Tornado Confirmed In Swain County
(Swain County, NC) -- A tornado is being confirmed in western North Carolina. The National Weather Service says an EF-One twister that reached speeds of 95-miles-an hour touched down in Swain County just north of Bryson City last week. Three homes were reportedly damaged, but no one was injured.
Unaffiliated Voters Showing Up In WNC Congressional Race
(Asheville) -- Unaffiliated mountain voters are making a mark in this year's primary already. WLOS-TV reports more than 40-percent of those who have cast ballots in the District 11 Congressional race for Republicans are unaffiliated. The race has pulled in more than any other Congressional race in the state so far, with more than 27-thousand. The primary will be held one week from today.
Jobs Still Available Despite Low Jobless Rate
(Asheville, NC) -- Jobs are still available in the Asheville metro area, despite a record low unemployment rate. Preliminary data shows the jobless rate dipped to just under three-percent in March, which is nearly two-percent lower than the same time one-year ago. An official with the North Carolina Department of Commerce told the Citizen-Times that there are still a large number of job opportunities because of demand. More jobs were open in Asheville for the month of March than at any time in the same month before.
Suicides, Homicides Up Among North Carolina Children
(Raleigh, NC) -- Homicides and suicides are increasing among North Carolina's children. The Child Fatality Task Force just issued a report found that the nearly 80 homicides reported in 2020 were the leading cause of death in children between ages one and 17. Suicide was the fourth-leading cause. The report encouraged the state to reinvigorate programs aimed at reducing child fatalities.
Gas Prices Rise Drastically In NC
(Asheville, NC) -- Gas prices are on the rise in western North Carolina. Triple-A reports the cost for a gallon of regular unleaded has risen to four-15-a-gallon. That marks a 17-cent rise in the past week alone. The costs to fill a tank in the mountain region remains among the highest in North Carolina.
Buncombe County Pools Opening Later This Month
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Outdoor fun is beginning soon at Buncombe County's pools. The recreation services department says its five outdoor pools will open on May 28th. They're scheduled to be open seven-days-a-week, weather permitting.
Man Sentenced After Wreck That Killed Deputy Clerk
(Gaston County, NC) -- A man is heading to prison for a crash that killed a Gaston County deputy clerk of court. It's been just over two years since Faye Pickelsimer died in a head-on collision. The driver responsible was sentenced to just over ten-years in prison after a plea deal was accepted. Prosecutors say the man had opioids in his system at the time of the wreck.
Council Votes Down Weddington Development
(Weddington, NC) -- A development in the town of Weddington is off the table. The council voted last night against a proposal to build nearly 200 homes, a park, amphitheater and greenway, which was to be called Weddington Green. The project met opposition from the public since its inception. There were concerns over zoning issues, potential school overcrowding and crime.
Gas Prices Jump In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- Triple-A reports the average price for regular unleaded in Charlotte now stands at four-ten-a-gallon. That price is 17-cents more than just one-week ago. Charlotte's average is running about the same as the statewide average, and more than 20-cents lower than the national price.
Homicides, Suicides Up Among NC Children
(Raleigh, NC) -- Homicides and suicides are increasing among North Carolina's children. The Child Fatality Task Force just issued a report found that the nearly 80 homicides reported in 2020 were the leading cause of death in children between ages one and 17. Suicide was the fourth-leading cause. The report encouraged the state to reinvigorate programs aimed at reducing child fatalities.
Suspect Arrested In Kings Mountain Hit-And-Run
(Kings Mountain, NC) -- Police in Kings Mountain are investigating a deadly hit-and-run. A woman was killed and a man was injured before officers found them in the road on North Cansler Street Sunday night. The driver allegedly fled the scene, but was later arrested. Charges include hit-and-run and death by motor vehicle.
Hurricanes Hosting Boston
(Raleigh, NC) -- The Hurricanes are looking to bounce back in the first round of the NHL playoffs. Carolina lost two games in Boston after building its own two-game lead in the series last week. The teams hit the ice at PNC Arena in Raleigh tonight for game-five.
CMPD Officers Biking To DC
(Charlotte, NC) -- Some CMPD officers are biking to the nation's capitol. WSOC-TV says the group is making the 400-mile trek this week to Washington, DC as a tribute to the city's fallen officers. The end of the journey will culminate in a candlelight vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on Friday night.
Durham School Bus Driver Swerves Off Road To Avoid A Shootout
(Durham, NC) -- A Durham school bus driver is being heralded as a hero, after he intentionally drove his vehicle filled with children off the road an into a ditch in order to avoid a shootout. It happened just before 4:30 p.m. Monday near the intersection of Club Boulevard and Dearborn Drive in Durham. Police say the driver swerved off the road when he saw gunfire being exchanged between two people in two different cars. There were 18-students and two adults on board. Fortunately no one was injured.
High Speed Chase Through Wilson And Johnston Counties Leaves Two Motorists Dead
(Johnston County, NC) -- Two people were killed and a woman hospitalized Monday, following a high speed chase that began in Wilson County and ended in Johnston County. Early Monday morning, state troopers spotted a Dodge Charger traveling at over 112 mph along Oscar Loop Road. When officers tried to get the female driver to pull over, she sped up and continued south on 301 toward Johnston County. It was there that she lost control, crossed a median and slammed head on into a pickup truck traveling in the opposite direction. Two adult males inside were killed instantly. The driver of the Charger is now facing two counts of second degree murder, along with multiple felony traffic violations.
New Durham County Budget Calls For Nearly 800-Million Dollars In Spending
(Durham County, NC) -- Durham County leaders got their first look at the proposed new budget for the fiscal year 2022-2023 Monday night. The nearly 800-million dollar budget calls for pay increases for county employees, additional funding for public schools, new funding for maternal care, but no increases in property taxes. A public hearing on the new spending plan is set for May 23rd.
Raleigh Police Officer Responding To A Shooting Call Injured In A Multi-Vehicle Crash
(Raleigh, NC) -- A Raleigh police officer responding to a call of a shooting was injured in an auto accident Monday night. It happened at the intersection of South New Hope and Rock Quarry Roads. Records show the police cruiser collided with three other vehicles at the intersection, resulting in the officer and another person being hurt. The officer was treated at the scene for non-life threatening injuries. The occupant of one of the other cars was taken to a nearby hospital.
Gas Prices Going Up And Up Across North Carolina
(Raleigh, NC) -- Gas prices are starting to trend back upward across North Carolina, as industry analysts are predicting near record highs in the coming weeks. Triple-A North Carolina reported Monday, that the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded was around four dollars, with diesel fuel averaging five-dollars-44 cents a gallon. The war in Ukraine, declines in Russian oil imports and continued delays in the global supply chain to blame. Fuel prices are expected to climb another 18-20 cents over the next ten-14 days.
Canes And Bruins Meet For Game 5-Tonight At PNC Arena
(Raleigh, NC) -- The Carolina Hurricanes will be back on the ice tonight at PNC Arena for Game Five of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins. With the series tied at two, the Canes are hoping the home crowd will give them a slight advantage over the Bruins, who came away with a solid five-two win in Boston two days ago. Coach Rod Brind'Amour says the key to a victory tonight will be for the players to keep their heads and stay out of the penalty box. The puck drops at 7 p.m.