New COVID-19 Strain Found In NC
(Raleigh, NC) -- A new strain of COVID-19 is in North Carolina. Health officials confirmed on Saturday that the more-highly contagious strain was identified in a Charlotte-area adult. It's now been found in more than 20 states. There's no proof yet that the strain causes more severe symptoms, but it does spread at a higher rate.
Buncombe County Looking At Restaurant Capacity Again
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Indoor dining capacity may be increasing soon in Buncombe County. Commission chairman Brownie Newman will receive a briefing from health officials today, when he is expected to make a decision on the potential increase. The county's current capacity is at 30-percent, while the state's dining rule is 50-percent. Newman will allow a capacity rise if COVID-19 hospitalizations have stabilized or dropped.
Over 100 COVID-19 Deaths Reported Statewide Again
(Raleigh, NC) -- COVID-19 deaths are continuing to skyrocket in North Carolina. Health and Human Services reported 109 in Sunday's report, which marks a fourth straight day in triple digits. The statewide total is close to 87-hundred. Nearly 61-hundred new cases were reported, which is lower than the previous few days.
Second-Warmest Year Recorded In Asheville
(Asheville, NC) -- Temperatures are continuing their yearly warm trend in Asheville. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration is reporting the city recorded its second-warmest year on record in 2020. Asheville's average temperature of 58-point-five degrees was second only to 2019's average, going back through 65-years of record keeping. One climate scientist told the Citizen-Times that rainfall was also 19 inches above average.
Businesses Turn On Lights For Healthcare Workers
(Asheville, NC) -- Businesses in Asheville are helping light the way for healthcare workers. WLOS-TV is reporting at least half-a-dozen businesses are keeping festive lights up as a way to honor those helping fight the battle against COVID-19, even weeks after the holidays. Nearly a week ago, both city hall and Harrah's Cherokee Center flipped on the switch for essential personnel.
New Vaccine Event Scheduled At Bank Of America Stadium
(Charlotte, NC) -- Bank of America Stadium is hosting the next large COVID-19 mass vaccination event. Thousands of people turned out over the weekend to Charlotte Motor Speedway, where older residents and healthcare workers got their doses. The next event at the stadium comes up this Friday through Sunday, with appointments required. Health officials say they hope to give out at least 20-thousand doses.
Former Panthers' Tight End Retiring
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Panthers' great is calling it a career. Former tight end Greg Olsen announced yesterday he's retiring from the NFL after 14 seasons. Most of those were played in Charlotte, where he amassed over 86-hundred receiving yards. He played last season in Seattle. Olsen's presence is still felt in the Charlotte community, where his foundation helped build a heart center near the Levine Children's Hospital.
Three Teens Killed In Rock Hill
(Rock Hill, SC) -- Investigators are looking for details in the deaths of three teens in Rock Hill. Officers say a 17- and 18-year-old were shot to death at a home on Byars Street Saturday night. A 19-year-old was killed just a few hours later on McShae Road. No arrests have been made.
One Dead In Triple Shooting
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a deadly triple shooting. Officers say one person died and two others were injured in a shooting on Merlane Drive around Sugar Creek early Sunday. There have been no arrests in the case.
Students To Return To Classroom In Cabarrus County
(Cabarrus County, NC) -- Some students in Cabarrus County are being allowed to come back to the classroom. The school board voted Saturday to allow Pre-K through 3rd grade students a return to in-person instruction on February 16th. Weddington and Benton Heights elementary schools in Union County are temporarily moving back to virtual learning this week due to COVID-19.
Police And Bomb Squad Units Respond To Discovery Of Grenade
(Raleigh, NC) -- Raleigh police closed off an entire city block and evacuated three houses Sunday after a grenade was discovered in the back-yard of a home. It happened around noon in the 600-block of East Cabarrus Street. The owners told police they were doing some yard work outside when they spotted the military style replica. A bomb squad unit was called in, and a remote-operated robot was used to safely remove the grenade. Experts say the device was not active, and there was no explosive materials inside.
Single-Day Coronavirus Death Toll Over 100-For Four Days In A Row
(Raleigh, NC) -- For the fourth day in a row, there were more than 100-COVID-19-related deaths in North Carolina on Sunday. Figures released by the Department of Health and Human Services showed 109-additional deaths yesterday, bringing the total since the start of the pandemic to eight thousand-695. North Carolina's test positive rate remained at 10-point-five-percent. The Department also reported there were three-thousand-303 people in the hospital, a decrease of 113 over the day before.
North Carolina Health Department Looking To Hire More Workers During Virtual Job Fair
(Raleigh, NC) -- On Tuesday, the North Carolina Department of Health will host its first statewide virtual job fair. It will be an opportunity for potential workers to speak with recruiters about possible openings in over 30 divisions and offices. Ideal candidates will be individuals with backgrounds in medicine, nursing, mental and behavioral health and IT. The virtual job fair will be held from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. For more information, visit governmentjobs.com/careers/northcarolina.
Double Shooting In Harnett County Leaves One Dead
(Harnett County, NC) -- The Harnett County Sheriff's Office is investigating a double shooting that resulted in the death of one person. It happened early Sunday morning along the 200-block of Connie Court in Spring Lake. Officers responded to a call of shots fired and arrived to find two men suffering from gunshot wounds. One victim was found lying on the front porch of a home. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was rushed to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. No word on his condition, and so far, no arrests have been made.
Three Separate Weekend Shootings In Durham; One Dead
(Durham, NC) -- Durham police are investigating three weekend shootings that happened within a 24-hour period. One of the shootings was fatal. It happened around midnight Saturday in the 100-block of Wakerobin Place. Police found the male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Durham police also reported one person was shot in the 1700-block of Holloway Street and another near Birmingham Avenue and Stadium Drive. Both victims are expected to survive their injuries.
Davidson Co. Health Dept. Allotted No New Vaccines
(Davidson Co., NC) -- The Davidson County Health Department is in short supply of COVID-19 vaccines. Health officials say they're not getting any additional doses this week, so they're scaling vaccinations down to Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Appointments can be made on the county's website or by calling 366-236-3096.
Sen. Tillis Helps Introduce Bill To Give Goodman Congressional Gold Medal
(Washington, DC) -- Thom Tillis is among a bipartisan group of senators who want to recognize a Capitol police officer for his actions during the deadly protests earlier this month. The North Carolina Republican helped introduce a bill to award Officer Eugene Goodman the Congressional Gold Medal. Goodman is seen on video leading demonstrators away from the Senate floor where work was being done to certify the 2020 election results. Tillis said Goodman's actions "will never be forgotten," adding it "could have been much worse" without him.
One Person Killed In Surry Co. Highway Crash
(Surry Co., NC) -- One person is dead after a crash in Surry County. It happened late Saturday night on Interstate 74, at Interstate 77. State troopers say three cars were involved, and one person died. No other injuries were reported. The cause of the crash in under investigation.
Man Shot, Killed In Winston-Salem
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Winston-Salem police are investigating a deadly shooting outside a local sweepstakes business. It happened Saturday morning near Ocean King on East Monmouth Street. When officers arrived, they found 28-year-old Hubert Rivers dead. Officers say Rivers was involved in an argument with someone before he left the businesses. So far, no arrests have been announced.