Governor Cooper Vetoes ICE Detainer Bill
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper is putting a stop to a bill that will require local law enforcement officials to comply with detention requests made by ICE. He vetoed House Bill 370 yesterday, claiming it weakens law enforcement in North Carolina by mandating sheriffs to do the job of federal agents. Sheriffs in the state's larger counties like Mecklenburg and Buncombe have already spoke out against the ICE detainer requests. Western North Carolina State Senator Chuck Edwards says Cooper is attempting to distract folks with reckless rhetoric.
Attempted Murder Suspect Arrested
(Asheville, NC) -- An attempted murder suspect is now in Buncombe County jail. Robert Austin was wanted for allegedly setting a man on fire last Sunday in east Asheville. He was arrested outside the Papa's and Beer Mexican restaurant on Tunnel Road early Wednesday morning. The victim was last said to be in critical condition. Investigators are still looking for two drivers who may be potential witnesses in the case.
State Republicans Propose Tax Refund In NC
(Raleigh, NC) -- Republican lawmakers are pushing a tax refund proposal in North Carolina. The state GOP introduced a plan yesterday that would funnel 650-million-dollars back into the pockets of taxpayers. That comes out to a maximum of 125-dollars for individuals and 250-dollars for couples. There's a reported 900-million-dollars in state surplus funds. House Minority Leader Darren Jackson told WLOS-TV the surplus money would be better used for education.
Topless Rally In Pack Square This Sunday
(Asheville, NC) -- A topless rally is coming up this Sunday in Asheville's Pack Square. It's the annual Go Topless day to celebrate women's right to vote. City statute allows anyone to go without a shirt within the limits of Asheville. The Citizen-Times is reporting the rally initially attracted hundreds on its first year in 2011, but attendance has dwindled since then.
Concerning E. Coli Levels In Asheville Creek
(Asheville, NC) -- A sewage leak is the cause for concerning levels of E. Coli in an Asheville creek. A French Broad Riverkeeper says numbers in Reed Creek this week are around 500 times more than the safe level. He urges anyone to avoid contact with the water until the problem is resolved. Buncombe County's Metropolitan Sewerage District officials are heading out to the creek today to investigate the source of the leak.
Beer Sold At Haywood County Fair For First Time
(Haywood County, GA) -- Visitors to the Haywood County Fair will be able to buy and drink beer there for the first time this year. Fair manager Chris Caldwell says alcohol sales will be contained to one area that's not close to the rides or exhibits. He expects the revenue from beer sales to help sustain the fair financially in the future. The Haywood County Fair runs today through Sunday.
Teen Charged In Death Of Mooresville Football Player
(Mooresville, NC) -- A teenager is facing charges in connection to the death of a Mooresville high schooler. Fifteen-year-old Gavin Sharpe was taking part in a community event at Mooresville High when he fell from a truck and hit his head earlier this month. A 17-year-old has been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle. Sharpe played football for the Blue Devils.
Governor Vetoes ICE Detainer Bill Opposed By Meck Sheriff
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper is putting a stop to a bill that will require local law enforcement officials to comply with detention requests made by ICE. He vetoed House Bil 370 yesterday, claiming it weakens law enforcement in North Carolina by mandating sheriffs to do the job of federal agents. Mecklenburg County Sheriff Gerry McFadden has been against the ICE detainer and says it will make communities less safe. Republican State Senator Chuck Edwards says Cooper is attempting to distract folks with reckless rhetoric.
More Than One-Thousand CMS Teachers Need Fingerprinting
(Charlotte, NC) -- More than one-thousand CMS teachers haven't been fingerprinted with several days to go before the start of school. The district required over 35-hundred teachers to get fingerprinted this summer since it wasn't completed as part of their background checks last year. Superintendent Earnest Winston says there is a process in place to complete it as soon as possible. It's still unclear if the teachers who haven't been fingerprinted will be allowed in class on Monday.
U.S. Bank Pitching In To Build Pedestrian Bridge
(Charlotte, NC) -- U.S. Bank is planning to help pay for a new pedestrian bridge that will connect Uptown and South End. Center City Partners announced yesterday the company is adding one-million-dollars to fund the construction, which is also being aided by the city, county and DOT. The plan is to build a bridge over I-277 that bridges the gap in the rail trail. Construction is expected to begin in 2021.
Suspect Accused Of Burning Down Kannapolis Home
(Kannapolis, NC) -- A suspect is being accused of an arson in Kannapolis this week. Investigators arrested Marvin Johnson yesterday for allegedly setting fire to a mobile home on Rosemont Avenue with two people inside. Both of the occupants were treated for injuries, with one taken to Wake Forest Baptist for treatment. The home was completely destroyed.
CMS Eying Land For New High School
(Charlotte, NC) -- The school district is staking out potential property for a new high school in south Charlotte. One neighbor near Olde Providence Elementary School told WSOC-TV that residents didn't know CMS was looking there until bulldozers showed up last week. CMS leaders say they are looking at all options as trees are cleared. A new high school could be built there as early as 2023.
Governor Vetoes Bill Requiring Sheriffs To Cooperate With ICE
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper will not force sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration agents. Cooper vetoed a bill that would require local law enforcement agencies to honor detention requests from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. The veto continues sheriffs' ability to choose whether to hold illegal immigrants in their jails so ICE can pick them up. Republican lawmakers say they'll work to override Cooper's veto of the bill that passed the House and Senate on party-line votes.
Blue Cross Blue Shield NC Cutting ACA Rates
(Undated) -- Many people in the Triangle who get health insurance through the Affordable Care Act will pay less next year. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and UNC Health Care announced Wednesday that Blue Cross will cut ACA rates for individual Triangle customers by an average of four-and-a-half percent. Blue Cross Blue Shield's CEO said insurance rates have dropped by an average of 25-percent over the past two years.
Former Clayton High Principal Files Grievance, Claims He Was Defamed, Harassed
(Clayton, NC) -- Former Clayton High School principal Bennett Jones is fighting to stay at the school. Jones has filed a grievance with the Johnston County Board of Education, claiming the school district defamed and harassed him in reassigning him to what it calls a lead administrative role. Jones says he was told in June that investigators found no evidence of grade-fixing for student athletes but the investigation continued and rumors hurt his reputation. Students, parents, and the Clayton Town Council are calling for Jones to be reinstated as principal.
NC Highway Patrol Prepares Drivers For Upcoming School Year
(Undated) -- The North Carolina Highway Patrol says troopers will increase their focus in and around school zones in the upcoming weeks. The Highway Patrol says more than 14-thousand school buses will be hitting the roadways soon, and drivers should prepare for traffic congestion and delays. Troopers will be making sure drivers stop for school buses and obey the speed limit in school zones.
Wake County Sets Tourism Record
(Raleigh, NC) -- Wake County's tourism industry is setting records. Figures released Wednesday show 2018 was a record year for tourism in Wake County. Sixteen-point-eight million tourists visited Wake County last year, a four-point-eight-percent increase over 2017. Those visitors spent two-point-seven-billion dollars, which is seven-point-two-percent more than tourists spent the year before.
Davidson Co. Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Multiple Minors
(Davidson Co., NC) -- A Davidson County man is accused of sexually assaulting several minors. Dustin Southall was arrested after children who were being interviewed at a children's advocacy organization spoke out about the crimes. He's facing 18 counts related to child sex abuse. Southall is due to appear in court on August 30th.
NC Highway Patrol Prepares Drivers For Upcoming School Year
(Undated) -- The North Carolina Highway Patrol says troopers will increase their focus in and around school zones in the upcoming weeks. They say more than 14-thousand school buses will be hitting the roadways soon, and drivers should prepare for traffic congestion and delays. Troopers will be making sure drivers stop for school buses and obey the speed limit in school zones.
Man Arrested In Connection With Winston-Salem Shooting, Robbery
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A man is under arrest in connection with a shooting and robbery in Winston-Salem. It happened Tuesday on Efird Street, near Time Avenue. Police say two armed suspects entered a building, stole cash and fired their guns at two people inside. Abram Cotton was arrested on several charges, including robbery with a dangerous weapon and assault. It's not clear whether the second suspect has been charged.
Archdale Man ID'd In Deadly Greensboro Wreck
(Greensboro, NC) -- An Archdale man is identified as the victim in a deadly wreck in Greensboro. The accident happened early yesterday morning near West Wendover Avenue and I-73. Police say 29-year-old Jason Stephens was walking in the traffic lane when he was hit by a Jeep Cherokee. They say impairment or speed may have been a factor in the crash. An investigation is ongoing.
Greensboro Adds Two More Glass Recycling Locations
(Greensboro, NC) -- The city of Greensboro is adding two more drop-off locations for recycled glass. They're at the White Street Landfill and the Solid Waste Trainer Station. The city now has eight drop-off locations. In July, it discontinued its service of picking up curbside glass recyclables.