COVID Hospitalizations Continue Climb
(Raleigh, NC) -- COVID hospitalizations are up again in North Carolina. Health and Human Services reported an increase yesterday up to more than 23-hundred patients, which is more than double the number from two weeks ago. Nearly five-thousand new cases were reported as well. Around 55-percent of eligible North Carolina residents have been fully vaccinated.
Cats, Dogs Missing After Interstate Crash
(Old Fort, NC) -- A number of cats and dogs are missing after a wreck on I-40 yesterday. The highway patrol says an A-S-P-C-A truck hit a barrier wall on the interstate near Old Fort. Several lanes in both directions were shut down during the investigation. Hikers at Catawba Falls and the Kitsuma Trail are being asked to be on the lookout for stray animals.
Another WNC School District Requiring Face Masks
(Madison County, NC) -- Yet another western North Carolina school district is reversing its face mask policy. The superintendent for Madison County Schools announced yesterday that face masks will be required when classes begin. The measure will be revisited periodically as health data is updated. Swain and Henderson counties have also recently reversed their guidelines to make mask wearing required.
Students Returning, Virtual Learning Not An Option
(Asheville, NC) -- Classes are beginning soon at Asheville City Schools with no option for virtual learning. One parent told the Citizen-Times this week that it's unconscionable to force children back to school without a remote option in place. The virtual academy for Buncombe County Schools will be offered for grades K-through-12. Remote learning is only offered in Asheville to students in a medical homebound program.
Buncombe Sheriff Holding Listening Session
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe County's sheriff is ready to hear from the public. A listening session is scheduled for one week from tonight at the Sandy Mush Community Center in Leicester. A department spokesperson says it's important for the sheriff to build relationships with all the different communities in Buncombe County. The sheriff's office is waiting to schedule future sessions depending on the COVID-19 situation.
Students Moving In At UNC Asheville
(Asheville, NC) -- Students are returning to the UNC-Asheville campus. Wednesday marked move-in day for incoming freshman, while returning students come back this weekend. Students must provide proof of COVID vaccination or a negative test. The vice chancellor for student affairs told WLOS-TV that around 96-percent of early arrivals are vaccinated.
More Than 100 Gaston Kids Test Positive For COVID
(Gaston County, NC) -- Dozens of kids may miss the first day of class in Gaston County because of COVID. County health officials reported yesterday that 110 school-aged kids tested positive this past weekend, which will force them into quarantine. There were more than 450 cases in total. Health and human services said they're very concerned about case counts that high with school starting in two weeks.
Men Sentenced In Uber Driver's Death
(Charlotte, NC) -- A man is heading to prison for killing an Uber driver in Charlotte. It's been just over four years since Marlo Medina-Chevez was assaulted during an attempted robbery after he picked up two passengers. Investigators say Diontray Adams slit the victim's throat with a utility knife. A judge sentenced Adams to life in prison this week after the jury found him guilty.
CMS Beginning Sexual Assault Awareness Initiative
(Charlotte, NC) -- CMS is raising awareness of sexual assault and harassment. NBC Charlotte reports students will undergo training for sexual misconduct shortly after school begins. The initiative comes amid recent reports from Myers Park High School students who claim their complaints of harassment were ignored.
Charlotte Murder Suspect Arrested
(Charlotte, NC) -- The suspect in an early summer Charlotte murder is behind bars. Police arrested a man in Wilmington yesterday in connection to the June 21st shooting off Varsity Lane. The victim was identified as 24-year-old Tavarus Taybron.
Face Masks To Be Discussed In Mecklenburg County
(Charlotte, NC) -- Face masks are being discussed again among leaders in Mecklenburg County and local towns. WBTV says a group of unelected officials called The Policy Group will meet on Monday to get feedback on health data and opinions on a mask mandate. Local mayors are currently split on whether they'd like to see masks required or not.
North Carolina House Approves A $25.7B Budget
(Raleigh, NC) -- Members of the North Carolina House gave their initial approval to a massive 25-point-seven-billion-dollar budget Wednesday, one that includes bonuses and pay raises for teachers spread out over a two-year period. Part of the funds would also be allocated for repairs and new construction of government buildings, along with expansion of broadband internet service in rural areas. The bill must still clear another House vote before moving on to the Senate.
CDC Says Almost All North Carolina Counties At High Risk Of Community COVID Spread
(Raleigh, NC) -- Ninety-eight of the 100 counties in the state of North Carolina have been placed under the category of Red by the CDC, meaning those counties are at the highest risk of community spread of COVID-19. This comes as the Department of Health and Human Services reported nearly five-thousand new infections on Wednesday. The Department also recorded the highest level of hospitalizations in the past six months at two-thousand-304.
Wake County Virtual Academy Not Accepting Any More Student Applications
(Wake County, NC) -- The Wake County School District has announced that it is no longer accepting students to its virtual academy. The state's largest school district reported Wednesday that nearly 11-thousand students have already signed up for the remote learning curriculum, and it simply cannot accept any more new admissions or transfers. Fears over the recent surge in COVID cases, fueled by the Delta variant, have prompted more parents to question the safety of in-person learning.
COVID-19 Cluster Identified At UNC Chapel Hill's Pharmacy School
(Chapel Hill, NC) -- Officials at UNC Chapel Hill have announced the identification of a COVID-19 cluster among students at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy. In a statement released Wednesday, the University said the cluster currently has six active coronavirus cases. All of the infected students are isolating and receiving medical monitoring. The announcement came one day after Orange County reinstated its mandatory mask mandate for all public and private buildings.
PNC Arena Set To Host Big Hiring Fair Later Today
(Raleigh, NC) -- The PNC Arena in Raleigh will host a Hiring Fair today. The facility is looking to fill about 500-part-time positions for the upcoming sports and entertainment season. The event will be held from 3 until 6 p.m. Available positions include cashiers, parking attendants, security and food service. Applicants are urged to bring their resumes, along with a list of references.
COVID Outbreak Reported In Davidson Co.
(Davidson Co., NC) -- The Davidson County Detention Center is reporting a COVID-19 outbreak. More than 30 inmates and eight staff members have tested positive over the past two weeks. The sheriff's office says it's following guidance from the local health department to help stop the coronavirus from spreading.
Fourth Suspected Arrested In String Of Drive-Bys
(Burlington, NC) -- A fourth person is under arrest in connection to a string of drive-by shootings in Burlington. The 16-year-old unidentified suspect is charged with carrying a concealed weapon, discharging a firearm into an occupied building and shooting into an occupied vehicle. A 21, 19 and 18-year-old were previously arrested in connection to the crime. Police say the drive-by shootings have been plaguing the city all summer. No injuries have been reported, but there was damage to homes and vehicles.
Multiple People Displaced After Winston-Salem Apt. Fire
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Twenty people are homeless after an apartment fire in Winston-Salem. Crews responded to the Gardens at Country Club Apartments yesterday afternoon. The blaze was said to be caused by a lightning strike. No one was injured. The American Red Cross is helping the people who are displaced.
Health Screenings Back At Alamance Co. Courthouses
(Alamance Co., NC) -- The Alamance County Courthouse is bringing back health screenings due to the rise in COVID-19 cases. The screenings will be performed at each county courthouse entrance. They're expected to be in place by August 23rd. The transmission rate in Alamance County, and nearly every county in North Carolina, is considered high, according to health officials.
Shooting Leaves Boy Injured In Winston-Salem
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A boy is recovering from a gunshot wound in Winston-Salem. The juvenile was shot early yesterday morning on the eleven-hundred-block of East 15th Street. Police believe he was involved in a shootout. The boy was hit in his lower leg but is expected to be okay. Anyone with information is urged to call Winston-Salem PD.