Phase One Re-Opening Starts Friday Night
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina is soon moving into phase one of re-opening. Governor Roy Cooper announced yesterday that certain restrictions will be lifted on Friday night. Many businesses considered non-essential will be allowed to re-open at 50-percent capacity. In-person dining at restaurants is still prohibited. Cooper says phase two may begin after May 22nd as long as health numbers don't trend negatively.
>>Rescue Worker Dies In Search
(Cashiers, NC) -- The search for a man at Whitewater Falls in Jackson County is taking a tragic turn. A member of a rescue team fell while rappelling during the search yesterday. His body was found at the bottom of the falls. The search is still continuing for a 24-year-old man from Rowan County.
Brevard Man Sentenced For Child's Death
(Brevard, NC) -- A Brevard man is heading to prison for the death of a four-year-old. Keyshawn Smith initially told investigators his girlfriend's son fell from a window in a mobile home park in Transylvania County almost two years ago. Investigators later determined the child suffered a head injury inside the home. WLOS-TV reports Smith was sentenced to at least 18-years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder this week.
Another Earthquake Reported Near Hendersonville
(Hendersonville, NC) -- Another earthquake is confirmed in Henderson County. The U.S. Geological Survey reports a two-point-one magnitude quake hit Valley Hill outside of Hendersonville on Monday night. That's now the third earthquake in around a week that's been centered in the same area. None of them were strong enough to do any damage, but residents did report feeling some trembles.
Tourism Businesses Can Soon Apply For Grants
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe County's tourism-related businesses are soon eligible to apply for 50-thousand-dollar grants made possible through the state's COVID-19 relief package. The Tourism Jobs Recovery Act was part of the spending plan, which allows the county to use five-million-dollars in hotel taxes to be used for certain businesses and non-profits. The money is being split into 50-thousand-dollar grants, which can be applied for beginning May 15th.
Churches Allowed To Hold Outdoor Services
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina churches are allowed to resume services in an unique setting. Phase One of Governor Roy Cooper's plan allows places of worship to hold outdoor services with more than ten people, as long as social distancing is practiced. Family members can sit together. Coronavirus case numbers in western North Carolina rose close to 600 yesterday.
Phase One Re-Opening Starts Friday Night
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina is soon moving into phase one re-opening. Governor Roy Cooper announced yesterday that certain restrictions will be lifted on Friday night. Many businesses considered non-essential will be allowed to re-open at 50-percent capacity. In-person dining at restaurants is still prohibited. Cooper says phase two may begin after May 22nd as long as health numbers don't trend negatively.
Suspect Arrested After Dragging Rowan Deputies
(Rowan County, NC) -- A man is in jail for allegedly dragging two Rowan County deputies with his car yesterday. Investigators say the suspect backed down his driveway, got out of the car and mooned the deputies. They allegedly tried stopping the man from re-entering the car since he was acting erratically, but he drove off with them hanging on. Both were treated for injuries, but are expected to be okay. The suspect was caught nearly four miles away in neighboring Davidson County.
Lightning Strike Kills One In Chester County
(Chester County, SC) -- Strong storms are responsible for a death in Chester County. Fire officials say a person was struck by lightning at a home in Chester last night. The victim died at the hospital. The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the area, but no twisters have been confirmed.
Three Arrested In Charlotte Robbery Spree
(Charlotte, NC) -- Three suspects are facing charges connected to a robbery spree in Charlotte. The CMPD says they're accused of robbing or attempting to rob at least five people over a span of just over 24-hours this week. They were all arrested in a traffic stop early Tuesday morning. Charges include multiple counts o armed robbery.
Suspect Charged In NoDa Murder
(Charlotte, NC) -- A suspect is facing murder charges for a shooting in NoDa. Investigators say the victim was found dead on East Sugar Creek Road early Sunday morning. The CMPD identified and charged the suspect with murder and armed robbery yesterday.
Gaston Continues Coronavirus Testing Initiative
(Gaston County, NC) -- Mobile testing sites for COVID-19 are sticking around a little longer in Gaston County. NBC Charlotte says the initiative began last week after a spike of cases in the Highland community. The city, Kintegra Health and the county's health services department are coordinating to extend the services five days a week through the end of May. Patients are eligible if they have mild symptoms.
Crowd; Fewer In Number Hold Fourth Protest Rally To Demand North Carolina's Reopening
(Raleigh, NC) -- A much smaller group of protesters gathered Tuesday near the capitol building in downtown Raleigh for a fourth straight week of demonstrations. Led by the group ReOpen NC, the crowd continued to demand that Governor Cooper allow all businesses in the state go back to work. Reasons for the smaller turnout ranged from one of ReOpen NC's founders testing positive for COVID-19, to another leader getting arrested last week. Only one protester was arrested at Tuesday's gathering.
Number Of COVID-19 Cases Surpass 12-Thousand Tuesday
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina COVID-19 cases have surpassed 12-thousand. The state Department of Health and Human Services yesterday reported over 12-thousand-500 positive cases. So far, around 470 people have died of coronavirus in the state.
Ex-Boyfriend Arrested On Suspicion Of Murder In Disappearance Of Holly Springs Woman
(Holly Springs, NC) -- Police in Holly Springs say the ex-boyfriend of a 23-year old mother of two, who has been missing since 2019, was arrested by Virginia authorities Tuesday and charged with her murder. Forty-four-year old Brian Sluss was taken into custody in Tazwell County. Court documents show that the disappearance of Monica Moynan last July, is now being investigated as homicide. Prosecutor's believe Sluss may have killed Moynan because she was pregnant.
Audit Accuses Department Of Transportation Of Gross Overspending
(Raleigh, NC) -- A recently completed audit of the North Carolina Department of Transportation finds the agency overspent its budget by more than 742-million dollars last year. The report also accuses the Department of Transportation of poor budgeting and oversight within the agency as reasons for the overspending. The audit said such miscalculations forced the Department to put hundreds of projects on hold and delay payments to contractors. NCDOT officials claimed the overspending was caused by unexpected repairs and cleanup after storms.
NC COVID-19 Cases Over 12,500
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- North Carolina COVID-19 cases have surpassed 12-thousand. The state Department of Health and Human Services yesterday reported over 12-thousand-500 positive cases. So far, around 470 people have died of coronavirus in the state. In the Piedmont Triad, there are about two-thousand-500 cases and 100 deaths.
Surry Co. Woman Arrested After Child Killed In UTV Accident
(Surry Co., NC) -- A Surry County woman is under arrest on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter after a five-year-old died in a UTV accident. The rollover crash happened on March 30th at the woman's home in Mount Airy. Warrants were issued for Olivia Billings' arrest after an ongoing investigation, and she was taken into custody yesterday. She's being held on a 60-thousand-dollar bond.
Three People Arrested After Shots Fired From Car In Winston-Salem
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Three people are under arrest after a shooting in Winston-Salem. The scene unfolded last night while officers were working on an old case. They noticed an incident between vehicles, followed by shots fired. A chase ensued, and the suspects were eventually arrested on Borum Drive. No one was hurt.
Krispy Kreme Has New Key Lime Donut
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- First it was strawberry, now it's time to take a bite out of key lime. Winston-Salem-based Krispy Kreme is out with its second donut in the spring series. It comes in glazed or fruit filled. Each flavor is only available for four days at a time. The key lime will last through Friday. The next in the lineup is lemon, and that goes on sale in one week.