Whitewater Center Expanding In WNC
(Mills River, NC) -- The U.S. National Whitewater Center is expanding in western North Carolina. Initial plans yesterday reveal whitewater paddling, fishing, hiking and more will be developed at a location in Mills River. The national center is located on 13-hundred acres in Charlotte. Mills River's town manager said it's exciting for the region to have more outdoor recreation opportunities available.
Sheriff Candidate Challenged Over Residency
(Buncombe County, NC) -- The residency of a Buncombe County sheriff's candidate is being challenged. Five voters have disputed whether Republican Jeff Worley lives in the county. Worley says that he's lived at a home in Leicester since 2015. Worley won the Republican primary last month.
Results Same After Recounts In Buncombe
(Buncombe County, NC) -- A machine recount hasn't changed the outcome of two primary races in western North Carolina. Pratik Bhakta and Sherry Higgins still came out to exactly the same amount of votes in the state House District 115 race for Republicans. A full hand-eye recount is now underway. Incumbent Todd Williams still came out ahead of his challenger in the Buncombe County district attorney race by just over 100 votes.
Polk County Man Accused Of Killing Grandfather
(Polk County, NC) -- A Polk County man is accused of killing his grandfather. The sheriff's office says the 76-year-old victim was found dead in the yard of a home on Columbus Saturday night. The death was allegedly caused by a physical assault. The man's grandson was arrested for second-degree murder.
Covered Bridge Collapses During Bad Weather
(Lake Lure, NC) -- Clean-up is underway at the site of a collapsed bridge in western North Carolina. WLOS-TV reports severe weather most likely caused a covered bridge to fall at the Twelve Mile Post development at Lake Lure. Trees were also reported to be down in the area. No one was injured.
Asheville Flight Heading To Miami
(Asheville, NC) -- A non-stop flight is heading from Asheville to Miami for the first time ever today. A celebration is planned at Asheville Regional Airport for the American Airlines flight. WLOS-TV reports more than two-dozen non-stop flights are now departing out of Asheville, which is the most ever.
CMPD Upgrading Efforts To Track Officer Misconduct
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is increasing efforts to track officer misconduct. WSOC-TV reports the city is giving the police department more than 100-thousand-dollars to continue a program that tracks an officer's history. The system is also being upgraded to identify officers who might be at risk of using excessive force. Police interactions will be limited as a result of the program.
Three Injured In Hickory Shooting
(Hickory, NC) -- Hickory police are investigating a triple shooting. Officers found two people injured outside an apartment on First Street Thursday afternoon. A third man was found injured while hiding inside an apartment close to the scene. There's no word if anyone has been charged or arrested.
Company Making Headquarters In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- A German-based manufacturer is going to make Charlotte its new headquarters. The Charlotte Business Journal is reporting Perma USA will build a new campus at the Westlake Business Park in Steele Creek. Perma has already been operating in the Queen City for three-decades. Around two-dozen new jobs will be offered at the new headquarters.
No Problems After Threat Reported At Rock Hill Walmart
(Rock Hill, SC) -- No trouble is being reported from the scene of perceived threats in Rock Hill. Officers were called out to the Walmart on Dave Lyle Boulevard last night after word surfaced online there was an active shooter at the business. After a search, investigators found there was no active shooter at the store. Extra officers stayed on patrol just in case.
Two Found Dead In Kannapolis
(Kannapolis, NC) -- A double homicide is being investigated in Kannapolis. A woman and her nephew were found dead inside the B&T Learning Center on James Street Thursday morning. The children who attend the daycare had not yet shown up for the day when the homicides were reported. There's no word on the suspected cause of the deaths.
Senate Advances Medical Marijuana Bill
(Charlotte, NC) -- The state Senate is continuing to advance a medical marijuana bill. The condition of a patient must be certified by a physician before a patient can receive a card for medical marijuana access. The bill is still facing a final vote from the Senate before it moves to a House vote.
Two NC Schools Start Baseball Tournament
(Chapel Hill, NC) -- Two North Carolina schools are started play in the NCAA baseball tournament. UNC is hosting a regional, with an opening game slated against Hofstra today. East Carolina is also hosting its own regional in Greenville. The Pirates open against Coppin State.
Guilford Commission Declares Crisis Over Guns
(Guilford County, NC) -- Guilford County commissioners are sending a message about gun violence. The board passed a resolution last night that declares gun violence as a public health crisis. The county is committing to partnering with local organizations and the community at large to tackle the problem. There are more than 200 gun deaths on average every year in Guilford County.
One Dead In Greensboro Double Shooting
(Greensboro, NC) -- A deadly double-shooting is being investigated in Greensboro. Officers found one man shot to death and another injured on Summit Avenue early Thursday morning. WFMY News reported that a crime scene was taped off at a staffing agency. A five-thousand-dollar reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of a suspect.
Ex-Trooper Sentenced For Selling Guns
(Guilford County, NC) -- A former state trooper is heading to prison for illegally selling guns in Guilford County. The FBI started investigating Tmothy Norman earlier this year for allegedly dealing weapons, including decommissioned North Carolina state patrol guns. He was sentenced yesterday to just over three-years and ordered to pay a 15-thousand-dollar fine.
Former Nurse Heads To Prison For Stealing Meds
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- An ex-nurse in Winston-Salem will serve time for stealing medications. The woman reportedly took opioids initially prescribed for patients and replaced them with saline solution while she worked at the Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center. A judge sentenced her yesterday to over four-years in prison. Investigators say she did the same thing at a hospital in Danville, Virginia.
Winston-Salem Firefighters Want Higher Raise
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Winston-Salem firefighters want more pay. The head of the local firefighters association told the city council last night that they should be treated the same as police officers. His reference was to the upcoming pay raise for officers, which totals 14-percent. Most certified firefighters are receiving a nine-percent jump in salary.