Haywood County Issues Stay Home Order

(Haywood County, NC) -- Another western North Carolina community is putting restrictions in place. Haywood County issued a stay-at-home order that began yesterday afternoon and will last three weeks. Non-essential businesses will close. Residents are allowed to travel out for food, medical needs and exercise, and a few other exceptions. There have been no confirmed coronavirus cases in Haywood County at this time.

Coronavirus Cases Up in NC

(Raleigh, NC) -- The number of North Carolina coronavirus cases is now at 636. Thursday marked the third day in a row that cases have risen by at least 100 in the state. One case has popped up in Polk County for the first time. Community spread is feared in Henderson County, where at least six coronavirus cases have been identified.

Unemployment Skyrockets In NC

(Raleigh, NC) -- Unemployment numbers in North Carolina are quickly rising. The News and Observer reports there have been 200-thousand new unemployment claims in the state since last Monday. National numbers yesterday reveal over three-million claims were filed last week. That far exceeds any single week in the Recession more than a decade ago.

Food Truck Rules Relaxed In Asheville

(Asheville, NC) -- The city of Asheville is relaxing the rules to make food trucks more available. Mayor Esther Manheimer changed the local State of Emergency this week to allow food trucks to serve from residential areas. They were previously only allowed in designated areas. Vendors must still advise city officials where they'll be set up.

Asheville Mall, Outlets Close During Emergency Order

(Asheville, NC) -- The Asheville Mall and Asheville Outlets are now essentially closed due to the city's stay-at-home order. Only a handful of stores or restaurants are being allowed to stay open since they're considered essential. The order lasts until April 9th, unless it's extended. State health officials say there are 15 coronavirus cases in Buncombe County.

WNC Companies Producing Faces Masks For Emergency Workers

(Asheville, NC) -- Two western North Carolina companies are joining together to crank out thousands of face masks. WLOS-TV says Kitsbow in Old Fort and Industry Nine in Asheville teamed up this week as a nationwide demand has poured in for medical and first responder masks. Production teams have been churning out ten-thousand-a-day. The goal is to make one-million in a month.

Coronavirus Cases Top 200 In Mecklenburg

(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- There are over 200 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Mecklenburg County. That's almost double the amount of cases for Wake County, which has the next highest count in North Carolina. Public health officials said the statewide total rose over 700 yesterday, which also marked the third straight day cases increased by over 100. There are now more cases of coronavirus in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world.

Gaston County Issues Stay-At-Home Order

(Gaston County, NC) -- Another Charlotte-area government is putting stricter restrictions in place. Gaston County has issued a stay-at-home order which begins this afternoon at five and lasts through April 16th. The number of coronavirus cases more than doubled up to eleven from Wednesday to Thursday in the county. Non-essential businesses will be closed during the period.

Mother Charged After Allegedly Leaving Newborn Outside

(Union County, NC) -- A mother is facing charges for allegedly leaving her newborn baby outside a Union County home. Deputies found the child inside a plastic bag that was concealed under leaves off East Highway 74 on Wednesday afternoon. Investigators say the mother was discovered after a family member took her to the hospital due to blood loss. She was charged with attempted murder and abuse, while the baby is expected to be fine.

Historic Barn Destroyed In Concord Park

(Concord, NC) -- Investigators are trying to find what caused a fire that destroyed a historic barn in a Concord park. Flames tore through the structure and a neighboring silo early Thursday morning at Frank Liske Park. There were no injuries reported. The park is now closed for the time being.

Goodwill Stores Closing In Carolinas

(Charlotte, NC) -- Goodwill is joining a list of stores that will shut down in the Charlotte area for the next few weeks. Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont decided yesterday to go ahead and close all retail locations in the Carolinas during that time. All employees will still be paid, with benefits.

Lake Norman Company Making Ventilators

(Lake Norman, NC) -- A Lake Norman company is helping to make ventilators for COVID-19 patients. NBC Charlotte reports BioMed Innovations just completed a prototype that's awaiting FDA approval. Once the product is okayed, BioMed plans to make one-thousand ventilators a week with the help of local motorsports teams. They'll assist in manufacturing and assembly.

Number Of Local Governments Issuing Shelter-In-Place Orders Increasing

(Raleigh, NC) -- While Governor Roy Cooper continues to resist pressure from business and health care leaders to issue a statewide stay-at-home order, at least 12-Counties and local municipalities across the state have gone ahead and issued their own shelter-in-place orders. A stay-at-home order for the city of Durham went into effect at 6 p.m. Thursday, a similar order for Durham County is expected to be announced this afternoon. Stay at home orders are also set to go into effect for Wake and Orange Counties tonight. Governor Cooper is scheduled to hold a news conference at 4 p.m. today.

Veteran Durham County Political Leader Dies Of Cancer

(Durham, NC) -- Communities across the Triangle were saddened to learn of the passing of State Representative MaryAnn Black Thursday. Black was appointed to represent House District 29-in 2017. However, she was not seeking re-election this year. Black also served on the Durham County Commission from 1990-to-2002. She also served as associate vice-president for community relations for the Duke University Health System. Black had recently been treated for cancer. She was 76.

NC Republican Party Leaders Re-Schedule Date For State Convention

(Raleigh, NC) -- The North Carolina Republican Party has announced that, because of the coronavirus, it is pushing back its original date to hold the state convention. The state GOP had planned to hold the convention on May 14th in Greenville. Now it's scheduled to begin on June 4th. This comes as the Republican National Convention recently announced that a scheduled media walk-through of the convention site in Charlotte, will be done by teleconference. The Republican National Convention is scheduled for August.

Ft. Bragg Soldiers Being Sent Out To Help Battle Coronavirus

(Ft. Bragg, NC) -- Soldiers from Ft. Bragg have received orders to deploy to the coronavirus hot-spots of New York and Washington State. According to a base spokesperson, some 400-members of the 18th Airborne Corps are now making preparations for deployment. They will join troops from the 531st Hospital Center out of Ft. Campbell Kentucky, which is already on the ground in New York lending medical support. The Ft. Bragg unit has been tasked with providing fuel, clean water, equipment and other supplies to communities hardest hit by COVID-19.

Forsyth Co. To Sign Stay At Home Order

(Forsyth Co., NC) - Forsyth County is following Guilford County's lead and putting a "stay at home" order in place. Commissioners are signing the order in attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19. It takes effect at 5 p.m. on Friday. That's the same time as the City of Winston-Salem and Guilford County's orders take effect.

Former Harlem Globetrotter Fred 'Curly' Neal Dies

(Houston, TX) -- Legendary Harlem Globetrotter Fred "Curly" Neal is dead at the age of 77. For over 20 years, the Greensboro native and basketball legend displayed slick dribbling skills while sporting his signature shaved head and bright smile. Neal became the face of the team as he played in over six-thousand games across 97 countries. Team general manager Jeff Munn said Neal was "one of the most genuine human beings the world has ever known."

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