Brick Kiln Way in Iredell County to the hospital.
Ransomware Attack Hits Lincoln County Again
(Lincoln County, NC) -- Another ransomware attack has hit Lincoln County. The government's IT department says servers at the county communications center were hacked on Tuesday. This comes less than two weeks after the website and computer system for the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office were hit by an ransomware attack. County officials say the communications center is functioning and hasn't affected 911 calls.
Panthers Kickoff Preseason Tonight
(Charlotte, NC) -- The preseason begins tonight for the Panthers. Carolina travels to Chicago to play the Bears, with kickoff slated for 8 p.m. Coach Ron Rivera said earlier this week that quarterback Cam Newton will sit the game out. Fans can catch the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium a week from Friday against Buffalo.
State Resolves Virtual School Teachers Layoffs Issue
(Raleigh, NC) -- More than 200 North Carolina Virtual Public School teachers won't be laid off and more than seven-thousand students will be taking online classes this fall. Notices went out last week to 220 teachers that they'd be laid off for the fall semester because of a required break for temporary employees. But on Wednesday Governor Roy Cooper's office, the Department of Public Instruction, Office of State Human Resources, and lawmakers came with a solution. The teachers will now be paid through the Department of Public Instruction rather than by Temporary Solutions, which manages temporary staffing for the state.
Deputies Recover Body Of Teen Girl Who Drowned Trying To Help Father
(Falls Lake, NC) -- Sheriff's deputies have recovered the body of a 15-year-old girl who drowned trying to help her father at Falls Lake. Authorities recovered the girl's body Wednesday afternoon. She disappeared in the lake Tuesday evening when she jumped in to help her father who'd gone in to rescue a 10-year-old boy who was struggling. The man got the boy to safety but then ran into difficulty himself.
Raleigh Man Facing Child Pornography Charges
(Raleigh, NC) -- A Raleigh man is jailed on more than a million dollars bond and facing child pornography charges. State Bureau of Investigations agents arrested 30-year-old Scott Robert Daly after they were alerted about suspicious activity on an Instagram account. ABC11 reports agents who searched Daly's computers found videos of a teenage girl engaging in sexual activity. Daly faces three charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and authorities are investigating whether he has videos or images of any other underage girls.
Former Lee County Sheriff's Officer Suing For Religious Discrimination
(Sanford, NC) -- A former Lee County Sheriff's officer who says he was fired because he wouldn't be alone with a female co-worker is suing for religious discrimination. Manuel Torres says he asked for accommodations to be made so he wouldn't have to be alone in a patrol car with a female deputy he was ordered to train. Torres says his requests were "alternately granted and denied" and that a superior officer expressed anger at Torres' religious convictions of not being alone with any woman but his wife. Torres is suing Lee County, and the towns of Apex and Siler City.
Wake Forest Named NC's 1st Monarch Town USA
(Wake Forest, NC) -- Wake Forest is North Carolina's first Monarch Town USA. The nonprofit Monarch City USA just recognized Wake Forest for its commitment to preserving and growing the monarch butterfly population. The group encourages cities and towns to support butterfly population by cultivating the plants the insects need to survive. Wake Forest's butterfly garden in E. Carroll Joyner Park has nectar plants and milkweed and is identified by signs declaring it a butterfly habitat.
Vigil Held For Father Killed Outside Of Winston-Salem BJ's
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Friends and family are morning the death of a beloved father who was shot outside a Winston-Salem restaurant. A vigil was held yesterday evening in the parking lot of BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse. That's where Julius Sampson Junior was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon. Police say the incident started as an argument inside the restaurant that spilled out into the parking lot. They do not believe the shooting was racially motivated.
Winston-Salem Walmart Evacuated After Threat
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A Walmart in Winston-Salem is back open after reports that a gunman was in the store. The scene unfolded yesterday afternoon at the Hanes Mill Road location. Police say a person who appeared to suffer from cognitive issues said that someone tried to hurt them, setting off a chain of events. Employees and shoppers were evacuated until police confirmed there was no active shooter.
New Winston-Salem/Forsyth Co. Schools Superintendent Named
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- There's a new Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools superintendent. The Board of Education yesterday named Dr. Angela Pringle as the next head of schools. She'll take office on September 3rd.
Man Charged With Attempted Murder After Crash In Burlington
(Burlington, NC) -- A man is charged with attempted murder after police say he opened fire following a wreck in Burlington. It happened Tuesday evening on Ireland Street. Police say Cameron Lindley shot the driver who crashed into him. He was arrested at the scene and charged with attempted murder.
Krispy Kreme Rolling Out Reese's Flavored Doughnuts
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Winston-Salem-based Krispy Kreme is rolling out Reese's flavored doughnuts. The company announced it worked with the candy-maker to unveil the limited-time treats. The doughnut chain is offering them individually, by the dozen and in a two-pack box that is similar to the candy package.