Another Earthquake Hits Canton
(Canton, NC) -- Yet another earthquake is being reported in a western North Carolina town. The United State Geological Survey confirms a three-point-two magnitude quake hit near Canton early Sunday morning. It marks the fifth earthquake over the last two-weeks in the area. Mayor Zeb Smathers tweeted afterwards that he's asking state environmental officials for an analysis of what's happening.
Man Arrested For Setting Fires Outside Asheville City Hall
(Asheville, NC) -- A suspect is accused of setting several fires near Asheville's city hall. Asheville police say firefighters were able to quickly put out the flames, which were set early Thursday morning. Surveillance footage reportedly shows the suspect at the scene before, during and after the fires. He was arrested that same day for burning a public building and second-degree trespassing.
EBCI Has Two Finalists For Chief
(Qualla Boundary, NC) -- It appears the choice for principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is coming down to two. A primary vote last Thursday narrowed the selection to current Chief Richard Sneed and Michell Hicks, who served as chief for a dozen years before Sneed. The general vote comes up in September. Council seats will be on the ballot as well.
Asheville Halfway Through Safety Initiative
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville's 60-day downtown safety initiative is just over half-complete. Extra patrols began at the beginning of May to reduce crime in the area. The APD and Buncombe County say just over 40 arrests have been made since then, with an additional 28 citations. Another update is coming in less than two-weeks.
Spruce Pine Fast Food Restaurant Open After Deep Cleaning
(Spruce Pine, NC) -- A Spruce Pine fast food restaurant is open again after a deep cleaning. WLOS-TV reports the local health department was advised that the district manager shut down a Hardee's last week. Employees were reportedly re-educated as well. It's not clear exactly what the problem was, but the restaurant has since re-opened.
Proposed Lodge In Montreat Turned Down
(Montreat, NC) -- Plans for a proposed lodge in Montreat are being turned down. The Black Mountain News says a judge came to a conclusion last week to overturn a special use permit for the Mountain Retreat Association's project. The property was slated to have 40 rooms and a 30-space parking garage between Assembly Drive and Georgia Terrace. Those opposed to the project had issues because some adjustment board members have donated money to the association.
Lightning Causes Charlotte Apartment Fire
(Charlotte, NC) -- Lightning is to blame for an east Charlotte fire. Flames erupted at an apartment complex on Tremaine Court early Sunday morning. Damages were estimated to be around 250-thousand-dollars. One firefighter suffered minor injuries.
Man Arrested For Punching Toddler
(Charlotte, NC) -- A man in Charlotte is accused of assaulting a toddler. The mother told the CMPD that the suspect punched the one-year-old in the face around West Summit Avenue and South Tryon Street late Sunday morning. Officers arrested him for assault on a child under 12. The child was treated and released from the hospital.
Wells Fargo Providing Grants In Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte's diverse small business owners have a chance for funds from a grant program. Wells Fargo is injecting 20-million-dollars into the city as part of an initiative called Beyond Open. Nearly 180 Charlotte businesses received the first round of funding, which came in at just under six-million-dollars. Applications are being accepted this summer for the next five-million-dollar award.
NoDa Brewery To Feature Pets On Beer Cans
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Charlotte brewery is teaming with the Humane Society for a fundraiser. NoDa Brewing Company is looking for the face of its 2023 Rescue Brew can. Cat and dog owners can submit photos of their cats and dogs for ten-dollars apiece. The winners will be voted on by the public, with each vote cast coming in at a cost of one-dollar.
Charlotte FC Falls On Road At Columbus
(Charlotte, NC) -- Charlotte FC is back to ninth in the Eastern Conference standings. The black-and-blue fell four-to-two to Columbus Crew on the road Saturday. The team returns to Bank of America Stadium this Saturday as part of the Soccer For All Celebration. Charlotte and Seattle will meet on the pitch for just the second time ever.
Million-Dollar Powerball Ticket Bought In Griffin
(Kings Mountain, NC) -- A winning ticket for Powerball was sold in Kings Mountain. Someone purchased a ticket that matched all five white balls at a Circle K on Cleveland Avenue. That was good enough to win one-million-dollars in Saturday's drawing. The Powerball jackpot is still growing since no one had every number.
Five Earthquakes Hit North Carolina In Past Two Weeks
(Canton, NC) -- An earthquake measuring 3.2 was recorded in North Carolina yesterday. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, more than 200 reports came in from people feeling a shaking in the areas of Canton, Candler, Clyde and Waynesville in the Western part of the state. There were no reports of injuries or property damage. The agency said it was also the fifth quake to occur in the area since May 23.
President And First Lady To Visit Fort Liberty And Rocky Mount This Week
(Rocky Mount, NC) -- President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will be in North Carolina later this week. A statement released by the White House said the Biden's will first visit with leaders in Rocky Mount on Friday, to discuss how the Investing in America Plan will impact students and jobs in North Carolina and across the country. The President and First Later will also travel to the newly re-named Ft. Liberty, to meet with U.S. service members about the Joining Forces Initiative to support soldiers and their families.
North Carolina GOP State Convention To Play Host To Several Big Names This Week
(Greensboro, NC) -- Former President Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Former Vice President Mike Pence are all scheduled to address delegates at the North Carolina Republican Party Convention in Greensboro this weekend. DeSantis will be the featured speaker Friday at the Old North State Dinner Friday night. Pence speak to the group Saturday at a noon luncheon. And Trump will be the guest of honor Saturday night for the Grand Ole Party's Dinner. The convention will be held June 8-11 at the Koury Center in Greensboro.
NC House To Begin Debate On Amended Online Sports Betting Bill This Week
(Raleigh, NC) -- A mobile sports betting bill will return to the North Carolina House this week. This, after House Bill 347 passed the Senate last Thursday with several changes. The Senate version, which would legalize online sports gambling on professional and college sports, along with horse racing and in-person wagering, must also be approved by the House and signed by Governor Cooper before becoming law. However, House Speaker Tim Moore is expected to push for an amendment to have online sports betting combined with casino and video gambling.
Newtown Pride PC Wins 1-Million Dollar Grand Prize At Inaugural Soccer Tournament In Cary
(Cary, NC) -- Newtown Pride FC are the winners of the inaugural TST winner-take-all 1-million dollar tournament grand prize. The Sandy Hook, Connecticut based pro-soccer team defeated Canada's SLC FC 2-0 in the 7-on-7 finals at WakeMed Park in Cary Sunday. Newtown was crowned the top team out of a field of 32 that began competitions on Thursday. Following the victory, team leaders announced that they will donate a portion of their winnings to Sandy Hook Elementary School charities. Organizers also estimated the four-day tournament had a 1.7 million dollar economic impact on the Cary economy.
V-Foundation Raises Over 2.8 Million For Cancer Research This Weekend
(Raleigh, NC) -- The V-Foundation for Cancer Research held its 30th Anniversary Gala Fundraiser over the weekend. Organizers say over 2.8 million dollars was raised for cancer research during event in Raleigh Saturday night. The Gala marked a memorable speech made 30 years ago at the ESPYS by North Carolina State head basketball coach Jim Valvano, when he announced the creation of the Foundation. Valvano died of cancer in 1993 at the age of 47.
Bidens to Make 2 Appearances in NC this week
(Greensboro, NC) -- President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will travel to Rocky Mount, North Carolina this coming week. On Friday, June 9th, they'll visit Fort Liberty, which was formerly called Fort Bragg, they'll attend an event in support of a program called Joining Forces. That's Jill Biden's initiative to support military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. The first couple will also stop in Rocky Mount to talk about workforce training programs and how those prepare students for jobs in North Carolina and nationwide.
City Apologizes After Removing LGBTQ+, Pride Logo From Facebook Page
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A move by the City of Winston-Salem to take down a gay-pride logo on its Facebook page is generating both support and backlash. The Pride-themed image with the city's logo and a rainbow flag behind it were posted Thursday morning but was taken down only a few hours later. The city offered an apology on the same site, saying the logo was posted prematurely and removed. It went on the say the city can't promote one cause over the other, since June is also recognized as PTSD Awareness Month and many others. A later post, however, promotes the city's gay pride parade, set for June 24th.
NASCAR Latest Company To Face Backlash For LGBTQ Support
(Charlotte, NC) -- A #BOYCOTTNASCAR hashtag reportedly is picking up speed after the company tweeted and an image showing support for the LGBTQ community. The majority of comments from the millions of people who he commented say they will no longer support the racing organization. But Stephen Rhodes, the first openly gay NASCAR driver, tells Queen City News, "For all the fans that are leaving, I guarantee that there is just as many coming." NASCAR's officials had previously said their Drive for Diversity initiative has resulted in the sport being more diverse than at any other time in its existence.
Woman Creates Nonprofit to Honor Brother Lost to Violent Shooting
(Greensboro, NC) -- A Davidson County woman who lost her brother to a shooting has created a nonprofit organization in his honor. Dia Nyarko says two years ago, her family launched the Johnny Leroy Dawkins Junior Scholarship Fund for minority high school boys. It has now grown into a nonprofit and is now called JLD Community Solutions. The group held its first Community Against Gun Violence block party Saturday, as well as a walk to raise awareness about gun violence prevention. Many participants wore orange, which is the color of the movement, to mark their support.
$2 Lottery Ticket Nets Million-Dollar Prize
(Raleigh, NC) -- A two-dollar lottery ticket has turned into a million-dollars in North Carolina during Saturday's Powerball drawing. The North Carolina Education Lottery reports the winning ticket was bought from a Circle K in Kings Mountain in Cleveland County. The winner hasn't claimed the prize yet. Additionally, there were two more big winners in North Carolina over the weekend. Both tickets were bought in Beaufort [[ BO-furt]] County and the two winners will get 50-thousand-dollars each.