COVID Transmission Up In Part Of WNC
(Hendersonville, NC) -- Higher levels of COVID are popping up in a number of western North Carolina counties. A new CDC report this week shows medium spread in Buncombe, Haywood, Yancey, Swain, Clay and Mitchell counties. Hospitalizations are still relatively low for the region. Also, Governor Roy Cooper announced yesterday he's tested positive for COVID, but says he feels fine.
Nine Arrested In Buncombe Drug Investigation
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe County investigators are cracking down on large-scale drug operations. The sheriff's office revealed yesterday that nine people have been arrested on various trafficking and possession charges in a weeks-long investigation in the Weaverville area. More than 24-pounds of methamphetamine and 34-thousand-dollars were seized. There were four separate raids this month.
Suspect Charged In Hendersonville Arson
(Hendersonville, NC) -- A man is accused of arson in Hendersonville. Investigators say the 60-year-old allegedly set fire to a structure on Cosmopolitan Lane last month. He's since been arrested for first-degree arson. WLOS-TV reports the suspect still remains in jail.
Departments Get Staffing Boosts In New Budget
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Nearly two-dozen Buncombe County departments are increasing staff as part of the proposed budget. WLOS-TV reports eleven of those positions will come to the EMS department, which includes five additional paramedics for the county. Commissioners are making a vote on Buncombe's next spending plan today.
Asheville Reveals July 4th Plans Downtown
(Asheville, NC) -- Organizers are preparing for July 4th in downtown Asheville. The Ingles Independence Day Celebration in Pack Square Park will begin at 5 p.m. on the 4th with music, food and drinks. The Splashville Fountain will be on as well. The big fireworks show is expected to start around 9:30.
Concert To Benefit Those Fleeing Ukraine
(Hendersonville, NC) -- An upcoming music concert will benefit Ukrainians fleeing from war. Musicians from the Hendersonville community are getting together to put on performances at Trinity Presbyterian Church this Saturday. Guest speakers are also scheduled. Funds will benefit the relief organizations International Rescue Committee and Razom.
Teen Dies After Statesville Golf Cart Wreck
(Statesville, NC) -- Another life is gone due to a suspected drunk driving wreck in Statesville. It's been just over a week since officers say a car struck a golf cart on Fort Dobbs Road, killing three people and injuring three others. The latest victim died at age 13 yesterday. A 23-year-old was arrested for felony death by vehicle and DWI.
Charlotte Halts Short-Term Rental Regulations
(Charlotte, NC) -- New policies for short-term rentals are on hold in Charlotte. NBC Charlotte says city staff recently released the second draft of a Unified Development Ordinance, which doesn't include short-term rental regulations. Airbnb operators would have been required to obtain a zoning use permit, The city reportedly backed off the regulations for now due to a legal case in Wilmington.
Flight Cancellations Drop At CLT
(Charlotte, NC) -- Fewer flight cancellations are being reported at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Yesterday's drop came after a weekend that saw nearly 400 flights called off and more than 800 delayed at CLT. Weather and staffing shortages appear to be the largest factors behind the cancellations, which reached three-thousand across the country. American Airlines reported less than one-percent of its Charlotte departures were canceled Monday.
COVID Shots Going Out or Kids In Charlotte This Week
(Charlotte, NC) -- Health offices around Charlotte are preparing to give out COVID vaccines to young children. StarMed will start administering shots to kids between six-months and five-years-old beginning tomorrow. Atrium Health facilities are looking at later this week, while the Mecklenburg County Health Department will roll out vaccines starting Saturday.
Repairs Begin To Clean Up Hickory Bridge Damage
(Hickory, NC) -- Work is finally underway to repair damage done to a bridge in Hickory. It's been four-months since large wooden arches came crashing down onto Main Avenue and a pedestrian bridge. A contractor is paying the city for repairs, which began yesterday on Main Avenue. The road will be closed the rest of the week.
South Charlotte Residents Oppose Apartment Expansion
(Charlotte, NC) -- Some south Charlotte residents are against a newly proposed development. Nearly 500 apartment units are planned as part of an expansion of the Legacy Arboretum off Pineville-Matthews Road. WSOC-TV says neighbors have created a website with points of opposition to the expansion. Perhaps the largest worry for residents is the development's impact on traffic.
Governor Roy Cooper In Isolation After Testing Positive For COVID-19
(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper has tested positive for COVID-19. In a statement released by his office Monday, a spokesperson said Cooper is experiencing only mild symptoms and that he will be working from home and follow CDC guidelines for the next several days. Cooper, who has been vaccinated and boosted twice, is also being treated with the anti-viral medication Paxlovid.
Road Widening Project Kicks Off For 22-Miles Of Beaches Along The Outer Banks
(Outer Banks, NC) -- Work got underway Monday along Coastal North Carolina on a beach widening project at the Outer Banks. The 78-million dollar project will widen nearly 22-miles of beaches, including Kill Devil Hills and Avon beaches. The beach widening project is expected to last through mid-October.
Durham Neighborhood Hit At Least Five Times By Burglars Within The Past 12-Days
(Durham, NC) -- Residents in one Durham neighborhood have been placed on high alert, after five homes were burglarized within a 12-day period. Police believe the thieves targeted houses and vehicles in the Lakewood neighborhood between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Investigators say many of the break-ins have occurred due to cars being left unlocked, windows and doors unsecured and alarms not activated. During police are urging the residents to report any suspicious activities.
Teen Detained After Going On Joy Ride And Smashing Up Two Cars And Two Houses In Fayetteville
(Fayetteville, NC) -- Authorities in Fayetteville are considering whether or not to file charges against a 15-year old boy, who allegedly went on a joy ride in his grandfather's car and damaged two houses and two vehicles. It happened around 10 a.m. Monday along Candlewood Drive in the Water's Edge subdivision. Police say the teen was speeding around a curve when he lost control and slammed into two parked vehicles, forcing them to crash into two garages. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
Sports Gambling Bill To Be Voted On This Week In North Carolina General Assembly
(Raleigh, NC) -- When North Carolina lawmakers return to the state capitol today, one of the items expected to be immediately considered is a pair of bill that would legalize sports gambling. Senate Bills 688 and 38 could be voted on in tandem to generate additional revenue through higher taxes. If approved by both Houses, sports gambling is projected to bring in between 8-and-24 million annually in tax revenue to the state.
UNC Announces Northwestern Big Man Pete Nance Is Transferring To Chapel Hill
(Chapel Hill, NC) -- The UNC men's basketball team made it official Monday, that former Northwestern forward Pete Nance will be transferring to Chapel Hill as a graduate student. Coach Hubert Davis said the six-foot-ten-inch tall Nance will strategically be used to fill the void created by Brady Manek, with the goal of getting back to the NCAA Tournament. During his senior season with the Wildcats, Nance averaged 14-point-6 points per game, 6-point-5 rebounds and 1-point-1 blocked shots.
Police On the Lookout for Exhibitionist
(Greensboro, NC) -- Greensboro Police are investigating after a man exposed himself on a walking trail behind a school. It happened in Price Park, off New Garden Road around 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The victim told police the man had asked to pet her dog, then came up behind her fully exposed. Police are looking for the man before he can do it again. The victim says he had tattoos on his chest and arms, was wearing athletic shorts and sandals with socks on and had gold-rimmed glasses.
Woman Facing Felony Assault Charges For Running Over Husband
(Graham, NC) -- An Alamance County woman has been arrested after she reportedly ran over her husband with her car. A news release says 28-year-old woman Bethany Brooke Stapleton has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill after the alleged incident in May. Stapleton reportedly left the area and traveled to Georgia. She was extradited back to North Carolina and is being held in jail. Her husband was taken to a hospital after he was hit but his current condition isn't known.
Sports-Wagering Bill Set for Action in the House this Week
(Raleigh, NC) -- Even though it's not seen any activity in the past seven months, a revised sports-wagering bill may get more attention this week. Senate Bill 688 is on the agenda for Tuesday for the House's Judiciary One committee. Democratic Senator Paul Lowe of Forsyth is one of the bill's co-primary sponsors and says it potentially could provide up to 50-million-dollars for school construction.
Winston-Salem Teen Recognized for Not Ever Missing a Day of School
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A senior from Reagan High School in Winston-Salem is getting national attention for achieving perfect attendance from kindergarten through 12th grades. Senior Ashleigh Larson says she made it through with help from her parents, who are both teachers in her school district. She says she always had someone to take her to school and hold her accountable because of that.