Asheville Police Investigate First Homicide Of 2023
(Asheville, NC) -- A suspect is behind bars in connection to Asheville's first homicide of the year. Officers arrested the suspect yesterday for allegedly shooting MacKenzie Strickland to death on Southern Street late Wednesday night. The victim's girlfriend told WLOS-TV that Strickland and the suspect first met in prison. The shooting allegedly stemmed from an argument over a tattoo.
One Dead After SUV Drives Into Lake
(Graham County, NC) -- A deadly accident is being investigated in Graham County. WLOS-TV reports an SUV veered off Thunderbird Mountain Road early Thursday morning before landing in Lake Santeetlah. The driver and a passenger were able to escape safely, but a 23-year-old man never made it out. Rescue crews were finally able to pull the SUV out of the water roughly 12-hours later.
Special Parking Program Extended For Downtown Asheville
(Asheville, NC) -- The time to apply to be part of a downtown Asheville affordable parking space program is being extended. Buncombe County is offering a limited number of spaces in the Coxe Avenue parking deck to people who work downtown at 40-dollars-per-month. Around 135 of 150 spots have been filled, but workers are now being given even longer to apply for the program. If the initiative is successful, parking could extend to the College Street deck.
More Loan Forgiveness Funds Still Available Locally
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Some Buncombe County businesses could be eligible for loan forgiveness. Around 16-million-dollars is available for those who need assistance through the paycheck protection program. Businesses just need to check with the Small Business Administration to see if they're eligible. Buncombe's intergovernmental director says it's a good tool to keep people employed in the community.
Homelessness Study Presented Soon
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville and Buncombe County leaders will receive recommendations next week on how best to handle the area's homeless population. The National Alliance to End Homelessness was chosen last year to study housing availability and needs assessment in Asheville. More than 600 people were considered homeless in the city last year. Council member Kim Roney says the community should be invested in the process.
Transylvania Superintendent Retiring
(Transylvania County, NC) -- The head of Transylvania County Schools is stepping down. Dr. Jeff McDaris announced this week that he'll be retiring after spending 14-years as superintendent. WLOS-TV reports McDaris has been in western North Carolina all of his life, with the last 26-years in service of the Transylvania district. He simply said it's just time to retire.
Charlotte FC Player Dies In Florida
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Charlotte FC player is dead at 25. Anton Walkes was killed in a boat collision this week near the Miami Marine Stadium basin in south Florida. Club owner David Tepper said Anton made those around him better in all aspects of life. Walkes spent three seasons in Atlanta before his selection to Charlotte in the expansion draft.
City Dropped From Lawsuit Over School Sexual Assault
(Charlotte, NC) -- The city of Charlotte is being dropped from a sexual assault lawsuit. A former student at Myers Park High School says her reports of an assault near the campus in 2015 were mishandled. A judge dropped the city from the legal case yesterday, but the school district remains part of the lawsuit. CMS is expected to bring witnesses to the stand today.
Panthers Accused Of Violating Rules In Head Coach Search
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Panthers organization is being accused of violating league rules in the search for a new head coach. The NFL reportedly told the team that not all members of its search committee had completed mandatory inclusive hiring training. Team owner David Tepper's wife was allegedly singled out as someone who hadn't taken the training. A team spokesperson claimed otherwise.
Suspect Arrested After Kings Mountain Deadly Stabbing
(Kings Mountain, NC) -- A man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in Kings Mountain is behind bars. Ashley Scoggins died after she was stabbed inside a convenience store on Tuesday. Investigators tracked down the suspect around Dixon School Road and I-85 yesterday and arrested him for murder. A woman he was with was charged with obstruction.
Henrick Motorsports To Invest Millions In Expansion
(Cabarrus County, NC) -- A large expansion is planned for Hendrick Motorsports in Cabarrus County. The auto group is investing 15-million-dollars for manufacturing services, which will result in an additional 50 jobs in the next few years. The new jobs are expected to pay at least 60-thousand-dollars a year.
Art Added To Traffic Signal Cabinets In Gastonia
(Gastonia, NC) -- Gastonia is bringing art to downtown. ElectriCities of North Carolina is providing the city with a ten-thousand-dollar grant, which will allow artists to make their mark on traffic signal cabinets. A total of eight cabinets downtown will be wrapped in an artists' design.
Circle K Shooting
(Fayetteville, NC) -- Authorities in Cumberland County are investigating a shooting near a popular gas station. Shots were fired yesterday evening along Gillespie Street in Fayetteville. Police say the victim was able to drive to a nearby Circle K gas station for help. Police have not determined a motive for the shooting.
Silver Alert
(Raleigh, NC) -- Raleigh Police are spending time this morning searching for a missing senior citizen. Police have issued a Silver Alert for 75-year-old Anthony Morris Georges. Mr. Georges stands just under six-feet tall and weighs 140-pounds. He was last seen wearing a blue hat. Anyone who might know something regarding his whereabouts should call the police.
School Changes
(Durham, NC) -- Major changes are on the way for elementary schools in Durham. Starting next school year, children in Kindergarten through third-grade could get moved to another school. It's all thanks to a new redistricting plan that was approved by the school board last night for elementary students. Officials say this move will impact thousands of children.
School Bus Crash
(Wake Forest, NC) -- A teen driver is facing charges after slamming into the back of a school bus. It happened yesterday afternoon in Wake County with more than a dozen young people on-board. Police said there were no major injuries. Parents were allowed to come pick-up their students from the site of the crash.
Budget Survey
(Raleigh, NC) -- City officials want people to take a moment this weekend to provide feedback on the 2024 budget. There's an online survey to see how the people of Raleigh would like the city to handle the money in the bank. Participants could win a 50-dollar gift card for their submission. The survey is available through the end of next month.
Winston-Salem Hosts First Public Forum On Hiring Police Chief
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- The city of Winston-Salem is preparing to hire its new police chief, but not without help from the community. Dozens of people turned out Thursday at a public forum to hear about the four finalists who have been selected since September when the process started. The city plans to publicly announce the names of the finalists on Friday. A second community forum for further input will take place next Wednesday at the Salem Lake Marina at 6 p.m. City leaders say they will make a final hiring decision by the end of the month.
Two Adults Charged With Harboring Teen Robbery Suspect
(Yadkinville, NC) -- Two adults have been arrested for allegedly helping harbor a young man who is suspected of robbing a Bojangles's restaurant. The Yadkinville County Sheriff's office says they arrested Casey Messer and Destyni Messer of East Bend for reportedly helping Caleb Hutchens. Officials say they traced the truck used in the robbery to the Messers, found the 19-year-old there and arrested him. The armed robbery happened Wednesday at the Bojangles on Reynolda Road in Winston-Salem.
Durham Man Turns Himself In for Kidnapping, Assault of Greensboro Woman
(Greensboro, NC) -- A 32-year-old man from Durham has turned himself in after he reportedly kidnapped and assaulted a woman at gunpoint last week. The crimes allegedly took place at the woman's home in Greensboro. The woman was found in the 2500 block of Greensboro-Chapel Hill Road in Snow Camp last Friday. She told officers that Tyrone Bass pistol whipped and beat her before dumping her off on the gravel road. Bass faces multiple counts of kidnapping, robbery and assault in both Alamance and Greensboro City. The victim is expected to recover.
Gas Prices Ease Upward Due to Demand
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Gas prices in the Triad area are rising a bit. Analysts say the mild winter is leading more drivers to get behind the wheel and that demand is causing higher prices at the pump. Triple A says the average price for a gallon of gas in Forsyth county is now three-dollars and 29-cents as of Friday. That's up about 20 cents from a week ago. The prices are about the same in Greensboro, too.
Hurricanes Rally Past Wild
(Raleigh, NC) -- The Carolina Hurricanes scored five consecutive goals to beat the Minnesota Wild 5-2 at PNC Arena Thursday night. The Canes went on their five-goal run after Minnesota took a 1-0 lead early in the second period. Brent Burns, Brady Skjei [[ SHAY ]], Teuvo Teravainen, Jalen Chatfield, and Martin Necas all scored for Carolina. The Hurricanes have won three of their last four.