National Park Tourisms Rakes In Big Bucks
(Asheville, NC) -- National park areas in North Carolina are having a major impact on the economy. A new analysis shows visitor spending and added jobs made a nearly four-billion-dollar difference across the state in 2022. Close to half of that impact came from the Blue Ridge Parkway in western North Carolina. There were more than 15-point-seven-million visitors to the parkway last year.
Man Dead In McDowell County Deputy-Involved Shooting
(McDowell County, NC) -- An investigation is underway into a deadly deputy-involved shooting in McDowell County. Deputies were called to a home on Hicks Chapel Loop, where a man was allegedly violating a domestic violence protection order Sunday night. Sheriff Ricky Buchanan told reporters they shot the suspect when he pulled out a shotgun on them after arrival. No deputies were injured.
Woman Indicted For Henderson County Murder
(Henderson County, NC) -- The case of an elderly woman's murder in Henderson County is moving forward. A grand jury indicted 35-year-old Amber Nelson last week for the early July death in the Clear Creek community. Investigators say 82-year-old Patricia Moniz was killed with a cutting instrument inside her home, while Nelson was staying the night. Nelson's next court appearance is September 7th.
Town Hall Held For Asheville Auditorium Improvements
(Asheville, NC) -- Talks are underway about the future of Asheville's Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. The city council and Harrah's Cherokee Center officials were part of a town hall meeting yesterday to receive feedback on what should be done. The auditorium is now dealing with an HVAC problem, which has forced the location's closure for over a month. WLOS-TV has also reported the auditorium is in need of paint and ceiling repairs.
Juvenile Injured In East Asheville Shooting
(Asheville, NC) -- Police are piecing together details in an east Asheville shooting. Officers say a juvenile was injured when shots were fired at an apartment complex on Spruce Hill Lane Sunday afternoon. They told WLOS-TV that a dozen shell cases were found at the scene. There have been no arrests so far.
Asheville Advised To Invest More In Affordable Housing
(Asheville, NC) -- The city of Asheville needs to invest more into affordable housing if a difference is going to be made. That's according to a study presented to the Housing and Community Development Committee of the city council, which shows local affordable housing hasn't really provided any relief for families making 30-thousand-dollars-and-less over the past five-years. Numbers from the nonprofit Thrive show a lack of rentals at under one-thousand-dollars-a-month. The median income for a Black family in Asheville is roughly 29-thousand-dollars annually.
Overdose Deaths Rise In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- Fatal drug overdoses are significantly up in the Queen City. The CMPD released a report yesterday which shows 137 deaths so far this year, which is on track to outpace 2022's total by 20-percent. Fentanyl has been considered a big cause of this increase. Officers have seized 30 kilos of the drug in Charlotte so far in 2023.
Book Removed From Catawba County Schools
(Catawba County, NC) -- Catawba County's school board is removing a book from the shelf. WCNC reports the board voted last night to take down Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez after one member brought up challenges last year. The book depicts a relationship between a Mexican-American and an African-American in 1930's Texas, but it's been criticized by some who say it depicts sexually explicit content.
Social District To Be Considered For Plaza Midwood
(Charlotte, NC) -- The idea of a social district in Plaza Midwood is likely to go to Charlotte's city council. The executive director of the Plaza Midwood Merchants' Association told WCNC that a plan will be filed with the city this week, in hopes of having a district approved by this fall. A social district allows to-go alcohol to be carried outside in designated areas. At least five Charlotte-area cities and towns have already approved the initiative.
Panthers Move Into New HQ
(Charlotte, NC) -- The new headquarters for Charlotte FC is now in use. The Charlotte Business Journal says the staff and team moved into a 52-thousand-square-foot building at McAlpines Center off Monroe Road last week. The new location for the black-and-blue will be known as Atrium Health Performance Park. A new planned headquarters in York County fell through last year. Charlotte hosts reigning MLS Cup champs LAFC this Saturday.
Former Charlotte Judge Sues Colleague For Defamation
(Charlotte, NC) -- A former Mecklenburg County Superior Court judge is suing an ex-colleague for defamation. Kimberly Best was involved in a tense exchange with a delivery driver in the parking garage at the courthouse in July of last year. She now claims another former judge, Lisa Bell, defamed her when she reportedly told other judicial officials that there was an alleged assault. Any allegations of wrongdoing are investigated by the state's judicial standards commission.
Public Comments On Planned Steele Creek Apartments
(Charlotte, NC) -- The plan for an apartment community in Steele Creek is being weighed by the public. Last night, residents spoke for and against the proposal for 350-units and a public dog park at the land of the Piedmont Kennel Club building. Representatives of the Steele Creek Athletic Association expressed concerns over more traffic, water runoff and an increase in residents who aren't paying towards services at the nearby ball fields. A vote on the project could come next month.
Man Dies After Propane Tank Explodes On Nash County Tobacco Farm
(Nash County, NC) -- Authorities are investigating a propane gas tank explosion that killed a worker on a tobacco farm Monday. It happened around 11 a.m. off Red Bud Road near the town of Castalia. Investigators say the victim, identified as 28-year-old Francis Johnson Junior, was attempting to refill one of the tanks when the cylinder exploded. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Wake County Commission Approves $1.3B Redevelopment Project
(Wake County, NC) -- The Wake County Board of Commissioners Monday, voted to approve a funding package totaling one-point-three-billion dollars for improvements and upgrades in and around the PNC Arena and Raleigh Convention Center. The project, which will include a new hotel, a mixed-use development center and an indoor athletic/entertainment arena, will be paid for with money generated from tourism and hospitality taxes.
Rockingham County Approves Re-Zoning Request
(Rockingham County, NC) -- In a unanimous 5-0 vote, members of the Rockingham County Commission last night voted to rezone a large tract of land that could be used to build a casino. This, despite the objections of hundreds local residents, who voiced their opinions at a public hearing in Reidsville. Many who spoke at the meeting said they were against rezoning because the prosed casino site would be located near a camp for children with disabilities. The rezoning will encompass 192 acres of land along U.S. 220 near Madison.
Triangle's Three Largest Hospitals Want To Expand Bed Capacity
(Raleigh, NC) -- The Triangle area's three major hospital systems have recently submitted applications with the state health department, to increase their numbers of beds. UNC Health, Duke Health and WakeMed Health all contend in their applications that additional beds are needed in order to expand services. UNC and Duke would add beds to their existing locations, while WakeMed wants the additional bed for a planned 157-million-dollar five-story tower.
Star Communications Awarded $25M Federal Grant To Extend Internet Service
(Clinton, NC) -- Clinton based Star Communications announced Monday, that it has been awarded a nearly 25-million dollar federal grant to help expand broadband internet services to Bladen, Columbus and Sampson counties. The funds, which are part of the Biden Administration's Reconnect and Grant Program, is expected to provide internet access to an estimated 26-hundred homes, more than 80 businesses and 117 farms and educational facilities across the three counties.
Reich: Young, First Team To Play In Panthers' Final Preseason Game
(Charlotte, NC) -- When the Carolina Panthers take on the Detroit Lions Friday night at Bank of America Stadium, quarterback Bryce Young will get a sufficient number of reps. That, from head coach Frank Reich, who said Monday that the entire first team offense will play at least one series during the third and final pre-season game. Reich also said he is confident Young has had enough reps in Panthers practices to be ready for the regular season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on September 10th. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Teen Killed In Greensboro Shooting
(Greensboro, NC) -- A 19-year-old is dead following a shooting in Greensboro. Police say Darnell Luther Hamilton was found shot Sunday night along Lakefield Drive. He died from his injuries. His death is being investigated as a homicide.
Man Faces Charges After Cocaine Found In Randolph Co. Traffic Stop
(Randolph Co., NC) -- A man is facing drug trafficking charges following a traffic stop in Randolph County. Authorities say deputies found over 40 pounds of cocaine after pulling over a vehicle Sunday I-85 north of Trinity. The drugs were discovered in the trunk of the vehicle. The driver, Antonio Argentine Shaw, was arrested on two counts of felony trafficking.
More Alamance-Burlington Schools Have Mold
(Burlington, NC) -- Alamance-Burlington Schools is dealing with more mold in schools. Mold was discovered yesterday at Williams High School, the fifth school in the district to be impacted. Williams is closed to students and staff while testing is conducted. Over the weekend, similar mold issues were also found at Cummings High School and Broadview Middle School. Final testing was completed over the weekend on the HVAC system at Andrews Elementary, allowing students to return to campus on August 28th.
Greensboro Death Under Investigation
(Greensboro, NC) -- Authorities are investigating the death of a man earlier this month in Greensboro. Officers discovered Michael Chavis' body August 12th during a welfare check in the 11-hundred block of Walnut Street. The North Carolina Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide due to blunt force trauma.
Two Teens Charged In High Point Auto Shop Robbery
(High Point, NC) -- Two teens are charged in a robbery at an auto shop in High Point. A 15-year-old and 16-year-old were arrested after seven cars were taken from Star Auto Shop yesterday morning. Five have since been recovered. Both teens were taken to the Guilford County Juvenile Detention Center.