Seven States Send In Resources To Battle Wildfires
(Buncombe County, NC) -- More resources are coming in to western North Carolina to help battle potential wildfires. WLOS-TV says the U.S. Forest Service made a request last week, and now seven states are sending support this way. A brush pile erupted in a blaze close to U.S. 70 in Swannanoa Monday night. Firefighters plan to monitor the site over the next few days for possible flare-ups.
Fair Attendees Urged To Take Survey, Legionnaires' Cases Rise
(Asheville, NC) -- Health officials are continuing to urge Mountain State Fair attendees to fill out a five-minute survey in connection to an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease. The state Department of Health and Human Services wants to know who was on the fairgrounds in Fletcher between September 6th and 15th, and whether they've experienced symptoms of cough, fever and muscle aches. At least 108 people have contracted the disease. The exact source of Legionella bacteria hasn't been found.
Fall Leaves May Not Be So Colorful In WNC
(Asheville, NC) -- Leaves on the trees in western North Carolina may not look so vibrant this fall after all. A biology professor at Western Carolina University said a month ago that the season was trending towards brighter colors. A hot and dry September since changed that forecast, as she told the Citizen-Times that the leaves could simply turn brown and drop instead. It's a trend she's already seen in western Virginia and eastern Kentucky.
Meadows Stumps For State Senator In Henderson County
(Hendersonville, NC) -- State Senator Chuck Edwards is getting some help in his re-election campaign from a North Carolina congressman. Republican Mark Meadows is stumping for Edwards at an event on a Henderson County farm today. Meadows has been an outspoken supporter of President Trump and recently stepped down as the chair of the conservative Freedom Caucus. Edwards is currently facing no primary opponent, but three Democrats have already entered the District Eleven race.
Smoking Banned At VA Hospitals
(Asheville, NC) -- Smoking and vaping are now outlawed at area VA hospitals. A ban has been implemented at outpatient clinics in Rutherford County, Hickory and Franklin, as well as the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville. The move is to combat the dangers of second-hand smoking. The ban includes smokeless tobacco products.
Fundraising Money Used To Renovate Home Of Nina Simone
(Tryon, NC) -- The childhood home of Tryon music legend Nina Simone is undergoing renovations thanks to some fundraising. The National Trust raised over 33-thousand-dollars in a crowdfunding campaign earlier this year, while a special concert at the North Carolina Museum of Art hauled in 29-thousand. A Trust executive director says protecting the home will cement Simone's legacy into the American narrative. Simone was known as a civil rights activist and singer whose music spanned multiple genres.
Fire At Catawba Campground Called Suspicious
(Catawba County, NC) -- Investigators are looking for clues in what's being called a suspicious fire at a Catawba County campground. The blaze destroyed 40 cabins and damaged nine others at the Balls Creek Campground overnight Sunday. The SBI and ATF are helping to investigate the cause of the fire. The campground has been used for religious gatherings since the mid-19th century. There were no injuries.
Doctor Seriously Injured In Shooting
(Charlotte, NC) -- A doctor and founder of a drug disposal company is the victim of a shooting in uptown. John Holaday was heading to a business meeting for DisposeRx Monday when he was caught in the crossfire of an argument at the Epicentre. He was last listed in critical condition at the hospital yesterday. A 16-year-old was arrested and charged with attempted murder.
Two Women Arrested For Leaving Kids In Car While Shoplifting
(Charlotte, NC) -- Two women are accused of leaving two toddlers in a car while they went inside Northlake Mall to shoplift. One of those toddlers was found wandering around the parking lot on the afternoon of September 24th. The CMPD said yesterday the two suspects have been arrested on charges of child neglect and larceny.
Uptown Fire Causes Significant Damage
(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte fire investigators are estimating a blaze in uptown caused a-million-and-a-half-dollars' worth of damage on Monday. A fire reportedly started in the kitchen hood system at Rooster's Wood-Fired Kitchen on North College Street. A high-rise at One Bank of America Plaza was evacuated as smoke poured into multiple floors. The restaurant is temporarily closed.
Staph Infection At Union County School
(Union County, NC) -- The principal of a Union County elementary school is warning parents about a staph infection in one of its students. Jennifer Deaton of Union Elementary in Wingate said on Monday that the school has been cleaned and sanitized. The student has a confirmed case of MSRA, which is caused by a highly-contagious type of bacteria that's resistant to many antibiotics. The school was closed to students on Monday for a teacher workday.
Area Lowe's Stores Holding Hiring Event
(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte-area Lowe's stores are welcoming job applicants today. Job seekers can interview for open positions from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. as part of what's being called Walk-In Wednesday. WSOC-TV says there are around 750 positions available in the region. Some of those jobs are permanent positions.
Wake County Releases 1st Draft Of 2020-21 School Assignment Plan
(Cary, NC) -- Wake County's new student enrollment plan for the 2020-21 school year might have thousands of students on the move. The Wake County Public School System released its first draft of the plan Tuesday. It's designed to help deal with surging population growth throughout the county. The draft is available on the school district's website and two public information meetings on the plan are scheduled for later this month before the school board votes on the final plan in early December.
Raleigh City Council Approves 40-Story Downtown Building
(Raleigh, NC) -- A 40-story building could be going up in downtown Raleigh. The City Council approved a rezoning request Tuesday to allow GoTriangle to build a tower up to 40 stories high next to Raleigh Union Station. GoTriangle officials say a bus transfer center will be the foundation of the development that will include affordable and market-rate housing, office and retail space, and possibly a hotel. A 20-million dollar U.S. Transportation Department grant will help fund the project, which should begin construction by 2020.
3 Charged With Murdering Young Mother In Fayetteville
(Fayetteville, NC) -- Three people are charged with murder in the shooting death of a young mother in Fayetteville. Twenty-five-year-old Chakita Jones was killed when more than two-dozen rounds were fired into a home on Danish Drive on August 23rd. Two men and a woman were in court Tuesday, charged with first-degree murder. Police say Jones wasn't the target of what's described as a retaliation hit.
Fayetteville Man Charged With Defacing Historic Black Church Monument
(Fayetteville, NC) -- A Fayetteville man accused of defacing a monument at a historic black church is facing charges. Andrew Caldwell is charged with ethnic intimidation after the words "KKK you next" were spray-painted on the monument at Evans Metropolitan AME Zion Church. The racist graffiti showed up Monday at what is one of the oldest black churches in Fayetteville. The 33-year-old man will appear in court in November.
Record Heat Likely For Triangle
(Undated) -- There's a good chance the weather is cooking up record heat in the Triangle. Forecasters say the heat wave that's roasting the eastern half of the U.S. will mean mid to upper 90s today and Thursday. The National Weather Service is forecasting a high of 98 Thursday, which would tie the record for the hottest October day ever
Children Injured In Rockingham Co. Bus Crash
(Rockingham Co., NC) -- Multiple students are hurt after a bus crash in Rockingham County. It happened just after 3 p.m. yesterday on NC Highway 68 near Sylvania Road. State troopers say a pickup truck crossed the median and hit the bus, causing it to overturn into an embankment. They say multiple students were hurt, as well as the truck driver. The bus was privately-owned and was transporting about 20 students to an after-school program.
Board Of Elections Votes In Favor Of On-Campus Voting
(Guilford Co., NC) -- The Guilford County Board of Elections is moving forward with plans to provide an early-voting site on the North Carolina A&T campus this spring. The board voted in favor of the site yesterday. This after more than two-thousand students signed a petition in support of the polls. The state Board of Elections will have to review the decision before it's finalized.
Five Students Arrested After Fight At High Point Central High School
(High Point, NC) -- One student is hurt and five others are arrested after a large fight broke out at High Point Central High School. It happened yesterday afternoon around 2:30. The school was placed on lockdown, and officers had to use pepper spray to break up the fight. There's no word on what charges the students face or how badly hurt the victim is.
Man Wanted On Suspicion Of Rape In Craven Co.
(Craven Co., NC) -- The Craven County Sheriff's office is asking for the public's help to track down a dangerous man. Thirty-seven-year-old Michael Bryan is wanted on suspicion of statutory sex offense. Sheriff's officials say he raped a five-year-old child he was babysitting. Bryan might be driving a 2004 Chevy Avalanche with North Carolina plate PLX-6128. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call CCSO.
New Intersection Opens In Kernersville
(Kernersville, NC) -- A new intersection is opening in eastern Kernersville today. It's located at North Main Street and Macy Grove Road. The new intersection will allow drivers to access Smith Edwards Road. It's part of the Macy Grove Road Extension Project.