Four Injured In Turbulent Flight Out Of Asheville
(Asheville, NC) -- Four people are being treated for injuries suffered due to turbulence on a flight out of Asheville. An Allegiant plane was almost to Saint Petersburg, Florida yesterday when it hit rough air. Two flight attendants and two passengers were taken to the hospital for treatment once the plane arrived after the hour-and-15-minute trip. The plane was switched out before it made a return to Asheville.
Attempted Copper Theft Leads To Asheville Fire
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville firefighters say they believe an attempted copper wire theft led to a fire yesterday. Crews quickly put out flames at the vacant Kmart building on Patton Avenue just after 6 a.m. A battalion chief told WLOS-TV that thieves were most likely burning insulation off the wires to get cash. Homeless people have also been known to start fires at the location for warmth during the winter.
Charges Upgraded In Macon County Double Murder
(Macon County, NC) -- Charges are being upgraded in a Macon County double homicide. Divinity Guest was initially arrested for second-degree murder after her mother and her mother's boyfriend were shot to death at a home on Mack Branch Road last October. A grand jury changed those charges to first-degree murder this week. Guest is undergoing a mental evaluation as the case continues.
Electric Car Charging Stations To Be Added In Waynesville
(Waynesville, NC) -- The town of Waynesville is helping add clean energy initiatives locally. The town manager told WLOS-TV they plan to add three fast-charging electric vehicle stations in the next two-months with the help of Duke Power and Haywood County EMC. Two slow-charging stations already exist at the Montgomery Street parking lot and the recreation center. The state announced a 100-million-dollar federal grant last fall which will help add electric vehicle stations across North Carolina in the next five-years.
New Turf Fields Unveiled At Buncombe Park
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Field upgrades are complete at Buncombe County Sports Park. Recreation officials were on hand yesterday to showcase three new turf fields, which were made possible through a grant from the county's tourism development authority. The project began four-years ago, but was marred by the pandemic. Lighting was added at the park as well.
Former Housing Authority CEO To Be Director At Homeward Bound
(Asheville, NC) -- The former CEO of Asheville's housing authority is taking over the lead role for an organization aimed at ending homelessness. The Citizen-Times reports David Nash has been named interim director for Homeless Bound, with his first day coming on the 17th. Nash already has experience with supportive service agencies around the area to help the homeless. The search for a permanent executive director is still underway.
Violent Crime Down In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- Violent crime is down in Charlotte this year. The CMPD reported yesterday that crimes like homicides and assaults have dropped eight-percent from 2022, but overall crime numbers are still up by over ten-percent. That increase is largely fueled by a drastic jumps in car thefts across the Queen City. More than 37-hundred cars have been stolen, which marks a 140-percent rise from the first six-months of last year.
Work Underway To Repair Carowinds Roller Coaster
(Charlotte, NC) -- Work is underway to repair a roller coaster at Carowinds. It's been nearly two-weeks since park officials shut down Fury 325 after a crack surfaced on one of the coaster's support beams. Crews were busy yesterday removing the damaged beam before a new one is expected to be delivered today. Carowinds officials previously stated that rides are inspected daily.
Ransomware Attacked Reported In Cornelius
(Cornelius, NC) -- A ransomware attack is affecting some operations in the town of Cornelius. A potential cyber threat in the police department was first detected Tuesday night, which affects access to the computer database. Cornelius' communications director says things may not be back to normal for several days. Mecklenburg County's emergency management department is helping scan affected devices.
TSA Reports Gun Increase At Charlotte Airport
(Charlotte, NC) -- The number of guns found at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is up so far this year. The TSA reports 66 firearms have been discovered at security checkpoints at CLT, which marks a nearly-30-percent increase over the first-half of 2022. The total of gun confiscations at all North Carolina airports is around even year-to-year. Guns must be unloaded and placed in checked baggage in order to make it onto a plane.
Huntersville, Highland Creek Remain Top Real Estate Areas
(Huntersville, NC) -- Two Charlotte areas are still at the top of the pack for hot local real estate markets. The online residential real estate company, Opendoor, ranks Highland Creek at number-one for the total number of homes under contract within 90-days. The neighborhood essentially switched spots with last year's top market in Huntersville.
Miller Shines In Hornets' Summer League Game
(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte's first NBA draft pick in 2023 is making an impact in summer league play. Brandon Miller scored 26-points with a shooting percentage over 50-percent in this week's match-up against Portland. The star from the University of Alabama and rookie Nick Smith, Junior accounted for two-thirds of the Hornets' offensive output. Charlotte selected Miller second overall in the draft.
Plane En-Route From Asheville To St. Petersburg Experienced Severe Turbulence
(Asheville, NC) -- The FAA and NTSB will begin an investigation today into a flight that departed from Asheville yesterday bound for St. Petersburg, that experienced severe turbulence. Authorities say Allegiant Air Flight 227 with 185 people on board, dropped more than five thousand feet within two minutes. Two passengers and two flight attendants received non-life threatening injuries, however, one of the flight attendant suffered a broken ankle. The plane was eventually able to land safely at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. It's believed the turbulence was caused by inclement weather.
Mid-West Storms Force Flight Delays And Cancellations In North Carolina
(Wake County, NC) -- Severe storms and tornadoes across parts of the mid-west Tuesday, including Chicago, impacted airline travel in central North Carolina. Ground stops at O'Hare and Midway resulted in over 80 delays and four cancellations at RDU. At least 187 delays and seven cancellations were reported at Charlotte-Douglas yesterday.
North Carolina Army Veteran Convicted Of Teaching Others How To Construct Bombs
(Raleigh, NC) -- A North Carolina man was convicted in federal court Wednesday, of teaching another person how to make a bomb. Thirty nine year old Christopher Arthur of Mt. Olive, was charged in 2022 with providing bomb making instructions to a confidential source known as "Buckshot." Prosecutors say Arthur, an Army veteran, also taught several other people how to make explosives, knowing that the devices would be used to try and kill federal law enforcement. He now faces up to 20-years in prison.
Duke Graduate Students Hold Election To Organize A Union
(Durham, NC) -- Graduate students at Duke University began voting last night on a plan to unionize. The collective bargaining effort was initially opposed by the University, but the National Labor Relations Board on Monday, ruled that members of the Graduate Student Union could hold an election. If approved, organizers say they plan to make a strong push for increased stipends and benefits. No word on when all of the votes will be counted.
New Data Shows North Carolina's Elderly Population Increasing, Especially In Wake County
(Wake County, NC) -- Newly released census data shows North Carolina's elderly population is continuing to grow. The report, released Wednesday, showed all 100 counties in the Tar Heel state experienced some population growth among people over 65, but in Wake County, the increase was 40 percent since 2011. The report estimates that by 2029, there will be more people age 60 and older in Wake County, than those under 18.
Chelsea And Wrexham To Play Soccer Game At UNC's Kenan Stadium Next Week
(Chapel Hill, NC) -- Preparations are underway at UNC's Kenan Stadium for the school's first ever international soccer match. England's Chelsea Football Club will take on the Wrexham Association Football Club from Wales on Wednesday, July 19th in Chapel Hill. Wrexham is co-owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny. The game, which is part of the 2023 FC Series that brings together international soccer teams to play friendly matches in the United States, is already sold out.