Legal Challenge Filed Against Rep. Cawthorn's Reelection Candidacy
(Raleigh, NC) - A lawmaker from Asheville is facing a legal challenge. Non-profit organization Free Speech for People wants U.S. Representative Madison Cawthorn disqualified from running for re-election this year. They cite the suspicion that he helped facilitate the U.S. Capitol riots on January 6th of 2021. The legal challenge comes after a rally outside of Cawthorn's office in Hendersonville office where participants called for his removal from office.
Police Investigating Shooting At Asheville House Party
(Asheville, NC) - Police are investigating a house party shooting that sent one person to the hospital. It happened early Sunday morning on West Oakview Road in Asheville. Police say there were up to 30 vehicles parked in the front yard, and 30 to 40 people were running out of the house when they arrived. They found the gunshot victim and he was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The search for a suspect is still underway.
Western North Carolina Schools Requiring Face Masks
(Asheville, NC) - Schools in Western North Carolina are deciding whether or not to require students and staff to mask up during this surge of COVID-19. Asheville City Schools' board of education voted to continue their mask mandate Monday night. The board of education in Polk County voted to drop their mask mandate only if the county falls below the CDC's high transmission category for seven days. At Blue Ridge Community College, everyone will be required to wear a mask indoors starting today.
Henderson County Schools Reinstate Mask Mandate
(Hendersonville, NC) - Masks are now required in Henderson County schools. The Board of Education voted 5-to-2 in favor of a mandate after hearing from local health experts Monday night. This comes as Flat Rock Middle School and Apple Valley Middle School remain on virtual learning today. Both schools are seeing absences due to COVID-19 cases, quarantines, and pending test results.
Police Investigating Report Of Gunfire At Asheville Apartment Complex
(Asheville, NC) - Police are investigating reports of shots fired at an Asheville apartment complex. Officers responded to Willow Ridge Apartments late Saturday night after gunfire was heard. Multiple shell cases were recovered at the scene. Still, there were no reported injuries or reports of property damage in connection to the incident.
Funeral Arrangements Announced After Death Of Asheville Fire Marshal
(Asheville, NC) - Funeral arrangements are being announced for Asheville Fire Marshal Dewayne Fender. He died Saturday after a 13-month battle with cancer. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday at Trinity Baptist Church from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. The funeral will be at the same location on Thursday at 1 p.m. before a procession to Pleasant Grove Union Church Cemetery in Weaverville.
Truck Driver Indicted For Crash That Killed Police Officer Mia Goodwin
(Charlotte, NC) - A truck driver is now indicted for a crash that killed a police officer. Daniel Morgan was charged in December, but his case will now move to superior court. This comes after a grand jury indicted him on charges including involuntary manslaughter, assault with a deadly weapon, reckless driving, and death by motor vehicle. The 50-year-old is accused of speeding in a tractor-trailer before colliding with three Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officers, including Mia Goodwin, who was killed.
Police Chief: Violent Crime Declined In Charlotte In 2021
(Charlotte, NC) - Violent crime is on the decline in Charlotte. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings says end-of-the-year crime statistics show a seven-percent decrease in violent crime. There were 98 homicides in 2021, down 18-percent from 2020. Jennings says police seized more illegal guns last year than in 2020.
Police Investigating After Student Fight At Harding University High School
(Charlotte, NC) - Police are investigating after a fight between students at Harding University High School. Officers responded to the school before 9 a.m. Monday morning and were able to break up the fight. EMS treated the students involved in the fight for minor injuries, but no one had to be taken to the hospital. Harding High School had been on modified lockdown during the incident.
Cabarrus County Board Of Education Reinstates Mask Mandate
(Cabarrus County, NC) - A mask mandate is being reinstated for Cabarrus County schools. The County Board of Education voted 4-to-3 in favor of the measure Monday night. The mandate for students and staff goes into effect on Wednesday. This comes as over 12-hundred are in quarantine.
Certain Harris Teeter Locations Close Early For Restocking, Cleaning
(Charlotte, NC) - A Charlotte area store is closing some locations for restocking and cleaning. Harris Teeter closed certain stores early Monday night. The change will let workers get shelves stocked and organized, make sure stores are clean, and get Express Lane orders ready. Harris Teeter says it's part of their effort to make sure stores are a safe place to work and shop.
FBI Now Assisting In Investigation Of Officer Involved Shooting Of A North Carolina Black Man
(Fayetteville, NC) -- The FBI has joined the investigation into the fatal shooting of a Black man by a Cumberland County Sheriff's Deputy over the weekend. This, as dozens of demonstrators gathered for a second night in Fayetteville and Raleigh Monday, to demand transparency in the ongoing probe into the death of 37-year old Jason Walker. According to a preliminary incident report, Walker was shot and killed Saturday afternoon by off-duty Sheriff's Deputy Lt. Jeffrey Hash, after he jumped onto his pickup truck. But there are conflicting reports that claim Hash first struck the victim with his vehicle, which led to the deadly confrontation. Hash has been placed on administration leave.
Ruling Expected Today In A Lawsuit Filed Against North Carolina Congressional And Legislative District Maps
(Raleigh, NC) -- The North Carolina state Superior Court is expected to issue a ruling today on a lawsuit that challenged the recently re-drawn Congressional and legislative district maps. Civil rights groups argued the maps, drawn by the Republican controlled General Assembly, were purposely gerrymandered to weaken black voter strength. Lawyers representing GOP lawmakers insists the lawsuit was simply brought to get more Democrats elected. The lawsuit requests that the new maps be declared unconstitutional.
North Carolina COVID Key Metrics On Monday, Slightly Down From Last Week
(Raleigh, NC) -- Data released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services showed the number of new COVID-19 cases on Monday, was slightly down from last week. HHS reporting 18-thousand-254 infections, a decrease of over 5-thousand from the previous report on Friday. North Carolina's test positive rate was at 30-point-2 percent. There were also 3-thousand-850 people in the hospital. And, there were 66-additional deaths.
Late North Carolina Resident Maya Angelou To Appear On U.S. Coin
(Wake Forest, NC) -- Former North Carolina resident and Wake Forest professor Maya Angelou has become the first Black woman to appear on a U.S. quarter. The U.S. Mint announced Monday that the new coin featuring the legendary poet and activist went into circulation yesterday. The action is part of the American Women's Quarters Program and will include coins that feature a number of prominent women in American history. Angelou died in Winston-Salem in 2014.