Phase Two Extended Five Weeks In NC

(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina is staying under current state restrictions into September. Governor Roy Cooper announced yesterday Phase Two guidelines are being extended another five weeks due to current COVID-19 trends in the state. That means bars, nightclubs, gyms and theaters must remain closed, while restaurants can only operate at half-capacity. Cooper again urged everyone to wear face masks and maintain social distancing moving forward.

Buncombe Commissioners Thinking About Cutting Off Alcohol Sales Earlier

(Buncombe County, NC) -- Commissioners are considering cutting off booze sales earlier in Buncombe County. The state has already issued a mandate that prohibits restaurants from selling alcohol after 11 p.m. due to public health concerns. WLOS-TV reports health officials are advising the county to stop sales at nine instead. County commission chair Brownie Newman says new COVID-19 cases have gone up significantly since restaurants opened back up.

Jackson County Decides To Keep Confederate Statue

(Jackson County, NC) -- Jackson County leaders are refusing to remove a Confederate statue from its courthouse. The town of Sylva decided last week to send a resolution in support of removing the monument known as Sylva Sam. The county commission voted four-to-one Tuesday night to leave the statue in place with a slight change. The phrase "Heroes of the Confederacy" will be taken off the base of the statue.

One Injured In Asheville Shooting

(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville police are investigating a Wednesday night shooting. Officers say one person was critically injured on Buffalo Street. No arrests have been announced. A juvenile was charged in a separate shooting that happened Tuesday night on Haywood Road. The suspect allegedly fired shots at two men inside a car, but no one was seriously injured.

Polk County Apartment Complex Damaged In Fire

(Columbus, NC) -- Firefighters are investigating a blaze that tore through a Polk County apartment complex. The fire damaged all eight units at the Ashley Meadows Apartments in Columbus early Wednesday morning. Everyone was able to get out safely, but families in every unit were displaced. Investigators say they believe the fire started on a second-story balcony.

Apology Issued Over Trump Bear Sticker

(Asheville, NC) -- The person who placed a political sticker on a bear found in Asheville is apologizing. A local resident spotted the bear last week, which wore a tracking collar with a Trump 2020 sticker. Local activist group Help Asheville Bears quickly put out word they were offering a reward for information on the sticker. The culprit allegedly came forward this week, saying they were just protesting excessive tagging of bears. No reward was given.

RNC Outlines Health Guidelines For Convention

(Charlotte, NC) -- The Republican National Committee is outlining safety measures for this month's scaled-down party convention. More than 300 delegates are expected to attend the official renomination of President Trump in Charlotte in just over two weeks. All delegates and staff will be required to wear face masks and must undergo COVID-19 testing before arriving in the Queen City. The RNC is also requiring social distancing and daily symptom tracking.

One Dead In Southeast Charlotte Shooting

(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a homicide in southeast Charlotte. Officers found a person dead with a gunshot wound to the head in the parking lot of a storage facility on Wallace Lane yesterday. There have been no arrests. The victim is thought to be between 16 and 20-years old.

Lower Number Of New COVID-19 Cases Reported

(Raleigh, NC) -- State health officials are reporting a lower number of new COVID-19 cases than recent trends. Just over 11-hundred cases were identified yesterday, marking the lowest single-day total since late June. Nearly 130-thousand cases in total have been reported throughout the state, with 21-thousand-500 of those in Mecklenburg County.

Flyers Against Statue Removal Found In Gaston

(Gaston County, NC) -- The decision to remove a Confederate statue in Gaston County isn't sitting well with some. WSOC-TV reports some flyers were left in the county's Landsdown subdivision this week, urging attendance at a rally in front of the courthouse. Commissioners voted to remove the monument on Monday after a committee recommended the action. The flyer left in yards reportedly requests a public vote to be held on the future of the statue.

Police Chief Promising Policy Change

(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD's new chief is continuing to promise change to policies. Chief Johnny Jennings discussed several revisions yesterday, which included changing how chemical agents are used and an update on neglect of duty policies. The CMPD is also reviewing the "eight can't wait" initiative, which addresses use of force. One local activist told WSOC-TV it's a step in the right direction.

Tornado That Killed Two People In Bertie County Was An EF3

(Raleigh, NC) -- Investigators with the National Weather Service have determined it was an EF3 tornado that tore through Bertie County Monday night, leveling houses and building structures and killing two people at a mobile home park. Winds from the storm that were spawned by Isaias were between 140-to-145 mph. At least a dozen houses were destroyed, and some 20 families left homeless. Governor Roy Cooper toured the area Wednesday and promised residents that state and federal assistance is on the way.

Cooper Says North Carolina Will Remain In Phase 2 Through Early September

(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper has extended Phase 2 of his reopening plan to run through early next month. Phase 2 was originally scheduled to end on Friday. But at a news conference Wednesday, Cooper announced that bars, gyms and taverns must remain closed through September 11th. Cooper cited the continual rise in new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths as the reason.

New Lab Confirmed Cases Of COVID-19 Lowest In Over A Month

(Raleigh, NC) -- The latest figures released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services showed there were 11-hundred-27 new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday, a drop of 502 people from the day before. It was the lowest single-day total since June 25th. Of that number, 11-hundred-67 patients were being treated at hospitals. There have also been two-thousand-50 deaths.

Protesters Rally Against Death Of John Neville After Police Body Cam Video Released

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Dozens of protesters gathered for a march and rally Wednesday night in Winston-Salem to demonstrate against police brutality. This came after a judge ordered the release of body cam video showing the moments leading up to the death of 56-year old John Neville as he was being restrained by sheriff's deputies inside the Forsyth County Jail. The incident, which began during the early morning hours of December 2nd, 2019, resulted in Neville's death two days later in the hospital. Reminiscent of the treatment of George Floyd, Neville can be heard saying he couldn't breathe at least 28 times.

City Of Fayetteville Taking Steps To Restrict Extended Gatherings At City Properties

(Fayetteville, NC) -- Members of the Fayetteville City Council will consider amending a current city ordinance to require protest groups to obtain a permit before camping out at the historic Market House. The proposed amendment was presented before the Council during a special called meeting Wednesday. If passed, the new ordinance would prohibit anyone from sleeping, camping or otherwise staying in a city park, including the Market House, between the hours of 11 p.m. and 8 a.m., unless by permit authorized. The Council will vote on the measure August 10th.

Wake Forest University, Appalachian State Postpone 2020 Game

(Winston-Salem, NC) - Wake Forest University and Appalachian State are postponing their 2020 season game due to statewide coronavirus restrictions. The teams made their decision yesterday. This after Governor Cooper extended the state's Phase Two reopening plan, limiting fan capacity. The game was supposed to be played on September 11th at Truist Field but will be rescheduled for another year.

Greensboro Woman Killed In High-Speed Crash

(Greensboro, NC) - A woman is dead after a high-speed crash in Greensboro. It happened yesterday near South English Street and East Gate City Boulevard. Thirty-three-year-old Dijiona Brown was the passenger in a car that left the road and hit a house. She died at the scene. The driver is facing several charges, including DWI, felony death by motor vehicle, driving without a license, and failure to maintain control.

Blind Tiger To Reopen In Greensboro

(Greensboro, NC) - One of the most popular live music venues in Greensboro is reopening after nearly five months. The Blind Tiger plans to reopen tomorrow with Journey tribute band Trial By Fire. The club has made several changes in order to meet state coronavirus regulations, including reducing its capacity from 500 to 125. Patrons will now have to sit at tables and order food from there. They also must wear a mask whenever they leave their tables.

Motorcyclist Injured In High Point Crash

(High Point, NC) - High Point police are investigating a deadly crash involving a motorcycle. The crash happened last night on South Main Street, near the ramp to Business 85. Police say a motorcycle and an SUV collided. The motorcyclist was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. There's no word on the condition of the other driver.

First News on 570 with Mark Starling

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