Rep. Mark Meadows Speaks On Nadler Accusations
(Washington, DC) -- Congressman Mark Meadows says the impeachment trial is ridden with partisanship, but President Trump believes the facts are on his side. The western North Carolina Republican slammed New York Representative Jerry Nadler yesterday for calling White House lawyers liars and accusing Senators of a cover-up. Nadler sparked a heated exchange with White House Counsel Pat Cipollone [[ sip-uhl-OWN-ee ]] Tuesday night after saying President Trump relies on a theory of absolute immunity and expects his supporters to lie for him. Meadows says it's important for the President to have due process and reminded House Democrats that Trump is innocent until proven guilty.
Pregnant Woman Dead In Murder-Suicide
(Waynesville, NC) -- Waynesville police say a pregnant woman was killed in a murder-suicide. Cynthia Lynn Smith was four months pregnant when she was allegedly murdered by Robert Brian King on Long Street Tuesday morning. A camera posted on a neighbor's home caught the whole thing. Investigators told the Citizen-Times that King used a knife to kill Smith before turning it on himself.
Heat Goes Out At Two Schools
(Asheville, NC) -- A lack of heat is causing problems at Asheville Middle School. Asheville City Schools officials said on Facebook last night that mechanical issues caused the heat to go out yesterday. The middle school is operating on a two-hour delay this morning due to the problem. Buses will operate on that same delay. Crews were also busy repairing a heating issue at Asheville Primary School yesterday, but it is now fixed.
Woman Hit By Car, Dies In Buncombe County
(Reynolds, NC) -- North Carolina troopers are investigating a pedestrian death in Buncombe County. WLOS-TV says a woman was hit on U.S. 74-A in the Reynolds community last night. There's no word if the driver stayed at the scene. In another wreck, a Black Mountain woman died Wednesday morning after flipping her SUV on I-40 near Swannanoa.
Ex-Sheriff Dropped From Lawsuit
(Asheville, NC) -- Former Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan is no longer being sued over an alleged unlawful search. Two plaintiffs filed a suit last summer in connection to a gas station strip-search and a home search two years ago. An Asheville attorney told the Citizen-Times that Duncan was dropped from the case over a technical issue. Six deputies were also originally named in the lawsuit, but the list has dropped to three.
Up To 20-Percent Of Fish Could Die In Lake Julian
(Arden, NC) -- A large number of fish may die when Duke Energy shuts down the coal-fired plant at Lake Julian. Officials say non-native species in the lake could be affected since the water will be colder after the closing. The Duke plant has discharged warm water into the lake for more than 50 years. Up to 20-percent of the fish are predicted to die due to the temperature change.
Two Dead In Rowan County Murder-Suicide
(Rowan County, NC) -- Two men are dead in an apparent murder-suicide in Rowan County. Investigators say Andrew Myers was outside his estranged wife's home on North Main Street in Granite Quarry when he shot Tyler Hamilton yesterday. Myers allegedly went inside to confront the woman before turning the gun on himself. WSOC-TV says the two men were believed to be volunteer firefighters.
City Approves Rezoning For New Hospital
(Charlotte, NC) -- Plans for a new hospital in Ballantyne are moving forward. The Charlotte City Council gave the go-ahead on a rezoning request from Novant on Tuesday night. A 154-million-dollar hospital will be built on the former site of the Hall Family Farm at Providence Road West and Johnston Road. It will include two operating rooms and 36 acute care beds.
Panthers' McCaffrey Surprises Marine With Super Bowl Tix
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Marine at Camp Lejeune is heading to football's biggest game thanks to the help of Christian McCaffrey. The Panthers' running back and the USAA teamed up to award Sergeant Major Luis Leiva with two tickets to Super Bowl 54 in south Florida. Leiva has served in the Marines for close to three decades. McCaffrey will meet up with Leiva at the Super Bowl, and says he looks forward to personally thanking him for his service.
Committee Begins Talks To Tackle Crime
(Charlotte, NC) -- A safety committee is tackling violence in the Queen City. NBC Charlotte says the city council's Safe Communities Committee got together yesterday to begin forming a long-term plan to decrease an alarming rise in homicides. There were 107 in Charlotte last year, which was the most in over 25 years. The committee's community-wide approach will address priority areas and carry out a violence interruption program.
Bedbugs Reported At Charlotte School
(Charlotte, NC) -- CMS is warning parents about bedbugs at a west Charlotte school. A letter sent out this week revealed that pest treatment protocol is being followed after bedbugs were found in a classroom at Renaissance West STEAM Academy. School officials say there's no cause for concern. WSOC-TV reports some parents who didn't have kids in the identified classroom were concerned because they didn't receive the letter.
County Hears Recommendation To Shut Down Volunteer Fire Department
(Charlotte, NC) -- A longtime volunteer fire department is facing a potential closure in Mecklenburg County. WBTV reports the Land Use and Environmental Services Agency recommended last week closing the doors to Cook's Fire Department due to increasing expenses. There's no vote planned as of now, but the department's chief says he won't go down without a fight. The Charlotte Fire Department would cover the area under the plan.
UNC-Chapel Hill Issues Mumps Warning
(Chapel Hill, NC) -- UNC-Chapel Hill is warning students, faculty, and staff that a student has the mumps and might have spread the viral illness on campus last week. An alert says people who were exposed could start experiencing symptoms today, continuing over the next three weeks. Symptoms of the highly contagious illness include fever, muscle aches, unusual tiredness, headache, and swollen tender salivary glands under the ears.
NC Teachers Might Walk Out For Higher Pay, Medicaid Expansion
(Undated) -- North Carolina's teachers might walk out to get lawmakers to raise educators' pay and increase funding for Medicaid. The North Carolina Association of Educators is circulating a survey, asking teachers how many days of work they'd be willing to miss in order to "fight for funding." A walkout would be aimed at pressuring lawmakers to act on a state budget. It's against state law for teachers to go on strike.
Man Hit By Minivan In Downtown Raleigh, Seriously Injured
(Raleigh, NC) -- A man is seriously injured after he was hit by a minivan as he walked in downtown Raleigh Wednesday night. Police say the man was not in a crosswalk when he was hit around 6 p.m. on Fayetteville Street between Davie and Lenoir streets. Police say the man is being treated for serious, but not life-threatening injuries. Officers said the driver won't be charged.
Wake County Raising Assessed Values Of Properties
(Wake County, NC) -- Property values are rising in Wake County and some property owners are seeing big jumps in their appraisals, but that doesn't mean big jumps in property taxes. The county is notifying people how much their assessments are rising, and letting them know that doesn't mean their taxes will go up as much as property values. Wake County Tax Administrator Marcus Kinrade says, "The government can't reap a windfall because of reappraisal." Wake County's online calculator can give people an estimate of any changes in their property taxes.
UNC Falls To Virginia Tech, 79-77 In Double OT
(Blacksburg, VA) -- UNC is now mired in a five-game losing streak after losing a heartbreaker to Virginia Tech, 79-77 in double-overtime Wednesday night in Blacksburg. Garrison Brooks scored a game-high 28 points and pulled down 13 rebounds but the Hokies' Tyrece Radford hit a short jumper with four-tenths on the clock in the second OT to win it. The Tar Heels had late leads in regulation and the first overtime but Virginia Tech came back to tie it twice before Radford hit the dagger as the second extra period was ending. The loss drops the Heels to 1-6 in the ACC and 8-10 overall.
Woman Seriously Injured After Crashing Van Into Building
(High Point, NC) -- A High Point woman is fighting for her life after losing control of her van and crashing it into a building. The accident happened yesterday morning near North Main Street and Rockspring Road. Witnesses say the woman was speeding before she veered into oncoming traffic, side-swiped a car and then crashed into Triad Martial Arts. She was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police say the woman was the only one in the van.
Greensboro Program Could Help Chronic Homeless
(Greensboro, NC) -- The Greensboro City Council is looking into a program that could help folks who are chronically homeless. It's called "permanent supportive housing," and it would offer homeless people affordable apartments. The program would also include a variety of on-site resources like health care, transportation, and employment training. Community agencies are currently working on a proposal and considering several city-owned buildings for the program.
Rep. Mark Meadows Speaks On Nadler Accusations
(Washington, DC) -- Representative Mark Meadows says the impeachment trial is ridden with partisanship. Speaking from Washington, DC yesterday, the North Carolina Republican slammed New York Representative Jerry Nadler for calling White House lawyers liars and accusing Senators of "a cover up." Meadows says it is critically important for the President to have due process, and he reminds House Democrats that in this nation, we are innocent until proven guilty.
Two Injured In Winston-Salem House Fire
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Two people are recovering after a house fire in Winston-Salem. It happened early yesterday morning in the 22-hundred-block of Bowen Boulevard. Investigators say the people inside managed to get out safely but suffered smoke inhalation. They're being treated at a local hospital. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
High Point PD Warn Of Falling Bricks On S. Main
(High Point, NC) -- High Point police say drivers should be wary of falling rock on South Main Street. Concrete has been reported on the roadway underneath the I-85 Business overpass. State transportation officials say a large truck may have struck the bridge, breaking some concrete loose. They say the debris has been cleared, and the bridge is safe.