Child in WNC Dies from The Flu, Sheriffs Assoc Wants Smokable Hemp Banned

NC Health Department Reports First Pediatric Death From Flu

(Raleigh, NC) -- The number of flu-related deaths in North Carolina this season is up to 21. The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed yesterday that a child from western North Carolina died in December, marking the state's first pediatric death. The CDC says North Carolina is one of 34 states experiencing high levels of the flu. State Epidemiologist Zack Moore is still encouraging people to get their annual flu shot.

Boil Water Advisory Still In Affect For East Asheville

(Asheville, NC) -- A boil water advisory in East Asheville is continuing into this evening. The trouble began late Tuesday night when a 24-inch water main busted at the East Asheville Pump Station. The entire city system was initially put under the advisory. City officials say repairs were expected to be completed Thursday. The current boil water advisory affects around one-thousand customers.

High School Basketball Coach Suspended

(Henderson County, NC) -- A Henderson County high school basketball team is playing without its suspended coach. West Henderson High School announced yesterday that coach Joey Bryson was forced to sit out two games for conduct unbecoming of the athletic program. School officials didn't elaborate any further. The suspension affected a game last night and will conclude this evening after a game against Erwin.

Research Group To Address Hotel Future In Asheville

(Asheville, NC) -- An independent research group is expected to soon give out recommendations on how Asheville should move forward once a hotel construction moratorium expires. The Citizen-Times reports the Urban Land Institute will address how to limit hotels and use the developments to help in affordable housing initiatives and infrastructure costs. That meeting is coming up January 30th with the Asheville City Council. The moratorium ends in late September.

Leicester Man Sentenced For Kidnapping

(Asheville, NC) -- A Leicester man is heading to prison for more than six years for kidnapping. Coty Surrett had been accused of attempting to rape a woman inside her home in Arden a year ago. He was on a supervised work release from the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections at the time. The judge sentenced him to over 77 months on Wednesday, and is requiring Surrett to register as a sex offender.

DOT Continues Highway Closure At Rockslide Site

(Swain County, NC) -- The North Carolina DOT needs a little more time to finish repairs from a rockslide in Swain County. Contract crews were out yesterday removing loose debris from the mountainside on the western end of the Nantahala Gorge to help reduce risk of another slide. Highway 19/74 will be closed once again today to complete the job. Debris initially fell onto the highway last Saturday morning.

FBI Looking For 'Bad Wig Bandit'

(Charlotte, NC) -- A man nicknamed the "Bad Wig Bandit" by the FBI is wanted for multiple bank robberies in the Charlotte area. He was first spotted wearing a wig and high heels at a Huntersville BB&T last month. Investigators say he robbed a New Horizon Bank in Belmont and a Wells Fargo in Gastonia this Wednesday. The FBI's Charlotte office released photos of the suspect on its Twitter account, which shows him wearing three different wigs in each bank.

Basketball Coach Arrested For Fighting Fan

(Lincoln County, NC) -- The head coach for West Lincoln High's basketball team is accused of attacking someone in the stands. Lincoln County deputies say Chadwick Wright struck a man in the head and then began wrestling with him at the end of Tuesday night's game with Newton Conover. A woman was also pulled into the fight. Wright was arrested for assault, battery and disorderly conduct.

Illegal Immigrant Charged With Mecklenburg Kidnapping

(Charlotte, NC) -- A Honduran national who was arrested last year in Mecklenburg County is now facing federal kidnapping charges. The man made bond last May after allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend, despite a detainer issued by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Federal prosecutors said Thursday that the suspect has been accused of kidnapping the same woman five days after his initial arrest. She was able to escape.

War Protesters Gather In Uptown

(Charlotte, NC) -- Some people in Charlotte are protesting against potential war between the U.S. and Iran. A group organized by No War Action gathered at the corner of Trade and Tryon streets in uptown last night carrying signs and chanting. WSOC-TV says one man was arrested for using a megaphone on public right-of-way without a permit.

Teen Rescued After Spending Month In Captivity

(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD says a 13-year-old girl is safe after being held in captivity for a month. Officers rescued her this week from a home on Longleaf Drive in Steele Creek. It's being investigated as a sex trafficking case. Two suspects have been listed, but no arrests have been reported.

Panthers To Hold 2022 Training Camp At New Site

(Charlotte, NC) -- It appears the Panthers are still targeting the 2022 season as the completion date for its new training camp. NBC Charlotte says Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys confirmed yesterday the first preseason camp is planned for August 2022. Team officials expect to break ground at the site along I-77 in York County in the spring. Panthers' owner David Tepper said previously that he would like to see an entertainment complex built to accompany the camp and team headquarters.

State Gets $56-Million In Federal Grants For Early Childhood Programs

(Cary, NC) -- North Carolina is getting 56-million dollars in federal grants for early childhood programs. The grants Governor Roy Cooper announced on Thursday will cover the next seven years. The grants will include money to provide health services to young children and train childcare teachers. Cooper made the announcement at Bright Beginnings Child Development Center as part of his campaign to expand Pre-K across the state. Cooper said the science is overwhelming as far as the difference early childhood education makes in helping children succeed in school and in life.

New Personal Finance Course Will Squeeze Out 1 U.S. History Course

(Raleigh, NC) -- Personal finance will squeeze past some U.S. history in North Carolina high schools later this year. The State Board of Education adopted new high school graduation requirements Thursday. Students who start high school this fall will have to take an economics and personal finance class in order to graduate. Starting this fall, students will take one U.S. history course, rather than two.

Democratic Presidential Candidate Steyer Visits Triangle This Weekend

(Raleigh, NC) -- Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer is coming to the Triangle this weekend. The billionaire hedge fund manager and liberal activist will visit the NC Central Law School and McDougald Terrace in Durham on Saturday. He'll stop by The Women's Center of Wake County and hold a meet-and-greet at the Roosevelt Hotel Saturday afternoon and evening. On Sunday, Steyer will attend Reverend William Barber's Forum on Poverty in Goldsboro.

UNC Women Deal NC State First Loss, 66-60

(Chapel Hill, NC) -- The NC State women are no longer unbeaten after UNC took down the Wolfpack, 66-60 in Chapel Hill Thursday night. Shayla Bennett's 20 points led the Tar Heels, who got 14 points from Taylor Koenen and 13 from Madinah Muhammad. Aislin led number-nine NC State with a game-high 24.

Randolph Co. Could Become Second Amendment Sanctuary

(Randolph Co., NC) -- Randolph County could be joining the Second Amendment sanctuary list. Sheriff Greg Seabolt says his staff has been working on a resolution to defend residents' right to keep and bear arms. Several other counties in North Carolina and nationwide are also declaring themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries.

NCSA Wants To Outlaw Smokable Hemp

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- The North Carolina Sheriff's Association says smokable hemp should be outlawed. It says since smokable hemp looks and smells just like marijuana, it's really hard to tell the difference between the two. A proposed ban passed the Senate and is awaiting a final vote in the House.

Elon U Tests Selling Beer, Wine At Basketball Games

(Elon, NC) -- Folks can now purchase beer and wine at Elon University's home basketball games. The sales are part of a pilot program that runs through the rest of the season, according to the Burlington Times News. If all goes well, the athletic department will allow beer and wine to be sold at future baseball and football games as well.

Suspect Wanted In Randolph Co. Homicide Arrested

(Randolph Co., NC) -- The Randolph County Sheriff's office is announcing an arrest in connection with a homicide in Asheboro. Joseph Greene Junior is accused of shooting Roy Elliott on December 14th on Tipton Drive. Elliott died at the hospital. The sheriff's office says it captured Greene but did not release information about his bond or next court date.


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