Driver Charged In A-B Tech Officer's Death
(Asheville, NC) -- A driver is facing charges in the death of an Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College officer. Jamil Hawes was on a motorcycle when he was killed in a crash in Fairview earlier this month. An Asheville woman was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle. More than 17-thousand-dollars has been raised for Hawes' family in a GoFundMe campaign.
Mother Arrested After Abducted Girl Found In Asheville
(Asheville, NC) -- A woman with ties to the abduction of her daughter is back in jail. Kayla Unbehuan was nine-years-old when she was taken by her non-custodial mother in 2017. Both were discovered in Asheville last weekend. Officers arrested the mother this week in Illinois, which is where the girl initially lived.
No Charges Filed Against Officers After Arrest
(Asheville, NC) -- Buncombe County's district attorney won't be seeking charges in an officer-involved incident. A 27-year-old was arrested last weekend, but some say de-escalation tactics should have been used. WLOS-TV reports Asheville's city attorney is filing a motion to release body cam footage.
Autopsy Shows Asheville Teen Was Bound In Death
(Asheville, NC) -- An autopsy is revealing more about an Asheville teen's death. The body of Jose Ramirez was found in the Swannanoa River in October, 2021. Two men were arrested soon after for murder and kidnapping. Results from the autopsy show the victim's hands were bound behind his back when he was dumped into the river.
Asheville Beer Week Starts Today
(Asheville, NC) -- A big week is about to begin for beer drinkers in Asheville. The Asheville Brewers' Alliance is hosting the annual Asheville Beer Week, starting today. Dozens of events are planned through the 27th.
Power Rates Rise In Waynesville
(Waynesville, NC) -- Waynesville residents are about to pay more for utilities. The electric supplier Santee-Cooper is hitting the town with higher rates, which means costs are going up six-percent for customers. This comes as a jump of five-percent is being added in to the town budget, as a way to deal with future increases.
Two People Killed In Head On Collision With Box Truck On I-95
(Johnston County, NC) -- Authorities in Johnston County are investigating a multi-vehicle crash on I-95 Thursday, that resulted in two people being killed and two others injured. It happened around 3:30 p.m. at mile marker 83 near the Four Oaks community. Witnesses say a box truck traveling northbound, crossed over a cable barrier and crashed head-on into a southbound pickup with two people inside. Both died in the crash. Two other people suffered non-life-threatening injuries The cause of the accident is believed to have been due to a blown tire on the larger vehicle.
Construction Worker Dies In Huge Apartment Fire In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- In Charlotte, a worker was killed Thursday when a massive fire broke out at an apartment building still under construction near Southpark Mall. Several other workers, including a crane operator, along with a number of firefighters had to be rescued from the blaze. One construction worker remains unaccounted for. The construction worker who died has been identified as 30-year old Demonte Sherrill, a father of four. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Hospital Parking Lot Floor Collapses Under Weight Of Cement Truck In Moore County
(Moore County, NC) -- Investigators in Moore County are trying to determine what caused a cement truck to fall through a parking deck at Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst yesterday. Although the driver was shaken up, officials at the hospital say he was not hurt. Miraculously, there were no other injuries.
Justice Michael Morgan Announces Won't Seek Re-Election To State Supreme Court
(Raleigh, NC) -- Democratic State Supreme Court Justice Michael Morgan announced Thursday, that he will not seek re-election to a second eight-year term next year. The decision by Morgan, who is one of only two Democrats on the seven-member panel, could further strengthen Republican influence on the court. However, if a Democrat wins Morgan's vacant seat in 2024, it would preserve the current 5-2 split on the state's highest court.
State Senate Approves Final Version Of Republican-Backed Budget
(Raleigh, NC) -- The Republican-controlled North Carolina Senate approved a final version of a proposed 30-billion dollar two-year budget yesterday. It offers significant income tax reductions, but recommends much smaller pay raises for teachers and state employees. The measure, which passed on a 37-14 vote with seven Democrats supporting it, now goes to a House conference committee.
Carolina Hurricanes Lose Longest Game In Team History This Morning
(Raleigh, NC) -- In the sixth-longest game in NHL history, the Carolina Hurricanes suffered a disappointing 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers this morning in four overtimes. With just 12 seconds remaining in the fourth overtime, Florida's Matthew Tkachuk slapped in the game-winning goal shortly before the clock struck 2 a.0m. The five-hour Eastern Conference playoff contest also marked the longest game in Carolina and Florida franchise history. The mostly defensive struggle saw 'Canes goalie Frederik Andersen make 57 saves, but the Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky was slightly better with 63. Game 2 will be back at PNC Arena Saturday night.
Young Teen Shot in Head A Birthday Party
(Thomasville, NC) -- A 15-year-old boy is in critical condition after being shot in the head in Thomasville. People attending a birthday party at a home on Johnia Court Thursday morning told police it happened as two teens were playing with a gun. The homeowner said a 14-year-old accidentally fired the gun at a 15-year-old boy. Detective Jake Banker says police are investigating where the gun came from as no one knew the kids had it until it was fired. They haven't yet said whether any charges are pending.
New Police Chief Named in Kernersville
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Jason Tilley will be the next police chief in Kernersville. Department officials announced Thursday that he's been selected for that role after being with the force for nearly 20 years. Tilley is a Forsyth County native and began his police career in Winston-Salem. He has most recently served as captain of the uniform patrol division, special operations and the department's SWAT team. Tilley will be sworn in May 31st. He succeeds Tim Summers, who's retiring.
One of Two Democratic State Supreme Court Judges Stepping Down
(Raleigh, NC) -- One of the two remaining Democrats on the North Carolina Supreme Court has announced that he won't seek re-election next year. Associated Judge Michael Morgan said on his Twitter account Thursday that he's stepping down from his eight-year term. He was elected to the state's high court in 2016 and has been a judge for 34 years overall. Republicans now hold a 5-2 majority on the court. He was the last serving member of the court elected at a time when there were no party labels on the ballot.
Former Olympic Hurdler Now Assistant Coach At North Carolina A&T
(Greensboro, NC) -- A former world-class Olympic hurdler joined the track and field coaching staff at North Carolina A-and-T. Department Director Allen Johnson has hired Terrence Trammell to be the assistant coach for Aggie sprinters and hurdlers. Before coaching, Trammell had a successful 15-year career as a professional track and field athlete under USA Track & Field. He is a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the 110-meter hurdles and three-time World Championship silver medalist in the same event. Two years ago, Trammell was inducted into the USATF Hall of Fame.
NASCAR Races Return to North Wilkesboro Speedway
(North Wilkesboro, NC) -- NASCAR's All-Star race returns to the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway this weekend. The short oval racetrack about 80 miles north of Charlotte is one of NASCAR's original raceways and hosted the cup's top three series races beginning in 1949. It had been closed since 1996 before undergoing 22-million-dollars' worth of renovations this past year. They were paid for with funds from the America Rescue Act and state grants. About 25-thousand people are expected to attend the All-Star Race, which is set for Sunday night at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Concerts and other festivities will be held throughout the weekend, as well.