NC Senator Hands Out Fidget Spinners At Impeachment Trial
(Washington, DC) -- A North Carolina Senator is turning to toys to entertain himself during the President's impeachment trial. Republican Richard Burr handed out fidget spinners to GOP colleagues prior to the second day of trial Thursday. A fidget spinner has a ball bearing at its center that can be used to play with between the fingers. Burr and several other senators were then seen during proceedings playing with the spinners, which are predominantly used by children. It's not clear if their actions violated Senate rules.
Asheville Airport Has Record Year
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville Regional Airport is continuing to grow at a record pace. Airport officials said yesterday that 2019 was its busiest year ever, with one-point-six-million passengers. That's a jump of over 40-percent from 2018. The year included the addition of seven routes.
New Buncombe County Elections Director Named
(Buncombe County, NC) -- A new elections director is coming on board in Buncombe County just in time to prepare for the presidential primary. Corinne Duncan was officially named new director last night to replace Trena Parker Velez, who retired in November after 24 years in the position. Duncan has worked in the elections office for four years. The presidential primary is coming up in North Carolina on March 3rd.
Troopers: Pedestrian Death Not A Hit-And-Run
(Buncombe County, NC) -- A pedestrian death in Buncombe County is no longer being investigated as a hit-and-run. An Asheville woman died after she was hit by a car on Charlotte Highway Wednesday night. A witness allegedly told investigators that a vehicle fled the scene. State troopers told WLOS-TV last night that surveillance video led them to believe the witness statement wasn't correct. Charges are no longer expected to be filed.
Caldwell County Man Drives Stolen Car Into Creek
(McDowell County, NC) -- A Caldwell County man is facing charges after crashing a stolen car into a McDowell County creek. Investigators say a deputy tried pulling over Justin Davis last Sunday for speeding. Davis drove off into a field until reaching a cliff, where he dropped more than ten feet into the creek. He was arrested after a short foot chase.
Rain May Cause Flooding In WNC
(Asheville, NC) -- Rain could cause problems today across western North Carolina. The National Weather Service says heavy rainfall may produce isolated flooding in the mountains through this evening. Several counties are under wind advisories, where gusts could reach 25-miles-an-hour. There's a chance of snow along the Blue Ridge in the northwest region tonight, but little or no accumulation is expected.
Former Pastor Charged In Woman's Murder
(Charlotte, NC) -- A convicted killer is accused in the death of a Charlotte woman. Former Concord pastor Timothy Crumitie [[ crum-eye-tee ]] was charged this week for the murder of Anastasia Meaders, who disappeared in 2016. Her remains were found in Mooresville a year ago. Crumitie is already serving life in prison for killing the boyfriend of Meaders' mother.
High School Senior Dies In Kannapolis Shooting
(Kannapolis, NC) -- Kannapolis police are investigating the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old. A.L. Brown High School senior Kevon Cousar [[ kay-vahn COO-sahr ]] was found shot to death inside a home on Cottage Road early Thursday morning. The school provided extra counselors for students and staff after word spread of the homicide. There's no word on suspects.
Three Seriously Injured In Rollover Crash
(Charlotte, NC) -- Three people are being treated for life-threatening injuries suffered in a rollover crash off I-485. The vehicle overturned on the inner loop near the West Boulevard exit late last night. Medic told NBC Charlotte that nine people in total were injured. No other cars were involved. The highway patrol is investigating.
Rock Hill Middle School Students Treated For Contagious Infection
(Rock Hill, SC) -- Four Rock Hill students are being treated for a highly contagious skin infection. The school district said yesterday that the confirmed cases of impetigo are isolated to kids at Sullivan Middle School. Guidelines from the CDC are being followed to disinfect the school's surfaces. Impetigo usually begins in minor cuts, and is passed from skin-to-skin contact.
Honeywell Donates Half-Million For Homeless Shelter
(Charlotte, NC) -- A new Charlotte-based company is helping build a new homeless shelter. Honeywell announced Thursday it has donated half-a-million dollars to the Men's Shelter of Charlotte. The new facility will open next to the current shelter on Statesville Avenue. The Men's Shelter is continuing to raise money for the four-point-four-million dollar project, which has nearly three-million committed so far.
Rain May Cause Flooding In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- Rain could cause problems today in the Queen City. The National Weather Service says heavy rainfall may produce isolated flooding in the Piedmont and western North Carolina. Wind gusts are expected to reach as high as 25-miles-an-hour in Charlotte. Everything should clear out by Saturday morning.
Duke Health Experts Say Coronavirus No Concern If No Travel To China
(Durham, NC) -- Health experts at Duke University Hospital say people who haven't traveled to China in the past two weeks shouldn't worry about the coronavirus. The only American with a confirmed case of coronavirus is a Washington state man who recently returned from China. Infectious disease specialists at Duke says anyone who has been to China recently and is having flu-like symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, coughing, and shortness of breath should see their doctor.
NC Flu Deaths Rise To 41, Including 6 Last Week
(Undated) -- The number of people dying from flu in North Carolina continues to rise. State health officials say six more people died of flu last week, bringing the season's total to 41. More than three out of four deaths were people 50 or older. One child is confirmed to have died from flu.
Warmer Temps, Rain Return To Triangle
(Undated) -- Warmer temperatures and rain are returning to the Triangle today. After much of the week with afternoon highs only in the low 50s and morning lows near or below freezing, forecasters are calling for highs in the mid- to upper 50s today. There's a 30-percent chance of showers today, increasing to 90-percent tonight. Overnight lows should be in the mid-40s.
Volunteers Prepare For 4th Annual Women's March On Raleigh
(Raleigh, NC) -- Volunteers are busy getting ready for this weekend's fourth annual Women's March on Raleigh. Hundreds of woman from across North Carolina are expected for Sunday's event. They'll form up on Halifax Mall at 12:30 p.m. for the 1 p.m march past the General Assembly, around the Capitol, and back to the Mall for a rally.
Duke, NC State, UNC Women Roll Up Wins
(Undated) -- The Duke, NC State, and UNC Hill women all rolled up wins on the road Thursday night. Duke drubbed Syracuse 88-58 in Syracuse with Leona Odom going off for 23 points and ten rebounds. NC State's Jakia Brown-Turner had 13 points and Elissa Cunane had 12 as the Wolfpack doubled up Pitt, 88-44 in Pittsburgh. UNC topped Georgia Tech, 67-60 in Atlanta behind Jenelle Bailey's 20 points and 11 boards.
Asheboro Man Accused Of Forcing Woman Into Sexual Servitude
(Asheboro, NC) -- An Asheboro man is under arrest on suspicion of forcing a woman into sexual servitude. Salvador Escobar was taken into custody this week after someone called the National Human Trafficking Tip Line. Officials say he'd been holding the victim in sexual servitude for nearly five years. They say he withheld basic needs from her until she performed sex acts. Escobar was arrested and charged with human trafficking.
Guilford Co. Officers Bus App For Parents
(Guilford Co., NC) -- Life could get easier for Guilford County parents whose kids ride the bus to school. The district will offer the "Here Comes the Bus" app to all parents starting January 30th. The app uses GPS software to let parents know when buses will arrive. So far, about three-thousand families have registered on it.
WalletHub: NC Has The Nation's Third Best Roads
(Washington, DC) -- North Carolina drivers may disagree, but a survey claims the Tar Heel state has some of the best roads in the nation. The personal finance website, WalletHub, ranked each state's roads on four categories, including safety and infrastructure. North Carolina came in at number three, followed by Texas and Nebraska. Iowa beat out Tennessee for the top honor. Hawaii was ranked in last place.
Guilford Co. Schools Offered Grants For Safety, Mental Health
(Guilford Co., NC) -- Guilford County Schools is improving its safety and mental health awareness thanks to a new grant. The state Department of Public Instruction is giving the district more than 320-thousand dollars for the improvements. They include a district-wide volunteer management system and trainings that focus on anxiety, depression, and trauma. The grant runs through the end of the year.