Votes Still Being Counted
(Raleigh, NC) -- Elections officials are still working to tally up ballots in North Carolina. The News and Observer reported there were more than 160-thousand potential votes remaining to be counted early Monday. That includes mail-in and provisional ballots. County offices are accepting any mail-in ballots that were postmarked by Election Day and are returned by November 12th. The remaining votes aren't expected to change the outcome of the larger races, like president and governor.
Stimulus Checks Sent Out In NC
(Raleigh, NC) -- Parents in western North Carolina are receiving Extra Credit Grant checks this week. The state Department of Revenue is finishing up the initial mailing of over one-million checks in the amount of 335-dollars. The money comes from the CARES Act, and is a way to help offset costs incurred while students remained in virtual learning. Those who claimed a dependent child on their state tax forms are the first to receive the checks.
Haywood County Manufacturer Re-Hires Employees
(Canton, NC) -- There's some good news for laid-off employees at one Haywood County manufacturing plant. ConMet was forced to let go of around 100 workers earlier this year when the coronavirus pandemic hit, but business is back up. WLOS-TV says the company recently hired everyone back on and is even looking for more. ConMet specializes in making tractor trailer cab parts.
Son Dead, Father Injured In Buncombe Shooting
(Barnardsville, NC) -- Buncombe County investigators are continuing to investigate a fatal shooting involving two family members. The sheriff's office revealed yesterday that 36-year-old Brian Hensley died in a Barnardsville shooting on Saturday morning. His father was rushed to the hospital for injuries as well. No potential charges have been released yet.
NC Health Officials Release Holiday Recommendations
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina Health and Human Services is issuing guidelines on how to remain safe for the holidays. The department sent out recommendations yesterday that encourage gathering with only those people who live in your household. A COVID-19 screening test ahead of events is encouraged otherwise. Health officials also recommend avoiding waiting in large crowds for Black Friday shopping.
List To Rename Vance Elementary Shrinks To Five
(Asheville, NC) -- Five options are up for consideration in the renaming of an Asheville school. A committee announced yesterday the list of 20 was whittled down to five in the effort to rename Vance Elementary School. School leaders have shown concern over Zebulon Vance's ties to slavery in the late 1800s. The top choice is expected to be presented to Asheville City's school board next month.
City To Open Street At Location Of BLM Mural
(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte is re-opening a section of Tryon Street where a Black Lives Matters mural is painted. The roadway between 3rd and 4th streets was initially closed to protect the mural from vandalism and provide a more pedestrian-friendly area. Council members voted last night to re-open the street after hearing from businesses who complained they were losing revenue due to the closure. The planning director said city leaders are still eyeing a way to make a more pedestrian-friendly area permanent somewhere along Tryon Street.
CMS Revisiting Plans For Middle School Students
(Charlotte, NC) -- CMS leaders are expected to discuss return-to-school plans for middle school students at today's board meeting. WSOC-TV says that could include some revisions, as those kids are expected to be coming back to the classroom in just two weeks. There were 40 new COVID-19 cases among students and staff at CMS schools last week, but no clusters are being reported. The district is now issuing a weekly report that shows which schools have cases.
Charlotte Council Approves Plans For Eastland Mall Site
(Charlotte, NC) -- The city of Charlotte is moving forward with plans at the old Eastland Mall site. Last night, the city approved plans with developers, who plan to add in a Major League Soccer facility, retail shops and affordable housing in the area. The sports portion is expected to be an academy site for training, tournaments and practices. Around 35-million-dollars in Charlotte's hospitality funds will be used to help in the development.
Man Wanted For Questioning In Catawba Arson
(Catawba County, NC) -- Catawba County deputies are on the lookout for a person of interest in an arson at the Lake Norman RV resort. Video surveillance shows a suspect setting fire to the resort's business office last Saturday morning. The man reportedly caught himself on fire before running away. Investigators are seeking former employee Jonathan Belk for questioning.
Panthers' McCaffrey Day-To-Day
(Charlotte, NC) -- Panthers' running back Christian McCaffrey is day-to-day, just after returning from a previous injury. Head coach Matt Rhule said yesterday McCaffrey banged up his shoulder towards the end of Sunday's game against the Chiefs. It was his first game back since suffering an ankle sprain early this season. Another update on McCaffrey's status is expected tomorrow.
Relatively Young Fayetteville School Teacher Dies From COVID-19
(Fayetteville, NC) -- A Fayetteville community is mourning the death of an elementary school teacher who died of COVID-19 less than two weeks after she was first diagnosed. Fifty-one-year-old Mary Ward, who taught art at the Capitol Encore Academy, started feeling symptoms on October 29th. Her test returned positive on November 1st. Days after checking into the hospital, she passed away from complications associated with the disease. Those who had contact with her are reportedly following quarantine procedures.
New Coronavirus Cases Show Single-Day Decrease Of Over 500
(Raleigh, NC) -- For the first time in more than a week, the number of new coronavirus cases in North Carolina dipped below two-thousand on Monday. The one-thousand-521 infections was 573 fewer than the day before. North Carolina's positivity rate remained at six-point-six percent, with 11-hundred-69 people in the hospital. The Department of Health and Human Services also reported eight additional deaths yesterday, which brought the total to four-thousand-615.
Ballot Counting Still On Pace For Completion By Thursday Deadline In North Carolina
(Raleigh, NC) -- As the vote counting continues in North Carolina, state election officials are saying the race for president and Senate is still too close to call. At last report, President Trump was holding on to about a 50-percent to 48-percent lead over Joe Biden, with around 75-thousand votes separating the two. With a Thursday deadline approaching, there are more than 94-thousand absentee ballots and 40-thousand provisional ballots that have yet to be counted.
Durham Residents Cry Out For Action After 7th Juvenile Killed By Gunfire This Year
(Durham, NC) -- The fatal shooting of a teenaged boy in Durham early Sunday morning was the 7th killing of a juvenile by gunfire in the City this year. Fifteen-year-old Anthony Adams was shot as he was standing in front of an apartment complex on East Main and South Elm Street. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Durham Mayor Steve Schewel is expected to have a news conference this week to discuss plans to address the City's gun violence problem.
Romaine Lettuce Being Recalled In North Carolina After E-Coli Detected
(Raleigh, NC) -- State health officials have issued a recall of romaine lettuce in North Carolina and 19-other states, plus Puerto Rico, because of concerns over E-Coli. In a statement released Monday by Tanimura & Antle, the company said some 60-thousand heads of lettuce in individually packaged bags should be thrown out. The recall comes after traces of the bacterium were found in a random sample of lettuce during an inspection conducted by the Michigan Department of Agriculture.
Man Shot And Killed At High Point Church
(High Point, NC) -- High Point police are investigating a deadly shooting at a local church. It happened around 3:30 Sunday afternoon at Living Water Baptist Church on Brentwood Street. Police say one man was shot and "a few other victims" were injured. Neither the victims nor the suspect has been identified. Police do not believe the shooting was random.
Cone Health Reporting Record-High Hospitalizations
(High Point, NC) -- State health officials say COVID-19 hospitalizations are trending high. As of yesterday, one-thousand-169 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus in North Carolina. Cumulative cases are close to 295-thousand statewide. Deaths yesterday reached four-thousand-615.
Government Offices Closed Today
(Guilford Co., NC) -- State, county and local government offices will be closed tomorrow in observance of Veterans Day. That includes U.S. post offices, schools and libraries. Greensboro Transit will run on a normal schedule tomorrow, but High Point Transit will be closed. Veterans Day is an annual day to honor men and women who've served in the U.S. military.