Toddler Dies In Henderson County Fire
(Henderson County, NC) -- A toddler is dead in a western North Carolina fire. Flames erupted inside a mobile home in East Flat Rock Tuesday morning. Several people were able to escape the home safely, but a three-year-old died from his injuries. The cause is considered to be accidental.
Most WNC Counties Considered High Risk For COVID Transmission
(Raleigh, NC) -- Most North Carolina counties are now considered at high risk for COVID transmission. That includes every county in the mountain region except Avery and Mitchell. The CDC classifies high transmission areas as those with at least 100 cases per 100-thousand people over seven-days. Nearly 15-hundred COVID patients are hospitalized statewide.
Incentives Offered For Vaccinations
(Buncombe County, NC) -- COVID vaccine incentives are now available in Buncombe County. Those who receive doses at the county's vaccine clinic will receive 100-dollars. Anyone who drives someone to the clinic will receive 25-dollars. The funds are provided through the state's Summer Incentive Program.
Buncombe Health Department Urges County To Require Vaccines
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe's health department is suggesting a vaccine requirement for county employees. The guidance came yesterday as Buncombe's COVID case numbers rise due to the delta variant. A face mask mandate in public indoor spaces is also being recommended. Health director Stacie Saunders said the unvaccinated are fueling transmission of the variant.
Money Going To Purchase Asheville Hotel For Housing
(Asheville, NC) -- Buncombe County is providing more funds to help the homeless. Yesterday, commissioners approved to use two-million-dollars to help Homeward Bound convert a hotel into affordable housing. Renovations crews will create 85 units at the Days Inn on Tunnel Road. The city of Asheville is also expected to provide two-million-dollars for the project.
Buncombe Sheriff Offering New App
(Buncombe County, NC) -- The public is now able to submit crime tips to the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office with the push of a button. The department announced yesterday a new app is available for both crime tips and to receive alert notifications. Chief Deputy Herbert Blake said it's a proven and good way to become available to the community.
COVID Cases Cause Mistrial
(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- COVID is being blamed for problems at a Mecklenburg County trial. WSOC-TV reports a judge declared a mistrial after three jurors tested positive since last Friday. One attorney says the case over a car accident has been in the works for nearly five-years already.
Suspects Arrested For Chester County Murder
(Chester County, SC) -- Two suspects are behind bars for a killing in Chester County. The body of 63-year-old Linda Robinson was found close to Highway 72 Monday. She was reported missing earlier in the day after disappearing at a Walmart. Two arrests have been made in connection to Robinson's death.
Mecklenburg County Area Considered High Risk For COVID Transmission
(Raleigh, NC) -- Most North Carolina counties are now considered at high risk for COVID transmission. That includes every county in the Mecklenburg area. The CDC classifies high transmission areas as those with at least 100 cases per 100-thousand people over seven-days. Nearly 15-hundred COVID patients are hospitalized statewide.
Panthers' Player Recovering From Collision
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Carolina Panthers wide receiver is recovering from injuries suffered in an on-field collision during practice yesterday. It was the first day in full pads when Keith Kirkwood was hit in the neck before being rushed to the hospital. He was diagnosed with a concussion. Safety J.T. Ibe was kicked off the team for delivering the hit.
Two Pedestrians Die After Train Accident
(Charlotte, NC) -- A deadly train accident is being investigated in Charlotte. The CMPD says two people died after being hit by a lightrail train at a LYNX Blueline station in south Charlotte early Tuesday. The men were reportedly holding a memorial for another man who died in a crash with a train last week. Investigators claim alcohol may have been involved.
Chaperone Hours Moved Forward At Charlotte Mall
(Charlotte, NC) -- Chaperone rules are changing at one Charlotte mall. Anyone 17-and-under will need to be chaperoned by someone at least 21-years old beginning at 3 p.m. during the weekend in order to shop at Northlake Mall. The previous start time for the chaperone requirement was five. Management says the policy was put in place so guests can enjoy a safe environment.
Wake County School Board Approves Mask Mandate
(Raleigh, NC) -- Masks will be required when students return to the classroom in Wake County. The school board yesterday unanimously approved a mask mandate, and Superintendent Cathy Moore says it will be reviewed each quarter. While the board's vote was unanimous, the community remains divided on masks. One parent told the board the mask mandate is hurting children educationally, socially, psychologically and medically, but a doctor told the board the mandate protects children.
UNC Doctor Urges Masks, Vaccines To Avoid 'Dark Winter'
(Chapel Hill, NC) -- A doctor says we have the tools to avoid a long, dark winter. UNC Dr. David Wohl says vaccines and masks can mostly stop the spread of the Delta variant, which is causing hospitals to fill with patients. He says those patients are mostly young and almost entirely unvaccinated. Dr. Wohl recently told ABC 11 the data is very clear that being vaccinated prevents you from getting sick and dying.
Shooting In Raleigh
(Raleigh, NC) -- A man is hurt after a shooting in Raleigh. It happened last night on Crowfield Drive. The man was taken to the hospital with injuries police describe as serious. Police say a suspect is in custody, but no charges have been announced. There's no word on a motive.
Lyft Passenger Killed In Crash
(Durham, NC) -- Speed and alcohol may be to blame for a deadly crash in Durham. State troopers say a speeding Mercedes Benz rear-ended a Lyft car early yesterday morning on the Durham Freeway. A 26-year-old passenger in the Lyft, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected and died. The Lyft driver was taken to the hospital and so was the Mercedes-Benz driver, who may have been drunk, but there's no word on their conditions.
NC State Football Opens Practice Today
(Raleigh, NC) -- Wolfpack fans can get an early look at this year's football team. NC State opens fall practice today, and the ACC Network will be there as part of its Road Trip series. A one-hour recap will air tonight at 7:00. The regular season kicks off September 2nd when the Pack host the University of South Florida.
North Carolina To Offer $100 Vaccination Incentive
(Undated) -- North Carolina is offering a 100-dollar gift card to residents who get vaccinated against COVID-19. It's an expansion of the state's 25-dollar Summer Cards program. The gift cards are available for anyone 18 and older from now through August 31st. For participating sites, check COVID-19-dot-N-C-D-H-H-S-dot-gov.
No Restrictions Set For NC High School Sports
(Undated) -- There will be no statewide pandemic restrictions for North Carolina high school sports. The N-C-H-S-S-A says they are not putting protocols in place for the new school year. They also say they will require competing schools to communicate with each other about restrictions.
Lexington School Board To Require Masks
(Lexington, NC) -- Lexington public school students and staff will be required to wear masks when they return to the classroom. The school board yesterday voted in favor of requiring everyone on school property to wear masks for the first quarter. Masks do not have to be worn outdoors as long as social-distancing protocols are followed. Students involved in school sports or extracurricular activities will be required to take COVID-19 tests.
Mother, Daughter Charged In Death Of Disabled Man
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A Winston-Salem woman and her daughter are facing homicide charges in the death of her "severely disabled" son. Forty-two-year-old Larry Hawks died in November 2020 of medical complications caused by neglect. Sixty-nine-year-old Sandra Hawks and 47-year-old Crystal Hawks were charged yesterday with involuntary manslaughter and neglect of a disabled adult. They're both being held on a 100-thousand-dollar unsecured bond.
Garth Brooks Could Scrap Stadium Tour
(Nashville, TN) -- Garth Brooks could scrap a few stops on his Stadium Tour due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases. That includes his show at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on September 25th. The country music superstar released a statement yesterday, saying he'll play his next two shows in Kansas City and Lincoln, Nebraska, and then he'll take some time to decide whether to cancel the rest of his dates for 2021.