Hotel to House Homeless, AFD Chief Faces New Allegations, Drought Continues

Asheville Fire Chief Facing More Allegations

(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville's fire chief is facing more allegations in a federal discrimination lawsuit. One captain claimed last month that Chief Scott Burnette has publicly demeaned her twice with hostility and aggressiveness. The allegations were brought forth in a request for a summary judgment in the case. Another female firefighter has accused supervisors and senior officers of sexual harassment.

Asheville Hotel To Be Used For Homeless Housing

(Asheville, NC) -- A new plan is in the works to provide help for the homeless at an Asheville hotel. City leaders announced plans this week to partner with a California-based nonprofit, which will help manage 100-units of housing at the old Ramada Inn on River Ford Parkway. The developer Shangri-La Industries will be in charge of renovating the space to be ready for permanent supportive housing. Initial plans to turn the hotel into an emergency shelter fell through.

North Carolina Continues Drought

(Asheville, NC) -- Drought conditions remain in place for every corner of North Carolina. The latest drought monitor data released yesterday shows half of the state in a severe drought, while the mountain region is considered abnormally dry. An assistant state climatologist told WLOS-TV last month was the driest November in 90-years for the state. Many areas are running at least three-inches of rain below normal.

Asheville Homeless Encampment Removed

(Asheville, NC) -- An Asheville homeless encampment is gone. Crews came out yesterday to remove whatever was left at a site off I-240 near Haywood Street Congregation. WLOS-TV reports the encampment had grown over the last three-weeks, but complaints were made last weekend about fires and trash piling up at the site. It's unclear if there was any organized effort to help those who had to leave.

Mission Health Investigation Yields No Deficiencies

(Asheville, NC) -- No issues are being reported in a recent investigation at Mission Health. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid looked into complaints about complying with Medicare participation. Surveyors were on hand at the Asheville hospital for several days in early October. WLOS-TV reports no deficiencies were found.

Asheville's Mardi Gras Parade Resumes

(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville's Mardi Gras celebration is returning to normal. Organizers revealed yesterday that the annual parade is back in-person on the South Slope this upcoming February. Residents are still being encouraged to decorate their yards and homes, just like earlier this year when parade plans were altered because of the pandemic.

City Reviewing Which Ordinances Hold Criminal Penalties

(Charlotte, NC) -- The city of Charlotte is reviewing ordinances as new state legislation takes effect. The CMPD says officers are unable to charge individuals criminally for a violation of many ordinances, which could include things like panhandling, trespassing and littering. Governor Roy Cooper signed off on a bill this fall which decriminalized some of those ordinances at the beginning of December. WSOC-TV reports city officials are reviewing which measures can still hold criminal penalties, and hope to have it resolved by the beginning of the year.

Woman Charged In Hickory Murder

(Hickory, NC) -- A woman is facing charges in a Hickory murder. Investigators say a 72-year-old man was found dead inside his apartment this week. He had been missing since Thanksgiving, and was reportedly dead for several days before the discovery. A 22-year-old woman was arrested for first-degree murder yesterday, while another suspect was caught with the victim's stolen car.

Mecklenburg County In Severe Drought

(Charlotte, NC) -- Drought conditions remain in place for Mecklenburg County. The latest drought monitor data released yesterday shows half of the state in a severe drought, which includes Charlotte and the surrounding area. An assistant state climatologist told WLOS-TV last month was the driest November in 90-years for the state. Many areas are running at least three-inches of rain below normal.

Husband Accused Of Killing Wife In Concord

(Concord, NC) -- Concord police are charging a 65-year-old man in the death of his wife. The woman was found shot to death at a home on Tangle Ridge Drive late Wednesday night. Investigators say her husband admitted to the homicide. He was arrested on a charge of murder.

School Bus Driver Arrested For DWI

(Cleveland County, NC) -- A Cleveland County school bus driver is accused of driving under the influence. A North Carolina trooper told WBTV the woman was transporting two-dozen students just before her arrest. She was taken into custody at Union Elementary School yesterday. District officials say the suspect just started working this August.

Charlotte FC Unveils Kit

(Charlotte, NC) -- The uniforms for the Charlotte Football Club are out. The organization released its primary kit yesterday, which will be used for the 2022 and 2023 M-L-S seasons. Fans can now purchase their own kits ahead of the season as well. The coloring is similar to that of the Carolina Panthers.

Gang Fight And Robbery At Streets At Southpoint Food Court Leaves One Person Hurt

(Durham, NC) -- An investigation continues into a fight inside a Durham shopping mall Wednesday, in which a victim was also robbed and injured. It happened around 6 p.m. at the Streets at Southpoint. The incident involved several juveniles who attacked three people in the food court. Although no shots were fired, a wallet and a handgun were stolen from one of the individuals involved in the fight. That person was treated for minor injuries at a nearby hospital. Witnesses say the juveniles fled the mall in a black sedan, a grey sedan and a grey SUV. So far, no arrests have been made.

While State Awaits The Arrival Of Omicron Variant, New Delta Cases Continue To Surge

(Durham, NC) -- The post Thanksgiving holiday surge in new coronavirus cases continues. Figures released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services showed there were 4-thousand-153 infections on Thursday, the largest single-day total since early October. There were also 14-hundred-53 COVID patients in the hospital. The state's test positive rate was at 7-point-1 percent. And, there were 32-additional deaths. To date, there have been no confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in North Carolina.

Wake County School Employee Recorded On Video Pinning High School Student Down With His Knee

(Wake County, NC) -- A Wake County school employee has been suspended after a video posted on social media showed him pinning a student down with his knee in the back of his neck. The incident was recorded during a fight between students a Panther Creek High School in Cary on Wednesday. Police say a preliminary investigation indicates the adult male staff member was attempting to restrain the student, who had gotten into an altercation with another student during lunch break. So far, no charges have been filed.

Cooper Vetoes Republican Backed Bill To Stop Private Donations To Help Fund Elections

(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper Thursday, vetoed a bill that would have barred state election board officials from accepting private donations to help run elections. Republican sponsors of the bill argued that outside donations to government agencies could give voters the impression partisan influence. But Cooper maintained that the non profit and non partisan grants awarded during the 2020 elections, helped to pay for masks, pens and personal protective equipment at polling sites.

Durham Police Chief And Other High Ranking Officers To Start Riding Street Patrols

(Durham, NC) -- Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews has announced plans to have top ranking administrators within the Department work regular patrol shifts, including herself. This, in an effort to make up for staff shortages at DPD, which have risen six percent over the last year. Appearing before the City Council Thursday, Andrews reported that in 2021, 24 police officers have retired and 36-have resigned to take similar jobs with other police departments. Andrews also said she and everyone with the rank of investigator and above, will begin working four patrol shifts a week starting in January.

High Point Man Accused Of Stabbing Two Women

(High Point, NC) -- A High Point man is accused of stabbing two women during a domestic dispute. Police say this happened Police say this happened last night in the three-hundred block of Brentwood Street. One of the victims is in serious condition and the other is in stable condition. The suspect, 28-year-old Corey Fuller, Jr. is in custody. He's been charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.

Two Hanes Magnet Middle School Students Accused Of Bringing Guns To School

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Two students at Hanes Magnet Middle School are accused of bringing guns to school. Acting on a tip yesterday, police found one student in possession of a B.B. gun and another with an unloaded firearm. Principal Robin Willard sent a message to parents, which reads in part, " It is important that you know these incidents are not related. Both students will be disciplined for their actions according to district policy."

Another COVID Outbreak Reported At Jamestown Nursing Home

(Greensboro, NC) -- Another COVID outbreak is being reported at a Jamestown nursing home. State health officials declared another outbreak this week at The Shannon Gray Rehabilitation and Recovery Center after two staff members tested positive. This comes on the heels of an outbreak at the facility in August, which involved the death of a resident, eleven positive cases among residents, and three positive cases among staff members.

Woman Killed At Being Hit By Vehicle In Rockingham County

(Rockingham, NC) -- A woman is dead after being hit by a vehicle in Rockingham County. Authorities say early yesterday morning, Cara Reese got out of Toyota Corolla that stopped at the intersection of NC 14 and Madison after an argument with the driver. The driver sped away and Reese began walking along NC 14, where she was hit by a Ford Explorer. No charges have been filed.

New Kid's Gym Set To Open In Kernersville

(Kernersville, NC) -- A new gym in Kernersville aimed at providing a safe environment for children of all abilities is set to open this weekend. A grand opening ceremony for We Rock The Spectrum Kid's Gym Triad will be held at ten Saturday morning. The new gym includes equipment for children with autism and sensory disorders.


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