State Health Officials Monitoring Close Contacts Of Coronavirus Patient
(Raleigh, NC) -- State health officials are taking precautions with those who came in contact with North Carolina's first coronavirus patient. Wake County's public health director said yesterday anyone who was within six-feet of the patient for at least ten minutes is being asked to self-quarantine and monitor their health. This includes people in Wake County and other parts of the state. So far, no one has shown symptoms.
Van Duyn Expected To Decide Today On Runoff
(Buncombe County, NC) -- A decision is expected to come today from State Senator Terry Van Duyn on a potential lieutenant governor primary runoff. That's what the Democrat told the Citizen-Times one day after she finished second to Yvonne Holley by roughly 70-thousand votes. Holley failed to gain 30-percent of the vote, so it's up to Van Duyn on whether or not to hold a runoff. Ten western North Carolina counties favored Van Duyn in the race.
Madison County Voters Approve Sales Tax For Schools
(Madison County, NC) -- Voters in Madison County are showing support for school projects. A quarter-cent sales tax passed by a roughly 63-to-37-percent margin on Tuesday, just 15 months after a previous referendum failed. The money will go towards teacher salary supplements and facility renovations, including the athletic stadium. District officials estimate it will generate around 290-thousand-dollars-a-year.
Harrah's Cherokee Center Making Coronavirus Precautions
(Asheville, NC) -- Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville is trying to ease coronavirus concerns as the Southern Conference basketball tournaments begin today. General Manager Chris Corl told WLOS-TV they've added extra hand sanitizer stations and visible health tip reminders throughout the venue. The women's tournament gets underway at the center today, with the men taking the court beginning Friday. The winners of both tournaments automatically gain spots in the NCAA Tournament.
Five Injured After Chase Ends In Wreck
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville police are investigating a chase that ended in a wreck near Biltmore Village. It started when an officer went out to Biltmore Forest Country Club last night to look for suspects breaking into cars. The suspects were allegedly in a vehicle that hit the officer's cruiser, before wrecking again at the Market Center Parking lot on Hendersonville Road. Five people in all were taken to the hospital for injuries.
Visitor Numbers Increase On Blue Ridge Parkway
(Undated) -- The numbers of visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway is up year-to-year. Close to 15-million-people took part in recreational activities along the scenic road in Virginia and North Carolina last year, which is an uptick of around two-percent from 2018. Numbers were roughly the same from 2018 to 2019 for the North Carolina section, at around ten-million visitors. The overall increase was attributed to better weather for the year.
Arrest Made In Murder Of Sandwich Shop Owner
(Charlotte, NC) -- One suspect is in jail for the killing of a NoDa restaurant owner. The CMPD arrested Terry Connor, Junior yesterday on charges including murder and armed robbery. It's been nearly three months since Scott Brooks was shot to death while trying to open up Brooks' Sandwich House for the day. A reward for up to 21-thousand-dollars is still being offered for information leading to the capture of a second suspect.
Mecklenburg Health Officials Update On Coronavirus Response
(Charlotte, NC) -- Mecklenburg health officials are continuing to keep a close eye on the development of potential coronavirus cases. The county's public health director said at last night's commission meeting that the best things to do for now are washing hands and avoiding work when sick. She confirmed that some people in Mecklenburg County have been tested for the virus, but everything came back negative. Prevention and response plans are expected to evolve as more cases are identified.
Two Found Dead In Creek Bed
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating the deaths of two people found in a southeast Charlotte creek bed. Officers discovered a male and female lying around 200 yards from each other just off Monroe Road near McAlpine Creek Park last night. The medical examiner's office is working to find out the cause of the deaths.
Cunningham Campaigns For Senate Seat In Charlotte Area
(Davidson County, NC) -- North Carolina's Democratic Senate candidate is already hitting the ground after his primary victory. Cal Cunningham made stops in Davidson, Rowan and Cabarrus counties yesterday. He'll face Republican incumbent Thom Tillis in the general election. A Tillis spokesman said they'll be assuring voters how dangerous Cunningham's allegiance to the platform of the national Democratic Party is for the state.
Child Hit By Bullet While Sleeping
(Charlotte, NC) -- A seven-year-old who was injured in a north Charlotte shooting is expected to be okay. The boy was in the shoulder by a bullet while sleeping in his Dervish Lane home early Wednesday morning. The shots were fired from outside the residence. A CMPD investigator says he believes the home was targeted.
Allegiant Air Adding Hub At Concord Airport
(Concord, NC) -- Allegiant Air is investing 50-million-dollars to create a new hub at Concord-Padgett Regional Airport. The company announced yesterday it hopes to have its base open by October, which is around seven years after the airline first started flying out of Concord. It means the addition of up to 70 new jobs. An Allegiant executive called Concord an ideal location due to the area's diverse population, race enthusiasts and arts fans.
Health Officials Confirm Coronavirus Patient Dined At Local Restaurant
(Raleigh, NC) -- Health department officials are examining a Raleigh area restaurant after reports surfaced that the state's only coronavirus patient dined there Saturday night. The owners of the So Ca Cocina Latina restaurant in Cameron Village confirmed the report Wednesday. The restaurant has also posted a message on Instagram Wednesday saying the facility has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. The Wake County Department of Health said there have been no reports of anyone who has visited the restaurant since Saturday getting sick.
New Coronavirus Test Promises Quicker Results
(Chapel Hill, NC) -- Doctors at UNC Chapel Hill say they have developed a new coronavirus test that will detect the disease more quickly. The test involves taking specimen samples from the nose, throat and mucus from the lungs. Researchers say the test identifies specific pathogens that isolate the coronavirus from cold or flu. Patient testing is expected to start early next week.
Man Injured By Police In Exchange Of Gunfire
(Fayetteville, NC) -- An investigation is underway following an officer involved shooting Wednesday night in Fayetteville. Authorities say police shot and wounded a man after he fired shots at officers who had surrounded his house on Pamalee Drive around 7:30 pm. Before the exchange of gunfire, police negotiators tried to talk the suspect into surrendering peacefully. There were no other injuries as a result of the shooting.
Lawsuit Challenges New Rules Governing Absentee Voting
(Raleigh, NC) -- A lawsuit has been filed against the state of North Carolina over a new law that places more restrictions on mail-in absentee ballots. The lawsuit, filed by the group Advance Carolina, claims the new law limits who can help a voter fill out a request form to obtain a ballot. Supporters of the law say its purpose is to cut down on illegal ballot harvesting.
Durham County First In State To Be Governed By All-Female Commission
(Durham County, NC) -- Tuesday's primary in North Carolina has resulted in the state's first all-female Board of Commissioners in Durham County. Nida Allam also became the first Muslim woman to be elected to a public office in the state. With no Republican opposition, the five women are the presumptive winners going into the November general election.
GTA Preps For Coronavirus
(Greensboro, NC) -- The Greensboro Transit Agency is taking precautions following North Carolina's first presumptive case of coronavirus. GTA will debut an audio message this morning, alerting riders about the virus and giving them tips on how to protect themselves. Communications manager Kevin Elwood says they're educating riders on good hygiene, like washing their hands. He says the agency will also use medical grade sanitizer to thoroughly clean the inside of buses.
Piedmont Stores Run Out Of Sanitizer, Disinfectant Wipes
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Hand sanitizer and disinfectant are flying off the shelves at stores in the Piedmont Triad after Governor Cooper announced the first presumptive case of coronavirus in North Carolina. NBC 12 reports stores are not only running out of sanitizer and wipes, but they're short on masks, alcohol and aloe era, too. The public health department says folks should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water to help combat the new virus. Surfaces that are regularly touched should also be disinfected.
One Killed, Three Injured In Guilford Co. Crash
(Guilford Co., NC) -- One person is dead and several others are hurt after a crash in Guilford County. It happened yesterday afternoon on Bernie Road, near the Climax community. Troopers say three people were taken to the hospital, and one person was killed. There's no word yet on what caused the crash or who the victims are.
Teenage Girl Missing From Guilford Co.
(Guilford Co., NC) -- Guilford County sheriff's officials are searching for a missing 15-year-old girl. Sheriff Rogers says Makayla "Kayla" Marr was last known to be in the Stokesdale-area on Sunday. She's described as five-foot-six and 130 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. Sheriff Rogers says anyone with information on where Marr might be is urged to call their office.
Jamestown Man Claims $1.4M Lottery Prize
(Jamestown, NC) -- A Jamestown man has big plans after claiming his nearly one-point-four-million-dollar lottery prize. Russell Davis cashed in his winning Cash 5 ticket at lottery headquarters in Raleigh, ultimately taking home just under a million dollars after taxes. He bought the winning ticket at the Quick Mart on West Main Street in Jamestown on Leap Day. Davis tells FOX 8 he plans to pay off his mortgage and some other debt, and then take his wife on vacation.