Outside Investigation Called For Police Actions During Protesting
(Asheville, NC) -- The city of Asheville is conducting an outside investigation into local police action during recent protests. A release issued on Friday indicated the probe would take anywhere from 90 to 120 days. City council members expressed concern last week over the tear gassing of protesters in the wake of George Floyd's death. Another action being investigated is the destruction of a medical supplies tent.
APD Warns That Blocking Roadway Is Illegal
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville police are reminding demonstrators that blocking the roadway is illegal. Saturday's warning came after officers saw people unloading wooden pallets in a parking lot under the I-240 bridge the night before. The APD says it appears they were going to be used for a barricade. WLOS-TV reports three truckloads of items were removed by public works crews.
Large Jump Reported In NC Coronavirus Cases
(Raleigh, NC) -- The number of coronavirus cases is continuing to climb at a high pace in North Carolina. Public health officials reported the second-largest daily jump yesterday, with 15-hundred new cases. There are now over 44-thousand statewide. The number of hospitalizations did drop back down to under 800. Buncombe and Henderson counties continue to lead the way with the most cases in the mountains.
Buncombe Officials Step Up Testing At Nursing Homes
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe County is trying to reign in any potential COVID-19 problems at long-term care facilities. All residents and staff are now being asked to get a test, whether a person shows symptoms or not. There have been outbreaks at five Buncombe care facilities, as of latest numbers released last week. Nursing home residents have accounted for around 85-percent of the county's coronavirus-related deaths.
Protests Continue In WNC
(Mars Hill, NC) -- Protests are continuing in different parts of the mountains. A group organized by a Mars Hill University student marched form the campus to a local church yesterday in a call for racial justice. One of the speakers was the first black student at Mars Hill. Protesters marched in Sylva on Saturday as part of the Solidarity Peace Walk.
Restrictions Eased On Blue Ridge Parkway
(Asheville, NC) -- Restrictions are being relaxed along the Blue Ridge Parkway. National Parks Services re-opened a number of campgrounds, restrooms and visitors centers on Saturday for the first time in a couple of months. Most of the parkway was shut down in April over coronavirus concerns. A gradual re-opening started in mid-May once North Carolina began relaxing more regulations in its phase two plan.
Artists Repair Damaged BLM Mural
(Charlotte, NC) -- Local artists aren't letting suspected vandalism ruin a new Black Lives Matter mural in uptown. The CMPD is trying to figure out who defaced the artwork on Tryon Street Friday when they left tire marks over the whole phrase on Friday. The artists were back out on Sunday morning to repair the damage done. They told NBC Charlotte a clear-coat is going over the top of it to prevent this from happening again.
West Charlotte Wreck Kills One, Injures Infant
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a deadly wreck in west Charlotte. One woman died when three cars crashed on Billy Graham Parkway Sunday afternoon. NBC Charlotte reports an infant was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. One man died in a separate single-car wreck on Queen City Drive last night.
Search Continues For Missing Man On Lake Norman
(Lake Norman, NC) -- A search is continuing today for a missing man on Lake Norman. Investigators say they got a call yesterday after he jumped from a boat near the Highway 150 bridge and never came back up. Alcohol may have been a factor. Crews looked for the man until bad weather forced the search to be postponed until this morning.
Atrium Health Relaxing Visitor Rules
(Charlotte, NC) -- Atrium Health is relaxing some visitation restrictions. Hospitals and health care centers are allowing patients to have one designated visitor beginning today. Visitors will still not be allowed for patients with certain conditions. All visitors must undergo a health screening and wear a face mask.
Country Club Closes For Cleaning After COVID-19 Cases Identified
(Cornelius, NC) -- A country club in Cornelius is temporarily closing its facilities over coronavirus concerns. The Charlotte Observer says multiple members at The Peninsula Club on Lake Cornelius have tested positive. Buildings are shut down through today for a deep cleaning. The affected members' activities were traced to the pool, tennis and golf areas.
Marches And Rallies Continued In Multiple Locations Across Triangle
(Raleigh, NC) -- Thousands of protesters marched and rallied across several Triangle cities Sunday, demanding an end to systemic racism and reforms within the criminal justice system. The events included a group of about 300-bikers who led a ride from Garner to Fayetteville to call for change and also hosted a voter registration drive. Peaceful marches and rallies were also held in Raleigh and Durham.
Police Continue Search For Three Men Who Fired At Officers Sunday
(Wake County, NC) -- Wake County Authorities searched late into the night for three suspects after they fired several shots at Sheriff's deputies near the Zebulon community Sunday. Authorities say at least two deputies came under fire in the area of Plantation Drive around 7:30 p.m. The suspects reportedly used both assault rifles and handguns in their attacks. No one was injured. At last report, tactical squad teams were using drones and K-9 units to comb a wooded area of Zebulon.
Big Turnout In Durham For Start Of Black Farmers Market Season
(Durham, NC) -- Hundreds gathered in Durham Sunday for the start of the 2020 Black Farmers Market season. The annual event is an initiative designed to connect black owned agricultural businesses to their surrounding communities. Because of social distancing, customers had to wait in long lines in order to get into the designated vending area. A total of 14-vendors participated. Organizers say the event will be held bi-monthly throughout the summer season.
Crew Member Who Was At Racing Event Last Week Tests Positive For Coronavirus
(Alamance County, NC) -- At least one crew member from a team that participated in a racing event at the ACE Speedway last weekend in Alamance County, has tested positive for COVID-19. The event drew over two-thousand-spectators, which prompted the State Health Officer to ask a judge to issue a temporary restraining order, forcing the facility to shut down. That request was granted last Thursday. A spokesperson says all members of the CARS Tour series have been notified of the diagnosis.
Cooper Signs Bill Clearing The Way For Mass Mail-In Voting
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper has signed into law a bill making it easier for voters to cast mail-in ballots during the upcoming fall elections. Under the new law, voters will now need only one witness signature on a completed ballot instead of two. The legislation also provides 27-million dollars to polling districts for additional security, Personal Protection Equipment and cleaning at all in-person voting locations.