Lawmakers Discussing End To Unemployment Supplement
(Raleigh, NC) -- The call to end certain unemployment benefits is gaining steam at the State Capitol. Last night, House Republicans discussed the idea to put a halt to the 300-dollar weekly supplement that's been given out to jobless North Carolinians during the pandemic. Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis have already urged Governor Roy Cooper to cut it off. State lawmakers are currently considering a bill that would pay out a bonus to unemployed workers who accept a job.
Attempted Murder Charges Dropped Against Biltmore Park
(Henderson County, NC) -- A Biltmore Park mother is no longer facing an attempted murder charge. Krista Madden was arrested two years ago after she was accused of throwing her infant child down a ravine in Henderson County. Her attorney says Madden was suffering from acute postpartum depression. The attempted murder charge was dropped last month, with the understanding she stay out of legal trouble for two years.
Asheville Confederate Monument Removal To Take Longer
(Asheville, NC) -- The removal of downtown Asheville's Confederate monument is taking a little longer than expected. Crews ran across a surprise when they got to the base of the Vance Monument to find it's full of concrete. City officials say South Pack Square will be shut down part of next week so a crane can take out some of the base. The targeted completion date is now the third week of June
Henderson Commissioner Sues Governor Over COVID Orders
(Henderson County, NC) -- The vice chair of Henderson County's commission is challenging the governor's COVID-19 orders. Rebecca McCall is part of a lawsuit filed last week that seeks to stop Governor Roy Cooper from issuing emergency executive orders connected to the pandemic. The suit also calls for an end to face mask mandates in public schools. Henderson County is considered a low impact county in the most recent COVID alert system map in North Carolina.
Planning Board Recommends Charlotte Street Development
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville's planning board is supporting a mixed-use development on Charlotte Street. The measure will now go to the city council after the planning board's approval last night. Plans call for over 180 residential units, office space and commercial space. Some members of the planning board previously voiced concerns over the low amount of dedicated affordable units.
Buncombe County Close To 100-Thousand Vaccines
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Close to 100-thousand COVID vaccine doses have been administered in Buncombe County. Public health director Stacie Saunders updated county commissioners this week with the latest stats, which also show over 50-percent of Buncombe's population have had at least one dose. The positivity rate for coronavirus testing has fallen to two-point-four percent. The county is still offering walk-in vaccines at A-B Tech.
Chester County Suspects Tied To Another Murder
(Chester County, NC) -- A couple in Chester County jail is being tied to yet another homicide. Tyler Terry and Adrienne Simpson were arrested after leading deputies on a chase last month, which lead to a manhunt for Terry. Investigators initially linked the pair to four homicides in South Carolina and Missouri. The sheriff's office said yesterday they're now being investigating for a murder in Memphis, Tennessee.
Police Bust Gastonia Dogfighting Ring
(Gaston County, NC) -- Gaston County police are investigating a suspected dog fighting ring. The Humane Society helped local law enforcement rescue ten dogs from a home on Queens Road in Gastonia yesterday. The dogs were allegedly kept tied to weighted chains outside, while some also had fresh injuries. The suspect at the head of the dogfighting operation was arrested.
First Woman Tapped To Be CLT Aviation Director
(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte Douglas International Airport has its first female Aviation Director. The city announced this week that interim director Haley Gentry is moving into the permanent position. Gentry has worked in the airport's aviation department for three decades since starting out as an intern. City manager Marcus Jones said he's proud Gentry is joining a small but growing group of women leading the aviation industry.
Meck County Giving Out Gift Cards For Vaccines
(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- Mecklenburg County is offering an incentive to people who receive their first COVID vaccine. Twenty-five-dollar gift cards are being given out at select sites to first-time vaxxers and anyone who transports them. Nearly 14-hundred cards were given out when the pilot program was launched statewide last week. The number of administered vaccines in Mecklenburg County has trended downward in recent weeks.
Suspect Arrested After SWAT Standoff
(Charlotte, NC) -- The scene is safe after a man barricaded himself inside a southwest Charlotte home. The CMPD says he fired shots at officers while they were responding to a domestic call in the Steele Creek area yesterday. No officers were injured. Negotiators convinced the man to surrender peacefully.
Charlotte Woman Wins Million-Dollar Lotto
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Charlotte woman is feeling like a-million-bucks. The resident claimed a big prize yesterday after scratching off the million-dollar winner on a 50-Times-The-Cash ticket. It was purchased at a Circle K on Sharon Road West. After taking the lump sum and withdrawing taxes, the actual amount totaled just over 424-thousand-dollars.
Wake County Sheriff's Deputy Out Of Surgery After Being Shot Wednesday
(Wake County, NC) -- A Wake County Sheriff's Deputy is recovering after undergoing several hours of surgery Wednesday. This, after he was shot twice while attempting to serve an eviction notice at an apartment complex. It happened at the River Birch Town Center in Raleigh. Sgt. Ronald Waller was injured by a suspect firing an assault rifle. The suspect, identified as 32-year old Eddie Craig, was arrested and charged with multiple counts related to attempted murder. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance today.
NC Civil Rights Leaders And Activists To Meet With U.S. AG Garland Today
(Raleigh, NC) -- After meeting with Governor Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein Wednesday, a group of North Carolina activists and civil rights leaders will take their fight for justice on behalf of Andrew Brown Jr. to Washington D.C. today. The case of Brown, who was fatally shot by Pasquotank County Sheriff's Deputies back in April, was recently ruled justifiable by the local District Attorney. The group continues to demand that the full police bodycam video of the incident be released to the public. They are also calling for a special prosecutor to be appointed to investigate the case. The meeting is scheduled to take place today with U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.
North Carolina's 26-County Burn Ban Is Now Over
(Raleigh, NC) -- A burn ban issued nearly two weeks ago for 26-North Carolina counties has been lifted. That, from the state Forest Service, which announced late Wednesday that the ban on outdoor burning in the affected counties expired at 5 p.m. The ban was first imposed on May 24th due to hazardous forest fire conditions brought on by a prolonged drought. But recent rains have prompted the agency to cancel the bans. According to the NC Forest Service, burn permit applications are now being accepted in all 100-counties across the state.
Report: Duke HC Mike Krzyzewski To Retire After This Season
(Durham, NC) -- Legendary Duke men's basketball Head Coach Mike Krzyzweski [[ sheh-chef-ski ]] is retiring after this upcoming season. "Stadium" reports the five-time national champion is expected to announce his decision soon. Reports say the leading candidate to take over his role is assistant coach and former Duke player Jon Scheyer [[ shi-er ]].
Family Of Frederick Cox To File Civil Lawsuit
(Guilford Co., NC) -- The family of a man shot and killed by an off-duty sheriff's deputy is filing a civil lawsuit in the case. This after the Guilford County District Attorney decided not to file charges against the deputy. Eighteen-year-old Frederick Cox was shot to death at a funeral in High Point last November. The deputy was attending the service and fired his weapon when he noticed Cox with a handgun. Cox's family met yesterday to discuss their next step.
Charges Announced In Southern Guilford High School Attack
(Guilford Co., NC) -- The Guilford County Sheriff's Office is announcing the charges brought against eight people who are accused of ganging up on a 14-year-old girl in her classroom. Two adults and six students allegedly carried out the attack at Southern Guilford High School last week. Thirty-seven-year-old Kiamosha Sutton is charged with breaking and entering, inciting a riot and assault. A warrant has been issued for 18-year-old Shydasia Beatty, who's facing similar charges. Petitions have been filed against the six juveniles for their role in the assault.
Guilford Co. Schools Graduations Planned This Weekend
(Guilford Co,. NC) -- High school graduations are in full force in Guilford County. Over a dozen schools will hold their ceremonies at the Greensboro Coliseum tomorrow through Tuesday. While the district is encouraging folks to wear masks, they will not be required. Over the course of graduation season, more than 57-hundred students will have received their diplomas.
Man Charged With Sexually Assaulting Multiple People
(Alamance CO., NC) -- A Graham man is accused of sexually assaulting multiple people. Thirty-nine-year-old Kenneth King Junior was arrested on May 30th and booked in the Alamance County Detention Center on a 300-thousand-dollar bond. Sheriff's officials launched their investigation in late April. They say King sexually assaulted seven people, including at least one child. He's facing multiple sex offense charges.