Another Jail Death Reported In Buncombe County
(Buncombe County, NC) -- An investigation is underway into the death of an inmate at the Buncombe County jail. The sheriff says a 41-year-old woman died during an apparent medical episode Tuesday night, just hours after she was booked into the detention facility. It marks the fifth time in less than a year than an inmate at the Buncombe jail has died. District Attorney Todd Williams reports the SBI is looking into the case.
Labor Department Connects Death To COVID
(Raleigh, NC) -- Some workplace deaths last year are being connected to COVID. The Labor Department revealed this week that over a third of workplace fatalities statewide in 2021 were due to the virus. Three were reported in Buncombe and Henderson counties. Most deaths were connected to the service industry.
Growth Reported At Asheville Airport
(Asheville, NC) -- Passenger numbers are back up in a big way at Asheville Regional Airport. Over one-point-four-million customers used the airport last year, which nearly equaled totals in 2019 before the pandemic. Last year's totals from May, June and July actually surpassed the record numbers from the same period in 2019. Asheville Regional added six new stops last year.
Asheville PD Hiring More Officers
(Asheville, NC) -- The Asheville Police Department is continuing to hire back more officers for the force. A newly-hired recruiting company outlined plans to council members this week, which detailed strategies to hire more recruits. Police Chief David Zack reported that around 25-percent of the department's workforce is currently vacant. The recruiting company was hired last month at a cost of 225-thousand-dollars.
Suspect Sought In Asheville Crime Spree
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville police are looking for a suspect accused in a series of business break-ins. Investigators say the suspect broke into the Early Girl Eatery and Black Bear Cafe in south Asheville early Sunday morning. A third attempt to enter the Mr. Sushi restaurant the same morning was unsuccessful.
Former Assistant DA Running For Top Job
(Buncombe County, NC) -- A former assistant district attorney is running for the Buncombe circuit's top job. Doug Edwards announced yesterday that he's seeking to be elected as Buncombe County's district attorney. He served as an assistant in the district for a decade. His campaign released a statement claiming that a lack of direction has resulted in high turnover in the D-A's office and police department.
Rock Hill Officer Found Not Guilty In Assault Case
(Rock Hill, SC) -- A former Rock Hill police officer is not guilty of assault. Jonathan Moreno was on trial this week for allegedly attacking Travis Price as his brother was being arrested last summer. A jury deliberated most of the day on Wednesday and came back with a not guilty verdict. Price's attorney stated afterwards that he is concerned other citizens don't suffer the same mistreatment that his client endured.
Two Bus Wrecks Being Investigated
(Cabarrus County, NC) -- Two Charlotte-area school bus wrecks are being investigated. A bus driver was injured yesterday after being involved in a crash involving two cars in Lancaster. No students were on board. Several people were hospitalized after a head-on collision with a bus in Cabarrus County as well. No students were hurt.
Suspect Sentenced For Sex Trafficking
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Charlotte woman is heading to prison for sex trafficking. Court records show the suspect advertised commercial sex online involving a 13-year-old girl. WSOC-TV reports the woman was sentenced to at least 19-years in prison this week. She also reportedly served time in Florida for similar crimes.
Woman Arrested For Attempted Murder In Union County
(Union County, NC) -- A woman is accused of trying to kill her husband in Union County. Officers found a man shot multiple times at a home in Indian Trail on Tuesday night. The suspect allegedly fled from the scene, but turned herself in yesterday. The sheriff's office has charged her with attempted murder and assault.
Hornets Set Franchise Record For Single-Game Points
(Indianapolis, IN) -- The Charlotte Hornets are making history this season. The team scored a franchise record 158 points last night in a win over the Indiana Pacers. It also marked the highest point total in a game for any NBA team this season. The win keeps the Hornets right in the middle of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.
Clover Plans St. Patrick's Day Events
(Clover, SC) -- A big Saint Patrick's Day celebration is planned for the town of Clover. Organizers are set to resume the event in person for the first time since 2019 due to COVID cancellations. Vendors, food trucks and live music are scheduled for March 11th and 12th in downtown.
Biden Reportedly Considering Two North Carolina Women To Replace Breyer
(Raleigh, NC) -- With the retirement of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer expected to be officially announced today at the White House, there's already talk that two North Carolina women are on President Joe Biden's list of nominees as possible replacements. Anita Earls is an Associate Justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court and Cheri Beasley is a former Chief Justice of the state' highest court and now a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate. During his 2020 presidential campaign, Biden vowed to nominate a Black woman to the U.S. Supreme Court, if the opportunity ever arose.
School Bus Crashes With A Car Causing The Car To Catch Fire
(Johnston County, NC) -- A crash between a Johnston County school bus and a car, ended with the bus running off the road into a ditch and the car catching fire. It happened Wednesday afternoon on Pittman Road and U.S. 301 in Micro. The bus, which serves North Johnston Middle School, did not have any students on board at the time. However, both drivers received minor injuries and had to be taken to the hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Car Falls On Man Fatally Crushing Him While Trying To Steal Catalytic Converter
(Wake County, NC) -- Authorities in Wake County are investigating the death of a man who was killed while trying to steal a catalytic converter. It happened early Tuesday morning along U.S. Highway 64 and Debnam near Zebulon. Police say the man, identified as 50-year old Joshua Larry Diehl, was underneath a Toyota Camry, attempting to remove the converter when the vehicle fell on top of him. Sheriff's Deputies arrived a short time later to find his body pinned under the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cooper Welcomes Supersonic Jet Builder Boom To North Carolina
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper traveled to the Triad Wednesday to participate in welcoming ceremonies for Boom Supersonics. The aviation company plans to build a 500-million dollar assembly plant at the Piedmont/Triad Airport to produce passenger supersonic jets, capable of traveling faster than the speed of sound. Once completed, the plant plans to employ over 17-hundred workers.
Fort Bragg Soldier Charged With Murder In Shooting Death Of Fayetteville Woman
(Fort Bragg, NC) -- A Fort Bragg soldier is facing murder charges following the shooting death of a Fayetteville woman just over the state line in South Carolina. It happened Sunday near Highway 9 in Longs, which is near North Myrtle Beach. Authorities say 22-year old Army Specialist Yunique Weathers shot 21-year old De-Erica Fisher multiple times before surrendering to police. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Weathers, who is also from Fayetteville, was assigned to the 503rd Police Batallion at Fort Bragg.