Local and State Headlines for Monday, April 15th, 2019

Eight Indicted On Drug Charges In Buncombe County

(Asheville, NC) -- Eight suspects are being accused of operating a drug ring in Buncombe County. A 35-count indictment unsealed on Friday revealed the group allegedly trafficked a range of drugs including heroin, meth and narcotics over a two-year span. A U.S. Attorney says investigators targeted areas of Asheville that have been plagued by drug trafficking and criminal activity. Five of the suspects were arrested, while three are at-large.

Sunny Skies For WNC Today Following Storms

(Asheville, NC) -- Western North Carolina should see sunny skies today to follow up severe storms that moved through on Sunday. Around a dozen counties between Asheville and Charlotte were under a tornado watch overnight. WLOS-TV reported that a number of trees fell onto homes in Henderson County, which caused significant damage. It'll be breezy today with some winds in the mountains reaching over 50-miles-an-hour.

Interstate 40 To Completely Re-Open Soon Near TN

(Haywood County, NC) -- The DOT is expecting to re-open all lanes of I-40 near the Tennessee state line in less than three weeks. A rockslide in late February forced the complete closure of the interstate around mile marker seven for a few days. The DOT has opened one lane each way since then. Crews will be busy putting in anchors and mesh covering to prevent future slides until the expected full re-opening on May 3rd.

Visitation Today For Hendersonville Police Lieutenant

(Hendersonville, NC) -- The Hendersonville Police Department is mourning the death of an officer. Lieutenant Jimmy Case died unexpectedly last Thursday. Visitation is today from four to eight p.m. at Mud Creek Baptist Church, while the funeral service follows on Tuesday at one p.m. at the same location. Case served with the Hendersonville Police Department for 20 years.

Employee Dies In Industrial Accident

(Candler, NC) -- A deadly industrial accident is being investigated in Buncombe County. WLOS-TV says an employee of Jacob Holm Industries in Candler died on Friday night. Details on what happened haven't been released yet. The company's website says it specializes in producing spunlace nonwoven fabrics.

Beach Boys, B-52s To Open Biltmore Concert Series

(Asheville, NC) -- Some legendary acts are coming to perform at the Biltmore Concert Series this summer. The Biltmore House has just announced tickets will go on sale May 1st for the 23rd annual event. The Beach Boys and B-52s will take the stage on opening weekend beginning July 25th. Performing later in the summer are Chicago, the Charlie Daniels Band and more.

Double Shooting In North Charlotte Leaves One Dead

(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a double shooting that killed one person early this morning. Officers say two people were shot on Sugar Creek Road at Hidden Valley Road in north Charlotte around 1 a.m. One victim was rushed to the hospital, while the other died at the scene.

Breezy Conditions Follow Strong Storms

(Charlotte, NC) -- Breezy conditions are expected in Charlotte today following severe storms that moved through the region overnight. Mecklenburg and surrounding counties were placed under a tornado watch, but most of the effects here consisted of heavy rain. A few hundred power outages were still reported early this morning. It will be sunny today with gusts up to 25-miles-an-hour.

Police Footage Of Shooting To Be Released Today

(Charlotte, NC) -- Police body cam footage from the scene of a fatal shooting in Charlotte is set to be released today. The Charlotte Observer is reporting that the mayor, city manager and police chief met with community organizers about a potential protest in reaction to the footage. An officer shot and killed Danquirs Franklin outside a Burger King on Beatties Ford Road last month when he allegedly refused to drop a gun. The judge ordered the release of the video last week.

Charlotte Man Arrested For South Carolina Murder

(Gaston County, NC) -- A Charlotte man is in jail for a 2018 murder in South Carolina. Gaston County Police arrested Salvador Marquez on Friday. He is accused of following a car to a gas station in Gaffney, South Carolina and opening fire on two men in January 2018. The shooting injured the passenger and killed the driver.

Driver Dies In Fiery Crash On Highway 74

(Union County, NC) -- Highway troopers are investigating a deadly wreck in Union County. A car reportedly ran off U.S. Highway 74 near the Monroe Bypass and crashed in a ditch early Sunday morning. Investigators told WSOC-TV that the car caught fire after the accident. The driver died.

Presidential Candidates Visit Area This Week

(Charlotte, NC) -- Two Democratic presidential candidates are heading to the piedmont. Former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke is making an early stop at 8:15 this morning to meet supporters at Central Piedmont Community College in Elizabeth. California Senator Kamala Harris will hold a town hall at Winthrop University in Rock Hill on Friday.

No Death Penalty Sought For NC Man Accused Of Killing Three Muslim Students

(Chapel Hill, NC) -- Durham County prosecutors aren't seeking the death penalty against a man accused of killing three Muslim students. Prosecutors say 50-year-old Craig Hicks shot and killed the three students in 2015 in Chapel Hill after a dispute over a parking space. This had been investigated as a hate crime, but now it doesn't look like this will be prosecuted as one. Hicks' trial is set to start this summer, and if convicted, he only faces life in prison.

Hurricanes Go Into Game Three Without A Win

(Raleigh, NC) -- The Hurricanes need to turn things around if they want to make it past the first round of the playoffs. On Saturday they lost their second game to the Washington Capitals 4-3. They play tonight at home and go into game three with two losses. This is the Canes first playoff run in a decade, and if they want to change the momentum, they have that chance later on today.

Man Arrested For The Death Of His Dad

(Rocky Mount, NC) -- A Rocky Mount man is accused of murdering his father. Deputies in Nash County say 22-year-old William Major Junior shot and killed 51-year-old William Major Senior Saturday night. Police say this was a domestic homicide and charged the younger Major with first-degree murder. He's behind bars without bond.

Two Die After Head On Nash County Crash, Passenger Survives

(Nash Co., NC) -- Two people are dead after a head on crash in Nash County. The North Carolina Highway Patrol says on Saturday afternoon a vehicle tried to pass another on Route 97 when they ran into another vehicle head on. They say both drivers were killed. The only passenger involved survived, but was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. It isn't known who was at fault.

Drug Trafficking Charges In Durham

(Durham, NC) -- A man is behind bars in Durham for drug trafficking. Police say they recently arrested 54-year-old Phillip Boyd with more than a half of a million-dollars worth of drugs. He was arrested at his home on Lucknam Lane after a long term drug investigation by the police department's organized crime division. They found about 180-pounds of marijuana, a pound and a half of cocaine and a hundred grand in cash. Boyd is being held on five-million-dollars bond.

Dixie Classic Fair To Remain The Same For Now

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- The Dixie Classic Fair is keeping its name, at least for now. Fair officials say there's not enough time to gather public input, and then market the new name, before the fall. Opponents of the name say "Dixie" represents "oppression and slavery."

Guilford Co. Schools Calls, Then Postpones Meeting On Gateway

(Greensboro, NC) -- Guilford County Schools has news on the future of the Gateway Education Center in Greensboro. District leaders called, and then postponed, a news conference yesterday about their recommendation for the school. Parents tell The News & Record they think the district wants to shut it down in June. A consultant was hired to test for mold earlier this year after heavy rains seeped into the building, but the results of the study have not been released.

No One Hurt After High Point Fire

(High Point, NC) -- No one is hurt after a home in High Point caught fire. It happened yesterday afternoon near Meredith Street and East Commerce Avenue. Fire officials say the homeowner was able to make it out safely. There's no word yet on what started the fire or how much damage it caused.

Winston-Salem Man Accused Of Drug Trafficking

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A Winston-Salem man is accused of drug trafficking. Sheldon Ellington was arrested Friday on several drug-related charges, including trafficking marijuana. The arrest warrant says he was transporting about 20 pounds of pot. Ellington is booked in the Forsyth County Jail on a two-million-dollar bond.


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