Judges Uphold NC Congressional Maps For 2020
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina's congressional map for 2020 is officially in place. A judges panel upheld the newly drawn lines yesterday, which means things will look a bit different in some parts of western North Carolina. The eleventh district currently held by Republican Mark Meadows encompasses all of the region, while the district ten GOP Representative Patrick McHenry moves farther east. McHenry will no longer represent any parts of Buncombe, Polk or Rutherford counties.
Cold And Wind After Snow Moves Out
(Asheville, NC) -- The chance of snow is moving out of the mountains today. The winter storm warning in higher elevations expires this morning, but cold temperatures and windy conditions will remain in place. The heaviest snow that fell in western North Carolina yesterday was in higher elevations surrounding the Tennessee border.
Customer Rates Dropping For Duke Energy Progress
(Raleigh, NC) -- Electric rates are going down for Duke Energy Progress customers. A decrease in monthly fuel costs was the main driver behind the decrease, which was announced by the company on Monday. Duke says a typical residential customer will see an average drop of about three-dollars-and-80-cents-per month. The new rates go into effect January 1st.
Asheville Councilman Haynes Not Running Again
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville City Councilman Brian Haynes isn't planning to run for another term. He announced on Facebook yesterday that he is choosing to pursue a different path rather than seeking re-election next year. Haynes says he will instead put energy into activism pertaining to social and environmental justice. The Citizen-Times is reporting Haynes claims he was fired from the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity in late September for refusing to take a drug test.
Fairview Man Sentenced For Wreck That Killed Married Couple
(Buncombe County, NC) -- A Fairview man is heading to prison for causing a deadly wreck in February 2018. WLOS-TV says Robert Smith was sentenced to 15-to-18 years after pleading guilty to second-degree murder yesterday. He was originally charged with driving drunk when his car slammed into a motorcycle on Garren Creek Road in Buncombe County. A husband and wife were killed in the wreck.
Lake Julian Festival Of Lights Has Record Crowd
(Arden, NC) -- The 19th annual Lake Julian Festival of Lights in Arden is off to a big start. Buncombe County officials say a record 21-hundred visitors came out for opening weekend. Sunday's attendance also set a single day record with close to 13-hundred people. The light display is open six to nine each night through December 23rd, with part of the proceeds going to Special Olympics Buncombe County.
CMPD Investigates Homicide After Man Pulled From Burning Car
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a homicide in northeast Charlotte. Officers rushed out to Barrington Drive for reports of shots being fired last night. They found a man with a gunshot wound inside a car that was on fire. Emergency personnel was able to pull the man out, but he died at the scene. While addressing gun violence at last night's city council meeting, Mayor Vi Lyles said we must change the path we have taken this year.
Concord Mayor Pro Tem Resigns After Arrest
(Concord, NC) -- Concord's mayor pro tem is stepping down after an arrest in Folly Beach, South Carolina. Council member Brian King admitted yesterday that he mouthed off to police after drinking at a bar in September. He resigned as mayor pro tem at an emergency council meeting last night. No formal charges were filed in the case.
Twin Brothers Die In Union County Wreck
(Union County, NC) -- Troopers are piecing together details from a wreck that killed twin teenage brothers in Union County. The brothers' car reportedly lost control at a high rate of speed and hit a UHaul truck on Highway 74 last Wednesday night. Investigators say the teens were both under legal driving age. The boys were students at Porter Ridge High and Monroe High schools.
MLS Discussing Expansion Markets This Week
(Charlotte, NC) -- Major League Soccer is taking up expansion talks at a meeting this week that could have implications for Charlotte. The Queen City is one of three considered to be in the running for the next franchise of the league. NBC Charlotte is reporting the board of governor's plans to discuss multiple expansion markets, but no final decision is expected to be announced. Carolina Panthers' owner David Tepper has been vocal about the desire to bring an MLS franchise to Charlotte.
Lights On At Christmas Town USA
(Gaston County, NC) -- The lights are on again at Christmas Town USA. Monday night marked the opening for the longtime Christmas tradition in the town of McAdenville. Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to make the drive to see around 160 decorated homes, in what USA Today calls one of the best light displays in the country. The lights will turn on each night beginning at 5:30 through December 26th.
New Raleigh Mayor Wants Bond For Affordable Housing, Dix Park Construction
(Raleigh, NC) -- Raleigh's new mayor wants voters to approve a bond to help build affordable housing and begin construction at Dorothea Dix Park. Mayor Mary Ann Baldwin was sworn in on Monday, along with newly elected City Council members Jonathan Melton, Patrick Buffkin, Saige Martin, and David Knight. Baldwin said she and the Council will ask voters in November 2020 to approve a bond referendum she calls a quality of life initiative. Baldwin didn't give many details about the plan she described as a grand project to set Raleigh up for success in the future.
RDU Sets Single-Day Record For Passengers Sunday
(Morrisville, NC) -- Raleigh-Durham International Airport ended the Thanksgiving weekend with a record-setter. Airport officials said Monday that 54-thousand-800 passengers traveled through RDU on Sunday, a single-day record. The old record was set in May, when 53-thousand travelers passed through the airport the day after Mother's Day and college graduations.
Combination of Diet and Exercise Slows Cognitive Decline in Older Patients
(Durham, NC) -- A new study from Duke Medical Center finds that diet and exercise could slow the development of cognitive impairment in older patients. A clinical trial involving people 55 and older found aerobic exercise and a healthy diet improved their ability to function and to think, remember, and make decisions. The study defined aerobic exercise as 35 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, three times a week for six months.
Duke, UNC Fall Latest Hoops Coaches' Poll
(Undated) -- Louisville is the new number-one basketball team in the Top-25 Coaches' Poll. The Cardinals took over the top spot with 25 of the 32 first-place votes. Duke plummeted seven spots from first to eighth after last week's overtime loss at home to Stephen F. Austin. UNC's loss to Michigan last week wasn't the blow Duke's loss was as the Tar Heels are now one spot ahead of the Blue Devils at number-seven.
Man Arrested After Police Pursuit In Winston-Salem
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- The driver accused of ramming a police cruiser before leading officers on a chase in Winston-Salem is under arrest. Trayvon Bryant was taken into custody for assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, and fleeing to elude arrest. Officials say he was behind the wheel of a vehicle that rammed a police cruiser yesterday at the BP gas station on Peters Creek Parkway. They say the passenger was wanted for a shooting in the city. Both suspects were later arrested outside city limits.
Longtime Principal Of Atkins A&T High School Passes Away
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Crisis counselors will be on hand at Atkins Academic and Technology High School today after the principal suddenly died. Principal Joseph Childers passed away Sunday night, according to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. He'd been there since 2010. Jan Atkinson, the former principal of the Downtown School, will serve as interim principal.
Two Arrests Made In Randolph Co. Church Break-In
(Randolph Co., NC) -- Two people are arrested for allegedly breaking and entering into a church in Randolph County. Jacob Murphy and Ronald Cantley were taken into custody on November 25th. Sheriff's officials say they broke into Deep River Baptist Church the day before and stole a generator and other items. Murphy and Cantley are facing several charges, including felony larceny and possession of stolen property.
Major Highway Connector In Forsyth Co. To Close
(Forsyth Co., NC) -- The North Carolina Department of Transportation is closing a major highway connector in Forsyth County. The connector between U.S. 52 and Highway 66 will close for good on December 9th. Transportation officials say it's no longer needed since the new U.S. 52 tie-in for I-74/Winston-Salem Northern Beltway will pass through the area. The new connection is expected to open in late 2021. Drivers should consider alternate routes until then.
Jay Leno Is Coming To Greensboro
(Greensboro, NC) -- Comedian Jay Leno is coming to Greensboro. The former late night talk show host will perform at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts on March 22nd. Tickets go on sale this Friday.