George Floyd Tribute Stops In Asheville
(Asheville, NC) -- A hologram project in memory of George Floyd is off to another city after showcasing in Asheville last night. Floyd's death in police custody two months ago sparked protests for social change nationwide. A hologram featuring his face and name was shown at the Vance Monument in downtown. It first debuted in Richmond, Virginia on Tuesday and will make stops in three other cities along the route of the 1961 Freedom Rides.
APD Seeking Murder Suspect
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville police need the public's help in finding a murder suspect. Khalid Walker was charged this week in a shooting death that happened at the Hillcrest Apartments last September. Investigators say Walker should be considered armed and dangerous.
Vice President Visits NC School
(Apex, NC) -- Vice President Mike Pence is using North Carolina as a backdrop to encourage school re-openings. He and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos visited a private school in Apex yesterday to push the move back into classrooms this fall. DeVos said schools in North Carolina aren't giving families enough choices to return to class, but are instead falling back on all-virtual learning. Pence applauded the school in Apex, which re-opened ten days ago. Supporters of President Trump and protesters alike gathered outside the school during the visit.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations Hit Another High
(Raleigh, NC) -- The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations is continuing an upward trend in North Carolina. Nearly 13-hundred were reported by public health officials Wednesday, which broke a record set just one day before. The most statewide deaths due to COVID-19 for one day were also confirmed on Wednesday, with 45. The most cases in western North Carolina continue to be centered around Buncombe and Henderson counties.
Two NC Campgrounds Opening On Blue Ridge Parkway
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Some campgrounds are re-opening along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The National Park Service says Julian Price Park Campground at milepost 297 and Linville Falls Campground at milepost 316 will be open for visitors beginning tomorrow. Most of the parkway shut down in mid-April as the coronavirus pandemic took hold across the U.S. Visitor centers will stay closed for the time being.
Candler Man Wins Big In Lottery
(Swannanoa, NC) -- A Candler man is a multi-million-dollar lottery winner. Kevin Clark says he recently traveled to over 40 stores in western North Carolina to clean out every 20-dollar Mega Cash ticket they had. One he purchased at a Stop 'N Go on U.S. 70 in Swannanoa turned out to be a five-million-dollar prize. Clark claimed his winnings at the lottery headquarters in Raleigh on Monday.
CMS Considering Possible Re-Opening Changes
(Charlotte, NC) -- Plans for school re-opening in Charlotte could be changing today. The CMS board of education is holding a special called meeting this afternoon to consider modifications to plans for the academic year. Parents and guardians were originally given the choice of sending students to limited in-classroom instruction for the first few weeks of school, or going completely virtual from the start. Over 50-thousand students have signed up to participate remotely.
Trump To Accept Nomination In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- Donald Trump is expected to accept the Republican nomination for president next month in the Queen City. Delegates are already scheduled to meet for a scaled-down version of the Republican National Convention towards the end of August. Vice President Mike Pence told NBC Charlotte yesterday they're making plans for Trump to visit the city during that week, when he'll formally accept the nomination. It's unclear at this point if he'll actually give an acceptance speech from somewhere in Charlotte.
Armed Robbery Suspect Steals, Wrecks Police SUV
(Charlotte, NC) -- A suspect is expected to face a range of charges connected to a wild police chase in Charlotte. Officers found a Gaston County armed robbery suspect driving the wrong way on I-77 last night. He allegedly ended up overpowering a CMPD officer near Northlake Mall, where he stole a police SUV before crashing a short time later. The officer was dragged during the scuffle but is expected to be okay. Investigators say the suspect wrecked three times in total during the chase.
One Dead In North Charlotte Homicide
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a homicide in north Charlotte. Officers say one man was shot to death outside the Nevin Chase apartment complex on Nevin Road yesterday afternoon. There's no word on any suspects. The shooting marks the city's 70th homicide this year.
Gaston County Commission Wants Monument Question On Ballot
(Gaston County, NC) -- The fate of a Confederate monument in Gaston County may be decided by voters. The county commission decided this week to ask the state to place the item on a ballot. The decision was made after a local committee recommended relocating the century-old statue from outside the courthouse. One commissioner says he still plans to ask the board to vote on a potential removal next month.
Toxic Algae Found In Charlotte Park Pond
(Charlotte, NC) -- Visitors to Charlotte's Freedom Park are urged to avoid the water. Charlotte-Mecklenburg water officials say a potentially dangerous blue-green algae has been identified in the park's pond this week. No-swim advisories are now posted at the park for people and their pets. Toxic algae blooms killed three dogs in Wilmington last summer.
Coronavirus Spike Sets Two New Records In North Carolina
(Raleigh, NC) -- New figures released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services showed record breaking COVID-19 increases in two categories Wednesday. The number of patients requiring hospitalization set a single-day record yesterday at 12-hundred-91. And the number of deaths recorded in a single-day was 45-on Wednesday, which was another record high. The Department also reported the 17-hundred-63 new cases reported yesterday, pushed the total to over 117-thousand since the outbreak first began.
Police Break Up Demonstration And Enforce Curfew For Second Night In A Row In Roxboro
(Roxboro, NC) -- Extra law enforcement officers were deployed throughout the city of Roxboro Wednesday night to enforce a curfew that was issued in the wake of a fatal police shooting of an armed black man last Friday. This as the Police Department released a dash cam video yesterday of the actual shooting of David Brooks Jr. Hours after the video was released, several protesters took to the streets to insist that the shooting was not justified. The state of emergency and curfew is set to expire today.
North Carolina State Fair Cancelled For First Time In 75-Years
(Raleigh, NC) -- The North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh has been cancelled. It's the first time that's been done since World War Two. The announcement made Wednesday by State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, who cited the enhanced risk of community spread of the coronavirus as the reason. The Fair, which was first held in 1853, is the State's oldest and largest. The Mountain State Fair in western North Carolina and the Carolina Classic Fair in Winston-Salem have also been cancelled.
UNC Board Of Trustees Votes To Remove Names Of Four Reputed Racist Figures From Campus Buildings
(Raleigh, NC) -- UNC Chapel Hill has announced that the names of four individuals who had ties to slavery or white supremacy, will be removed from buildings on the school's campus. By a vote of 11-2 Wednesday, the University's Board of Trustees ordered the names of Charles Aycock, Julian Carr, Josephus Daniels and Thomas Ruffin Sr. be taken down. The order is set to take effect immediately.
Three U.S. States Record Single-Day COVID-19 Record
(Raleigh, NC) - North Carolina is one of three states reporting a single-day record for coronavirus deaths. The state's death toll rose by 45 yesterday. That's just behind California and Florida, which also recorded single-day highs. Data from John Hopkins University shows over 150-thousand Americans have lost their lives to the respiratory illness.
Graham Police Searching For Suspect in Connection With Armed Robbery
(Graham, NC) - Police are on the lookout for a gunman who robbed a restaurant in Graham. Officers were called to Golden China on South Main Street around four o'clock yesterday afternoon. Police say the suspect held the workers at gunpoint and stole an undisclosed amount of cash. Anyone with information is urged to call police.
SCSO: Man Jumps From Car During Pursuit
(Surry Co., NC) - A Mount Airy man who's accused of drug trafficking is under arrest after, police say, he jumped from a car during a pursuit. Surry County deputies gave chase July 17th in the West Pine Street and Beulah area. Michael Blaylock jumped from his vehicle and fled into a wooded area. He was later found at a home on Maple Grove Church Road and arrested on multiple charges, including trafficking methamphetamine and maintaining a drug vehicle. Blaylock is due to face a judge on August 26th.
Burlington Man Killed After Crashing Into Brick Wall In Burlington
(Burlington, NC) - A Burlington man is dead after crashing his car into a brick wall in Burlington. The accident happened Tuesday night in the 12-hundred-block of South Main Street. Police say Anthony Watlington lost control of his vehicle and ran into a brick wall. He died at the scene. Police did not say what made Watlington lose control.