Barricaded Suspect Shot By Officers In Asheville
(Asheville, NC) -- A suspect who reportedly barricaded himself on an Asheville transit bus is being treated for injuries at the hospital. Investigators say Alcoholic Beverage and Control officers pulled the bus over on Hendersonville Road to serve warrants on a passenger Thursday. The man barricaded himself inside, while the passengers and driver were allowed to exit the bus safely. Asheville police told WLOS-TV officers shot the man when he exited and charged at them with a knife.
Possible Suspects In WNC Homicide Found In Mississippi
(Swain County, NC) -- Two suspects possibly connected to a western North Carolina homicide are now in custody. Swain County investigators had been looking for the car of 70-year-old Lenore Morris since she was found dead in a home on Deep Gap Road a week ago. A man and woman suspected of stealing that car stayed at Morris' home prior to her death. WLOS-TV reports the couple was found in Mississippi this week.
Vance Monument Task Force Meets
(Asheville, NC) -- A task force is beginning to study what to do with a Confederate monument in downtown Asheville. The Vance Monument Task Force met for the first time yesterday to discuss the steps that will be taken over the next three months before making a recommendation to city and county leaders. The group will hear from the public, and study the legalities of removing or changing the statue. The idea to potentially remove the statue came up in the wake of this summer's protests.
McDowell County Shooting Suspect Arrested
(McDowell County, NC) -- McDowell County deputies are no longer looking for a shooting suspect. Dennis Bradley of Old Fort was wanted in connection to an incident Thursday afternoon, but no details have been released. A lookout was placed for Bradley, who was considered to be armed and dangerous. He was arrested last night.
Buncombe Inmate Death Investigated By SBI
(Buncombe County, NC) -- The SBI is looking into the death of a Buncombe County inmate. Jacob Biddix was taken to Mission Health in late July after he was found unconscious in his cell. He died four days later. The Citizen-Times reports his death came one day after the death of another inmate. Hannah Guffey of Brevard also died at Mission Hospital after an apparent attempted suicide.
GPI's Gingerbread Competition Going Virtual
(Asheville, NC) -- The National Gingerbread House Competition at Omni Grove Park Inn is going to look a bit different this year due to public health concerns. The hotel announced yesterday fans will be able to view the 28th annual event virtually. A workshop for contestants will also be done virtually, so they can learn how to best showcase their entries digitally. The competition is usually held in November.
Union County School Going Virtual Over COVID-19 Concerns
(Indian Trail, NC) -- A Union County school is temporarily switching to remote learning after a COVID-19 scare. School officials said yesterday Poplin Elementary School is closing for three weeks to help stem any coronavirus spread. The decision was made after two staff members came back with positive tests this week. Parents are being notified by the health department if their child was in close contact with a patient.
Former Panthers' Coach Diagnosed With Cancer
(Charlotte, NC) -- A former Carolina Panthers' coach is undergoing a fight against cancer. Ron Rivera told ESPN yesterday he's been diagnosed with lymph node cancer, which he says is very treatable since it's in early stages. Rivera was fired close to the end of last season, after leading the Panthers to 76 wins since 2011. He still plans to work this season in his new position as head coach of the Washington Football Team.
Delegates Arriving In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- The eyes of the political world are turning to Charlotte as the Democratic National Convention wraps up. Delegates are already arriving in the Queen City for the scaled-down Republican National Convention, which starts Monday. Many of the festivities surrounding a typical RNC won't be happening due to the coronavirus pandemic, but 336 delegates are still meeting at the convention center to nominate Donald Trump. A block party called Resist RNC 2020 is slated for Monday at Marshall Park.
Face Mask Requirement Causes Fight On Charlotte-Bound Flight
(Charlotte, NC) -- Face mask requirements are causing conflicts on flights, including one with passengers that flew to Charlotte. A Twitter user posted a video from an American Airlines flight that was boarding in Las Vegas, bound for Charlotte on Monday. A fight broke out between two passengers when one allegedly refused to put on a face covering, as required by the airline. Las Vegas Police were called in to help pull the passenger from the plane, but it's unclear if any charges were filed.
Teen Wanted For Lancaster Suspect
(Lancaster, SC) -- Police are on the lookout for the suspect of a Lancaster murder. Investigators said yesterday 17-year-old Dondrako Howze, Junior is accused of shooting a man to death at the Sycamore Run Apartments in early August. The teen suspect is considered armed and dangerous. Lancaster police are also still looking for a suspect in another early August shooting, where a man was killed at a home on Dixon Road.
Hornets To Pick Third In Draft
(Charlotte, NC) -- A high pick is coming for the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA draft. The team received the third pick during the NBA draft lottery last night. The draft was postponed from June to October this year due to public health concerns and the delay of the season. The Hornets took P.J. Washington out of Kentucky in the 12th slot last year.
Representative David Louis Resigns From House Amid Bank Fraud And Tax Violation Charges
(Raleigh, NC) -- Prominent Republican Representative David Louis resigned from the North Carolina legislature Thursday, after he was accused of failing to file tax returns and making false statements to a bank. As a result, Louis has entered into a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in an effort to avoid prison time. Louis is regarded as one of the key architects of North Carolina's recent Republican redistricting plans that have resulted in a number of lawsuits. A hearing is scheduled for next week.
Judge Says No To Request To Remove Touch Screen Voting Machines
(Raleigh, NC) -- A Wake County Judge has rejected a request for a preliminary injunction against the use of touch screen voting machines during the fall elections. The touch screen machines are currently being used in about 20-of the state's 100-counties. The NAACP and other voting rights activists wanted hand marked paper ballots to be used instead. But in a ruling Wednesday, Judge Rebecca Holt said there has been no evidence that proves using touch screen machines increases the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Both NC State And UNC Chapel Hill Now Offering Classes Online
(Raleigh, NC) -- NC State followed UNC Chapel Hill Thursday in moving to have all undergrad classes taught online for the remainder of the fall semester. School administrators citing more clusters of the coronavirus being discovered at, on and off campus student housing facilities. Chapel Hill has cancelled all classes, including virtual, for Monday and Tuesday of next week.
New Coronavirus Cases Jumped By More Than 800-Thursday
(Raleigh, NC) -- The trend of new single-day COVID-19 cases continued to move upward Thursday. Data released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services showed there were 19-hundred-72 cases reported yesterday, an increase of 819-infections over the day before. That brought the total number of positive cases since the beginning of the pandemic to nearly 150-thousand. At last report, there were one-thousand-23-patients in the hospital. There have also been 24-hundred-65 deaths.
Hackers Burst In And Disrupt Classes In Five Triangle School Districts
(Raleigh, NC) -- Hackers have reportedly interrupted virtual classrooms in at least five central North Carolina counties this week. The intruders displayed images of pornography, graphic violence and vulgar language on students and teachers computers. IT investigators say the hackers usually enter the meetings pretending to be part of the class, before starting their disruptions. Wake, Lee, Durham, Johnston and Cumberland Counties have all reported intrusions.
Guilford Co. Needs Computers For Students
(Greensboro, NC) - Guilford County Schools superintendent Sharon Contreras says five-thousand students do not have the proper tools to learn remotely. That's why she's asking the community to step forward and donate devices or cash to help fill the gap. The district is looking for computers that have a charger, a working camera and a working microphone. It's waiting on a shipment of nearly 80-thousand devices, but it could take up to 120 days before they arrive.
2.3-Magnitude Quake Rattles Alleghany Co.
(Alleghany Co., NC) - Seismologists in Alleghany County are reporting a 2.3-magnitude earthquake. The quake struck just before 6 p.m. yesterday, about a half mile east of Sparta. It's one of a dozen aftershocks that followed the historic earthquake in Sparta on August 9th. There were no reports of damage yesterday.
UNC Chapel Hill Reports 91 More Cases Of COVID-19
(Chapel Hill, NC) - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is reporting over 90 new cases of coronavirus. That brings the total to 528 since February. The additional cases were reported among students only. All undergraduate classes are online for the time being.
American Stopping Flights To 15 Markets In October
(Greenville, NC) - Greenville, North Carolina and over a dozen other cities will lose American Airlines flights in October. The airline says the decision to suspend flights in 15 markets is mainly due to aid from the federal CARES Act running out. Flight reductions start October 7th and will go through at least November 3rd. American is currently the only carrier offering scheduled service in Greenville.
Lake Higgins Closed After COVID-19 Exposure
(Greensboro, NC) - Lake Higgins is closed after a staff member was exposed to COVID-19. The lake will be shut-down until Tuesday so the office and bathrooms can be thoroughly cleaned. The staff member has not reported any symptoms of the virus and last showed up for work on August 19th. Residents can use Lake Brandt and Lake Townsend, which are operating during normal hours.