Coronavirus In All NC Counties But One
(Raleigh, NC) -- There's now a coronavirus case in every part of the state except for one mountain county. The News and Observer reported last night there were nearly eleven-thousand-800 cases in 99 out of 100 North Carolina counties. Avery County is the lone location with no positive COVID-19 cases. More than 140-thousand tests have been administered statewide.
Mission Hospitals Begin Surgeries
(Asheville, NC) -- Mission Health hospitals are making some moves back to normalcy today. Doctors are beginning to perform some surgeries, which have previously been canceled due to coronavirus. One adult visitor will be allowed in the waiting area for each patient. AdventHealth Hendersonville is also resuming elective surgeries.
Buncombe Town Opts Out Of County Order
(Weaverville, NC) -- One Buncombe town is no longer following the county's stay-at-home orders. Weaverville officials say the town will be following the state's guidelines instead, which allows more businesses to be open with social distancing. Mayor Al Root told the Citizen-Times that it doesn't make sense not to try since mom and pop shops should be able to meet state restrictions. Not all businesses are electing to re-open yet.
Handful Of Buncombe Parks Open
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Some parks have been re-opened in Buncombe County. Several guidelines must be followed, which include continued social distancing with people not in your household. The county is asking residents to visit during off-peak hours when possible and to refrain from touching any objects. The hours for the parks are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Asheville Firefighters Seek Higher Minimum Wage
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville fire fighters are looking for more pay. New hires at the Asheville Fire Department make under 12-dollars-an-hour, although the city has raised its minimum wage to 15-dollars-an-hour. The president of the Asheville Fire Fighters Association told WLOS-TV he speculates it's because they work around 56 hours-a-week. He plans to request a raise with commissioners.
Body Found In Lake Norman
(Lake Norman, NC) -- The search for a missing boater is over on Lake Norman. Crews found the boy of a 41-year-old man several hours after he fell off a tube with no safety jacket on yesterday. He was reportedly out boating with three people at the time of the accident.
NC Lawmakers Pass Relief Package
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina's COVID-19 relief package is on to the governor's desk. The state house and senate passed a spending plan of nearly one-point-six-billion-dollars on Saturday. It's part of the three-and-a-half-billion-dollars given to the state in federal relief. An expiation to allow restaurants to offer to-go cocktails was left out of the bill.
One Dead In Northeast Charlotte Shooting
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a deadly shooting in northeast Charlotte. One person was found dead on East Sugar Creek Road near the Shannon Park neighborhood early Sunday. Investigators are looking for information from the public. No arrests have been made.
Coronavirus Cases Top 17-Hundred In Mecklenburg County
(Charlotte, NC) -- The number of coronavirus cases is over 17-hundred in Mecklenburg County. That's most in the state and around double the amount of cases in Wake County. The News and Observer reported last night the total number for North Carolina has risen to almost eleven-thousand-800. There are cases in all but one county.
Meck County Preparing For Possible Phase One Re-Opening
(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- Mecklenburg County is on track to follow the state's re-opening plans. Governor Cooper may begin phase one of his three step initiative some time this week. The state's stay-at-home order expires Friday. Parking lots at parks around the county re-opened up for visitors over the weekend.
Charlotte-Area Malls To Re-Open Friday
(Charlotte, NC) -- Malls around Charlotte are re-opening. Simon Property Group says SouthPark and Concord Mills malls, along with Charlotte Premium Outlets are opening this Friday for the first time since mid-March. The state's stay-at-home order ends that day. Employees will be required to wear masks.
New COVID-19 Case Numbers Appear To Be Headed Down
(Raleigh, NC) -- State Health Officials reported a slight decrease in the number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in North Carolina on Sunday. There were only 155-new cases reported Sunday, which brought the total to nearly 11-thousand-800 since the outbreak first began. There were also 475-patients in the hospital. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services now says positive cases of the coronavirus have been reported in 99-of the state's 100-counties.
Cooper Says Its Possible To Activate Phase One Before Weeks End
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper says he remains optimistic that the state can move into Phase One of its plan for reopening by the end of the week. However, Cooper also said last week, that the decision will be based on data provided by state health officials. Leaders want to see a sustained downward trend of new COVID-19 cases within a 14-day period before social distancing restrictions regarding certain businesses are eased. Phase One would limit gatherings of no more than 10-people but more retail businesses would be allowed to reopen.
School District Announces Changes In Meal Distribution Schedule
(Cumberland County, NC) -- School officials in Cumberland County have announced that starting today, all meal distribution sites, including routes for buses, have been changed to a three day a week schedule. Meals will only be handed out on Monday's, Tuesday's and Thursday's. However, on Tuesday's and Thursday's, students will be given two meals so that they get a five day portion of food. The District also announced that starting Monday May 11th, the Douglas Byrd Middle School will reopen as a meal distribution center.
Mysterious Murder And Attempted Suicide Being Probed
(Wake County, NC) -- Investigators are still trying to determine the relationship between a woman who was shot and killed inside a moving car near Garner on Saturday, and the suspect who then shot himself. The incident happened around 4:15 pm at the intersection of U.S. Highway 70 and Raynor Road. According to Wake County Sheriff's Deputies, the victim, identified as 23-year old Jasmine Upsher, was shot inside the SUV and then shoved out of the vehicle onto the pavement. The driver, identified as 28-year old Terrance Scott, sped away but later crashed into a median where he turned the gun on himself. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooter, is still being treated at WakeMed. Authorities say if he survives, he will be charged with murder.