Waste Fees Going Up For Some Buncombe Residents

(Asheville, NC) -- Fees are going up for Waste Pro customers in Buncombe County. The company's regional vice president told commissioners last night that waste collection fees are jumping nearly eight-percent at the beginning of the year. This comes after an increase of close to seven-percent this year. The cost for recycling could possibly go up as well due to increasing fuel costs.

APD Reminds Pedestrians, Drivers Of Increased Safety

(Buncombe County, NC) -- Asheville police are encouraging people to be safer on the roads, in the wake of another pedestrian death. The department says a woman died last week, several weeks after she was hit by a van on Hendersonville Road. The driver reportedly had the right of way. Officers are reminding pedestrians and drivers to be aware of their surroundings.

Gas Prices Still Inching Downwards

(Asheville, NC) -- Gas prices around the state are trending downward. Triple-A reports the average cost for a gallon of regular unleaded has dipped under three-15, which is more than 20-cents below the same time last month. The average around Asheville is a bit higher at over three-30. An analyst with GasBuddy says it's possible the national average could dip under three-bucks by Christmas.

Larceny Suspects In Candler At-Large

(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe County investigators are looking for suspects in a fraud case. The sheriff's officer released surveillance footage of several suspects and a vehicle thought to be involved in late November. An item worth over ten-thousand-dollars was stolen from the Candler area, but it's unclear exactly what was stolen. It's possible the suspects could be in Greenville.

Polk County Teacher Fired After Indecent Liberties Arrest

(Polk County, NC) -- A teacher facing indecent liberties charges is out of a job. Former Polk County High employee Brian Taylor was arrested in mid-November for alleged involvement with a student. He was initially placed on administrative leave. The superintendent announced yesterday that Taylor had been fired.

Grant Providing Free Meals For Two Swain Schools

(Swain County, NC) -- Two elementary schools in Swain County will provide free meals for students the rest of the academic year. WLOS-TV reports the Dogwood Health Trust is providing a 75-thousand-dollar grant to help with food for kids at East and West elementary schools. Parents are still encouraged to apply for free or reduced lunches.

Second Victim Dies After North Charlotte Shooting

(Charlotte, NC) -- Another victim in a north Charlotte shooting is dead. The CMPD says an 18-year-old died on Sunday, several weeks after he was initially injured in a shooting at Fred Alexander Park. His brother passed away on the night of the November 15th shooting. Two juveniles were previously arrested for murder last week.

Hate Speech Investigated At Charlotte Daycare

(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a potential action of hate in north Charlotte. Officers say a rock with a hate speech message was thrown through the window of a daycare off Beatties Ford Road yesterday. The police chief has alleged the action is connected to a shooting at nearby Friendship Park in late November. No one was injured yesterday.

CMS Board To Name Interim Superintendent Soon

(Charlotte, NC) -- A new interim superintendent for CMS will be named soon. The school board is expected to fill the temporary position this month by the time Hugh Hattanbaugh leaves. Five new members will be sworn in on the board of education before the announcement is made. Hattanbaugh left the position earlier than expected to take care of his father.

CMPD Officer On Trial For Involuntary Manslaughter

(Charlotte, NC) -- A police officer is on trial this week in Charlotte. Phillip Barker was charged with involuntary manslaughter after he struck and killed a man crossing a road south of Uptown in 2017. The CMPD claims he was traveling 100-miles-an-hour in a 35 zone, with his lights and siren on. Jury selection is going on now.

Thousands Still Without Power In Moore County

(Moore County, NC) -- Nearly 40-thousand people are still without power this morning in Moore County. It was initially knocked out over the weekend when gunshots were fired into power substations. The FBI is now investigating. Duke Energy says it's working to stay ahead of potential threats in the future.

Hornets Lose On Last-Second Shot

(Charlotte, NC) -- The Hornets are down another game after a last second loss. Kawhi Leonard hit a shot at the end of the game at the Spectrum Center last night to lead the Clippers to a 119-117 win over Charlotte. Kelly Oubre, Junior scored 28-points to lead the Hornets. Next up is a road trip to Brooklyn tomorrow.

Mayfield Released From Panthers

(Charlotte, NC) -- The Panthers are parting ways with one of the team's quarterbacks. Carolina announced yesterday that Baker Mayfield has been released, just a few months after he was signed from Cleveland. Mayfield started the Panthers' first five-games this season. Sam Darnold will start at Q-B this Sunday.

Police Searching For Vehicle Seen Speeding Away From Clayton Apartment Complex After Deadly Shooting Last Night

(Clayton, NC) -- Authorities in Clayton are searching for a suspect wanted in connection with a fatal shooting at a Wake County apartment complex last night. It happened at the Glen Laurel Apartments on Pine Hall Drive just off Highway 42. Police responded to a call of more than a dozen shots fired. They arrived to find an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Patrol officers also briefly chased a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed seen leaving the complex. The driver was last seen entering Wake County.

Cooper Vows To Punish Those Responsible For Gun Attacks On Two Power Substations In Moore County

(Moore County, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper joined Duke Energy and Moore County law enforcement officials Monday to denounce the weekend attacks on two substations that initially knocked out power for over 40-thousand customers. Cooper stopped short of calling the incident a domestic terrorist attack, but agreed with investigators that it was intentional. At last report, an estimated 32-thousand residents and businesses were still without service. Duke Energy estimates it could be Thursday before power is fully restored.

Female Bicyclist Dies After Being Struck By A Speeding Motorist On Highway 98-In Wake County

(Wake County, NC) -- A Wake County man is facing 11-charges related to a hit-and-run incident in Durham Sunday, in which the rider of a bicycle was killed. Authorities say 33-year old Blake Grady was driving at a high rate of speed when he struck 61-year old Rolla Larobardier on NC 98-near Olive Branch Road and kept going. The female victim later died at the hospital. Grady was arrested and taken into custody after he crashed his Dodge Challenger on South Mineral Springs Road.

Harnett County Mother Charged With Child Abuse After 10-Month Old Baby Was Exposed To Fentanyl

(Harnett County, NC) -- A Harnett County mother is facing multiple charges after investigators say she exposed her 10-month old baby boy to fentanyl. It happened last Friday when police responded to a call about a child unresponsive inside a home in Erwin. First responders arrived to discover the baby not breathing and immediately treated the child with Narcan. The mother, identified as 32-year old Adrian Moore, was arrested and charged with felony negligent child abuse and possession of a schedule II controlled substance.

Under Armour Opens A New Innovation Research Center On The Campus Of NC State

(Raleigh, NC) -- NC State and Under Armour have announced a new partnership that will advance textile and materials innovation fo the sports apparel giant. Last week Under Armour opened an innovation center on the school's Centennial Campus. Under Armour employees will work alongside researchers and students to develop new ways of improving apparel, footwear and other sports accessories.

Devin Leary Leaving NC State After Quarterbacking The Wolfpack For Three Years

(Raleigh, NC) -- NC State star quarterback Devin Leary is entering the transfer portal. The preseason ACC player of the year made the announcement Monday, after missing most of the 2022 regular season due to a torn pectoral muscle. Leary, who is fourth in NC State history in touchdown passes, also has one year of eligibility remaining.

Four-Year-old Girl Killed in Crash

(Greensboro, NC) -- A four-year-old has died after two-car crash at the intersection of Freeman Mill Road and Randleman Road in Greensboro. Police say it happened Sunday when a man in a Camry ran a red light and crashed into a Sorento. Officers say the 42-year-old driver of the Camry and his four-year-old niece weren't properly restrained and the girl died from her injuries. The uncle is recovering. The driver of the Sorento was taken to a hospital with non-critical injuries.

Shanquella Robinson's Death Investigated As A "Femicide"

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- The death of a Winston-Salem State University student who died at a Mexican resort at the end of October is being investigated as a femicide. Mexican officials say they're looking at her death as being a gender-motivated crime. It was originally thought she died of alcohol poisoning, but a death certificate revealed she had suffered a "severe spinal cord injury" and injury to her neck vertebrae. CNN reports prosecutors in Mexico are trying to extradite one of Robinson's friends as a suspect in the case. No one has been charged yet and authorities have not released the names of Robinson's friends.

70YO Yadkinville Man Denied Parole Again for Father's Shooting Death

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- State Parole Commission officials have once again denied release for a Yadkin County man who is serving a life sentence for shooting his father in the head in 1977. The commission announced Tuesday that Barry D. Holcomb, who is now 70, would not receive parole. The panel didn't provide any comment as to why he was denied. Holcomb's supporters had hoped he would be given clemency because the commission has recently released some inmates convicted of crimes that happened before October 1994.

Greensboro Church Recoups Losses - and Then Some - After Robbery

(Greensboro, NC) -- The food pantry at a small Greensboro church was wiped out by thieves at the end of October. But leaders with the Vandalia Presbyterian Church say they've recovered in a big way, due to the generosity of their community. The pastor says they've collected almost 30-thousand dollars in donations. Volunteers have also said it's additionally been a blessing to help people even more than they were able to before the robbery.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield Released By Carolina Panthers

(Charlotte, NC) -- The Panthers are officially parting ways with quarterback Baker Mayfield. Carolina waived him Monday in a move that interim head coach Steve Wilks described as best "for the team moving forward." Wilks said Mayfield requested his release after being told that he was moving down the quarterback depth chart to third-string. Mayfield played college football at Oklahoma, where he won the Heisman Trophy as a senior. He was traded from the Cleveland Browns to Carolina last offseason.