City Files Suit In Attempt To Fire Police Captain
(Asheville, NC) -- The city of Asheville is trying again to fire a police captain in connection to the beating of an unarmed pedestrian. Captain Mark Byrd was initially fired in June 2018 for allegedly making untruthful statements in the case, but the decision was overturned by the Asheville Civil Service Board this summer. The Citizen-Times is reporting the city has since filed a lawsuit to reverse the decision. Former officer Chris Hickman was convicted of assaulting the pedestrian, Johnnie Rush, more than two years ago.
Legislators Concerned About Year-Round School Schedule
(Henderson County, NC) -- Some state legislators are having concerns about more than a dozen North Carolina school systems who have switched to a year-round schedule. The move allows the systems to start school two weeks earlier in the year, which Henderson County School officials are considering. State Representative Chuck McGrady told the Hendersonville Times-News that the timing of the calendar is concerning for the local summer camp industry. State Senator Chuck Edwards says the school systems are circumventing the law. Henderson County Schools last week decided to put off a decision until next year.
Shoes Laid Out To Honor Lives Lost In Traffic Crashes
(Asheville, NC) -- Shoes are being used in Asheville to tell the story of those who have lost their lives in traffic crashes. Mission Health's Trauma Program and NC Vision Zero helped partner together in an effort to place over 14-hundred pairs of shoes in Pack Square Park yesterday, to honor traffic fatality victims in North Carolina from 2018. The shoe display coincided with a World Day of Remembrance. WLOS-TV says the trauma program will also be visiting area schools to talk about distracted driving.
DOT Shutting Down I-40 West In Haywood
(Haywood County, NC) -- The DOT is closing Interstate-40 West in Haywood County tonight. It could take up to five days to make some repairs to a bridge in Pigeon River Gorge between mile markers 15 and 20. All westbound lanes will be shut down during the work. Drivers heading west are encouraged to take I-240 West as a detour.
Two Die In Jackson County Wreck
(Jackson County, NC) -- State troopers are investigating a wreck that killed two people in Jackson County Saturday. A car traveling on U.S. 74 reportedly lost control near the Gateway Flea Market and crossed into the opposite lane of traffic. It slammed head-on into a second vehicle, killing two individuals. Charges haven't been released.
Grand Marshal Named For Holiday Parade
(Asheville, NC) -- A former Ms. Wheelchair USA is the grand marshal for Asheville's big holiday parade. WLOS-TV is reporting UNC-Asheville grad and Buncombe County resident Madeline Delp will head up the 73rd Annual Asheville Holiday Parade through downtown on Saturday morning. Delp founded a non-profit that helps medically undeserved countries gain access to wheelchairs. The performance stop for the parade is at the corner of Biltmore and Patton avenues.
All Sections Of Express Lanes Open
(Charlotte, NC) -- All sections of the I-77 express lanes are now open. Construction on the 26-mile stretch from Charlotte to Mooresville began four years ago. The North Carolina DOT says the construction company will be fined 30-thousand-dollars a day because there's still some work going on. Rates for the tolls will shift to dynamic pricing at the beginning of December, meaning the cost will depend on time of day and usage.
Suspect Arrested For NE Charlotte Homicide
(Charlotte, NC) -- A suspect is in jail for an early Sunday morning homicide in northeast Charlotte. Corey Vega was arrested for allegedly shooting 27-year-old Ebony Harrison to death during a party at a business park on Reagan Drive near Sugar Creek Road. This comes after a man suffered life-threatening injuries in a shooting outside an Eastcrest Drive apartment complex Saturday night. One person also died in a shootout at the Epicentre in uptown early Friday.
Investigators Look For Suspect In Shooting Death Of Ten-Year-Old
(Lancaster County, SC) -- Lancaster County investigators are still trying to find out who shot a ten-year-old to death. Dylan Twitty was found on the ground between two mobile homes on Coastal Way in Lancaster Friday afternoon. Investigators say they don't believe it was a random act.
Fourth Suspect Arrested In Murder Of Union County Teacher
(Charlotte, NC) -- Another suspect is charged in the murder of a Union County teacher more than three years ago. Ruijuan Guo [[ REE-juan Gwo ]] was employed at Kensington Elementary when she was shot to death in an armed robbery in South End. The CMPD charged three suspects in the case earlier this month, and made a fourth arrest on Friday.
Panthers Fall To Falcons
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Panthers are back down to even for the season. Carolina dropped its third in four games at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons yesterday. Panthers' quarterback Kyle Allen threw four interceptions in the 29-to-three loss at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina now stands at five-and-five on the year, and three games back of first-place New Orleans in the NFC South.
Local Runners Place First In Charlotte Marathon
(Charlotte, NC) -- Local runners are the big winners in the annual Novant Health Marathon in uptown. Will Volkmann of Charlotte was the surprise winner on the men's side in his first time running 26-point-two miles. Amanda Morris of Pineville, took home first in the women's division. It was a chilly, windy morning Saturday for the six-thousand runners who made the loop from Graham Street back to BB&T Park.
Rolling Roadblocks On Triangle Expressway Begin Today
(Morrisville, NC) -- Blasting work near the Triangle Expressway begins today. The NC Department of Transportation will conduct what it calls rolling roadblocks to keep drivers safe and avoid closing the highway. The News & Observer reports a line of trucks will slow traffic on either side of the work zone. That will give crews time to set off explosives to loosen rock for the extension of Louis Stephens Drive under the highway from mid-morning to mid-afternoon until December 12th.
Durham Freeway Wreck Might Slow Morning Commute
(Durham, NC) -- The morning commute on the Durham Freeway might be slow after a wreck Sunday night. Durham Police say two vehicles crashed on South Alston Avenue around 6 p.m. and knocked down a power pole. That closed South Alston between Linwood and Cox avenues. Police said last night the road would be blocked for hours and that could affect the commute this morning.
Duke Braces For Westboro Baptist Demonstration
(Durham, NC) -- Duke students are preparing for a demonstration near campus today by the controversial Westboro Baptist Church. Members of the tiny congregation from Topeka, Kansas say they'll campaign against same-sex marriage at the corner of Erwin and Towerview roads at noon. A statement by the university says Duke "deplores any efforts to intimidate individuals through demonstrations of hatred, bias, and homophobia." Westboro Baptist has staged hundreds of demonstrations against gay people over the years, including at funerals of servicemen and women.
Space Heater Blamed For Wake County House Fire
(Knightdale, NC) -- All four members of a Wake County family are safe after fire destroyed their home Sunday night. Eastern Wake Fire Department crews responded to the fire near Knightdale around 6:45 p.m. Investigators are working to learn whether a space heater might have started the fire in the single-wide mobile home. No one was hurt.
Two Women Shot In Winston-Salem House While Kids Present
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Two women are recovering from gunshot wounds after someone fired into their house in Winston-Salem. It happened around 3:30 yesterday morning on West 12th Street. Police say four children were there at the time, but none of them were hurt. The women are expected to be okay. There's no word yet on a possible suspect.
Two Suspects Arrested In Sweepstakes Robbery, Two Wanted
(Eden, NC) -- Two of four suspects are under arrest in connection with an armed robbery at a sweepstakes business in Eden. It happened around 11:30 Saturday night at the Vault on East Meadow Road. Police say the suspects and the owner exchanged gunfire, and one of the suspects was hit. They all took off. Darehyon Rucker and Yalieq Brown were later arrested on charges of attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon. Police are still looking for James Flood and Jordan Turner in connection with the crime.
Greensboro Leaders Seek Public Input On Central Business District
(Greensboro, NC) -- City officials in Greensboro are asking for the public to help them decide the future of the city's central business district. Downtown Greensboro Inc. has been brainstorming ideas with a consultant, and focus groups, to help make the downtown-area more attractive. Drop-in sessions on their 2030 Vision Plan will take place tomorrow and Wednesday. A final report is expected to be ready this upcoming spring.
Man Killed In Dirt Bike Crash In Winston-Salem
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A man is dead after crashing his dirt bike in Winston-Salem. It happened early yesterday morning on Briar Glen Road, near Primrose Path. Police say Christopher Lackey collided with a light pole and was tossed from the bike. They say he was not wearing a helmet.
Man Accused Of Trying To Break Into Man's Home With Ax
(Burlington, NC) -- A man is accused of trying to breaking into a home in Burlington with an ax. Officers responded to Edinburgh Court, near Edgewood Avenue, yesterday morning. They say William Cowan was trying to get through the backdoor with the homeowner's ax. He took off, but he was found just a few blocks away and arrested. No one was hurt.