Earthquake Hits NC
(Sparta, NC) -- There's no reported damage in western North Carolina connected to a Sunday morning earthquake. Ripples were felt throughout the southeast when a quake that registered five-point-one on the Richter scale shook from underneath Sparta, which is less than 100 miles from Asheville towards the Virginia border. There were minor structural damages reported around Sparta, but no injuries. It was the strongest earthquake to hit North Carolina in over a century.
Six Arrested In Asheville Protest
(Asheville, NC) -- Six people are facing charges connected to a protest in Asheville. The APD says a group initially blocked guests from entering the Renaissance Hotel on Woodfin Street before marching towards the Buncombe County courthouse Saturday night. Officer started making arrests when some of the crowd reportedly refused orders to move after blocking a police cruiser. Investigators say four officers were injured when some of the protesters attacked them. The suspects were arrested and released.
Madison County Makes School Changes
(Madison County, NC) -- School plans are changing in Madison County. The district is deciding to begin the academic year strictly virtually after a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases. Students must wear face masks if they choose to visit their teachers and pick up any remote learning devices next week. System officials say they still hope to resume some type of in-person instruction by mid-September.
Cyclist Killed In McDowell County Accident
(McDowell County, NC) -- The state highway patrol is investigating a deadly accident in McDowell County. It appears a cyclist was struck by a car Saturday night at U.S. 70 West near Major Conley Road. EMS crews found the victim pinned under the car upon arrival. There's no word if charges will be filed. The driver of the car wasn't injured, but the cyclist was killed.
Car Damages Asheville Business
(Asheville, NC) -- A driver is expected to be okay after slamming into an Asheville business. WLOS-TV reports an SUV drove into a building on Biltmore Avenue early Sunday morning. The building appeared to be stable when it was initially inspected. The driver reportedly suffered injuries not thought to be life-threatening. There were no injuries reported from inside the business.
Mars Hill University Postponing Sports
(Mars Hill, NC) -- One western North Carolina university is putting a halt on sports this fall. Mars Hill University announced Friday that its football, soccer, cross country and volleyball schedules will be shifted to the spring after a meeting with conference officials. All athletic workouts are also being suspended until at least September 1st. The university says it will make a decision on winter sports later this fall.
One Dead In Lancaster Shooting
(Lancaster County, SC) -- Investigators are piecing together details in a deadly Lancaster County shooting. A 29-year-old man was reportedly found dead in the front yard of a friend's home on Crenson Drive early Sunday morning. There have been few details released from the scene. No arrests have been announced.
Group Protests To Keep Gaston Confederate Statue
(Gaston County, NC) -- Protesters are continuing to support a Confederate monument in Gaston County. The county commission voted last week to remove the statue from the front of the courthouse, leaving its fate in the hands of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. A group gathered outside the courthouse on Saturday to protest the removal of the monument. The organizer told NBC Charlotte he's considering legal action to let the people of Gaston County have their voices heard.
Charlotte Utility Worker Struck, Killed By Car
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a deadly accident involving a utility worker. Officers say the man was placing markers for underground utilities when he was hit by a car early Saturday morning on Granite Street in southwest Charlotte. The driver stopped at the scene and wasn't considered to be impaired at the time of the accident. The CMPD hasn't said if any charges will be filed.
Driver Charged In Deadly Motorcycle Accident
(Charlotte, NC) -- A driver is facing charges in a deadly Charlotte accident. The CMPD says a truck rear-ended a car, which then struck a motorcycle on Sunset Road in north Charlotte on Saturday afternoon. The driver of the motorcycle was thrown from the bike and later died at the hospital. Officers charged the driver of the truck with misdemeanor death by vehicle and possession of marijuana.
UNC Charlotte Has Two ACC Games This Season
(Charlotte, NC) -- UNC Charlotte's football schedule will feature a couple of large in-state universities this season. The re-structured schedule now features a trip to UNC in Chapel Hill for the season opener on September 19th. The 49ers' game against Duke was shifted to October 31st. The college football season in general has been turned on end due to changes from the COVID-19 pandemic. Charlotte is currently expected to play its first home game against Georgia State on September 26th.
Geologists Caution Aftershocks May Follow Yesterday's Quake
(Raleigh, NC) -- Although seismologists say it is extremely rare for earthquakes to hit the east coast of the United States, there remains the potential for more aftershocks. N.C. State University Geologist Del Bohnenstiehl [[ Bohn-ee-steel ]] told ABC-11 Sunday, that at least a dozen have already been detected. Those tremors measured between magnitude 2.5 and 2.6. Not enough to cause much damage. Bohnenstiehl said there is also the possibility that Sunday's quake was a foreshock of a larger one to come.
Health Department Records a 501-Case Drop In New COVID-19 Cases Sunday
(Raleigh, NC) -- The latest COVID-19 figures released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services showed there were 1-thousand-453 new cases reported on Sunday, down 501-from the day before. Of that number, 1-thousand-109 patients were being treated at hospitals across the state. The Department also reported the percentage of people testing positive for the coronavirus has dropped from nine-percent to 6-percent within the last week. As of Sunday, over 136-thousand people had tested positive in the state of North Carolina, 21-hundred-68 have died from the disease.
Police In Wilson Search For Man Who Shot And Killed 5-Year Old Child
(Wilson, NC) -- Authorities across central North Carolina are continuing to search for a suspect wanted in the fatal shooting of a five-year old child Sunday. Police in the city of Wilson responded to a call of shots fired around 5:30 p.m. along the 5100 block of Archers Road. When they arrived they found the child suffering from a gunshot wound. The five-year old was rushed to Wilson Medical Center where he later died. Police have sworn out a first degree murder warrant for 25-year old Darius Sessions of Wilson. Investigators say he was last seen driving a black 2019 Toyota Carola with North Carolina license plates. The front bumper is missing.
Eight Durham County Jail Inmates Test Positive For COVID-19
(Durham County, NC) -- Eight detainees at the Durham County Detention Center have reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus. According to Sheriff Clarence Birkhead, the inmates have been relocated to a separate section of the facility. County Health Department contact tracers have also begun contacting anyone who may have been exposed to those infected with COVID-19. In addition, Sheriff Birkhead said tests will be performed on all inmates and staff members at the Detention Center.
Homicide Investigation Underway In Greensboro
(Greensboro, NC) - Greensboro police are launching a homicide investigation after a man was found unresponsive at a hotel in the city. The victim is identified as 39-year-old Gregory Hardesty, Junior. He was found dead at Budget Motel on Farragut Street Saturday evening. Investigators have not said how he died, and there is no information yet on a possible suspect.
DCSO: Man Drowned In High Rock Lake
(Lexington, NC) - A missing man is confirmed dead after an accident at High Rock Lake. The victim was reported missing on Friday evening after his family found all of his fishing gear at the lake, but no sight of him. His body was found Saturday near Lake Drive number-four. An autopsy is scheduled for today.
Elderly Man Critical After Struck By Tractor-Trailer
(Greensboro, NC) - An elderly man is in critical condition after his vehicle was hit by a tractor-trailer in Greensboro. The accident happened yesterday near Wolfe and Alcott roads. Police say the man rammed into the front left corner of the tractor-trailer when it entered the intersection. He was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. The truck driver was cited.
Greensboro Woman Wins $4M Lottery
(Greensboro, NC) - A Greensboro woman is a millionaire thanks to a scratch-off lottery ticket. Ivory Thompson of Greensboro purchased the 20-dollar Millionaire Bucks ticket Saturday at the Alamance Church Food Mart on Alamance Church Road. She won the top prize of four-million dollars. She opted for the lump-sum amount of about two-point-five-million dollars.