Gov Vetos Mask Choice Bill, Gas Prices Going Up, Candidates Filing Resumes

Governor Vetoes Bill Over Mask Choice

(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper is striking down a bill for face mask options in school. The legislation gives parents a say on whether or not their children will wear a mask. Cooper vetoed the bill yesterday, stating the proper course is to let local school boards make the decision. Masks are optional in most North Carolina school districts now.

Candidates Filing For Elections Again

(Asheville, NC) -- Candidates are filing to run for election in North Carolina again. The filing period started back up yesterday after judges signed off on new legislative maps. Buncombe's election services director told WLOS-TV several candidates came by the office yesterday. Three candidates for State House and three for Buncombe County commission will also need to re-file because their districts changed.

Cooper Speaks On Russian Invasion

(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina's governor is offering prayers to Ukrainians after the start of Russia's invasion. Roy Cooper tweeted yesterday that it's an attack on free people. Around three-thousand troops from Fort Bragg are stationed along the Poland-Ukraine border. Cooper added he is grateful for the troops overseas defending democracy.

Gas Prices To Climb Even Higher In WNC

(Asheville, NC) -- Russia's invasion of Ukraine is expected to send western North Carolina gas prices even higher. Triple-A Carolinas is predicting prices will hit four-dollars-a-gallon within a few-weeks. The cost of fuel has already jumped over 30-cents in the last month. The cost of a barrel of oil climbed to over 100-dollars this week for the first time since 2014.

Woman Arrested As Dozens Of Animals Seized

(Rutherford County, NC) -- A Rutherford County woman is facing charges in an animal cruelty case. Animal control seized nearly two-dozens horses, 17 goats and a sheep from property on Paws Ranch Road yesterday. The animals have already been divided into rescue and foster homes. The suspect was charged on 14 counts including misdemeanor animal cruelty and improper burial.

New Homeless Program Begins In Buncombe

(Buncombe County, NC) -- A new initiative in Buncombe County will help those in the homeless population connected to nonviolent crimes. The Unhoused Diversion Program aims to remove housing barriers, aid in vocational rehab and provide health services. Anyone that's been charged with a violent crime can't take part.

Uptown Protesters Rally Against Russian Invasion

(Charlotte, NC) -- The call to stand up for Ukraine is growing louder in Charlotte. A group of people protesting the Russian invasion gathered in uptown yesterday to march from Romare Bearden Park to the Mecklenburg County government center. Many of the demonstrators were Ukrainian and some still have ties in the country. President Joe Biden added additional sanctions against Russia yesterday, including a block on technology exports.

Governor Visits New Electric Vehicle Charging Station In Charlotte

(Charlotte, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper is praising a unique electric vehicle charging station in Charlotte. He toured a location called Pole Vault at the Ritz at Washington Heights yesterday. Free curbside charging is available with energy from streetlights. Cooper said this is just one way North Carolina is getting ready for the transition to electric.

Suspect Not Guilty In Murders Of Brothers-In-Law

(York County, SC) -- A man accused of killing two brothers-in-law in York County is not guilty. It was June 2019 when the victims were shot to death while on out running an errand near Rock Hill. Their families say they believe the shootings were totally random. The suspect was found not guilty by reason of insanity yesterday and is being committed to the Department of Mental Health.

Council Considering Criminal Penalties For Encampments

(Charlotte, NC) -- The Charlotte City Council is expected to discuss criminal penalties for camping on city property next week. An initial city ordinance was decriminalized in December when a sweeping law went into effect that requires specific penalties to be spelled out. Councilwoman Renee Johnson says adding a criminal charge to people with significant issues like the homeless only magnifies the problem.

Former School Employee Arrested For Child Sex Crimes

(Charlotte, NC) -- A former JROTC instructor at a Huntersville high school is facing sex crimes charges. Drayton Gilyard was arrested earlier this week for indecent liberties with a child and sexual battery. He resigned from his position at Hopewell High last week after serving around a month on suspension.

Charlotte FC Adds Player Last Minute Before Opener

(Charlotte, NC) -- Another player is being added to Charlotte FC's roster as the club's opening match approaches. The Charlotte Observer reports Charlotte acquired forward Daniel Rios from Nashville this week to help fill a void at that position. Tomorrow marks the beginning of Charlotte's inaugural season. The club travels to play D.C. United.

Officer Conducts Drug Deal

(Raleigh, NC) -- Shocking revelations have come to light after a Raleigh police officer allegedly sold drugs while on duty. Authorities say that Keven Rodriguez distributed cocaine last Fall all while he was in uniform. Investigators were watching the drug deal go down and he was arrested on Wednesday. Police Chief Estella Patterson called his arrest a disappointment. Rodriguez was a field operations division officer.

Become an Officer

(Raleigh, NC) -- The Raleigh Police Department is searching for folks that want to make a positive difference. The department is looking for tenured officers to join the force. Experienced officers can earn a five-thousand-dollar signing bonus for joining the team. Details can be found online.

City Council Meeting

(Raleigh, NC) -- Final preparations are going into place for next week's City Council meetings. Budget, homelessness, and rezoning will be among the many topics discussed. This meeting will be conducted in-person at the City Council Chamber on West Hargett Street. You can also watch the meeting Tuesday live on YouTube and other platforms.

Deadly Double Shooting

(Fayetteville, NC) -- One person has died and another is seriously hurt following a Fayetteville double shooting. Shots were fired yesterday evening in the 4600-block of Fen Court. Authorities identified both victims as men. Homicide detectives are now investigating this incident.

School Mask Mandate Extended

(Durham, NC) -- Students in Durham will be wearing their face masks a bit longer. It comes after school leaders came to an agreement yesterday to extend the district's mask mandate. Several other local school districts have decided to lift their mask rules or make them optional.

Raleigh Gas Update

(Raleigh, NC) -- Gas prices have gone through the roof in Raleigh. According to Triple-A, the price for unleaded gas has increased by seven-cents in just the past week. But that's nothing compared to this time last month when it was around three-dollars-and-13-cents. It's just below three-50 at most gas stations in the area. That's still slightly above the statewide average of three-47.


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