Fire Damages Seven-Story Apartment Building
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville fire officials are investigating a blaze that damaged a public housing apartment complex in downtown. WLOS-TV says flames were contained to one unit at the Altamont Apartments Tuesday morning, but there was smoke and water damage to more. Three people were rescued from the side of the seven-story apartment building. There were no injuries reported.
NC Congressionals Prepare For Impeachment Vote
(Washington, DC) -- North Carolina's congressional delegation is preparing for the impeachment vote, which could happen as early as tonight in the U.S. House. A group of people came out in support of a pro-impeachment rally in Asheville's Pack Square Park last night. Western North Carolina Republican Mark Meadows says Democrats gave President Trump virtually zero due process rights. Trump said yesterday the impeachment is an attempted coup that will come back to bite them in the 2020 election.
Commissioners Strip Health Center Of Stanley's Name
(Asheville, NC) -- Buncombe commissioners are changing the name of the county health center. The board named it after former commissioner Bill Stanley in 2012, but decided to remove his likeness yesterday. An outside attorney revealed during its meeting that Stanley has been accused of accepting things of value from former county contractor Joe Wiseman. Several former county administrators are serving prison time for a kickback scheme with Wiseman at the center.
Asheville Police Chief Down To Three Finalists
(Asheville, NC) -- The role of police chief is coming down to three finalists in Asheville. The trio was introduced to the public for the first-time last night. The candidates are assistant chief James Nolette of Fayetteville, captain Maurice Robinson with the Cincinnati Police Department and police chief David Zack of Cheektowaga, New York. A decision to expected to be made within a month.
Driver Facing Charges In Deadly McDowell County Wreck
(McDowell County, NC) -- A 21-year-old man is facing charges connected to a deadly wreck in McDowell County. Investigators say 16-year-old Amber Teaster died after a car she was riding in slammed into a tree off Old Fort Sugar Hill Road on Friday night. The driver was allegedly trying to pass a car in a no-pass zone and lost control. He was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle reckless driving. Teaster was a student at McDowell High School.
Code Purple Issued For Homeless Shelters
(Asheville, NC) -- Some Asheville homeless shelters are pushing past capacity to help out during chilly overnights. A Code Purple was issued in Buncombe County last night and will continue tonight, which means participating shelters will operate past normal capacity if needed. Lows tonight will drop close to 20 in the region.
MLS Awards Franchise To Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- Major League Soccer is coming to the Queen City. MLS Commissioner Don Garber officially awarded Charlotte with the league's 30th franchise in an announcement at uptown's Mint Museum yesterday. Initial plans are to begin play at Bank of America Stadium next year. Owner David Tepper says team headquarters will be at the old Eastland Mall site.
Teen Injured In Shooting Outside McDonald's
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a shooting outside a Steele Creek fast food restaurant. Officers say a 19-year-old was shot in the parking lot of the McDonald's on Rivergate Parkway last night. A witness reportedly showed up at the hospital with the victim. The teen was said to have life-threatening injuries.
One Dead After Head-On Crash With School Bus
(Monroe, NC) -- Police are investigating a deadly wreck involving a school bus in Monroe. A car hit the bus head-on yesterday afternoon on Secrest Short Cut Road. The driver of the car died at the scene. School officials say nine students from Benton Heights Elementary were treated for minor injuries. The bus was on the way back from a field trip at the time of the crash.
Parsons Pleads Guilty In Adoptive Daughter's Death
(Rowan County, NC) -- The adoptive father of Erica Parsons is admitting to his part in her death. Sandy Parsons was sentenced to serve between 33-to-43 years in prison yesterday after he entered guilty pleas to counts including murder in Rowan County Superior Court. Prosecutors say Parsons led investigators to where Erica was buried in 2016. Her adoptive mother, Sandy Parsons, is already in prison for murder and child abuse.
Father Dies From Injuries Suffered While Decorating For Holidays
(Rock Hill, SC) -- A Rock Hill man is dead after a tragic fall while hanging holiday decorations. The family of Jason Blair told NBC Charlotte that the father of four died Tuesday night from injuries he suffered several weeks ago. He reportedly fell from a two-story home while trying to hang lights for his neighbors. Local music group Royal Mob is leading a donation drive for Blair's sons. Clothing can be dropped off at 700 East Fourth Street in Charlotte through Friday.
Two Panthers Selected For Pro Bowl
(Charlotte, NC) -- Two Panthers are heading to the Pro Bowl. The NFL named running back Christian McCaffrey and linebacker Luke Kuechly [[ keekly ]] to the NFC team yesterday. The game will be played in Orlando on Sunday, January 26th. It's McCaffrey's first selection to the Pro Bowl team, while this marks Kuechly's seventh trip.
Wake School Board Raises Pay For Teachers, Staff
(Cary, NC) -- Wake County teachers and school staff, including bus drivers, are getting raises. On Tuesday, the Wake County Board of Education approved new salary schedules for all employees for the current school year. Non-certified staff, including bus drivers and support staff, will get three-percent raises, retroactive to the past July. Certified staff, such as teachers, will get one-percent raises, also retroactive to July.
Microsoft Creating 500 New Jobs In Triangle
(Raleigh, NC) -- Microsoft is moving to expand its workforce in the Triangle, with 500 new jobs. The jobs at the Microsoft office in Morrisville's Perimeter Park will pay at least 125-thousand dollars a year. The computer software giant is getting nearly 15-million dollars' worth of incentives from state and local governments. Those incentives require Microsoft to create the jobs by 2023 and invest more than 47-million dollars in the expansion.
Carrboro, Google Fiber Halt High-Speed Internet Work Over Construction Problems
(Carrboro, NC) -- High-speed internet service won't be up in Carrboro as fast as people hoped. Carrboro and Google Fiber temporarily stopped construction Tuesday because of what the town called "numerous complications." Those complications include a contractor hitting a gas line on Old Fayetteville road Monday. Google and the town say they'll re-evaluate construction plans and work is expected to resume in early January.
Open Table Names 2 Raleigh Restaurants Among Nation's Best
(Raleigh, NC) -- Two restaurants in downtown Raleigh are among the nation's best. The online reservation service OpenTable has named Brewery Bhavana and Crawford and Son on its list of Top 100 Restaurants in America. The rankings are based on more than 12-million guest reviews of 30-thousand restaurants across the U.S.
Canes Swamp Jets, 6-3 In Winnipeg
(Winnipeg, MB) -- The Hurricanes rode a second period scoring binge to a 6-3 win over the Jets in Winnipeg last night. The 'Canes lit the lamp four times in the second period, including two off the stick of Sebastian Aho. Andrei Svechnikov and Jordan Stahl had the other second period goals. Lucas Wallmark opened the scoring for the 'Canes on a first period power play and Stahl added another goal in the third.
Three People Hurt During Winston-Salem Home Invasion
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Two adults and a juvenile are hurt after a home invasion in Winston-Salem. Police say a man, and woman and a 15-year-old child were tied up and assaulted Monday evening. Police say three suspects forced their way into the home on East Sprague Street. They say a firearm, a blunt instrument, knives and a Taser were used in the assault. The victims are expected to survive. There's no word yet on any arrests.
Second Suspect ID'd In Randolph Co. Kidnapping, Murder
(Randolph Co., NC) -- The Randolph County Sheriff's office is identifying a second suspect in connection with the kidnapping and murder of an Asheboro woman. Elin Mejia of Charlotte is wanted for felony murder and first-degree kidnapping. Sheriff's officials say he was with Soledad Ortiz before she was shot and killed. Her body was found on October 31st near Lake Lucas Bridge on Old Lexington Road. Anyone with information on Mejia's whereabouts is urged to call RCSO.
Former Teacher Accused Of Statutory Rape In Guilford Co.
(Guilford Co., NC) -- A former teacher at Northern Guilford Middle School is accused of raping a student. Forty-one-year-old Carly Smith was arrested on suspicion of statutory rape, statutory sex offense and taking indecent liberties with a child. According to warrants, the offenses took place between December 1st, 2018 and May 23rd of this year, but the sheriff's office didn't release information about Smith's arrest until yesterday. She's out of jail on a 30-thousand-dollar bond.
Police ID Teen Killed In Shooting
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Police are identifying the teenager involved in a deadly fight in Winston-Salem. Fifteen-year-old Olajuwon Tillman was shot and killed Monday night near South Main and Wright streets. Police say he was a student at Parkland High School. There's no word yet on if any arrests were made.
Salvation Army Needs Angel Tree Donations
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- The Salvation-Army of Greater Winston-Salem says it's in dire need of donations for its Angel Tree Program. The non-profit plans to deliver gifts to five-thousand children in the community starting tomorrow, but it still needs gifts for about 500 children. Donations can be dropped off through the end of the day today at the Salvation Army's office on North Trade Street.