>>Juvenile Found Dead at Motel
Asheville Police have opened a death investigation at a West Asheville motel after the body of a juvenile was discovered on Monday afternoon. Police have not confirmed the age of the child but witnesses on the scene tell WLOS-TV the child was 3 to 4 years old. The investigation is ongoing.
BRP Wildfire Contained
(Haywood County, NC) -- A large wildfire in western North Carolina is under control. The Forest Service confirmed that the Barnett Branch fire along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Haywood and Transylvania counties was contained last night. It spread over roughly 370-acres since last Wednesday. The initial cause is thought to be linked to an abandoned campfire.
Another Round Of Funding Available For NC Businesses
(Buncombe County, NC) -- More money is available for struggling businesses in North Carolina. The Business Recovery Grant Program is offering another 200-million-dollars for businesses that suffered an economic loss of at least 20-percent during the pandemic. Nearly 300-million-dollars went out in an initial phase of funding. Applications are being taken through June 1st.
New Apartments Proposed In Arden
(Arden, NC) -- A new apartment development is being planned in Arden. The Citizen-Times reports developers submitted plans in early March for a 186-unit project off Lake Julian. Close to 40 units will be considered affordable housing. The site still needs to be rezoned to a residential expansion district.
Tax Rate Hike Possible For Asheville city Schools
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville City Schools officials are studying a possible tax rate hike. Buncombe County commission chair Brownie Newman told WLOS-TV that the board of education spoke with the county last week about the idea, in addition to an extra 600-thousand-dollars for Asheville's Pre-K program. Newman added he hopes the school district can present a one-, two- and three-year financial plan.
Interstate 26 Rest Area Set To Open
(Buncombe County, NC) -- A rest area along I-26 in Buncombe County is expected to open this week. The DOT says widening on the eastbound interstate at the Henderson County line will wrap up by Thursday, which will make way for the opening of the revamped rest area. The exit will feature new buildings, expanded parking and more. The westbound rest area should be finished in around six weeks.
Raises Included In Proposed Charlotte Budget
(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte's city council is studying the new fiscal year budget. City Manager Marcus Jones presented a spending plan of over three-billion-dollars to the board last night. Both general hourly employees and salaried employees will see raises under the proposal. A public hearing on the plan is scheduled for next Monday.
More Grant Money Available For NC Businesses
(Raleigh, NC) -- More money is available for struggling businesses in North Carolina. The Business Recovery Grant Program is offering another 200-million-dollars for businesses that suffered an economic loss of at least 20-percent during the pandemic. Nearly 300-million-dollars went out in an initial phase of funding. Applications are being taken through June 1st.
Student Arrested After Bringing Loaded Weapon To School
(Charlotte, NC) -- A teen is accused of bringing a loaded gun to a Charlotte school yesterday. The 18-year-old was arrested yesterday at the Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology. CMS officials said the student was caught with the gun while walking through a metal detector heading into school. The detectors have only been in use at the academy for a couple of days.
Teen Arrested For East Charlotte Murder
(Charlotte, NC) -- A teen is behind bars for an east Charlotte homicide. Investigators say the body of a man was discovered near Albemarle Road Elementary and Albemarle Middle schools last week. The CMPD arrested a 16-year-old suspect for murder. The cause of death hasn't been released.
Meck County Addressing Food Stamp Delays
(Charlotte, NC) -- Mecklenburg County is taking steps to address a food stamps backlog. WSOC-TV reports there's been a large increase in new applications and re-certifications. More staff will be hired to help alleviate the problem.
Parking Fees Likely To Increase In Uptown, South End
(Charlotte, NC) -- Parking fees could be going up in parts of Charlotte. A rate hike from one-dollar to one-50 is being proposed in the city's new budget for fiscal year 2023. Areas like Uptown and South End would likely be among those neighborhoods that will be affected. The extra funds are expected to help pay for paving projects.
Hurricanes Win First Game Of Playoffs
(Raleigh, NC) -- The Hurricanes are off to a good start in the NHL playoffs. Carolina took down Boston five-to-one in Raleigh last night. Goalie Antti Raanta had 35 saves in the game one match-up. The puck drops again for game two tomorrow night at PNC Arena.
Passenger Treated For Burns Following An Emergency Landing At RDU
(Wake County, NC) -- An investigation is underway to determine the cause of a passenger being treated for burns following an emergency landing at RDU Monday night. Airport officials say the female passenger, who was not identified, was examined by first responders at the scene and later transported to a nearby hospital. No word on her condition. RDU did not release any additional details about the circumstances that led to the burning. The investigation is continuing.
Wake County Budget Proposes Increased Property Taxes And Wage Hikes For Commissioners
(Wake County, NC) -- Property taxes could be going up again next year for Wake County homeowners. It depends on whether a proposed one-point-seven billion dollar budget for fiscal year 2023 is approved by the Commission. Under the plan submitted by County Manager Davis Ellis Monday night, property taxes would increase by one-point-five cents for every 100 dollars in assessed value. That would translate into an additional 50 dollars a year for the average home valued at 337-thousand dollars. The proposed budget also includes a 132-percent pay increase for Commissioners, which would raise their pay from 28-thousand-500 a year to just over 66-thousand.
High Diesel Prices Viewed As Unsustainable For Most North Carolina Truckers
(Raleigh, NC) -- Across the state of North Carolina and the nation, long haul truckers are feeling intense pain at the pump, as the cost of diesel fuel spiked to over five-79 a gallon on Monday. The war between Russia and Ukraine is being blamed. The record high prices are forcing many owner operators to consider shutting down. And commercial trucking companies are predicting the inflated fuel costs will be passed on to consumers in the coming days and weeks. One independent North Carolina trucker said he's paying an average of 13-hundred dollars for each fill up.
Truck Driver Hauling Tomatoes Dies In Fiery Crash On I-95
(Johnston County, NC) -- A truck driver was killed in a fiery crash on I-95 early Monday morning. According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the driver of the 18-wheeler, which was hauling tomatoes from Florida to New York, lost control and ran off the road at mile marker 98 near Selma, crashed into a ditch and hit several trees before bursting into flames. The driver, identified as Jason Hedgepath, was pronounced dead at the scene.
North Carolina DOT Hosting A Job Fair Today In Rocky Mount
(Rocky Mount, NC) -- The North Carolina Department of Transportation will host a job fair today. The Department will be seeking to fill more than 100-positions, including drivers license examiners, law enforcement inspectors and program coordinators. Organizers say the NCDOT will also focus on former QVC workers who were laid off after a massive fire back in December. The event will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Department of Transportation's headquarters on Church Street in Rocky Mount.
Canes Smother The Bruins In First Game Of NHL Playoffs
(Raleigh, NC) -- Game one of the NHL's Stanley Cup seven-game playoff series went to the Carolina Hurricanes. Led by goalie Antti Raanta, who had 35-saves in his first playoff start, the Canes trounced the Boston Bruins five-one at PNC Arena Monday night. Raanta started in place of Frederik Andersen, who continues to struggle with a lower back injury. Game two will be tomorrow night at PNC Arena.