Attorney General Wants Answers From HCA Healthcare
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina's attorney general is looking for answers from HCA Healthcare. Josh Stein told WLOS-TV he's concerned about the number of complaints and concerns that have come in from mountain residents since HCA took over Mission Health last year. Citizens have recently voiced concerns ranging from customer care and billing to a decrease in staff at a series of community meetings. Stein is sending a letter to the North Carolina president of HCA to address the problems.
Attorney Seeks Trial Postponement For Former Buncombe Commissioner
(Asheville, NC) -- An attorney for a former Buncombe County commissioner is seeking to push back her trial. WLOS-TV said yesterday that the defense team for Ellen Frost wants more time to scour through one-thousand documents and witness interview transcripts related to her fraud case. Frost's trial is scheduled for the end of March. She is accused of illegally using county funds for the Tryon Equestrian Center.
Vaya Health Making Cuts
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Mental health coverage for some western North Carolina residents is expected to be affected by cuts from Vaya Health. The insurance company is unable to run at full capacity due to a lack of funding. Vaya Health CEO Brian Ingraham tells WLOS-TV that hundreds of people may not be able to receive the same services once the cuts roll out within the next month. Hours will be limited for uninsured patients at two urgent cares locations in Buncombe and Jackson counties.
Poll Workers Needed In Buncombe County
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Poll workers are needed in Buncombe County. The election services office is preparing to train workers in a three-hour session this week, ahead of next Tuesday's primary election. Election day workers will be paid anywhere between 175 and 260-dollars. Those interested can head to the county's website at Buncombe-County-Dot-Org.
Asheville Track Cyclists Head To World Championships
(Asheville, NC) -- Two Asheville natives are in Germany to compete in the Track Cycling World Championships. The Citizen-Times reports 25-year-old Lily Williams and 36-year-old Adrian Hegyvary begin competitions today for USA Cycling in Berlin. Williams has made large strides since she just started track cycling last year, and has been getting ready at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Hegyvary splits time in New Zealand and has recently been prepping there.
Heavy Winds Expected In Mountains
(Asheville, NC) -- A drastic change in the weather is coming to western North Carolina. Temperatures are expected to plummet into the 20s as a cold front passes through the region overnight. Some locations near the Tennessee border may see accumulating snow. Winds will pick up to speeds between 20 and 40 miles-an-hour, with gusts reaching as high as 50-miles-an hour in higher elevations.
CMS Board Cuts Number Of Classrooms At New Schools
(Charlotte, NC) -- The school board is reducing the classroom numbers at three new CMS high schools. The projects are part of the 922-million-dollar bond referendum passed by Charlotte-Mecklenburg voters in 2017. The schools were advertised to have 125 classrooms each, but the board's decision last night will reduce that number to 100. The move will increase the anticipated class size at each school from 20 to 25 students. CMS officials say the change needed to be made in order to complete construction by August 2022.
Report: Panthers Want Return Of Cam
(Charlotte, NC) -- Panthers' fans are expected to see a very familiar face at quarterback next season. NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport reported yesterday that the team is planning to bring Cam Newton back on the field behind center. The nine-year veteran was dogged by a foot injury early in the 2019 season and is rehabbing after a December surgery. New head coach Matt Rhule said he's excited to get a chance to work with Cam.
Pedestrian Hit By Light Rail Train
(Charlotte, NC) -- A pedestrian is being treated for injuries after being hit by a train in South End. The CMPD says the person was struck by a LYNX light rail train close to the Carson Station on Carson Boulevard. Injuries weren't considered to be life-threatening.
Whooping Cough Case Confirmed In Matthews' School
(Charlotte, NC) -- County health officials are warning some school parents about a case of whooping cough. A letter went out yesterday confirming a diagnosis in someone at Elizabeth Lane Elementary School in Matthews. Those infected with whooping cough are contagious for up three weeks. Symptoms can take anywhere from one-to-three weeks to show up. The health department advised those who may have a child that shared a classroom or bus with the diagnosed person.
One Dead In High-Speed Crash On I-77
(Charlotte, NC) -- State troopers say racing led to a deadly wreck on I-77 last weekend. The driver of a BMW died after slamming into the back of a tractor trailer between Tyvola and Woodlawn roads in south Charlotte. The passenger's father told WSOC-TV his son probably survived because his seat was reclined. Investigators say they believe the car hit speeds of 100-miles-an-hour right before the collision.
CIAA Basketball Tourney Begins At Bojangles Coliseum
(Charlotte, NC) -- Postseason college basketball is underway in the Queen City. Bojangles Coliseum is hosting the men's and women's tournaments for Division Two's Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association through Saturday. This will be the CIAA's last tournament in Charlotte before moving to Baltimore in 2021. League officials estimate the event will bring in around 130-thousand people to the city.
Investigation Underway Into Complaints Against HCA Health Care
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina Attorney Josh Stein has confirmed his office is investigating a number of complaints recently filed against HCA Health Care. Over 30-complaints alleging a decrease in the quality of health care, billing issues and a reduction in the number of nurses for sexual assault victims. Earlier this month, the Nashville based group announced that it had completed the purchase of Mission Health in western North Carolina.
Smell Of Chlorine In Raleigh Water Poses No Danger For Customers
(Raleigh, NC) -- Customers of Raleigh Water are being forewarned that they might notice a swimming pool-like smell coming from their faucets in the coming days. Water utility officials say residents have nothing to be concerned about. It's part of a federally mandated process in which the water is treated with chlorine-only as a disinfectant. The chlorine treatment, which began Tuesday, is expected to last about six weeks.
Elon University Orders Students Studying In Italy To Return Home
(Elon, NC) -- Out of concern over the spread of the coronavirus in China, Italy and other countries, Elon University announced Tuesday that it is suspending its study abroad program in the city of Florence for the remainder of the semester. In a news release, the university said 21-students and one faculty member, who are part of a foreign exchange program with the Italian city, are scheduled to return home this week. This comes as over 280-cases of the virus have recently been confirmed in Italy.
Charges Of Racism On Board Of Commissioners Being Investigated
(Durham, NC) -- The Durham County Board of Commissioners is investigating claims of racist remarks made by one of its white members against a fellow black commissioner. Commission Manager Wendell Davis says Commissioner Heidi Carter harbors "an inherent bias" against him and "people of color in general." The Commission voted Monday to request that the state Association of County Commissioners advise them on how to proceed with the investigation.
New Transportation Company Moving To Raleigh
(Raleigh, NC) -- A spinoff of the Washington based industrial conglomerate Fortive is moving its new headquarters to Raleigh. The Herald Sun reports Vontier Corporation will operate in the transportation and mobility markets. Products and services will include, traffic solutions, fleet management and fueling technology. The company is expected to employ over eight-thousand workers worldwide.
Advertising Company Rejects PETA Billboard
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- An advertising company is rejecting plans for a PETA billboard in Winston-Salem. The animal rights group was seeking to put up a sign along I-40 encouraging people to go vegan. They requested a location close to the scene of a cattle truck crash that killed around 20 cows last week. A spokeswoman for Lamar Advertising said yesterday they don't accept any advertising from PETA. The vice president for PETA claims Lamar cut ties with the group after receiving complaints from SeaWorld over a billboard that called for a whale's release.
Winston-Salem Lawyer Barred From Handling Accounts
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A Wake Superior Court judge is barring a retired Winston-Salem lawyer from handling client accounts. The Winston Salem-Journal reports Ervin Brown has been under investigation for a grievance filed last summer over settlement money in three cases. The State Bar says he refuses to turn over all the records it requested related to the complaint. Brown calls the bar's investigation a case of total gross incompetency, especially since he retired over health issues in 2018.
Committee To Be Formed To Study School Safety Spending
(Guilford County, NC) -- Guilford County is planning to use ten-million-dollars for school safety upgrades. FOX8 reports the board of commissioners decided this week to form a committee on how and where that money will be spent. A security company presented the board with information on a safety program that uses an alert button for quick responses. Members in the study committee are expected to come from the school board, county commissioners and school resource officers.
Wake Upsets Duke In Double OT
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Wake Forest basketball fans are celebrating a huge upset. The Demon Deacons took down seventh-ranked Duke 113-to-101 in double-overtime last night at LJVM Coliseum. Wake's point total tied the most ever given up by a Duke team under Coach K. The win kept Wake Forest from falling into a tie at the bottom of the conference with North Carolina, who defeated N.C. State last night.