NC Lawmakers Applaud Raid On ISIS Leader
(Washington, DC) -- North Carolina's lawmakers are applauding the special operations forces raid that led to the death of the leader of ISIS. President Trump confirmed yesterday that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi [[ AH-boo BACK-er al-bag-DAD-ee ]] was chased into a tunnel in Syria Saturday night, where he ignited a suicide vest killing himself and three of his children. Senator Thom Tillis said the elimination of al-Baghdadi will make the world a safer and better place. Western North Carolina Congressman Mark Meadows thanked the incredible men and women who professionally executed the mission. He said America's military once again raised the bar.
Over Two Dozen Arrested In WNC Drug Raid
(Asheville, NC) -- Over two dozen suspects are facing charges in a large-scale drug investigation in western North Carolina. The SBI says agents were targeting three men who were allegedly distributing cocaine through the region. The seven-month investigation resulted in 26 arrests in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson and Madison counties last week. Agents seized nearly nine pounds of meth as well as over three pounds of cocaine and heroin.
Mitchell County Animal Rescue Needs Help With Neglected Animals
(Mitchell County, NC) -- The animal rescue team in Mitchell County is asking for the public's help in caring for recently surrendered animals who were victims of apparent neglect. More than two dozen animals including dogs, cats and horses were taken in after a joint investigation with animal rescue and the sheriff's department. The shelter said on Saturday it needs financial support for vet bills, supplies and volunteers to care for the animals. Mitchell County Animal Care was already operating at full capacity before they were surrendered.
U.S. 441 Re-Opens After Windy Saturday
(Swain County, NC) -- U.S. 441 between Cherokee and Gatlinburg is back open. High winds on Saturday morning knocked down trees across the highway on the Tennessee side of the mountains, which forced its complete closure into North Carolina until Sunday afternoon. Some campers were turned away in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as a result of the high winds and potential flooding.
Tourists Wait To See If Minor League Team Cuts Affect Asheville
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville's minor league baseball team is waiting to see if it will be affected by potential cuts. Major League Baseball is considering cutting 25-percent of its minor league teams, or 40 total, as officials negotiate a collective bargaining agreement set to expire after 2021. A Minor League spokesman told WLOS-TV that the Asheville Tourists shouldn't be affected, since the cuts may be coming for short-season teams. Professional baseball has been played in Asheville for more than a century.
Christmas At Biltmore House Opens Friday
(Asheville, NC) -- It's almost time to celebrate the holidays at the Biltmore House. Tickets are now available for Christmas Daytime and Candlelight Christmas Evenings at the Biltmore, which both kick off this Friday. The entire estate will be covered with over 100 trees and thousands of poinsettias through January 5th. The events feature self-guided visits with admission to the Antler Hill Village and Winery and a view of evening illumination displays.
Weekend Homicides Make Year Deadliest In Charlotte Since '93
(Charlotte, NC) -- This year is Charlotte's deadliest since 1993. WBTV is reporting two weekend homicides brought the total up to 91 for 2019 in the Queen City. One person was killed and another was injured in a shooting Friday night around Catherine Simmons Avenue and Beatties Ford Road. A woman was found shot to death near the River Birch Apartments in south Charlotte early Sunday morning.
City Council To Consider Major Airport Lobby Expansion
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Charlotte city council is expected to make a decision tonight on a major airport project. WSOC-TV is reporting a 600-million-dollar proposal is on the table to expand and modernize the lobby at Charlotte-Douglas International. The first of six construction phases could begin as early as December. Five new public traffic lanes just opened up on the lower level between three existing lanes and the parking deck last week.
Pedestrian Dies After Hit-And-Run
(Charlotte, NC) -- A driver could face more charges in a hit-and-run that turned deadly in southeast Charlotte. A woman was rushed to the hospital Wednesday night after she was hit by a car on Monroe Road near Timber Springs Drive. WSOC-TV says she died on Friday. The driver fled the scene, but later reported to police that her car had been stolen. Nineteen-year-old Jasmine Kelly was initially charged with filing a false police report and felony hit-and-run.
Iredell-Statesville Arrested For Assault On Student
(Iredell, NC) -- An Iredell-Statesville teacher is accused of assaulting a student. Statesville police arrested Genetta Dobbins for misdemeanor assault on a child under 12 last week. The alleged incident happened during school hours at East Iredell Elementary. NBC Charlotte reports she was fired after an initial suspension on Thursday.
Four CMPD Officers Injured In Wreck
(Charlotte, NC) -- Four CMPD officers injured in a Friday night crash are expected to be okay. Two patrol vehicles collided on Beatties Ford Road near Holly Street while they were rushing to find the car of a potential shooting suspect. It happened close to the scene of a homicide on Catherine Simmons Avenue. All four officers were treated at the hospital for serious injuries, but they've all since been released.
Biden Praises Durham For Civil Rights Effort, Building Black Middle Class
(Durham, NC) -- Former Vice President Joe Biden says the rest of America owes Durham. The Democratic presidential candidate spoke to a crowd of more than 800 at Hillside High School on Sunday. He noted Durham's role in building the civil rights movement and a black middle class. He called attention to the 1957 Royal Ice Cream sit-in, when African American protesters challenged a whites-only lunch counter. Biden told the crowd, "Y'all began it right here."
Crash Kills Durham Woman, 6-Year-Old Son
(Wake County, NC) -- A Durham woman and her six-year-old son are dead after a weekend crash near the Wake-Franklin County line. The mother and child were riding in a car driven by her husband. The Highway Patrol says a pregnant woman in the other car was taken to WakeMed. The crash happened around noon Saturday at the intersection of Moores Pond Road and NC-98.
Interim ECU Chancellor Resigns
(Greenville, NC) -- The interim chancellor of East Carolina University is resigning. Dan Gerlach resigned on Saturday as the UNC System investigates his behavior after photos and video surfaced showing him drinking and dancing with students at bars near the ECU campus. Gerlach said in a statement that he alone is responsible for his situation. Gerlach said he was sent to ECU to reduce the drama facing the Greenville campus community, but instead he added to it.
49ers Crush Panthers
(Santa Clara, CA) -- The Panthers' winning streak is over. After winning four in a row, the Panthers got hammered by the 49ers, 51-13 on Sunday in the Bay Area. Christian McCaffrey was the only Carolina player who had a good day, rushing 117 yards and scoring the Panthers' only touchdown. The first loss in more than a month drops their record to 4-3. The Panthers host the Tennessee Titans next Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
Infant Left On Greensboro Couple's Doorstep
(Greensboro, NC) -- An infant is in the care of Child Protective Services after he was left on a doorstep in Greensboro. The baby boy was left face-down and in the rain on a family's doorstep on Benjamin Benson Street early Sunday morning. The homeowner tells police she woke up frantically to someone banging on her front window. Police say one of the infant's parent's has been identified. An investigation is ongoing.
Suspect In Custody After Multi-State Pursuit
(Rockingham Co., NC) -- A man is awaiting extradition to Rockingham County after a multi-state pursuit. The scene unfolded Saturday night on Highway 87, north of Eden. Sheriff's deputies tried to stop James Murray's vehicle, and when he refused to pull over, they say his passenger jumped out. The passenger suffered serious injuries. Deputies say Murray continued on into Henry County, Virginia where he eventually crashed. He was arrested after a brief foot chase.
Multiple Reports Of Shots Fired At NC A&T Turn Out To Be Fireworks
(Greensboro, NC) -- Homecoming festivities at North Carolina A&T State University caused quite a scare over the weekend. Campus police responded to several calls of shots fired Saturday night. After an investigation, they figured out the loud noises were actually from fireworks shot off during homecoming festivities. No arrests have been made. An investigation is ongoing.
Greensboro Man Assaulted, Later Died
(Greensboro, NC) -- A death investigation is underway in Greensboro where a man was assaulted and later died. Steve Barnett was found unconscious in the front yard of a home on West Terrell Street Saturday morning. He was rushed to a local hospital where he died of his injuries. Police are looking for a man, who was wearing a white t-shirt and a black fanny pack on his shoulder, in connection with the shooting. Anyone with information is urged to come forward.
NC Man Wins Lottery On Way To Chemo
(Lenoir Co., NC) -- A Lenoir County man who's recovering from cancer is celebrating a big lottery win. Ronnie Foster bought the winning 200-thousand-dollar ticket at Short Stop in Beulaville. He was on his way to his last chemotherapy session at the time. Foster claimed the prize money Friday in Raleigh. He says he plans on using part of the money to pay off his colon cancer treatment.