Buncombe County Not Changing Alcohol Sales Cutoff
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe County officials have no plans to change an alcohol sales curfew for restaurants. The health department monitored roughly 30 restaurants and breweries over the last ten days to see whether they were adhering to an 11 p.m. statewide cutoff time. Most of them were successful in following COVID-19 guidelines and the cutoff. The county commission recently considered pulling the time back to 9 p.m., but decided against it.
Forest Drops Lawsuit Against Governor
(Raleigh, NC) -- Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest is giving up his fight against the governor's executive orders. A judge ruled earlier this week that Roy Cooper could continue to issue orders related to the coronavirus pandemic despite Forest's attempt to block them. Forest had a lawsuit pending until Wednesday night, when he decided to drop the case. He initially argued that Governor Cooper shouldn't have 100-percent powers to issue the orders.
One Dead In Swain County Shooting
(Swain County, NC) -- A murder is being investigated in Swain County. The sheriff's office says one man was shot to death on Franklin Grove Road near Bryson City Wednesday night. One suspect was arrested for murder. He's currently in the Swain County Detention Center without bond.
New COVID-19 Cases Increase On Thursday
(Raleigh, NC) -- New COVID-19 case numbers are back up in North Carolina. Public health officials reported over 17-hundred cases yesterday, bringing the state's total to over 140-thousand. It was the highest single-day increase since last week. Over one-thousand people are hospitalized due to COVID-19 in the state.
Hiker Injured At Catawba Falls
(McDowell County, NC) -- A hiker is being treated for injuries suffered in a fall in western North Carolina. WLOS-TV reports one person hit a rock yesterday after falling at the lower section of Catawba Falls in McDowell County. The hiker was taken to Mission Hospital after crews made a successful rescue.
SoCon Cancels Fall Conference Competition
(Cullowhee, NC) -- The future of sports doesn't look good for Western Carolina University this fall. The Southern Conference announced yesterday that conference competitions for football, soccer, volleyball and cross country were cancelled, with hopes for play in the spring. Schools are allowed to move forward with any out-of-conference contests. WCU's athletic director said there were too many variables that could negatively affect the health and welfare of student-athletes.
Family Friend Charged In Toddler Shooting
(Charlotte, NC) -- A man is facing charges connected to the apparent accidental shooting of a toddler in Charlotte. The CMPD says the two-year-old found a gun and shot himself while he and his family were visiting a friend on Camp Greene Street in west Charlotte Wednesday night. The toddler was last said to be in stable condition. Officers arrested the family friend on gun charges for failing to protect a minor.
Protesters Continue Demonstrations At Statesville Statue
(Statesville, NC) -- Longtime protests are continuing over a Confederate statue in Statesville. Last night was a peaceful one, after several arrests were made when opposing sides confronted each other the day before. One protester told NBC Charlotte that demonstrations have lasted 50 days in a row outside the historic courthouse. Local officials currently have no plans to discuss the statue's future.
Renderings Released For New Charlotte Med School
(Charlotte, NC) -- Developments are continuing for a Charlotte medical school center coordinated by Atrium Health and Wake Forest. Atrium's chief executive presented artist renderings of a seven-story tower this week at the system's board of commissioners meeting. Studies reveal the center could provide as many as 20-thousand high-paying jobs within 20 years. Wake Forest and Atrium first revealed plans for the center in April 2019.
Woman Hit, Killed By Truck
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a deadly pedestrian accident in northwest Charlotte. A woman was reportedly hit by a truck on Oakdale Road last night. She died at the hospital. Investigators say the truck driver stayed at the scene, but it's unclear if any charges will be filed.
UNCC To Test Wastewater For COVID-19
(Charlotte, NC) -- UNC Charlotte is planning to check campus wastewater for COVID-19. Health officials will test for elevated levels from pipes underneath residence halls, which will determine if group testing will be conducted. The school is providing welcome-back bags with thermometers, face masks and hand sanitizer.
Private Funeral Held In Wilson For Boy Killed By Neighbor Sunday
(Wilson, NC) -- A private funeral service was held Thursday night in Wilson for a five-year-old boy who was fatally shot Sunday afternoon by a man police say was his neighbor. The service for Cannon Hinnant, held at the Shingleton Funeral Home, was attended by about 100-mourners who tried to bring comfort to the boy's family. Investigators still have not established a motive for why the child was shot while riding his bicycle on Archers Road. Twenty-five-year-old Darius Sessoms has been arrested and charged with first degree murder. A public vigil will be held tonight outside the Wilson County Courthouse.
COVID-19 Numbers In North Carolina Appear To Be Holding Steady
(Raleigh, NC) -- Despite an increase in the number of new cases of the coronavirus in North Carolina Thursday, state health officials say the spread of the disease appeared to be stabilizing. There were 17-hundred-63 cases confirmed yesterday, which was 597-more than the day before. Of that number, one-thousand-70 patients were in the hospital. The Health Department also reported the percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 has remained at seven-percent for the past several days. Two-thousand-287 people have died from the virus.
North Carolina Health Departments Worried About Upcoming Flu Season
(Raleigh, NC) -- State health officials are expressing concerns about the combination of the flu season and COVID-19 in North Carolina. Both diseases are viral infections and pose serious threats to at-risks groups with underlying health conditions. The Health Department advises everyone to get a flu shot starting as early as September. Doctors also say observing current social distancing guidelines and hygiene protocols, such as wearing face masks and frequent hand washing, will help mitigate the spread of both viruses.
Cooper Throws Lifeline To Struggling North Carolina Businesses And Non-Profits
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper has announced a new initiative designed to offer financial assistance to North Carolina businesses and non-profits that have been impacted by the effects of COVID-19. The 15-million-dollar 'Job Retention Grant Program' is funded by the CARES Act. Qualified applicants can receive as much as 250-thousand dollars in federal aid. The deadline to submit applications is September 1st.
One Person Killed, Two Hurt In Greensboro Wreck
(Greensboro, NC) - One person is dead and two others are hurt, including a baby, after a wreck in Greensboro. Police say 22-year-old Bailey Morton lost control of her vehicle, left the roadway and crashed. The accident happened just before 10 a.m. yesterday on Bryan Boulevard, near the Holden Road exit. Morton was killed and her two passengers, a 28-year-old and a two-month-old, were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries. An investigation is underway.
Stokes Co. Board Of Elections Member Arrested On Child Sex Charges
(King, NC) - A Stokes County Board of Elections member is suspected of sexually abusing a child. Sixty-three-year-old Harold Mabe was arrested yesterday on 12 counts of statutory sexual offense with a child. He's being held at the Forsyth County Detention Center on one-million-dollars' bail. Investigators did not say how young the victim was or how long the abuse had been taking place. An investigation is ongoing.
Gov. Cooper Expected To Extend Unemployment Benefits
(Raleigh, NC) - Governor Roy Cooper is expected to extend unemployment benefits recently approved by President Donald Trump. It's part of federal disaster relief funds in response to the COVID-19 economic downturn. Governor Cooper said his team has started the application process to receive the payments, which will give North Carolinians at least an extra 300 dollars on their unemployment checks a week.
Greensboro Woman Killed In Rollover Crash
(Greensboro, NC) - A Greensboro woman is dead after a rollover crash. It happened around noon yesterday near East Gate City Boulevard and Martin Street. Police say 57-year-old Pamela Tonkins ran her Chevy Impala off the road, causing it to roll over. She was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation is underway.
Winston-Salem P-D Sponsors School Supplies Giveaway
(Winston-Salem, NC) - The Winston-Salem Police Foundation is giving away school supplies to children in the community. It's sponsoring several school supply giveaways throughout the city today. Locations include the Winston Mutual Building, the former Harris Teeter on Reynolda, South Fork Elementary School, Easton Elementary School, and Atkins High Schools. The first 200 school-age children at each location will receive a book bag with supplies.