Governor Urges Changes In Gun Laws
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina's governor is pleading with U.S. lawmakers to pass a law requiring universal background checks for guns. Roy Cooper released a video yesterday in reaction to the school shooting in Texas this week that resulted in 21 deaths. He also said he was ready to sign a bill, if passed, to expand Medicaid, which would provide billions of dollars for mental healthcare. Republican Senate leader Phil Berger said he's ready to support it.
Leicester Murder Suspect Arrested
(Leicester, NC) -- The suspect behind a 2021 Buncombe County murder is behind bars. Investigators say a man died from blunt force trauma inside a Leicester home last September. Quentin Bashaw had been on the run until his arrest this week in Wilmington. He awaits extradition.
Asheville Schools Names Interim Superintendent
(Asheville, NC) -- An interim superintendent is in place for Asheville City Schools. The district announced yesterday that Dr. Jim Causby is taking over on December 1st. Dr. Gene Freeman has already announced his retirement set for the end of November. Causby has served as superintendent for 30-years across western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina.
Asheville Budget Includes Minimum Wage Rise
(Asheville, NC) -- The city of Asheville is planning to pay all of its employees at least 17-dollars-an-hour. Minimum wage is currently at 15-dollars. The 217-million-dollar budget for next fiscal year was discussed at the city council meeting on Tuesday night. It also includes a five-percent raise for employees already hired before this year.
Fundraiser Helps Family Of Teen Who Drowned
(Buncombe County, NC) -- A fundraiser is underway to help support a family dealing with the death of a Buncombe County student. The school system confirmed Wednesday that 13-year-old Jose Sorto was the victim of a drowning on the Rocky Broad River near Chimney Rock last weekend. He was an eighth-grade student at Enka Middle School. A GoFundMe set up to help with funeral expenses has raised nearly four-thousand-dollars.
NC Drivers Urged To Be Safe This Weekend
(Asheville, NC) -- Drivers across North Carolina are being urged to drive safely this Memorial Day weekend. It marks the beginning of the summer travel season. The Asheville Police Department is concentrating efforts on the Click It or Ticket campaign through June 5th. Chief David Zack says wearing a seatbelt can be the difference between life and death.
CMS Advocates Push For More Money From County
(Charlotte, NC) -- CMS supporters are putting pressure on Mecklenburg County to fully fund the district's budget requests. The school system is looking for an additional 40-million-dollars over last year's total, but the county manager is proposing to fund half of that. Several dozen people spoke at a county commission meeting this week to urge for passage of the full CMS request. County commissioners are expected to discuss the spending plan next week.
Security Increases Around Charlotte Schools
(Charlotte, NC) -- Security is on the rise around Charlotte-area schools in the wake of this week's shooting in Texas. CMPD chief Johnny Jennings said yesterday police patrols are increasing in the region around schools. Mint Hill, Matthews and Pineville police departments have also increased police presence as a precautionary measure. The shooting in Uvalde, Texas this week ended with over 20 deaths.
Interstate Cleared After Hazmat Threat
(Charlotte, NC) -- A hazmat situation is under control with no big problems in south Charlotte. Interstate 77 was closed yesterday afternoon so emergency personnel could evaluate a hazardous spill from the back of a tractor trailer. WSOC-TV reports the liquid ended up being a skin irritant. There were no injuries.
Former Lancaster Officer Accused Of Soliciting Minor
(Lancaster County, SC) -- A former Lancaster police officer is facing sex crime charges. The 34-year-old was arrested for criminal solicitation of a minor after allegedly performing sexual activities over a live Instagram chat earlier this month. The warrant states he knew the victim was under 18-years-of-age. The suspect stopped working with the Lancaster police department in early April.
Lawsuit Against Paper Mill Considered Next Week
(Indian Trail, SC) -- The future of a class action lawsuit against a Catawba County paper mill will be decided next week. Residents from South Carolina up into the Charlotte area have complained about a foul odor coming from New Indy Containerboard. The company told WSOC-TV this week that it has complied with an EPA order to make changes to eliminate the smell. A judge will consider whether or not to allow the suit to move forward.
Charlotte FC Falls In U.S. Open Cup
(Montclair, NJ) -- Charlotte FC is out of the U.S. Open Cup. The club fell three-one to the New York Red Bulls in the round of 16 last night. The regular MLS season resumes for Charlotte this Sunday at Seattle. Charlotte sits in the middle of the standings for the Eastern Conference in the club's inaugural season.
Crews Find Body Of Second Brother In The Cape Fear River
(Harnett County, NC) -- The body of the second of two siblings swept away by strong rip currents in the Cape Fear River Monday, has been recovered. Search crews confirmed that the body of 25-year old Edwin Ordonez-Vasquez was found downstream early Wednesday morning. The discovery was made two days after his older brother, 29-year old Emilson was recovered late Monday night. The two brothers were with a group swimming and fishing, when the rip currents, spurred on by strong storms that tore across parts of central North Carolina Monday, swept them under as they were attempting to swim to an island.
Search For 18-Year Old And Her Two Dogs Continues Today
(Harnett County, NC) -- Authorities in Harnett County are asking the public for help in locating a teenaged girl and her two dogs who've been missing since Tuesday. Sheriff's deputies say 18-year old Kaitlyn Olivia Adams was last seen around 5:30 p.m., walking with two Schnauzers in the area of Cypress Church Road and Cypress Road in Cameron. She is described as White, about 5-feet-six inches tall and 115-pounds. She has hazel eyes and brown hair. Although she disappeared in Moore County, Harnett County is handling the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Harnett County Sheriff's Office.
After 10 Years Of Opposition, North Carolina Republicans Sponsor Their Own Medicaid Expansion Legislation
(Raleigh, NC) -- Republicans in the North Carolina Senate made their about-face official Wednesday, by introducing new legislation that would expand Medicaid coverage for more than a half-million people in the state. Those are workers who don't qualify for benefits offered by the Affordable Care Act's exchange program, but make too much money for traditional Medicare. The Republican plan would also allow nurse practitioners to provide more services with less supervision from doctors. The bill could still face Republican opposition in the House.
Republicans Call For Ban On Teachings About Sex In Grades K-3
(Raleigh, NC) -- State Republicans also introduced a bill Wednesday, that would ban teachings or discussions about sexual orientation or gender identity in grades kindergarten through third grade. The bill's sponsor, State Senator Deanna Ballard, said those issues have no place in the K-3 curriculum. Critics of the proposal argued it too strongly resembles the so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill approved by the Florida legislature earlier this year. If approved, the bill is expected to be vetoed by Governor Roy Cooper.
Pregnant Woman Shot After Traffic Crash
(High Point, NC) -- High Point Police say a woman who is five months pregnant is going to be okay after she was shot after a traffic accident. The 36-year-old woman, whose name has not been released, was apparently the target of gunfire. Police say Deontre Horne of High Point and Jeremiah Williamson of Thomasville fired shots at the victim's vehicle in the incident on Monday. They are both 19 and were arrested Wednesday under charges of attempted first-degree murder.
Property Taxes Would Go Up if County's Plan is Approved
(Greensboro, NC) -- Next year's recommended 855-million-dollar budget for Guilford County would mean increased property tax bills for most homeowners. That's because the county's revaluations found that most properties are worth more now than when the last revaluation was done in 2017. For the average median home, a property tax bill would increase just over 400-dollars under the current tax rate. A public hearing to discuss the budget will happen on June 2nd.
Demonstrators Raise Signs for Senator Burr to "Do Something"
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- People have gathered outside the office of U.S. Senator Richard Burr to voice frustration in the wake of the school shootings in Texas. Many of the signs displayed Wednesday near his Winston-Salem office prompted the senator to "do something," concerning a legislative response to the massacre. Aides say the Senator was not in his office on Wednesday.
Woman Charged with Child Neglect When Infant Found Unresponsive
(Greensboro, NC) -- A 27-year-old Greensboro woman has been charged in an infant's death. Police say they found the baby unresponsive when they arrived at a home on Lovett Street last Tuesday. EMS transported the infant to a local hospital where the child was pronounced dead. Melisa Rae has been charged with child neglect causing serious injury and manslaughter. It's not known whether Rae is the baby's mother - no further information has been made available.
New York Rangers Come Back to PNC Arena for Game 5 with Carolina
(Raleigh, NC) -- The Carolina Hurricanes will be doing their utmost Thursday night in Raleigh to keep the New York Rangers from winning one of two potential games. The Rangers are traveling to PNC Arena for Game 5, but Carolina team managers hope history will repeat for home-ice advantage. The Hurricanes now are 35-8-4 this season on home ice, including a plus-15 goal differential in their half-dozen playoff games in Raleigh. The two teams stand at two and two going into Thursday night's game.