NC Court Of Appeals Halt State's Voter ID Law
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina's voter ID law is facing yet another setback. The North Carolina Court of Appeals issued a preliminary injunction against the law yesterday over concerns that it's intended to discriminate based on race. The state legislature wrote a voter ID law after a constitutional amendment on the topic passed in 2018. A federal court ruling previously blocked the law in early January. The North Carolina Republican Party said in a statement that it's "very disappointed" with the ruling.
Man Accused Of Stabbing Father To Death
(Haywood County, NC) -- A Haywood County man is accused of killing his father. Marion Jones was found stabbed to death at a home in the Hyder Mountain community Tuesday morning. Haywood deputies arrested 26-year-old Jody Jones for murder and attempted murder. They say he also allegedly stabbed his younger brother, who was taken to Mission Hospital.
Snow Predicted For WNC
(Asheville, NC) -- Snow is in the forecast for western North Carolina. The National Weather Service says snow, possibly mixed with rain, is likely on Thursday in the mountains. The forecast isn't too bad, with up to two inches predicted in higher terrain. Other areas east along the I-40 corridor could see a little accumulation as well.
Four Missing Teens Found Safe
(Jackson County, NC) -- The search for four missing teens out of Black Mountain is over. The group disappeared more than a week ago from the Black Mountain Home for Children. The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office said yesterday they were found safely in Jackson County. One of the teens is from Jackson County, but investigators didn't say if that was connected to where they were found.
Hendersonville Man Dies In Garbage Truck Accident
(Henderson County, NC) -- A 27-year-old man is the victim of a garbage truck accident in Hendersonville. Joshua Hensley died when the truck accidentally ran over him around Pineland Road and Shadywood Lane last Friday morning. He had worked for the city of Hendersonville since 2014 and served in the public works department.
Biltmore Farms Plans Large Manufacturing Space
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Biltmore Farms is bringing a massive manufacturing facility to Buncombe County. WLOS-TV says not much is known on the project, but the real estate developer is planning a 750-thousand-square-foot space between I-26 and the Blue Ridge Parkway. There's a proposal for a new bridge with the project that will run across the French Broad River and connect to North Carolina 191. Everything should be completed by fall 2021.
Police: SC Girl Suffocated By Neighbor
(Cayce, SC) -- The death of a six-year-old girl in South Carolina is being blamed on a neighbor who killed himself days later. Faye Swetlik disappeared on February 10th after coming home from school. Investigators in the city of Cayce revealed yesterday that the girl died from suffocation. Thirty-year-old Coty Taylor allegedly killed Faye shortly after the abduction and moved her into the woods in their neighborhood. Both of them were found dead last Thursday. Police say Taylor committed suicide in his apartment.
Cabarrus County Lawmaker Dies
(Cabarrus County, NC) -- State lawmakers are mourning the passing of longtime state representative Linda Johnson. The Cabarrus County Republican reportedly died on Tuesday after suffering a stroke two days before. She was about to undergo radiation after doctors found tumors on her brain. Johnson served in the state House for nearly two decades. Congressman Richard Hudson called her a tireless advocate for the region and state.
Human Remains Found Outside Statesville
(Statesville, NC) -- Human remains found just outside Statesville may be linked to a missing man. Marty Teague's SUV was found just east of city limits last August, around a year after the 53-year-old disappeared from his home. Investigators said at the time they were unable to search the entire surrounding area due to overgrowth. Police were called back to the same area on Monday, where the human remains were discovered. The SBI will make an identification.
Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested After Interstate Chase
(Charlotte, NC) -- A suspect is being charged in a Charlotte armed bank robbery. Alvin Pierce is accused of threatening a Fifth Third Bank teller with a gun yesterday morning. CMPD officers spotted his SUV and chased him on I-85 to the Billy Graham Parkway ramp. Pierce finally gave up with no injuries.
Former Panther Signs With Seattle
(Seattle, WA) -- A former longtime Panther is reportedly suiting up in Seattle next season. ESPN is reporting tight end Greg Olsen and the Seattle Seahawks agreed to a one-year, seven-million-dollar deal yesterday. Carolina and Olsen parted ways in January after he played nine seasons with the team.
Influential Leader In State House Loses Battle With Cancer
(Raleigh, NC) -- A longtime member of the North Carolina legislature has died. Republican state Representative Linda Johnson of Kannapolis passed away Tuesday after battling cancer. Johnson had also recently suffered a stroke. Johnson served in the House for 19-years as chair of the House Appropriations Committee and co-chair of the Joint Education Oversight Committee. Johnson was 74.
Recent Spike In Shootings In Raleigh Puts Murder Rate At Six
(Raleigh, NC) -- A rash of recent shootings in Raleigh has brought the total number of homicides in the city to six, and its only the second month of the year. The latest incidents involve a woman who was shot early Monday morning on Pettigrew Street. She was taken to the hospital where she was last reported to be in serious condition. On Monday night, two people were found shot to death inside a car on McGuire Drive. The victims were identified as 27-year-old Teleah Richmond and 24-year-old Taferious Cannaday. No suspects have been identified.
Wake County Schools Will Keep Student Enrollment Caps In Place
(Wake County, NC) -- Enrollment limits will remain in place at Wake County schools at least for another year. The latest school to be considered for additional students was Panther Creek High School in Carey. But the District's Board voted Tuesday to turn down the request. Earlier this month, the Board voted to place enrollment limits on all 20 of its schools in an effort to control overcrowding.
NC State To Start New Artificial Intelligence Program
(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina State University has announced the awarding of a six-million-dollar federal grant to establish an apprenticeship program in 'Artificial Intelligence.' It's part of a 100-million-dollar U.S. Labor Department grant to 28-schools nationwide to help train workers to fill more than six-million jobs in the industry. NC State hopes to train about five-thousand workers in the rapidly growing field of AI.
Biotech Gene Therapy Firm To Build Manufacturing Plant In Sanford
(Sanford, NC) -- San Francisco-based Audentes Therapeutics has announced plans to build a new 135-thousand square foot gene therapy manufacturing facility in Lee County. A spokesperson for the company said Tuesday that it will invest 109-million dollars to develop a state of the art plant in the city of Sanford and expects to employ around 200 workers. Audentes is a biotechnology company that focuses on developing gene therapy products for patients suffering with serious and often life threatening rare diseases. Construction is set to begin later this year.
Mudslides Shut Down Major Road In Marshall
(Madison Co., NC) -- A mudslide is shutting down a major road in Madison County. The wet weather caused a section of Walnut Creek Road in Marshall to give way. State transportation officials say it will be several months before they start repairs. Folks who use Walnut Creek Road regularly should expect long delays.
U.S. Secretary Of Labor Visits Greensboro
(Greensboro, NC) -- The U.S. Secretary of Labor has high hopes for North Carolina. Eugene Scalia met with nearly two-dozen business and education leaders yesterday at the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. He talked about economic growth in the area, workforce development and the new trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Scalia said the North American Free Trade Agreement is expected to bring 75-thousand more jobs to North Carolina, specifically in health care and manufacturing.
Apex Man Accused Of Soliciting Child
(Burlington, NC) -- An Apex man is under arrest, accused of soliciting a young teen for sex. Fifty-four-year-old Anthony Pennisi was arrested after he tried to meet up with a juvenile in Burlington. His arrest follows an investigation by the Burlington Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children Unit. Pennisi is being held in the Alamance County Jail on a 75-thousand-dollar bond.
Eden Man Arrested Following Manhunt
(Rockingham Co., NC) -- Rockingham County sheriff's deputies are announcing an arrest after a brief manhunt in Eden. Frank Burroughs is accused of threatening to slash tires on a vehicle at his mother and step-father's house. He fled into a nearby wooded area before deputies arrived. With the help of the sheriff's K-9 unit, Burroughs was captured and arrested.
Teenagers Arrested In Shooting Of 15-Year-Old
(High Point, NC) -- Two teenagers are under arrest in connection with the shooting of a 15-year-old boy in High Point. The scene unfolded on February 10th on Adams Street. The victim tells police he was walking home from Rankin Memorial United Methodist Church when a black Mercedes-Benz drove past and someone opened fire. Nineteen-year-old Hugo Martinez-Mena and an unidentified 15-year-old were arrested following an investigation. The victim says he does not know the gunmen or why they shot him.