Former Administrators Sentenced In Buncombe County
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Several former county administrators are heading to prison in a Buncombe corruption case. The judge sentenced ex-county manager Wanda Greene to seven years yesterday. A U.S. Attorney says she orchestrated various financial schemes and solicited conspirators to carry out fraud. Former assistant managers Mandy Stone and Jon Creighton were handed sentences of 33 and 18-months, respectively. They previously entered guilty pleas for their parts in taking bribes and kickbacks from a contractor.
Attorney: Buncombe Corruption Investigation Not Over
(Buncombe County, NC) -- An assistant U.S. attorney is hinting the Buncombe County corruption investigation isn't over. Richard Edwards said during sentencing in federal court yesterday that the travel scheme led by former county manager Wanda Greene was next level, but more indictments are to come. He told the judge that Buncombe's auditing was handled by the same firm for at least ten years under Greene's leadership, which is well above the average span of other counties. Investigators have the cooperation from both Greene and former contractor Joseph Wiseman.
Annual Apple Festival Begins Tomorrow In Hendersonville
(Hendersonville, NC) -- An annual Labor Day tradition is taking place in Hendersonville again. The 73rd annual North Carolina Apple Festival takes place Friday through Monday, centered at the Historic Courthouse on Main Street. Fifteen local apple growers will be joined by over 200 vendors providing arts and crafts and festival food. Live entertainment and children's rides are scheduled each day.
Cycling Apparel Manufacturer Adding Jobs In McDowell County
(Old Fort, NC) -- A cycling apparel manufacturer is bringing jobs to McDowell County. Governor Roy Cooper just announced that California-based Kitsbow will invest nearly 900-thousand-dollars to open a facility in Old Fort. The company's CEO said Old Fort was chosen over ten other possible sites in the east due to its blend of talent and quality of life. Over 50 manufacturing jobs will be available.
Two Juveniles Caught After Armed Carjacking
(Asheville, NC) -- Two juveniles are suspects in an Asheville armed carjacking. Asheville police say a man's car was stolen at knifepoint early Wednesday morning as he was parked on Kenilworth Road. It didn't take long for officers to find the stolen car near Asheville Middle School, where the suspects were arrested after a foot chase. There may be another suspect.
Vibrant Leaves Expected In Mountains This Fall
(Cullowhee, NC) -- Nature lovers are soon expecting to see some vibrant leaves in western North Carolina. Western Carolina University biology professor Beverly Collins told WLOS-TV that a warmer-than-normal forecast could push back the peak color periods slightly. She's predicting the state's highest elevations to see peak color from late September to early October, while the Cullowhee area will be late October. Above average temps and normal precipitation means a good leaf season.
Obama Praises Charlotte Teen For Registering Voters
(Charlotte, NC) -- A former president is weighing in on a Charlotte teen's efforts to register voters. Seventeen-year-old David Ledbetter spent last weekend outside a Charlotte Popeye's restaurant to encourage customers to get involved in making their voices heard. Barack Obama said in a tweet yesterday that it was some creative organizing and encouraged David to keep it up. The teen told NBC Charlotte the whole experience has been mind-blowing.
Crime Task Force Reporting Early Success
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is reporting some success with its new violent crimes task force. The department says seven guns were seized and nine suspects were arrested over the last two weeks. Those suspects were identified as repeat offenders, having been arrested over 40 times collectively. The task force will be pushing with prosecutors to make sure those arrested aren't let back out on the streets.
NC University Student Arrested For Shooting Threat
(High Point, NC) -- North Carolina police say they've arrested a university student who allegedly planned a shooting. Nineteen-year-old Paul Steber was arrested in his dorm at High Point University on Tuesday. Police say they found two guns and ammunition. Court documents revealed yesterday that Steber admitted to having a plan and timeline to carry out a shooting. This comes just a few months after a former student opened fire on the UNC-Charlotte campus, killing two and injuring several others.
Biden Heads Town Hall In Rock Hill
(Rock Hill, SC) -- Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is on the campaign trail in the Charlotte area this morning. The former vice president is holding a town hall at Rock Hill's Clinton College beginning at 11 a.m. Doors open for the event at John W. Martin Gymnasium at 10:30. Biden is the Democratic front runner in Suffolk and Quinnipiac University polls, both released yesterday.
Toxic Algae Found In Davidson Park Pond
(Davidson, NC) -- There's toxic blue-green algae in one Davidson park pond. WBTV is reporting Charlotte-Mecklenburg Water officials confirmed this week that the algae is blooming in the pond at Roosevelt Wilson Park. Signs are now posted warning everyone, including pets, to stay out of the water. Park Road Park pond in Charlotte tested positive earlier this month. The Town of Davidson says they're working to eliminate the algae.
Rowan Softball Team Invited To White House
(Rowan County, NC) -- A team of little leaguers from Rowan County is going to the White House. Rowan's softball team won the Little League Softball World Series two weeks ago, and now has an invitation from President Trump. Head coach Steve Yang decided to head to Twitter last weekend to tell the President he wanted the team to get an invitation just like the boys' world champions from Louisiana. His cause was aided with letters of support from North Carolina congressmen Richard Hudson and Ted Budd. Yang told the Salisbury Post it's the number-one recognition for sports teams.
Lawmakers Approve Raises For Thousands Of State Workers
(Raleigh, NC) -- Lawmakers have approved raises for thousands of state workers, sending bills to Governor Roy Cooper. The House and Senate passed bill Tuesday and Wednesday giving two-point-five percent raises for most state employees over the next two years. Raises for the Highway Patrol, State Bureau of Investigation, and alcohol law enforcement passed in separate bills. Raises for teachers are in a bill expected to come forward after the General Assembly's break next week.
Publix Donates $200,000 To Triangle Charities, Food Bank
(Raleigh, NC) -- September is Hunger Action Month and Publix is putting up 200-thousand dollars to fight hunger in the Triangle and across the region. The supermarket chain is donating 100-thousand dollars to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Its Publix Super Market Charities this week donated another 100-thousand dollars to the food bank's partner charities. The money is part of more than five-million dollars Publix Charities is donating to Feeding America member food banks, schools, and other nonprofits throughout the Southeast.
Deputies, National Guard Take Down $1-Million Marijuana Grow Operation
(Robeson County, NC) -- A million dollars worth of marijuana won't get to the street after sheriff's deputies and National Guard troops busted a huge grow operation in Robeson County this week. The Robeson County Sheriff's Office says deputies and Guardsmen seized more than 500 plants, some as tall as 15 feet. The bust Tuesday was the result of an investigation by the Robeson County Sheriff's Office, National Guard's Counter Narcotics Air Wing Unit, and the Community Impact Team. Sheriff Burnis Wilkins says his office expects to make arrest soon and the investigation is continuing.
Rolesville Police Urge Drivers To Lock Vehicles After Rash Of Break-Ins
(Rolesville, NC) -- Police in Rolesville are warning people to lock their vehicles after a rash of break-ins. People in a half-dozen subdivisions reported break-ins between Saturday and Monday. Police are investigating all the break-ins and are asking anyone who knows or might have seen something to contact the Rolesville Police Department.
NC Director Of Prisons Announces Retirement
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina's Director of Prisons is retiring. Kenneth Lassiter announced Wednesday that he'll retire at the end of September. The 51-year-old Lassiter has been Director of Prisons for more than two years. He's served in the prisons system for 30 years, starting as a correctional officer.
High Point University Student Arrested For Shooting Threat
(High Point, NC) -- A High Point University student who, police say, planned a school shooting is under arrest. Nineteen-year-old Paul Steber was taken into custody in his dorm room Tuesday. Police say they found two guns and ammunition. Steber is charged with having weapons on campus and communicating a threat of mass violence.
One Person Killed In Train Vs. Tractor-Trailer Wreck
(Kernersville, NC) -- An investigation is underway in Kernersville after a deadly collision involving a train and a tractor-trailer. It happened around 3:30 yesterday afternoon at West Mountain and Moore Acres streets. One person was killed. Police will not release the victim's name until their family has been notified.
Davison Co. Sheriff Rolls Out New Middle School Program
(Davidson Co., NC) -- Davidson County Sheriff Richie Simmons is rolling out a new program for 7th graders. The Teenage Alcohol and Marijuana Education program will cover topics like vaping, social media, drugs and alcohol. Sheriff Simmons introduced it yesterday, comparing it to D.A.R.E. courses taught in fifth grade. The T.A.M.E. program kicks off in late September.
GDP Awarded $5k Donation
(Greensboro, NC) -- Greensboro Downtown Parks is getting a boost in funding thanks to a generous donor. The Dawn S. Chaney Foundation is giving the parks department five-thousand dollars in support of its fitness and wellness programs. The money will go toward the Women's Wellness Series at the Greensboro Cultural Center this winter.
Man Stabbed While Kids Present In Front Of Food Lion
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Police are looking for the suspect in a deadly attack outside a grocery store in Winston-Salem. Dorrell Brayboy was stabbed to death in the parking lot of the Food Lion on New Walkertown Road yesterday afternoon. Police say his girlfriend and two young children were with him at the time, but they were not hurt. Brayboy died of his injuries. Police say the incident was isolated and there is not threat to the community.