Millions In Maintenance Needed For Asheville Schools
(Asheville, NC) -- Major renovations are needed in Asheville City Schools. District officials presented the board of education last night with around 50-million-dollars in maintenance projects that need to be completed, including air conditioning upgrades and roof repairs. In addition, board members learned there are dozens of vacancies that need to be filled, which doesn't include the need for more bus drivers. The district is currently looking for input from the public on how to spend its budget dollars.
Asheville Welcoming Afghan Refugees
(Asheville, NC) -- The Asheville community is welcoming in Afghan refugees. The Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte told WLOS-TV yesterday that nearly a-dozen are already in western North Carolina, with more on the way. Asheville is one of six cities in the state that are coordinating living spaces for people fleeing from Afghanistan. Around 40 evacuees will end up in Asheville.
Buncombe Health Issuing Booster Shots
(Buncombe County, NC) -- COVID booster shots are readily available in Buncombe County. Health officials say residents are now able to receive Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters at the county's vaccine clinic. Those interested can come by the health and human services office on Coxe Avenue in Asheville each weekday.
Public Weighing In On Redistricting Plans
(Raleigh, NC) -- The public has one more day to voice opinions on North Carolina's newly-proposed legislative maps. Hearings are scheduled this afternoon at three at the State Capitol. An online hearing will be held at 5:30 as well. The News and Observer reports state lawmakers could approve a map in early November.
Lodging Expected To Hit High Numbers In Asheville Again
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Lodging sales are still on a high trajectory in Buncombe County. The Tourism Development Authority reported a record of nearly 57-million-dollars in sales earlier this summer, and the trend isn't slowing down. The authority's president told the Citizen-Times Dispatch that totals from August through October are being released at a meeting tomorrow. She expects those totals to exceed records, despite the effects of the pandemic on the region.
Asheville Among Top Places To Retire
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville is one of the top places to retire, according to a new study. This month, the U.S. News and World Report listed the city at number-14 in the country. The publication applauded Asheville for its affordability and desirability, with national forests and the Blue Ridge Parkway just outside the backdoor. Raleigh-Durham came in at number-22.
Searchers Find Body Believed To Be That Of Missing North Carolina Woman
(Robeson County, NC) -- Authorities in Robeson County are working to identify a body found on Monday in a wooded area off Tom Moreland Road near state Highway 710. Searchers believe it could be that of 42-year old Jessica Lawrence, who was last seen returning to her job in Fayetteville on September, 26th. The body has been sent to the North Carolina Medical Examiners Office for identification and to determine an exact cause of death.
COVID-19 Booster Shots Being Made Available At More Locations Across North Carolina
(Raleigh, NC) -- Across the state of North Carolina, county health departments are making COVID-19 booster shots available for those who qualify. Wake County began distribution on Monday, along with Johnston and Buncombe Counties. The third shots are being offered for Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson. Durham County health clinics will start administering booster shots on Tuesday. Appointments will be required.
Booze It & Lose It Campaign Now Underway In All 100-Counties In North Carolina
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina State Troopers kicked off their annual week-long Booze It & Lose It campaign on Monday. It's an effort to cut down on speeding and reckless driving leading up to the Halloween weekend. The State Department of Transportation says around this time last year, 33 people were killed in traffic accidents during the month of October while 83 others were seriously injured. During the Booze, It & Lose It Campaign, troopers will be out in all 100-counties looking for drunk, distracted and impaired drivers.
SWAT Response Ends With Man's Death
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD says a long SWAT standoff in southwest Charlotte has ended in tragedy. Officers initially responded to a home on Prideland Court in the Lions Gate neighborhood Sunday afternoon. A man allegedly barricaded himself inside a condo for around 24-hours until he died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot on Monday afternoon. One officer told WSOC-TV that he didn't know anything more that could have been done to help the man.
Mecklenburg County Employees Reporting In-Person Monday
(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- Mecklenburg County employees are soon returning to work in-person. All employees are set to be back on Monday, as the COVID rate has dropped dramatically among staff. A face mask requirement remains in place, with the exception of workers who are alone in the office or in a cubicle with panels. The county still requires employees to undergo a regular COVID test if they are not vaccinated.
Novant Health Expanding Booster Shots
(Charlotte, NC) -- Novant Health is expanding COVID booster doses. The health system is beginning to give out the doses today after the CDC and FDA gave the go-ahead for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters last week. Appointments are now being accepted at Novant Health offices and primary care clinics. Around 66-percent of North Carolina adults are now fully-vaccinated
Shooting Injures Three In NE Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- A triple shooting is being investigated in northeast Charlotte. Officers say three people were assaulted outside an apartment on Willow Haven Lane on Monday afternoon. At last word, the victims were expected to survive. No arrests have been announced.
Teen Charged With Charlotte Murder
(Charlotte, NC) -- A teen is facing charges in a north Charlotte murder. Investigators say a 42-year-old man was shot to death on Aulton Link Court just over a week ago. A 16-year-old was arrested yesterday on a charge of murder.
Hornets Drop First Game In Overtime
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Hornets winning streak to start the season is over. Charlotte suffered its first loss of the young NBA season last night in overtime against the Celtics. Boston outscored the Hornets 18-to-seven in the extra period to take the 140-129 win at the Spectrum Center. Charlotte started the season with three-wins for the first time in franchise history.
Fifth Person Killed By John Wayne Gacy Was A North Carolina Man
(Maywood, IL) -- A North Carolina man is being identified as one of several people murdered in the 1970s by notorious serial killer John Wayne Gacy. Authorities say the body of Francis Wayne Alexander, who was found in the crawl space of Gacy's Illinois home, was victim number five out of 33-young men and boys killed between 1972 and 1978. Alexander was born in 1955 and moved to Chicago in 1975 shortly after getting married in New York. Investigators were able to identify him as one of the victims by using DNA and genetic genealogy. He would have been 21-or-22 at the time of his death.
Man Charged In Connection To Greensboro Hotel Murder
(Greensboro, NC) -- A 33-year-old man is charged in connection to a deadly shooting in Greensboro. Preston Love was identified yesterday as the gunman. He's accused of shooting 23-year-old Dijmon Lucas on October 4th at the Extended Stay America on Big Tree Way. Lucas died at the hospital. Love is facing several charges, including first-degree murder.
Teens Found Dead Outside Hoke Co. School
(Raeford, NC) -- An investigation is underway in Hoke County where two teens were found dead outside their school. The bodies of 11th-graders Britany Munoz-Ramirez and Ailton Tirado-Martinez were found inside a vehicle near Hoke County High School on Sunday. Sheriff's officials say their cause of death does not appear to be a murder-suicide or a drug overdose. They say the deaths were likely accidental. An investigation is ongoing.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer In Winston-Salem
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Two of NASCAR's biggest stars are in Winston-Salem. Dale Earnhardt Junior and Clint Bowyer are riding the Madhouse at Bowman Gray Stadium today. They're preparing for The Clash of the Coliseum on February 6th at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. The track there is similar to the point-25-mile flat, asphalt oval at Bowman Gray.
Crews Battle Blaze In Winston-Salem
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- No one is hurt after an outbuilding in Winston-Salem went up in flames. Crews responded to the one-thousand block of Sprague Street Monday morning. The structure was completely engulfed, but crews were able to get the flames under control. The cause is under investigation.
North Carolina State Fair Reports Low Attendance
(Raleigh, NC) -- Attendance was down at this year's North Carolina State Fair. Officials say Saturday, October 16th saw the lowest attendance numbers. October 23rd had the highest attendance, but the total was still about ten-thousand less than average. The event was called off in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Next year's fair is scheduled for the week of October 13th.