Cooper Extends Phase Two
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina will remain under Phase Two restrictions until at least mid-July. Governor Roy Cooper said yesterday COVID-19 trends and hospitalizations are too concerning at this point to move into the next phase. Gyms and bars must remain closed. Phase Two is now extended through July 17th. A statewide mandate to wear face masks in public goes into effect Friday afternoon.
Two Park Shootings Investigated In Asheville
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville police are investigating two shootings that happened this week at Walton Street Park. The Citizen-Times says one person died and two others were injured in a shooting Tuesday night. There are reportedly several people of interest identified in the case. Another person was shot multiple times in a separate shooting at the park just 24-hours earlier.
Buncombe Leaders Lift Hotel Occupancy Restrictions
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Occupancy restrictions on hotels in Buncombe County are lifted. The county commission decided to call off its 50-percent capacity limit in a special called meeting yesterday. Emergency preparedness director Fletcher Tove says most tourists are visiting the area from surrounding counties for a day trip.
Suspect Arrested In Shooting Of Child
(Forest City, NC) -- A suspect is accused of shooting a girl in the head in Forest City. The seven-year-old was in a car on Oak Street Tuesday night when shots were allegedly fired from a black SUV. She remained in critical condition yesterday. A Forest City man was arrested and taken to jail, where he remains on a one-million-dollar bond.
Asheville City Council To Consider Ban On Tear Gas
(Asheville, NC) -- The Asheville City Council may soon vote on whether or not to ban the use of tear gas by police. Council member Brian Haynes said at Tuesday's meeting that its use at recent protests was inappropriate and was used in an unnecessary volume. Mayor Esther Manheimer suggested the city's legal team review the request to ban it, and bring it up at the next council meeting.
Hendersonville Budget Passes With No Tax Increase
(Hendersonville, NC) -- There's no new tax increases in the budget for Hendersonville. The city council approved a 40-million-dollar spending plan yesterday that includes a hiring freeze for fiscal year 2021. City employee raises are also on hold until the beginning of the year. A council member said the property tax rate would most likely increase next year.
CMPD Released More Beatties Ford Road Shooting Details
(Charlotte, NC) -- More details are coming out on the mass shooting from overnight Sunday in north Charlotte. Investigators revealed that 181 shell cases were recovered from the scene along Beatties Ford Road. Some of the weapons used are being linked to other crimes in the city. Four people died from injuries suffered in the chaotic scene. Nine people were shot, while four were hit by cars.
Health Director Says More Staff Needed In COVID-19 Response
(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- Mecklenburg County's health director says she needs more staffing if coronavirus testing increases locally. Gibbie Harris told commissioners this week contact tracers and case investigators are needed. There were nearly 250 new COVID-19 cases identified in Mecklenburg County yesterday, with the total number rising above nine-thousand. There have been nearly 150 deaths locally.
Fire Breaks Out At Recycling Center
(Huntersville, NC) -- Investigators are trying to figure out what caused a large fire in Huntersville yesterday. Flames were seen shooting out from a pile at the North Mecklenburg Recycling Center around 8 a.m. A portion of Statesville Road was shut down as firefighters battled the flames. There were no injuries reported. It's unclear if any structures were damaged.
Panthers Help In Large Face Mask Donation
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Carolina Panthers are teaming up with Atrium Health and large companies to donate protective face masks in North Carolina. Atrium Health's CEO said yesterday he hopes everyone will wear a mask not because they have to, but because it is something that keeps neighbors and loved ones safe. The group is helping provide one-million masks that will go out to underserved communities across the state. A face mask mandate goes into effect Friday.
Charlotte Speedway To Hold Drive-In Movie Nights
(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte Motor Speedway is offering some family fun for two nights next week. The track is showcasing a drive-in movie on its 16-thousand-square foot screen on July 1st and 2nd. It's 40-dollars per car to see The Goonies with a fireworks show on the first night. The second evening features The Secret Life of Pets at 30-bucks-a-car. The events benefit Speedway Children's Charities.
Doctors Worried About Health Care System Becoming Overwhelmed
(Raleigh, NC) -- The dramatic second wave of new COVID-19 cases has prompted renewed concerns about the state's health care system being overwhelmed. On Wednesday, there were 17-hundred-21 additional cases reported, with 906-patients hospitalized. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports, that since May 19th, the number of people being treated at hospitals has increased 56-percent. The Department also reports that as of Wednesday, about 72-percent of hospital ventilators were available.
North Carolina Included On State Travel Advisory List
(Raleigh, NC) -- The governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have issued a joint travel advisory for several states, including North Carolina, requiring anyone coming in from those states to self quarantine for 14-days. The travel advisory is for states having a high infection rate, which is defined as ten-infections per 100-thousand residents on a rolling seven-day average. The governors said the list will be updated regularly.
Highway Patrol Arrests Three Women For Slowing Down Traffic On I-40
(Raleigh, NC) -- Three women were arrested in Raleigh Wednesday for intentionally slowing down traffic on Interstate 40 during rush hour. The coordinated slow down was a form of protest against racial injustice and the continued memorialization of George Floyd. Those who participated in the protest were asked to slow down to just ten-miles per hour. According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the women were charged with reckless driving and impeding traffic.
Adult And Juvenile Arrested In Shooting Death Of Girl At Mobile Home Park
(Wake County, NC) -- Wake County Sheriff's officials have announced the arrests of two people in connection with the shooting death of a 16-year old girl. It happened early Tuesday morning at the Green Spring Valley mobile home park on Swift Creek lane. Officers arrived to find the victim lying on the ground with gunshot wounds. She was taken to the hospital where she later died. Twenty-five-year old Juan Sierra of Trinidad and an 18-year old juvenile have been charged with murder.
Man Arrested In Deadly Randolph Co. Shooting
(Randolph Co., NC) - Randolph County deputies are announcing an arrest in connection with a deadly shooting over the weekend. Twenty-four-year-old Micah Smith was taken into custody Monday for first-degree murder. He's accused of shooting and killing 28-year-old John Butler, who was found dead on Rockford Drive in Trinity a day earlier.
Open Door Ministries Confirms Nine Cases Of COVID-19
(High Point, NC) - Open Door Ministries in High Point says several of its residents have tested positive for coronavirus. The executive director, Ryan Ross, confirmed yesterday it has seen nine cases of COVID-19 among its residents. He says eight of those cases were asymptomatic. Residents are staying in hotels while they're being quarantined, and the shelter has been professionally disinfected.
Rockers To Now Play At Truist Point
(High Point, NC) - High Point's baseball stadium is now called Truist Point. The name change comes after BB&T Bank merged with SunTrust to form Truist. New signage will roll out in the coming weeks.
Juvenile Shot In Winston-Salem
(Winston-Salem, NC) - An investigation is underway in Winston-Salem where a juvenile was shot. It happened around 5:30 yesterday afternoon in the 25-hundred-block of Kilkare Avenue. The victim told police he was shot in the hand while he was parked in the driveway of his home. He was not able to provide any information on a possible suspect. Anyone with information is urged to call Winston-Salem P-D.