Lines At WNC Gas Pumps After Pipeline Shutdown
(Asheville, NC) -- There are lines at gas pumps in western North Carolina. Fears over price jumps and fuel shortages have arisen since the major distributer, Colonial Pipeline, shut down its main lines after a cyberattack last week. Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency yesterday, which suspends fuel regulations statewide. Colonial Pipeline said most operations are expected to be restored within the week.
FDA Approves COVID Vaccine For Middle, High Schoolers
(Raleigh, NC) -- Younger kids across North Carolina could soon be lining up for COVID vaccines. The CDC is expected to give the final go-ahead tomorrow after the FDA authorized use of the Pfizer vaccine for kids age 12-to-15 yesterday. The acting FDA commissioner says it brings us closer to returning to a sense of normalcy. Close to 45-percent of North Carolina adults are fully vaccinated.
Attorney General Monitoring HCA Healthcare After Brevard Concerns
(Brevard, NC) -- The state's attorney general is looking into concerns over healthcare at Transylvania Regional Hospital. The city of Brevard recently made Josh Stein aware of its worries over the departure of over a dozen doctors at the HCA Healthcare-owned hospital. WLOS-TV said Stein responded to the city, saying his office is closely monitoring the quality of care at HCA facilities in western North Carolina.
Decision Expected Soon In Strip Search Case
(Buncombe County, NC) -- A decision is expected soon in an alleged illegal strip search case in Buncombe County. The plaintiffs claim their rights were violated when deputies held and searched them in a gas station bathroom nearly three years ago. Sheriff Quentin Miller and deputies say the search was justified due to suspicion of drugs. The Citizen-Times is reporting a judge will decide the half-million-dollar lawsuit after attorneys respond to each others' arguments, which were due by yesterday.
Suspect Jailed For Assault In Police Chase
(Graham, NC) -- A man remains in jail on charges connected to a multi-county chase through the mountains. Robert Kays is accused of assaulting a government official and reckless driving after allegedly taking a humvee from the Graham County Sheriff's Office on Saturday. Law enforcement officials chased Kays into Cherokee County, where he slammed into patrol cars. One sheriff's captain told WLOS-TV it was one of the craziest pursuits he's ever been involved in.
Henderson County Still Awaiting Word On Face Mask Rules
(Hendersonville, NC) -- Pressure is mounting to lift an indoor face mask mandate in Henderson County. There's still no word from the governor's office after commissioners sent a letter about relaxing mask rules in the county. Commissioner Daniel Andreotta told WLOS-TV that people have to choose to live their lives. Top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said last weekend that a change could soon be coming as more people get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Charlotte Gas Prices To Likely Climb This Week
(Charlotte, NC) -- Gas prices in Charlotte could be climbing this week due to a pipeline shutdown. Fears over price jumps and fuel shortage have arisen since the major distributer, Colonial Pipeline, just down its main lines after a cyberattack last week. Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency yesterday, which suspends fuel regulations statewide. The pricing website Gas-Buddy-Dot-Com shows the average cost of a gallon of regular unleaded in Charlotte was at two-77 last night.
City Council Still Debating Comprehensive Plan Changes
(Charlotte, NC) -- The city council is still trying to come to an agreement over Charlotte's future roadmap. Members discussed 50 potential changes to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan at last night's meeting. Six of them signaled that they want to remove duplexes and triplexes from single-family developments. Another draft of the future plan is expected to be drawn up sometime next week.
Iredell-Statesville Parents Protest School Face Mask Mandate
(Statesville, NC) -- Parents are pressuring Iredell-Statesville school leaders to drop a face mask mandate. WBTV reports dozens showed up at the school board meeting last night to protest a requirement for their children to wear a mask throughout the day. One board member said the requirement can't be lifted right now due to civil liability. A potential change to the mandate was not discussed by the school board.
Pineville Shooting Suspect Possible Flees The State
(Pineville, NC) -- A suspect in a Pineville shootout may be out-of-state. Two drivers started shooting at each other at an intersection near the Carolina Place Mall last Thursday. Investigators say one of the men drove himself to be treated at the hospital, but then fled the Charlotte area after his release. Police are now looking for the man in Philadelphia.
CMS Returns To Full-Time Classroom Learning
(Charlotte, NC) -- The school year is almost up, but it's not too late to return to a full-time classroom schedule in Charlotte. Yesterday marked the beginning of five-day in-person instruction at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools campuses. It's the first full week of face-to-face classes since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Over 60-thousand students are still learning through the virtual academy. The last day of school is May 28th.
Marriott Hiring 300 For Uptown Hotel
(Charlotte, NC) -- Employees are needed for a new upscale hotel in the Queen City. JW Marriott is hosting a networking event tonight at the Charlotte Convention Center as it tries to hire 300 employees. The uptown hotel on South College Street is scheduled to open its doors in two months. Most jobs available will be in food and beverage.
More Footage Of Andrew Brown Jr. Fatal Shooting To Be Viewed By Family Today
(Elizabeth City, NC) -- The family of Andrew Brown Jr. will be allowed to view additional footage of the police bodycam video of his death today. This following a judge's ruling last week, that ordered a portion of the video to be released. The Pasquotank Sheriff's Office says the family will view around 20-minutes of more than two hours of footage. However, they will not be allowed to receive copies or make recordings. Brown was shot to death on April 28th by sheriff's deputies who were attempting to serve a warrant.
Senate Committee Approves Bill That Would Release Bodycam Videos Within Five Days
(Raleigh, NC) -- A North Carolina Senate committee passed a criminal justice reform bill Monday, that includes a provision to allow family members to review unredacted bodycam videos of officer involved shootings within five days. Senate Bill 300-was approved by the Judiciary Committee with some bipartisan support. The bill now moves to the Senate Rules Committee, before going to the full Senate floor for a vote.
Amazon To Spend Nearly 100-Million On New Distribution Center In Smithfield
(Johnston County, NC) -- Johnston County officials have confirmed that Amazon is planning to invest nearly 100-million dollars to build a new distribution center in Smithfield. The 620-thousand square foot facility will be located inside the West Smithfield Office Park. Once completed in December of 2022, the distribution center will employ around 500-workers.
NSDOT Announces Nearly 33-Million Dollar Road Improvement Project For Fayetteville
(Fayetteville, NC) -- The North Carolina Department of Transportation has announced plans to spend nearly 33-million dollars on a plan to improve traffic flow in and around the city of Fayetteville. The plan involved a two mile stretch of roadway on Murchison Road from I-295 South to Preston Road. Among other things, the upgrade would do away with left turns at the intersection of Murchison and the 401 bypass. Other improvements call for building new sidewalks and free flowing intersections to help ease traffic congestion. If approved, the project would begin in 2024.
NWS To Survey Storm Damage In Alamance Co.
(Alamance Co., NC) -- The National Weather Service will survey storm damage in Alamance County today. A system that moved through the area yesterday afternoon triggered a tornado warning and brought heavy rain and hail. One of the hardest hit areas was along Mount Herman Rock Creed Road where a tree came crashing down on a home. No one was hurt. Over a dozen homes have already reported with significant damage.
Deadly Hit-And-Run Under Investigation In Reidsville
(Reidsville, NC) -- A deadly hit-and-run accident is under investigation in Reidsville. It happened early Sunday morning near Weeks Grocery and Greenview Cemetery. Fifty-seven-year-old Wesley Pruitt was found dead in the roadway. The driver took off before police arrived. Anyone with information is asked to call Reidsville P-D.
Andrew Brown Family Able To Watch More Shooting Video Today
(Elizabeth City, NC) -- The family of Andrew Brown Jr. is getting ready to see more footage from last month's deadly police shooting. The family is set to view the video today. Brown was shot by deputies in Elizabeth City when they attempted to serve a warrant during a drug investigation. The family was shown a short clip of the shooting but has called for the full tape to be released.
Bridge Assessment Set To Close Portion Of I-40 In Winston-Salem
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A section of I-40 in Winston-Salem will be closed this week so crews can assess the safety of the U.S. 52 overpass. The North Carolina Department of Transportation says crews will use a lift to access the bridge. That means there will be I-40 lane closures in place throughout the week. Drivers are asked to be mindful of crews working in the area.