Cooper Okays Full Opening For Elementary Students
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper is giving school districts the option to allow a full-time return to classrooms for elementary-age students. He said yesterday the decision was aided by improving health numbers, which were made possible by North Carolinians doubling down on prevention and safety. Capacity limits are still enforced at middle and high schools due to social distancing measures. Republican leaders had been pressuring Cooper to allow a full-time option for all students.
Protest Planned Against Police Funding
(Asheville, NC) -- A protest is being planned to disrupt tourism in downtown Asheville. Organizers posted on Instagram about the event this week, which cites action to protest the funding of the Asheville Police Department. The group, called Defund-A-V-L-P-D , has encouraged participants to distribute flyers in restaurants, hotels and on the streets tomorrow. Police Chief David Zack is warning local businesses to be prepared, as officers are taking proactive measures to ensure safety. The city council is voting next week on whether or not to defund the department.
Henderson County Deputy Laid To Rest Today
(Henderson County, NC) -- A Henderson county deputy will be laid to rest today. Ryan Hendrix was killed while responded to a break-in call on September 10th. The public can pay respects to his family from ten to 1:45 today at Mud Creek Baptist Church in Hendersonville. Drivers should be aware of delays during a law enforcement processional to Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Mission Health Nurses Unionize
(Asheville, NC) -- The successful fight to unionize Mission Health nurses is over. The Citizen-Times says votes were counted this week, and "yes" outnumbered "no" by more than double. Nurses had been complaining throughout the year about employee shortages and safety issues.
COVID-19 Cluster Identified At Canton Business
(Canton, NC) -- A cluster of COVID-19 cases is being connected to a business in Canton. Haywood County health officials say a total of 13 employees, customers and close contacts recently tested positive for coronavirus. The business was identified as Enchanting Hair Fashions. WLOS-TV reports those cases are one-third of the total coming out of Haywood over the last ten days.
WNC Avoids Major Problems From Rain
(Asheville, NC) -- Western North Carolina was able to avoid any major problems from the remnants of Hurricane Sally. Areas around Hendersonville and Asheville reported between three to four inches of rain from Wednesday to Thursday, but no serious flooding was reported. Weather turns sunny for the weekend, and low temperatures will plunge down to 40 on Sunday night.
Police Believe Body Of Gaston County Native Found
(Raleigh, NC) -- A suspect is facing murder charges in the death of a Gaston County native who disappeared while trying to sell his SUV. Raleigh police announced yesterday they believe investigators discovered the body of Andy Banks in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Justin Merritt was arrested earlier this week for allegedly stealing the SUV from Banks in Raleigh. Court records show he's now charged with murder.
Rain Passes Through Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Queen City avoided any major flooding problems as remnants of Hurricane Sally passed through yesterday. A few inches of rain fell over most of the area. There were a few reports of fallen trees and still around one-thousand power outages early this morning in Mecklenburg County. NBC Charlotte reports Gaston County emergency management officials have been monitoring the level of the South Fork Catawba River.
Driver Charged With Second-Degree Murder
(Charlotte, NC) -- A suspected impaired driver is facing charges in a deadly Charlotte wreck. Investigators say the man hit speeds of 90-miles-an-hour when he crossed the double yellow line on West Boulevard last Sunday. The car slammed into a second car and a pick-up truck, killing a passenger in the suspect's vehicle. The man was arrested for second-degree murder and DWI.
Flight Passenger Caught Trying To Hoard Three Knives
(Charlotte, NC) -- An airline passenger heading to Charlotte is facing a large fine for allegedly trying to bring weapons on board. The TSA says the 57-year-old man was caught in security storing three knives inside a hollowed-out book at the airport in Gainesville, Florida this week. Fines could total up to four-thousand-dollars for the violations.
Charlotte-UNC Game Canceled
(Charlotte, NC) -- Saturday's game between Charlotte and UNC in Chapel Hill is off. The school announced yesterday that several offensive linemen for the 49ers were placed into quarantine due to COVID-19 contact tracing procedures. Athletic director Mike Hill says the two schools don't share any common open dates to reschedule the game. The quarantine period isn't supposed to affect Charlotte's home opener one week from tomorrow.
Auto Theft Suspect Charged With Murder
(Raleigh, NC) -- The suspect initially accused of stealing a missing Raleigh man's SUV, has now been charged with his murder. This after a body believed to be that of 39-year old William Anthony Banks was found in Pennsylvania County Virginia Thursday. Investigators believe 34-year old Justin Merritt is the person Banks went to meet last Saturday in Cameron Village to discuss the sale of his 2011 Range Rover. Relatives and friends became concerned and notified police after he failed to answer his phone the next day. Authorities are still working to make a positive I.D. on the body.
New Coronavirus Cases Appear To Be On The Way Back Up
(Raleigh, NC) -- Figures released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services show the number of new coronavirus cases trending upward again. On Thursday, there were one-thousand-552 confirmed new cases reported, an increase of 415-over the day before. That brought the total number of infections since the outbreak of the pandemic to just under 190-thousand. Of that number, 894-patients were being treated at hospitals. North Carolina's positivity rate was at 5-point-6 percent.
Trump To Make Third Visit To The State This Month Tomorrow
(Fayetteville, NC) -- Thousands are expected to gather in Fayetteville tomorrow for another re-election campaign rally hosted by President Donald Trump. It is Trump's third visit to the state this month. The event will be held at the Fayetteville Regional Airport. Doors open at 3 p.m. Trump is scheduled to take the stage at 6 p.m. The wearing of face masks will be optional.
Kamala Harris To Join North Carolina CBC Members In Virtual Campaign Tonight
(Raleigh, NC) -- Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris is scheduled to participate in a virtual get-out-the-vote rally tonight with members of the North Carolina Congressional Black Caucus. The event, entitled 'Turn Up and Turn Out the Vote Virtual Bus Tour', will be hosted by U.S. Representatives Alma Adams and G.K. Butterfield.
High Point Mother And Son Missing
(High Point, NC) -- High Point police are looking for the public's help in finding a mother and son. It's been a week since 21-year-old Carolina Hernandez and her two-year-old were reported missing. Investigators say the family actually hasn't had contact with them since September 4th. It's possible the pair has been traveling in a red 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier.
Rain Moves Out Of Triad
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- The remnants of Hurricane Sally are moving out of the Triad this morning. Between two to four inches of rain fell in the area before the heaviest part of the storm passed through overnight. It's still expected to be a little gusty today, with winds reaching over 20 miles-an-hour. Most power outages have already been restored.
Elon Suspends Sports After COVID-19 Cases
(Elon, NC) -- Elon University is taking action amid a cluster of new COVID-19 cases. School officials reported yesterday 21 student-athletes just tested positive. Another 18 are awaiting results. All sports operations and workouts have been suspended.
Greensboro Coliseum Pitches Bubble Idea For ACC
(Greensboro, NC) -- Greensboro Coliseum officials are offering up a place to play ACC basketball games this season. The NCAA hasn't yet made any decision on holding games at possible bubble sites, similar to the NBA. WFMY reports the coliseum has pitched a plan this week that would keep all Atlantic Coast Conference games in the arena, fieldhouse and special event center for six-weeks. Greensboro's Chamber of Commerce CEO says it'd be a great shot in the arm to the community.