Number of Legionnaires' Cases Rises
(Asheville, NC) -- The number of confirmed Legionnaires' disease cases connected to the Mountain State Fair is now over 80. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting 55 of the 82 people with the respiratory infection have been hospitalized, including one death in Buncombe County. Legionella bacteria is usually spread through human-made building water systems like cooling towers and hot tubs. Health officials are still trying to figure out where the bacteria came from at the fair, which was held earlier this month at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center.
Buncombe County Seeks Up To One-Million-Dollars From Contractor
(Asheville, NC) -- Buncombe County is seeking up to nearly one-million-dollars from a contractor who was sentenced on federal fraud charges. Joseph Wiseman was accused of bribing county officials with luxury trips in exchange for work between 2014 and 2017. The county filed paperwork in the case on Friday in connection to a civil lawsuit against Wiseman. WLOS-TV is reporting Buncombe commissioners will meet in a closed-door session tomorrow to discuss the lawsuit.
Injured Hendersonville Firefighter Now Recovering At Home
(Hendersonville, NC) -- An injured firefighter is back home in Hendersonville. Captain Josh Poore suffered a severe spinal injury after a mountain biking accident in the North Mills River area in June. City officials told WLOS-TV over the weekend that Poore is now at home and recovering. His family says he is up and walking. Most of his time in rehab was spent at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta.
Rutherford County Plant To Close
(Forest City, NC) -- A food processing plant in Rutherford County is closing. Valley Fine Foods in Forest City plans to shut its doors at the end of October. More than 60 full-time and a dozen temporary employees will be affected. The California-based company plans to continue business on the west coast. Valley Fine Foods specializes in making pre-packaged meals.
Suspect Sentenced For Shooting At Officer, Erratic Chase
(Asheville, NC) -- A man who shot at an Asheville police officer during an erratic chase in the summer of 2017 is heading to prison. Investigators say Justyn Ladet led police from I-40 to I-26 and then to U.S. 25 South until he hit a tractor trailer. He shot at an officer and drove through two construction zones, sometimes at speeds reaching over 100-miles-per-hour. The judge sentenced Ladet to at least five-and-a-half years in prison after he pleaded guilty to all charges in Buncombe County court last week.
Bryson City Teen Makes 2020 Olympics
(Bryson City, NC) -- A Bryson City teen is heading to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Fifteen-year-old Evy Leibfarth qualified for a spot in women's slalom canoe over the weekend during the sport's world championships in Spain. She also has a chance to qualify for a spot in slalom kayak during Olympic team trials in the spring. Women's slalom canoe will be featured for the first time in the Tokyo Olympics.
Fire Destroys Cabins At Catawba Campground
(Catawba County, NC) -- Firefighters are investigating a blaze that tore through a historic campground in Catawba County overnight. More than a dozen departments responded to Balls Creek Campground off Buffalo Shoals Road, where the fire destroyed a number of wood cabins. WSOC-TV is reporting the flames could be seen for miles. There's no word at this time if the fire caused any injuries.
Woman Hit, Killed By Train In Southeast Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating the death of a woman on train tracks in southeast Charlotte. Thirty-eight-year-old Lakisha McHam was hit by a CSX cargo train Sunday afternoon on Dunn Avenue. She was found unresponsive by emergency personnel. Officers are trying to figure out what McHam was doing on the tracks.
Oprah Pledges Large Donation In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- Fundraising for the United Negro College Fund is getting a huge boost thanks to a pledge from Oprah Winfrey in Charlotte. The media mogul was in the Queen City on Saturday to speak at the 2019 Maya Angelou Women Who Lead Luncheon. The organization announced it had raised over one-million-dollars in this year's drive to help students who attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Oprah told the sold-out crowd that she's going to match that number.
Suspect Arrested For Allegedly Killing Half-Brother
(Lancaster, SC) -- A suspect is in jail for allegedly shooting his half-brother to death in Lancaster. The victim was found dead inside his home on Frandandel Drive Saturday afternoon. Manly Thompson reportedly ran from the home after the shooting, but came back while officers were investigating the scene. He was arrested on charges of murder.
CMPD Investigates Two Deadly Shootings Over Weekend
(Charlotte, NC) -- Two men are dead in separate shootings over the weekend in Charlotte. Officers found a man shot to death in the middle of Summit Avenue in South End early Saturday morning. No charges have been filed against the alleged gunman at this time. Another man was found shot in a driveway on Old Statesville Road in north Charlotte Saturday afternoon.
Panthers Hold Off Texans
(Houston, TX) -- The Panthers are back even on the season thanks to a strong defensive effort in Houston. The Texans weren't able to capitalize on three fumbles by Carolina quarterback Kyle Allen, as the Panthers held on for a 16-to-ten win yesterday. Christian McCaffrey had 86 yards receiving and 93 yards rushing. Carolina has won two in a row since opening the season with two losses.
Raleigh's Sunday High Sets Heat Record
(Raleigh, NC) -- More than a week into fall, the Triangle still isn't done with hot weather. Sunday was the hottest September 29th on record. The 93-degree high broke the record of 92, set in 1941 and Fayetteville hit 96 to break the record of 95, dating all the way back to 1933. Forecasters say we'll see mid-80s today and Tuesday before mid-90s return on Wednesday.
Raleigh Wegmans Opening Draws 3,000
(Raleigh, NC) -- Thousands of people went grocery shopping in Raleigh on Sunday. An estimated three-thousand people were lined up outside the new Wegmans supermarket before the doors opened. Wegmans officials say it's the biggest opening in the company's history. The store on Wake Towne Drive is the chain's first in North Carolina and a second is expected to open in Cary in 2020.
Bedridden Raleigh Woman Dies In House Fire
(Raleigh, NC) -- A Raleigh woman is dead after a burning cigarette started a fire at her home early Sunday morning. The Wake County Sheriff's office says the fire took off after the 71-year woman's cigarette fell onto an oxygen tank. The bedridden woman's son called 911 at a neighbor's house then tried to put out the fire but heavy smoke forced him out.
Police Officer Rescues Moore County Man From Burning Home
(Vass, NC) -- A Moore County man is recovering this morning because a police officer on his way home rescued him from a burning house. Aberdeen Police Sergeant J. Smith says he noticed heavy smoke coming from a house behind the Dunrovin Community Store in Vass around dawn Sunday. Smith called for backup then went into the burning home and led the man who lives there out of the house. The man is listed in stable condition at Firsthealth Moore Regional Hospital.
Hammer-Wielding Suspect Leads Randolph Co. Deputies On Chase
(Randolph Co., NC) -- A man accused of committing a string of crimes in Randolph County is hospitalized after crashing a stolen truck into a pole. Deputies gave chase yesterday morning after an armed robbery on Mack Lineberry Road. The suspect was allegedly armed with a hammer when he robbed a person and stole their truck. Spike strips were laid out on Randleman Road, and the suspect crashed into a pole shortly afterward. He was airlifted to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in unknown condition.
Guilford Co. Deputy Crashes Vehicle During Call
(Summerfield, NC) -- A Guilford County deputy is okay after crashing his cruiser on his way to a call. It happened early yesterday morning on Strawberry Road, north of U.S. Highway 150, in Summerfield. Officials say the deputy was responding to an emergency call about a man who threatened to set his house on fire. They say the deputy lost control and crashed into an embankment. The vehicle is a total loss, but the deputy walked away with minor injuries.
Shots Fired At Teen Birthday Party In Burlington
(Burlington, NC) -- No one is hurt after shots erupted at a teen's birthday party in Burlington. It happened Saturday night at Thataways Youth Center. Police say several people took off on foot when shots rang out. Parks and rec staff helped to arrange rides for the others. An investigation is ongoing.
Ins. Rates To Increase In Guilford Co.
(Guilford Co., NC) -- Homeowners in Greensboro and Guilford County are bracing for a three-and-a-half-percent increase on their insurance rate. The hike is part of a settlement approved last week by North Carolina's insurance commissioner. It goes into effect on May 1st. A public hearing set for Wednesday is called off since a settlement was reached.
Dixie Classic Fair Kicks Off This Week
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- The 137th Dixie Classic Fair kicks off Friday in Winston-Salem. Thousands of people are expected to attend the two-week event at the fairgrounds. The fall tradition features games, entertainment and plenty of food. It runs October 4th through October 13th.