Yancey County Passes Resolution Supporting Gun Rights
(Yancey County, NC) -- Another county in the mountains is taking a stance on gun rights. Commissioners in Yancey County passed a resolution last night in support of the Second Amendment. Yancey joins five other counties in western North Carolina who have formally declared what's considered a symbolic measure in support of the right to bear arms. The issue was discussed by a large number of citizens at the Buncombe County commission meeting last week, but no action was taken.
Flash Flood Watch In Effect For Several Counties
(Undated) -- A flash flood watch is still in effect for the western corner of the state. The National Weather Service is calling for anywhere from two to four inches of rain to fall in upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina through this evening. Areas that were hit with heavy rain last week haven't had time to recover, so residents are being warned to look out for more flooding. The region won't get much relief this week as more rain is expected to fall on Wednesday.
Duke Given Permit To Build Landfill For Coal Ash
(Asheville, NC) -- Duke Energy has the go-ahead to build a landfill to store coal ash in Asheville. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality announced yesterday it has issued a permit for construction on 12-and-a-half acres at Lake Julian. Duke shut down coal burning at the Asheville plant earlier this month for the first time in over half-a-century. The company agreed in a settlement at the beginning of the year to remove the coal ash to lined industrial landfills.
Four Teens Missing From Black Mountain Children's Home
(Black Mountain, NC) -- Four teenagers are missing from a western North Carolina children's home. Buncombe County investigators say twin sisters Emily and Abigail Garcia disappeared from the Black Mountain Home for Children on Sunday. They believe the girls left the home with two other teens, Cameron Templin and Sara Pannell. Anyone who knows where they might be is encouraged to call the Buncombe County Sheriff's office.
Asheville Assistant Principal On Leave
(Asheville, NC) -- An Asheville schools' administrator is on leave. WLOS-TV is reporting Michael Holton has been on leave from his position as Asheville Middle School assistant principal since early January. There's no word on why. He's been involved with Asheville City Schools for nearly 20 years.
No Cause For Sickness At WCU
(Cullowhee, NC) -- Whatever sickened a handful of students at Western Carolina University last week remains a mystery. WLOS-TV is reporting seven students were taken to the hospital after feeling dizzy, while more were checked out by health officials on the Cullowhee campus. The Health and Human Services building was evacuated on Thursday and remained closed on Friday. University officials say nothing out of the ordinary popped up during air quality checks. They plan to continue to monitor the building throughout this week.
CMPD On Track For RNC Security
(Charlotte, NC) -- Security measures are continuing as planned for the Republican National Convention in Charlotte. CMPD chief Kerr Putney updated the city last night on the department's preparations for the August event. He says they have an advantage because of experience in hosting the Democratic National Convention in 2012. More officers are expected to be on hand since court sessions are being canceled or rescheduled. More than 500 volunteers have already signed up to help officers remain fed and hydrated through the RNC.
Brockovich Investigating Local Cancer Clusters
(Huntersville, NC) -- A famous environmental activist is investigating cancer clusters in Huntersville and Mooresville. NBC Charlotte reports Erin Brockovich is looking into possible connections between Duke Energy's unlined coal ash basin and the cancer cases. She says someone should be doing some testing to get conclusive information. A Duke spokesperson denies that coal ash is the cause.
Suspect Guilty Of Killing Newspaper Delivery Man
(Charlotte, NC) -- A suspect accused of killing a newspaper delivery man in Charlotte is guilty. A jury convicted Roger Best yesterday in the 2017 murder of Wes Scott in uptown. Investigators say Best shot Scott during an attempted robbery while he was on his route. Best was sentenced to life in prison.
Bernie Visiting Charlotte For Rally
(Charlotte, NC) -- Bernie Sanders is bringing his presidential campaign to the Queen City. The Democratic hopeful is holding a rally at the Belk Theater inside the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center at 3:30 Friday afternoon. Early voting for the March 3rd primary begins on Thursday across North Carolina. The Sanders' rally is free and open to the public.
Matthews Shoots Down Charter School Possibility
(Matthews, NC) -- The town of Matthews is no longer pursuing a charter school system. Commissioners passed a resolution last night stating it wasn't necessary nor financially feasible in the foreseeable future. Matthews was one of several towns in the Charlotte area to show interest in breaking away from CMS after state lawmakers gave the go-ahead on the possibility.
Charlotte Student Films Rap Video In Hopes Of Harvard Acceptance
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Charlotte student is attempting to rap his way into Harvard University. Ardrey Kell High School Senior Ethan Kim posted a video of a rap song called "Harvard Please Let Me In" to YouTube last week, and it's already been viewed more than 45-thousand times. The Boston school initially said it deferred Kim's early application, so he decided to make another pitch. He told WSOC-TV that it shows the best and most real version of himself.
Bloomberg, Sanders Coming To Triangle As Early Voting Begins
(Undated) -- Democratic presidential candidates Michael Bloomberg and Bernie Sanders will campaign in the Triangle this week as early voting begins in North Carolina Thursday. Former New York City Mayor Bloomberg will be in Raleigh for an event at Union Station during the noon hour on Thursday. Vermont Senator Sanders will host an event at the Durham Convention Center at 11:30 a.m. Friday. Bloomberg is focusing his campaign on North Carolina and more than a dozen other Super Tuesday states holding primary elections on March 3rd.
North Carolina GOP Leader Leaving After 8 Months
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina Republican Party executive director Jonathan Sink is stepping down after only eight months. Sink was hired Monday as Gaston County's in-house attorney and he'll leave his GOP post after the March primary election. Sink said he'll stay on the job heading the GOP until the week before he assumes his new post in Gastonia on March 16th. Sink calls the job change a "pure family" move for him, his wife, and their young children.
Earth Fare Employees Suing Over Sudden Shut-Down
(Undated) -- Earth Fare employees are filing a class-action lawsuit against the company over its sudden shut-down. The suit was filed after the Asheville-based specialty natural and organic grocer announced on February 3rd that it will close its 50 stores in ten states, including those in Raleigh and Morrisville. The lawsuit accuses Earth Fare of violating a federal law requiring companies with 50 or more employees to give at least 60 days notice before closings and mass layoffs.
Number 7 Duke Takes Down Number 8 FSU, 70-65
(Durham, NC) -- Duke took down Florida State in a match-up of top ten teams, 70-65 at Cameron Indoor Stadium Monday night. Tre Jones and Jordan Goldwire each scored 13 to lead the Blue Devils, who got 12 off the bench from Matthew Hurt, and ten points and ten boards from Vernon Carey. Duke and FSU came in with identical won-loss records. The Blue Devils move to 11-2 in the ACC and 21-3 overall, while the Seminoles leave with a 10-3 conference mark and 20-4 overall.
UPDATE: Woman's Remains Found After "Dumpster Diving" Disappearance
(Burlington, NC) -- The remains of a woman who vanished while dumpster diving have been found. Crews found the remains of 30-year-old Stephanie Cox at a Montgomery landfill yesterday. It's believed Cox was digging through the trash at Five Below earlier this month when the dumpster was serviced. The victim's family says she often collected items from local dumpsters.
Person Killed In Winston-Salem House Fire
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A candle is believed to be the cause of a deadly house fire in Winston-Salem. It happened just before 4 p.m. Sunday on Inwood Drive. Sixty-nine-year-old Judy Snyder was pronounced dead at the scene. Fire officials believe a lit candle was too close to combustibles in the living room.
Boy Bit By Dog In High Point
(High Point, NC) -- A young boy is recovering after he was bit by a dog in High Point. Police say the eight-year-old boy tried to break up a dog fight in the 500-block of Bacon Court last Friday when he was attacked. The boy was taken to a local hospital with unknown injuries. The dog that bit him is quarantined.
Forsyth Co. Proposes Quarter-Cent Sales Tax For Education
(Forsyth Co., NC) -- Forsyth County officials are proposing a quarter-cent sales tax for education. The funds would help the district recruit and retain better teachers. Folks will have a chance to vote on the tax this Thursday when early voting starts.
Mebane Man Accused Of Abusing Disabled Step-Daughter
(Mebane, NC) -- A Mebane man is accused of abusing his disabled stepdaughter. Alamance County sheriff's officials say George Beale grabbed his adult step-daughter by the neck, threw her to the floor and choked her. He was arrested Saturday afternoon at his residence in the Pine Lake Mobile Home Park. Beale was charged with felony assault on an individual with a disability.