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COVID Cases Surge In WNC
(Asheville, NC) -- Western North Carolina is seeing a surge in COVID cases over the past two-weeks. Buncombe County is reporting more than 25-hundred in the 14-day period, while nearly 75-percent of those are in the last week alone. Close to 13-thousand cases were part of Monday's new data statewide from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Deputy-Involved Shooting Investigated In Rutherford County
(Rutherford County, NC) -- The SBI is investigating a deputy-involved shooting in the mountains. One man was injured when a deputy opened fire in Rutherford County on New Year's Eve. The sheriff's office says the man allegedly pointed a gun at the deputy during a response to a domestic call. The suspect was still listed at Spartanburg Regional Hospital yesterday.
Schools Delays Today Due To Weather
(Asheville, NC) -- Winter weather across the region is affecting school activities today. Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools are operating on a two-hour delay today. Madison, Mitchell and Avery are all closed. More than 30-thousand power outages were still being reported overnight in western North Carolina and the Triad areas.
Henderson Commission Approves Abortion Resolution
(Henderson County, NC) -- Henderson County's commission is taking a stance on abortion. The board passed a resolution last night in support of the state's heartbeat bill legislation. The county's Democratic Party chair told WLOS-TV it was just posturing, as the proposal hasn't even begun moving through committees after being filed nearly a year ago. The commission's vice chair says someone needs to look out for the baby.
Gun Violence Numbers Reported In Asheville
(Asheville, NC) -- Some gun violence numbers for 2021 mirror the year before in Asheville. The police department advised the Citizen-Times that ten homicides were investigated last year, which marks one fewer than 2020. The number of people shot in Asheville evened out at 46 for both years. Gun violence calls were actually down close to 20-percent overall.
Asheville Native Retires From Major League Baseball
(Asheville, NC) -- An Asheville native is hanging up his cleats. Cameron Maybin announced his retirement yesterday after spending 14-seasons in Major League Baseball. The 34-year-old helped lead T.C. Roberson High School to a state title before being drafted in the pros in 2005.
State Concerned About Overcrowding In Mecklenburg Jail
(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- The state is concerned about overcrowding at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center. A report released from Health and Human Services yesterday recommends the transfer of 400 inmates out of the jail due to overcrowding and understaffing. Sheriff Garry McFadden says personnel issues are a nationwide problem.
COVID Cases Rise Rapidly Around Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- COVID cases are showing no signs of slowing down in the Charlotte area. Mecklenburg County is reporting more than 17-hundred cases in the last two-weeks, according to numbers released from the state yesterday. Close to 13-thousand cases were part of Monday's new data statewide from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Hundreds Of Delays Reported At CLT
(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is still experiencing problems with flights. Flight Aware reported more than 400-delays yesterday as the holiday travel period wrapped up. Weather and staffing shortages due to COVID have wreaked havoc nationwide. Passenger levels have once again reached levels close to pre-pandemic numbers.
Large Avery County Fire Contained
(Avery County, NC) -- A massive fire in Avery County is contained. The U.S. Forest Service told NBC Charlotte yesterday that the Lost Cove Fire was no longer a threat after burning one-thousand acres since Christmas Eve. Some trail closures are still expected to remain in place through the week. The blaze was allegedly started by humans.
CMS Students Returning To Classroom
(Charlotte, NC) -- CMS students are back in the classroom today. It marks the first day of school since before the holiday break last month. Teachers returned on Monday. District officials reminded parents yesterday that face masks are still required indoors.
Power Back On In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- Power is back on for most people around Charlotte. More than 20-thousand customers lost electricity Monday morning, but it remained out to less than one-thousand overnight. Winter weather blanketed the North Carolina mountains yesterday. There is a threat of black ice in Charlotte this morning around any roadways that may have standing water.
Ice Over Roads Could Cause Travel Problems Across Central North Carolina This Morning
(Raleigh, NC) -- A heavy downpour of rain and snow on Monday, has forced local transportation officials to issue cautions to motorists about the possibility of black ice on roads, bridges and overpasses early this morning. This, as temperatures dipped down into the mid 20's overnight in parts of the Triangle and into the teens in the northeastern part of the state. Residents in Clayton and Smithfield are also urged to be on the lookout for rising waters as the Neuse River is expected to crest at several feet above flood stage today.
Many School Districts Delaying The Start Of Classes By Two Hours Today
(Durham, NC) -- As a safety precaution, a number of school districts across central North Carolina have announced plans to start classes on a delayed scheduled today. Chatham County, Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Durham City, Wake County, Franklin and Moore counties, have all announced two hour delays. Orange County schools will be closed today.
Wake Count Testing And Vaccination Sites To Operate On A Delayed Schedule Today
(Wake County, NC) -- After three of the five Wake County testing sites were forced to close Monday due to the weather, health department officials have announced all of them will re-open today, but on a delayed schedule. The COVID-19 testing sites and vaccination clinics will open at 10:am. However, appointments will still be required before shots or tests can be administered. Those who had previously made appointments for before 10:00-a.m., can come back anytime during the day before 7:00-p.m.
More Testimony Set For Today In North Carolina's Redistricting Trial
(Raleigh, NC) -- Arguments over the constitutionality of recently re-drawn North Carolina legislative and Congressional district lines, will continue in state Superior Court today. The three judge panel heard opening statements and witness testimony Monday, in a combined lawsuit led by the North Carolina NAACP and the League of Conservation Voters. The civil rights groups accuse the Republican controlled North Carolina General Assembly of intentionally re-drawing the maps to dilute the voting strength of African Americans in a process known as gerrymandering.
North Carolina COVID-19 Key Metrics Still Headed In Wrong Direction
(Raleigh, NC) -- Data released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services showed there were 12-thousand-989 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, a decrease of 303 from the day before. This, as the state's test positive rate remained at an unprecedented high of 27-point-4 percent. There were also more than 27-hundred in the hospital being treated for COVID related illnesses. And, there were an additional 31-deaths.
Guilford Schools Plan Delays For Tuesday Over Black Ice Concerns
(Greensboro, NC) -- Due to potentially hazardous road conditions expected on Tuesday, including the potential for black ice, all GCS schools and central offices will operate on a two-hour delay on January 4th. Officials say administrators, maintenance staff, and custodial staff should plan to report at regular time. Employees should contact their supervisors and refer to Policy AFC and AFC-P for additional guidance. The outdoor drive-through COVID testing sites will open as scheduled for staff and students.
About 60% of NC Kids Have Been Vaccinated against COVID
(Raleigh, NC) -- The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services says just under 60 percent of children in the state have been vaccinated against the coronavirus. That includes full inoculations. Children younger than 18 make up about 22 percent of the U.S. population.
Road Work Slated For I-40 In Forsyth County
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- You may want to avoid I-40 Near Peters Creek Parkway beginning on Tuesday. State road officials say Lanes will close on Interstate 40 in Forsyth County this week for road work. On Tuesday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning, two of three lanes will be closed on I-40 eastbound along a stretch of the highway near the Peters Creek Parkway interchange. The work is part of an ongoing rehabilitation and bridge preservation project, weather permitting.
Area Elementary School Receives National Attention for Being Named One of Best in the Country
(Moravian Falls, NC) -- US News and World Report has honored a Wilkes County School as one of the best public elementary schools in the country for 2022. Moravian Falls Elementary was noted not only for its test scores and academic performance, but also for students of all economic backgrounds having equitable access to a strong education. Many students come from families where English is a second language and the school additionally offers an off-site, neighborhood learning space for additional after-school support.