WNC Pastor Helps Battle Australia Fires
(Cherokee County, NC) -- A western North Carolina pastor is helping battle brushfires in Australia. Michael Williams calls Disciples House Church in Cherokee County his home, but he's also a firefighter engine operator in the Nantahala National Forest. He is one of around 200 American firefighters helping in Australia. Nearly 25-million acres have burned across the country. The Citizen-Times says Williams is reportedly the only firefighter there from North Carolina.
Dog Helps Nab Arson Suspect
(Polk County, GA) -- A dog is being credited with helping capture an arson suspect in Polk County. Firefighters put out a blaze at a home on Hugh Champion Road on Tuesday morning. Investigators say a dog at the home tracked down a person in the woods who ended up being charged with arson, kidnapping and assault. There were no injuries reported.
Asheville Named Top Food Destination By Yelp
(Asheville, NC) -- The city of Asheville is being praised for its food scene. A trend expert for Yelp appeared on Good Morning America last Sunday, and named Asheville as the country's number-one food destination for 2020. French Broad Chocolates was especially noted for its truffles. One Yelp blogger called Asheville a regional food powerhouse.
Asheville Man Charged In Deadly Wreck
(Asheville, NC) -- An Asheville man is charged with felony death by vehicle in a wreck on U.S. 70 in East Asheville. Investigators say they believe Seth Adam Coe was on some kind of drug when he drove his car head-on into another on Monday. The wreck killed a woman and injured three children. He was arrested after being treated for injuries.
Record Number Of Visitors In Great Smoky Mountains
(Gatlinburg, TN) -- More people are visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park than ever before. A record 12-and-a-half million people visited in 2019. The superintendent says protecting the park's resources will continue to be a challenge with more visitors, but they'll be seeking outside input on how to continue caring for the land. One of the park's main entrances is in Cherokee.
Transit Committee Still Studying Free Fares Despite Budget Shortfall
(Asheville, NC) -- The Asheville Transit committee is continuing to consider offering free fares on its bus system. Members discussed the idea yesterday, despite a half-million-dollar shortfall in the agency's budget. The committee is expected to ask the city council to extend bus service hours.
Father Arrested For Murder Of Infant Son
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Charlotte father is facing charges in the death of his five-month-old son. The CMPD says the child was brought to the hospital in mid-January with signs of head trauma. He died one week ago. Twenty-four-year-old Quandeel Taylor is in jail on charges of murder.
Five Officers On Leave After Man In Police Custody Dies
(Charlotte, NC) -- Five officers with the CMPD in connection to the death of a man in police custody are now on leave. Harold Easter had a medical emergency after being arrested on drug charges at Whisnant and Burton streets. He died three days later. The actions of the officers involved are now being investigated by the police department. One friend said yesterday that someone didn't follow protocol.
Tanker Driver Dies, Truck Catches Fire
(Lincoln County, NC) -- The highway patrol is investigating a deadly wreck after a tanker overturned in Lincoln County. A car and the gasoline tanker collided on Highway 16 in Denver on Tuesday afternoon. The driver of the tanker died. Firefighters say the tanker burst into flames shortly after the driver's body was removed. The Department of Environmental Quality is assessing a nearby creek where fuel from the wreckage flowed.
Band Director Accused Of Sexual Misconduct
(York, SC) -- A York County high school band director is being accused of sexual misconduct with a student in 2012. Douglas Brooks was working in Anderson County, South Carolina when he allegedly had illegal sexual contact with the victim at a high school. He was hired on to teach at York Comprehensive High School later that year. Brooks was arrested yesterday and is now on administrative leave.
Hornets Honor Kobe In Return Home
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Charlotte Hornets are continuing to honor Kobe Bryant. The players wore one of his signature looks by putting on arm sleeves during last night's game against New York at the Spectrum Center. Charlotte snapped an eight-game losing streak. Bryant was one of nine who died in a helicopter crash Sunday in California.
Charlotte Protests Featured In Super Bowl Ad
(Charlotte, NC) -- A small clip of the 2016 protests in Charlotte will hit the airwaves during the Super Bowl. Budweiser says it's sending a positive message in its latest ad by showing different scenes of the American spirit of kindness. The clip from Charlotte features Ken Nwadike hugging a police officer. The advertisement is already up on YouTube.
Coronavirus Worries Cancel, Postpone 2 Triangle Chinese New Year Celebrations
(Raleigh, NC) -- Two Chinese New Year festivals in the Triangle are being canceled or postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak. The Triangle Area Chinese American Society said on its website Tuesday it's canceling the Chinese New Year Festival that was scheduled for Saturday at Dorton Arena in Raleigh. This comes after Lightup 2020 organizers announced Sunday they're postponing the festival that was scheduled for Sunday. There are no cases of coronavirus reported anywhere in North Carolina but the Chinese American Society said it's canceling the festival "in the spirit of caution."
RTP Names Dallas Developer For Million Square-Foot Towers
(Research Triangle Park, NC) -- A Dallas-based developer will build Research Triangle Park's first high-rise towers. The Research Triangle Foundation announced Tuesday it's named KDC to build two towers with as much as a million square feet of office space. Corporate projects KDC has built include the Credit Suisse [[ sweess ]] campus at RTP. Site work for the development known as Hub RTP will begin in May.
Nash-Rocky Mount Schools Name New Superintendent
(Nashville, NC) -- A veteran Wilson County administrator is the new superintendent of Nash-Rocky Mount Schools. The Nash-Rocky Mount Board of Education announced Tuesday that Dr. Steve Ellis will take office on March 1st. Ellis has been special assistant to the Wilson County Schools superintendent since 2016. Before that, he was executive assistant for student services for two years following 12 years as a principal and assistant principal.
Former Dunn Mayor Oscar Harris Dies Suddenly
(Dunn, NC) -- Longtime former Dunn Mayor Oscar Harris is dead. The 80-year-old former mayor and state lawmaker died suddenly near his home on Tuesday. Dunn served as mayor five terms, 20 years, announcing last June that he would not run for re-election. Dunn Police Chief Charles West said in a brief statement Tuesday night that Harris was a "beloved" civic leader.
Duke Holds Off Pitt, 79-67
(Durham, NC) -- Vernon Carey Junior had a big night as Duke held off Pitt, 79-67 at Cameron Indoor Stadium last night. Carey dropped 26 points on the Panthers and pulled down 13 rebounds. Pitt pulled within three after the Blue Devils led by 18-points before Carey helped Duke pull away. The Blue Devils ran their record to 17-3 overall and 7-2 in the ACC.
Gas Leak Blocks Traffic In Greensboro
(Greensboro, NC) -- No injuries are reported after a gas leak in Greensboro. It happened around 10 a.m. yesterday on West Market Street. Police blocked off Norwalk to Walnut Circle while crews worked to fix the busted gas line. There's no word on what caused the leak, but construction crews were working in the area at the time.
Juvenile Shot In Winston-Salem
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- An investigation is underway after a girl was shot in Winston-Salem. Police say the victim was walking with her friends yesterday afternoon near Thurmond and 20th streets when she was shot in the arm. She was taken to a local hospital and is expected to be okay. There's still no word on who shot her.
Public Meetings Held On Changes To Winston-Salem Charter
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Winston-Salem city leaders are meeting with the public to discuss possible changes to the city's charter. A bill introduced in the House last year called for reducing the number of wards in Winston-Salem, but it did not pass. Now, city leaders are teaming up with Mayor Joines and the bill's co-sponsors to collect public and expert input on what changes should be made to the charter, if any. The next meeting is this evening at 6:00 at Easton Elementary School.
Greensboro Science Center Admits Cold-Stunned Sea Turtles
(Greensboro, NC) -- The Greensboro Science Center is looking after eleven cold-stunned sea turtles. They're among about 160 sea turtles stunned by a cold snap along the Outer Banks last week. The turtles were transported to the Triad because rehabilitation centers along the coast are full. The science center will house the turtles until they're ready to be released back into the wild.
Small Quake Shakes Triad
(Forest Oaks, NC) -- The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting a small earthquake in the Triad. The 2.3-magnitude quake happened around 1:30 Tuesday morning. The epicenter was northwest of Forest Oaks. More than 60 people reported feeling the quake. No damage was reported.