Henderson, Rutherford Have Most Coronavirus Cases In WNC
(Raleigh, NC) -- Coronavirus cases in western North Carolina continue to be heavily concentrated in Henderson and Rutherford counties. The News and Observer reported last night that case numbers are close to 130 in Henderson, with 84 in Rutherford. There have been 210 deaths statewide, with close to 69-hundred cases.
Murder Suspect Arrested For Deadly Stabbing
(Barnardsville, NC) -- A suspect is in jail for a murder in Buncombe County. Sheriff's investigators say one man was killed in a stabbing at a home in Barnardsville yesterday. A 37-year-old man was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. The suspect and victim reportedly knew each other.
Buncombe Official Warns Of Free Fall
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Some communities are feeling the pressure to reopen some businesses in North Carolina. Government leaders have been trying to balancing the possibility of slowly opening doors while still maintaining safe measures. Buncombe's emergency preparedness director Fletcher Tove told the Citizen-Times yesterday there will be another free fall if county officials move too soon. Buncombe's stay at home order is currently in effect indefinitely.
Henderson County Discusses Re-Openings With Business Leaders
(Henderson County, NC) -- Henderson County business leaders are coming together virtually to talk about how and when to open the local economy. WLOS-TV reports a group of around 40 held a meeting on Zoom yesterday with county officials. It seems for the most part they're trying to play it safe right now, but they do want more local control on what happens. The county sent a letter to Governor Cooper last week urging him to let local governments make their own decisions on when to re-open businesses.
Food Stamp Applications Skyrocket
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Strains caused by the coronavirus are likely causing a major rise in food stamp recipients in Buncombe County. The county's economic services director told the Citizen-Times around 150 people have been applying for Food and Nutrition Services per day since March 26th. That's a rise from just around ten to 15 every day before that period, or a one-thousand-percent jump.
Asheville Woman Wins Lotto With Online Ticket
(Asheville, NC) -- An Asheville woman who played the lottery online is a big winner. Benita Johnson told WLOS-TV that she bought a Carolina Cash Five ticket on the lottery's website during stay-at-home orders late last month. That purchase won her more than 775-thousand-dollars before taxes. Johnson says she plans to help some out-of-work family members.
New Model Shows Early Summer Coronavirus Peak
(Charlotte, NC) -- A new model is showing a different projected peak of coronavirus cases in Mecklenburg County. Data scientists from Atrium and Novant Health released numbers to county officials yesterday that show a peak hitting between mid-June to early July, depending on the amount of social distancing measures put in place. The projections also revealed potential problems with the amount of critical care beds available to accommodate the Charlotte region once a peak happens.
Concord Rehab Center Reports Almost 75 COVID-19 Cases
(Charlotte, NC) -- The number of coronavirus cases is up to nearly 75 at a long-term care facility in Concord. Health officials said yesterday there have been five deaths at Five Oaks Rehabilitation. Cabarrus County's public health director says the spread of the virus is hard to stop in congregant living facilities, even with strict measures in place.
Panthers Incentive Deal Approved
(York County, SC) -- An incentive package for the Carolina Panthers is finalized in York County. Officials approved the incentive deal in a virtual public hearing yesterday, which will see the team bring its new practice facility and headquarters into South Carolina. The tract of land for the property will also be annexed into Rock Hill. The Panthers will get property tax breaks from the city, county and school district.
Coronavirus Cases in Meck Still Most In Site By Far
(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- Mecklenburg County is still being affected by COVID-19 more than anywhere else in the state. Cases numbers are over 12-hundred, which is double the next highest number in Wake County. There have been 210 deaths statewide, with close to 69-hundred cases reported by the News and Observer last night.
Mother, Son Accused Of Shooting At FedEx Driver
(Catawba County, NC) -- A mother and son in Catawba County are accused of opening fire on a FedEx driver yesterday. The driver told investigators he accidentally ran over a dog in a driveway in Newton. He allegedly pulled over to advise a supervisor, when the two suspects chased him down in a car and fired shots, hitting the truck three times. They reportedly followed the driver all the way to a highway patrol station before being arrested.
Tepper Donates Over 20-Million For COVID-19 Relief
(Charlotte, NC) -- The owner of the Carolina Panthers is pouring in millions to help in COVID-19 relief. Forbes is reporting David Tepper has donated 22-million-dollars since March. Some of that was used for a fund to help Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, which raised close to eight-million-dollars in a few days. Pepper says the coronavirus pandemic is affecting not just the poor, but the middle class too.
ReOpenNC To Host Second Anti-Quarantine Rally
(Raleigh, NC) -- For the second week in a row, protesters who want the statewide stay-at-home order lifted and North Carolina's economy reopened, will hold a rally in downtown Raleigh today. The rally, set to begin at 11 a.m., is being led by the group ReOpenNC. Organizers insist the negative economic impact the shutdown has had on businesses, outweigh the public health threat of the coronavirus. In a statement released Monday, Governor Roy Cooper said the rally can go on as scheduled as long as social distancing requirements are observed.
Non-Essential Business Shutdown Costing Wake County Millions In Lost Tourism Revenue
(Wake County, NC) -- Wake County officials are reporting the coronavirus shutdown has resulted in an over 45-million dollar loss in revenue to the tourism industry. At a virtual meeting of the Wake County Commission Monday, it was revealed that over 75-public events and festivals have had to be canceled or rescheduled out of concerns over the spread of COVID-19. Tourism has an estimated economic impact of around two-point-five billion dollars annually on the Wake County economy.
Coronavirus Transmitted Even At Small Social Gatherings Of Less Than 10-People
(Cabarrus County, NC) -- Health officials are reporting at least 18-cases of the coronavirus have been linked to four small gatherings of not more than ten-people in Cabarrus County. A wedding, two birthday parties and an Easter Sunday family gathering. All 18-patients have since been quarantined. Workers with the Cabarrus Health Alliance are now trying to track down anyone who may have had contact with the infected individuals. So far, 35-people have been found.
North Carolina Case Total Continuing To Surge
(Raleigh, NC) -- As of Monday, the state of North Carolina had nearly 69-hundred confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The largest number of cases continued to be in Mecklenburg County with over 12-hundred, Wake County was second with over 600 and Durham County was third with 435. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, there were also 210 deaths.
Children In Alabama To Soon Get Additional Food Supplemental Benefit
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper announced Monday, that the state has been approved for a new federal food supplemental program for children impacted by the coronavirus. The program, called the Pandemic Electronic Transfer, or P-EBT, is designed to help families purchase food for children whose schools were closed because of COVID-19. Eligible families will receive 250-dollars per child, which will be deposited onto their EBT card. The cards can then be used at most major grocery stores to purchase a variety of food items.
Man Killed At Birthday Party Shooting In Thomasville
(High Point, NC) -- A man is dead after shots rang out at a birthday party in Thomasville. It happened late Saturday night at a home on Middle Avenue. Police say a large group of people were gathered at the home when a fight broke out. Twenty-nine-year-old Bradley Stephens was shot. He was rushed to the hospital where he died. An investigation is ongoing.
Gov. Cooper Announces Federal Program To Feed Kids
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper says the state is taking part in a new federal program that will help keep children fed while schools are closed. The program is called the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer, or P-EBT. Governor Cooper says families that are eligible for free or reduced school lunches will receive 250 dollars per child. The funds will be paid in two installments and can be spent on food at most major grocery stores.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth HS Football Stadiums Light Up
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- High school football stadiums across Winston-Salem and Forsyth County are lighting up in honor of the Class of 2020. The stadium lights were turned on at 8:20 last night, for a total of 20 minutes. Community members across the county also turned on their porch lights in honor of high school seniors.
Great Smoky Mountains Offers Virtual Tours For Kids
(Great Smokey Mountains, NC) -- The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is celebrating National Park Week by offering free virtual tours. The park has started the Smokieees At Home program, which offers virtual field trips for kids while the park is closed. They'll be able to see the sights and sounds of the park from the comfort of their homes. Park rangers say new videos will be added regularly on smokieees.org.