Rain Expected From Hurricane Ian

(Asheville, NC) -- Heavy rain is expected later this week as Hurricane Ian moves into the southeast. The storm is moving through central Florida on its way through eastern Georgia and the Carolinas. The mountains remain on the edge of Ian's path, but several inches of rain are still projected to fall in the region. The North Carolina Emergency Management Agency is activating crews ahead of the storm.

Violent Crime Up In Asheville

(Asheville, NC) -- Violent crimes are up in Asheville. Police Chief David Zack told the city's public safety committee yesterday that numbers are trending historically both locally and nationally. Aggravated assaults in Asheville have risen more than 40-percent so far this year, which is driving numbers up. Zack said the police department is committed to ensuring Asheville is a safe place to live.

Armed Robbery Investigated In Asheville

(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville police are investigating an armed robbery. Officers say a man was robbed at gunpoint while in a parking lot on Bartlett Street in the River Arts District on Saturday night. The crime comes as armed robberies have jumped close to 60-percent year-to-year from 2021. Several robberies recently have involved a baseball bat.

Red Cross Volunteers Helping In Storm

(Asheville, NC) -- Volunteers from western North Carolina are helping in support efforts connected to Hurricane Ian. The executive director of the region's American Red Cross told WLOS-TV that volunteers have already been deployed to Florida. Workers are also ready to help out in different parts of North Carolina as well.

Henderson County SRO Won't Be Charged

(Fletcher, NC) -- A former school resource officer in Henderson County won't face charges in a controversial case. The officer allegedly pinned down a fifth grader with his knee in early May, which prompted an investigation by the SBI. The district attorney told the Citizen-Times this week that the S-R-O won't face criminal charges, although he no longer works in the school district.

Affordable Housing Approved For Elderly

(Asheville, NC) -- The city of Asheville is making way for an affordable housing project for the elderly. The city council approved conditions last night for a 100-unit apartment complex in south Asheville, where rent is expected to be capped at one-thousand-dollars-a-month. The accommodations will be for those residents aged 65 and older. The nonprofit group Volunteers of America will run the project.

Rain Coming From Hurricane Ian

(Charlotte, NC) -- Heavy rain is expected later this week as Hurricane Ian moves into the southeast. The storm is moving through central Florida on its way through eastern Georgia and the Carolinas. The Charlotte area remains around Ian's path, but several inches of rain are still projected to fall in the region. The North Carolina Emergency Management Agency is activating crews ahead of the storm.

Speedway Opens Grounds For Evacuees

(Concord, NC) -- Charlotte Motor Speedway is opening up for hurricane evacuees. The speedway's Rock City Campground is welcoming those seeking refuge from Hurricane Ian starting this morning. Atlanta Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway are also offering spaces for evacuees.

Canopy Construction Underway At CLT

(Charlotte, NC) -- A new phase of construction is underway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Crews started to install a canopy over the departures and ticketing section of the airport this week. It marks the next step in a 600-million-dollar initiative to expand the main terminal. Steel beams are the first items to go in place.

Epicentre Being Rebranded

(Charlotte, NC) -- Uptown Charlotte's Epicentre is undergoing a major rebranding. The real estate company CBRE is making big changes at the property, including a renaming to Queen City Quarter. The first improvements on the property are expected to take place in the parking garage, roof and courtyard. The real estate company is also focusing on security measures with extra cameras.

Multi-Million-Dollar Tuition Programmed

(Charlotte, NC) -- More students have the opportunity to take part in a new tutoring program through CMS. The American Rescue Plan Act is providing 50-million-dollars to help offset learning losses because of the pandemic. A virtual tutoring program through the district started yesterday. WCNC reports there are more than 35-hundred spots available in the virtual program. Another thousand spots are open for in-person tutoring.

JCSU Game Rescheduled

(Charlotte, NC) -- A football game is being moved up due to weather. Johnson C. Smith University was originally scheduled to take on Elizabeth City State on Saturday. The sports director tells the Charlotte Observer that the game will now be played at seven tomorrow night instead. Any previously purchased tickets will be honored.

Heavy Rain, Possible Flooding From Ian Expected In North Carolina By Week's End

(Raleigh, NC) -- Weather forecasters are predicting the impact of the remnants of Hurricane Ian will be mostly a rain event. The latest models have the storm system moving into the southern part of the state tomorrow night and continuing westward through Saturday. Increased winds, localized flooding and power outages will also be a part of the system. Three to seven inches of rain and winds of around 30 miles per hour are possible.

North Carolina Red Cross Volunteers In Mobile Units Headed For Florida To Provide Help In The Aftermath Of Hurricane Ian

(Raleigh, NC) -- Red Cross chapters across North Carolina are sending hundreds of volunteers to Florida to help provide disaster relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. More than 110-mobile units left the state Tuesday, headed for Orlando, where a Red Cross command center is being set up. Red Cross workers will join others from several states in providing food, water and supplies to storm victims who may have been displaced.

Shooting At Chapel Hill Apartment Complex Leaves One Dead, Three Others Wounded

(Chapel Hill, NC) -- Police in Chapel Hill are searching for suspects in connection with shooting last night that left one person dead and three others wounded. It happened around 6:20 p.m. at the University Gardens Apartments along the 800 block of Prichard Avenue Extension. Officers arrived to find multiple people suffering from gunshot wounds. One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene. First responders transported two people to the hospital with bullet wounds. A fourth person was also injured, but not by gunfire. The incident took place a few blocks from the campus of UNC Chapel Hill.

Woman In A Wheelchair Struck And Killed By Drunk Driver In Roxboro

(Roxboro, NC) -- Authorities in Person County have charged an 80-year old woman with DWI after a pedestrian in a wheelchair, was struck and killed Tuesday night. It happened shortly after 8 p.m. along Hurdle Mills Road in Roxboro. Officers arrived to find a female victim, identified as 59-year old Connie Holloway, dead near the roadway. Records show that the woman was in a wheelchair when she was fatally struck by a vehicle. The driver, identified as Lindsey Carver, has been charged with Felony Death by Motor Vehicle and Driving While Impaired.

DOT To Conduct Study Of Transportation Habits Across Central North Carolina

(Raleigh, NC) -- The North Carolina Department of Transportation has announced the launching of a new regional study of travel across the central part of the state. The information gathered will be used to help develop more efficient means of transportation in the future. More than 11-hundred households will receive notices in the mail over the next few weeks, inviting them to participate in the survey.

Canes Pre-Season Game Against Tampa Bay Tonight, Cancelled Because Of Actual Hurricane

(Raleigh, NC) -- The Carolina Hurricanes showed almost complete dominance over the Tampa Bay Lightning during its pre-season opener last night at PNC Arena. The 5-1 win was the first of six exhibition games scheduled over the next week. However, game two against the Lighting in Tampa, has been cancelled because of Hurricane Ian. Tampa Bay instead will fly to Nashville for a pre-season contest against the Predators tomorrow night. The Canes will begin the regular season on October 12th at PNC Arena.

Triad Braces For Rain From Hurricane Ian

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- The impacts of Hurricane Ian are expected to be felt soon in the Triad. The storm is beginning to heavily affect residents in Florida as it makes its way through the state, up the coast and veer back into the Carolinas. The National Weather Service is predicting heavy rain for the Piedmont and Triad through the weekend. The North Carolina Emergency Management Agency is activating crews ahead of the storm.

Man, Dogs Found Dead In High Point

(High Point, NC) -- The deaths of a man and several dogs are being investigated in High Point. The body of a 39-year-old man was found inside a home on Amos Street this week. Officers say they believe he may have been dead for several days and are now investigating the death as a homicide. Five dogs were also found dead in the home.

Suspect Arrested For Deadly Winston-Salem Fire

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A Winston-Salem man is facing charges in a deadly house fire. Investigators say an 81-year-old woman was found died after flames erupted inside a home on Renigar Street in late June. The suspect was arrested this week for two counts of arson. He's allegedly responsible for a second fire on East 22nd Street, and has been convicted of fire-related charges in the past.

Food Manufacturer Opens In Winston-Salem

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A major food distribution center is opening in Winston-Salem. A ribbon-cutting was held yesterday for Garner, which will operate on a 30-acre site in Forsyth County. One of the company's specialties is the production of Texas Pete hot sauce and its products. Garner invested roughly 20-million-dollars into the project.

Carolina Classic Fair Opening Friday

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- The Carolina Classic Fair is scheduled to start rain or shine this Friday. Organizers say the ten-day event in Winston-Salem will go on despite the weather forecast. Tickets can be purchased now at carolina-classic-fair-dot-com. Rides on the midway will be adjusted if weather is a problem this weekend. Music entertainment is still on tap for next week.

Josh Michael