Crews Sterilize Water Lines At AgCenter
(Fletcher, NC) -- The Western North Carolina AgCenter in Fletcher is taking extra precautions after a Legionnaires' disease outbreak. WLOS-TV is reporting crews sterilized the water lines at the center yesterday. The general manager says the building is safe, but they're still doing work out of an abundance of caution. Over 130 Legionnaires' cases have been confirmed in people who attended the Mountain State Fair one month ago. State health officials are awaiting test results from hot tubs on display at the fair.
Nothing Found During Gun Scare At High School
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Investigators say nothing was found during a gun scare in a Buncombe County school yesterday. Enka High School was placed on lockdown after someone allegedly displayed a gun on campus. Nearby Hominy Valley Elementary School locked down its perimeter as a precaution. Deputies searched the school, but couldn't find a gun.
Mission Health, Cigna Negotiating Terms
(Asheville, NC) -- Mission Health in Asheville and Cigna Insurance are in the process of negotiating contract details. The hospital will be out-of-network for Cigna customers if the pair doesn't agree to terms by the end of October. A statement from Mission Health referred to the insurance company as a long-standing partner. Cigna sent a letter to its customers about alternative in-network hospitals in Hendersonville, Clyde and Brevard in case discussions fall through.
No Charges Yet In Road Rage Stabbing
(Hendersonville, NC) -- The district attorney is considering whether to file charges in a double stabbing that allegedly stemmed from road rage in Hendersonville. Officers say a man stabbed two others with a pocket knife after they aggressively drove their car around and cut him off at King Street and Four Seasons Boulevard last Thursday. The injuries weren't considered life-threatening. The police department didn't file any charges after going through interviews at the end of the week.
Animal Rights Advocates Plan Protest Before Circus
(Haywood County, NC) -- Some people are planning to protest the use of exotic animals at a circus in Haywood County. Gates to the Jordan World Circus open tonight at the Haywood County Fairgrounds near Lake Junaluska. Animal rights advocates are arguing that it's wrong to keep animals like elephants in captivity for entertainment purposes. Circus officials say they're in compliance with the USDA.
Forest Service Warns Caution During Wildfire Season
(Asheville, NC) -- The North Carolina Forest Service is warning mountain residents to be on high alert when it comes to wildfires. One official told WLOS-TV that drought conditions in the area are similar to 2016, when 59-thousand acres burned in North Carolina. He is urging homeowners to clean out their gutters and move firewood away from structures. We're in the midst of National Fire Prevention Week in the U.S.
CMPD Police Chief Retiring
(Charlotte, NC) -- CMPD's police chief is retiring. The city of Charlotte announced Monday that Kerr Putney is stepping down on January 1st, but plans to come back for a short time in the spring to help prepare for the Republican National Convention. The large event is expected to attract ten-of-thousands-of-people to the Queen City next August. Putney has served in the CMPD since 1992 and was appointed police chief four years ago.
Statesville City Officials To Allow Large American Flag
(Statesville, NC) -- The battle over a giant American flag in Statesville appears to be over. The city has fined Gander RV since last year for flying a 40-by-80-foot flag next to I-77, which was well above the local ordinance. The Statesville City Council approved an amendment to the ordinance last night in order to allow the flag to be flown legally. The mayor says Gander RV has agreed to pay more than 16-thousand-dollars total for violations and legal fees. The CEO of Gander's parent company, Camping World, previously said he'd never take the flag down.
More Victims Accuse Gaston County Preacher Charged With Sex Crimes
(Belmont, NC) -- The accusations are piling up against a Gaston County preacher charged with sex crimes. Nicholas Martin was arrested Saturday on four counts of indecent liberties with a 14-year-old victim. Prosecutors said in court yesterday that three more victims have come forward since the arrest. Martin was an associate pastor at North Belmont Church of God when the initial allegations occurred starting last September.
Deadly Fire Blamed On Cigarette
(Dallas, NC) -- A deadly Gaston County fire is being blamed on a cigarette. Fire investigators told WSOC-TV that a home on Dusty Hill Road in Dallas was destroyed early Saturday morning after someone improperly discarded a cigarette. A 65-year-old man never made it out of the home. Around a dozen others were displaced.
Delivery Company For Amazon Lays Off Mecklenburg Employees
(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- An Amazon-contracted delivery company says more than 60 employees were laid off in Mecklenburg County last week. The announcement came after the online retail giant ended its relationship with Inpax Final Mile Delivery. Nearly 140 people were laid off in Durham County as well. Amazon is reportedly helping the drivers find jobs with other third-party delivery partners locally.
Two Small Earthquakes Reported Over Weekend
(Charlotte, NC) -- U.S. Geological Survey officials are confirming two small earthquakes hit the region over the weekend. A two-point-one magnitude quake shot overnight Saturday around 12 miles north of Lenoir. The second one hit Indian Trail in Union County with a one-point-eight magnitude Sunday morning. Neither was strong enough to do any damage, and only two people reported feeling them.
WCPS: School Bus That Caught Fire In Cary Recently Inspected
(Cary, NC) -- Wake County Public Schools officials say the bus that caught fire in Cary last week had just been inspected. They say the bus underwent a monthly inspection on Thursday before bursting into flames off N.C. Highway 55 and Green Hope Road. Neither the bus driver nor the student on board was hurt. The cause is still under investigation.
Man Found Dead After Standoff With Police In Fayetteville
(Fayetteville, NC) -- An hours-long standoff with Fayetteville police ended with the suspect found dead. Police were called to a home on Dayspring Drive yesterday morning about a domestic dispute. They say the armed man refused to surrender, and a standoff ensued. After several hours, the man was found unresponsive inside. A woman at the home was able to escape unharmed.
Contractor Fined 30K For Incomplete Road Work
(Raleigh, NC) -- A contractor who was hired to work on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh is fined 30-thousand dollars for not completing the work on time. The construction, near the Peace Street bridge, was supposed to be done by 6 a.m. yesterday, but it didn't get completed until three hours later. The state Department of Transportation says the Morrisville-based contractor was fined for violating the contract.
Moore Co. Man Arrested For Murder In Death Of Toddler Son
(Robbins, NC) -- A Moore County man is under arrest in connection with the death of his one-year-old son. Emmanuel Reza was taken into custody this past Friday on charges of second-degree murder and felony child abuse. Police say the boy was brought to the hospital back in June with serious injuries. He did not survive.
Person Hit, Killed By Train In Raleigh
(Raleigh, NC) -- An investigation is underway after a pedestrian was hit and killed by a train in south Raleigh. It happened yesterday morning on Rush Street, between Hammond and Garner roads. Police say the train was headed from Miami to New York when the accident happened. None of the crew members or passengers were hurt.
NC Award Ceremony Next Month
(Raleigh, NC) -- Six people who've made significant contributions to the state will be honored next month. The North Carolina Award ceremony will be held November 16th at the Raleigh Convention Center. Governor Roy Cooper will present the recipients with their awards.
UPDATE: Man Shot, Killed In Winston-Salem ID'd
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Winston-Salem police are identifying a man who was gunned down last weekend. It happened Saturday night in an area near Cole Road and U.S. Highway 311. Police say 30-year-old Miguel Lazaro-Padilla parked his car, got out and was shot several times. They believe the incident was isolated. Anyone with information is urged to come forward.
WSSU Investigating Threat
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- An investigation is underway at Winston-Salem State University after a threat was made. Police say multiple students reported the social media threat yesterday. Campus police responded and gave the "all-clear." The suspect, who's not a student, was identified and charged.
Man Suspected Of Trafficking Heroin
(Rowan Co., NC) -- A man is facing drug-trafficking charges in Rowan County. Muquan Kennedy was arrested Thursday after a five-month-long investigation. He's charged with ten counts of trafficking heroin and five counts of possession with intent to sell. Federal charges are also pending. Kennedy is behind bars on a one-million-dollar bond.
New Rec Center To Open In Asheboro
(Asheboro, NC) -- A new recreation center is getting ready to open in the heart of downtown Asheboro. What used to be the Acme-McCrary building is turning into the Asheboro Municipal Rec Center. Renovations have been underway for about two years. The rec center is expected to be open in the beginning of December.