Sylva Virtual Town Meeting Hacked
(Sylva, NC) -- Town leaders in Sylva are re-scheduling a meeting due to online hacks. A Zoom meeting was cut short yesterday after several accounts broke in and started using profanity and racial slurs. The town board was discussing a potential removal of a Confederate monument. Another meeting on Zoom is called for Monday afternoon.
NAACP Lawsuit Targets NC Touchscreen Voting Machines
(Wake County, NC) -- The NAACP is seeking to stop the use of touchscreen voting machines in around two dozen North Carolina counties. The organization filed a lawsuit in Wake County court Wednesday, citing concerns over the spread of COVID-19 on the machines. An attorney told the Charlotte Observer counties could use different machines or paper ballots. The state's board of elections director says poll workers have been told to frequently clean the machines.
Asheville City Schools Go Virtual
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville City schools are re-opening all virtually. The district chose the state's Plan C option yesterday after hearing from families about coronavirus concerns. The remote plan will run for nine weeks after class begins August 17th. The extra time will be used to plan and maintain safety protocols on all campuses.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations Hit High In NC
(Raleigh, NC) -- Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are at another high in North Carolina. Public health officials said the number shot up to nearly 12-hundred on Thursday. Hospital bed capacity is at around 75-percent capacity statewide. There have been around 300 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Buncombe County over the past week.
Two Arrested In Large Meth Bust
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Two Georgia men are facing charges from a large drug bust in Buncombe County. The suspects were arrested July 15th after anti-crime task force deputies allegedly found them with close to nine pounds of methamphetamine. WLOS-TV reports it's one of the largest drug busts by weight in Buncombe history. One of the men was convicted of murder in Atlanta ten years ago.
Lane Closures Set During I-40 Bridge Work
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Drivers can expect lane closures on I-40 between Black Mountain and Swannanoa for the next couple of months. Crews are making repairs on six bridges over a 12-mile span during nights and weekends. Several bridges were resurfaced last summer as part of the same DOT contract.
Trump To Still Be Nominated In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- Delegates are still meeting for the Republican National Convention in Charlotte despite a big announcement from President Trump. He said yesterday the large portion of the event next month in Jacksonville, Florida is being canceled. The news comes as COVID-19 cases have continued to rise greatly over the last month in the state. Trump is still expected to be nominated by a small set of sub-delegates in the Queen City. The largest portion of the event was initially moved from Charlotte to Jacksonville after the President criticized Governor Roy Cooper for not committing to an in-person convention.
Man Files Lawsuit Against Union County Sheriff, Deputies
(Union County, NC) -- A man is accusing Union County's sheriff and several deputies of using excessive force in an April 2019 arrest. Dustin Parrish claims he was struck as much as 20 times, tased, placed in a choke hold and pepper-sprayed. Sheriff Eddie Cathey told the Charlotte Observer Parrish assaulted an officer and refused orders. Parrish filed a federal lawsuit this week.
Protests Continue In Gastonia
(Gastonia, NC) -- Protests centered around a Gastonia ice cream shop are continuing. Groups gathered outside Wednesday night at Tony's Ice Cream on East Franklin Boulevard after a woman says she was treated unfairly for wearing a Black Lives Matter button. Police ended up charging her with trespassing. More people gathered outside the courthouse yesterday when some demonstrators were appearing for charges connected to the ice cream shop protests.
NAACP Files Suit Against Touchscreen Voting Machines
(Wake County, NC) -- The NAACP is seeking to stop the use of touchscreen voting machines in around two dozen North Carolina counties, including Mecklenburg. The organization filed a lawsuit in Wake County court Wednesday, citing concerns over the spread of COVID-19 on the machines. An attorney told the Charlotte Observer counties could use different machines or paper ballots. The state's board of elections director says poll workers have been told to frequently clean the machines.
Suspect Arrested In Charlotte Homicide
(Mint Hill, NC) -- A suspect is facing charges in a deadly shooting near Mint Hill. The CMPD found one man shot to death Thursday morning on McGregor Drive. The suspect was arrested at the scene and charged with murder.
Worker Rescued By Firefighters At Construction Site
(Charlotte, NC) -- A team of nearly 20 firefighters is credited with helping save an injured man at a construction site near South End. Crews used a crane to reach the worker on Hawkins Street late Thursday morning. His injuries weren't considered to be life-threatening.
Trump To Tour Morrisville Biotech Plant Working On Coronavirus Vaccine
(Raleigh, NC) -- The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump is planning to visit North Carolina on Monday. Trump will tour a biotechnology plant based in Research Triangle Park that is working with Novavax to develop a vaccine against the coronavirus. Novavax has been awarded a one-point-six-billion-dollar federal grant as part of 'Operation Warp Speed'. The plant is manufacturing the vaccine in bulk amounts for Phase 2 and 3 of clinical trials set to begin this fall.
Trump Cancels RNC Convention In Florida Citing COVID-19 Surge
(Raleigh, NC) -- Amid growing pressure over the possible spread of the coronavirus, President Trump announced Thursday that the planned Republican National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida, has been canceled. Trump citing the current explosion of new COVID-19 cases throughout the state of Florida as the reason. Organizers say a small group of delegates will still meet in Charlotte next month to formally re-nominate Trump as the party's choice to run against Joe Biden in November.
Elections Board Approves 14-New Early Voting Sites For Durham County
(Durham County, NC) -- The Durham County Board of Elections has approved a new plan for early voting in the November general election. The plan calls for 14-early voting sites to be set up throughout the county. The Elections Board also announced the creation of a new system of notification in order for Durham County voters to get updates on voting options during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Panel Of Health Experts Field Questions From State PTA Members
(Raleigh, NC) -- Members of the North Carolina PTA held a virtual town hall meeting Thursday with top state health officials. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss COVID-19 concerns of parents in advance of the start of the new school year. Using Facebook and YouTube, parents submitted dozens of questions to a panel of doctors from Duke, UNC Health and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Of primary concern was the risk of in-person classroom instruction versus remote learning only.
Durham City Council Meets To Discuss Out Of Control Gun Violence
(Durham, NC) -- The Durham City Council held a special called meeting last night to discuss a recent outbreak of gun violence in the city. This in response to 10-people injured by gunfire last week. One of the victims was a 12-year-old boy who died after being shot by a stray bullet that penetrated his apartment home. Investigators believe he was caught in the crossfire of a gun battle between rival gang members. Among the ideas discussed included the reallocation of funds to specifically combat gun violence and the use of the new 'Shot Spotter' technology.
HIgh Point Police Address Violence In The City
(High Point, NC) - High Point police say gun violence has been plaguing the city in recent days. During a press conference yesterday, the police department said it responded to nine incidents involving gun violence last weekend. They're looking into gang activity as a possible link. Police say since the start of the year, more than 230 firearms have been seized.
Forsyth Co. Sheriff's Officials Warn Of Stolen Baby Formula
(Winston-Salem, NC) - Forsyth County sheriff's officials are warning the public about stolen baby formula that's being resold. Sheriff's officials say the formula could be unsafe for babies to consume. They contacted Gerber, which said formula kept in temperatures above 90 degrees can become depleted of essential vitamins and minerals. An investigation revealed formula had been stolen from stores throughout the county, stored and then resold. An investigation is ongoing.
Former Wake Forest Basketball Coach Sentenced In Deadly Fight
(Queens Co., NY) - A former Wake Forest basketball coach is sentenced to probation and community service in connection with a deadly attack in New York City. Jamill Jones was sentenced yesterday in a Queens courtroom. He was found guilty in February of assault for punching a man who mistook him for a ride-share driver. The victim died two days later.
Guilford Co. Suspends Services Following COVID-19 Cluster
(Greensboro, NC) - The number of positive COVID-19 cases within the Greensboro Courthouse is up to five. That means Guilford County Courts will continue to suspend some of its services. So far, the exposure period is from July 2nd through July 17th. All affected individuals were referred for testing and are in isolation.
Motorcyclist Killed In Highway Collision In Clemmons
(Clemmons, NC) - A motorcyclist is dead after crashing his bike in Clemmons. The accident happened just before 2 p.m. yesterday on Highway 158 near the Tanglewood Commons shopping center. Troopers say the victim was traveling west when he collided with a minivan that was turning left into the shopping center. The motorcyclist was ejected and died at the scene. An investigation is ongoing.