Coronavirus Outbreak In Hendersonville Assisted Living Center
(Henderson County, NC) -- A coronavirus outbreak is being closely watched at a Hendersonville assisted living community. Henderson County public health officials say 23 residents and staff at Cherry Springs Village have tested positive since an initial case was confirmed on April 1st. There are now 50 cases in Henderson County, which is by far the most in western North Carolina. Officials at the community say it has adhered to aggressive infection-control policies since early February.
Coronavirus Cases Rise Over 25-Hundred In State
(Raleigh, NC) -- Coronavirus cases in North Carolina are now at over 26-hundred. The News and Observer reports there was a 15-percent surge in cases statewide yesterday, marking North Carolina's largest one-day increase. Close to 40 deaths have been reported. There are more than 130 positive COVID-19 cases in the western North Carolina region.
One Dead In Asheville Double Shooting
(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville Police are investigating a deadly double shooting. Officers found one man dead and another injured at the Pisgah View Apartments late Friday night. There's no word from the APD if officers are seeking out any suspects. The hospitalized victim was last said to be suffering from critical injuries.
Two Wildfires Break Out In WNC
(Haywood County, NC) -- Forest service workers are monitoring two large wildfires in western North Carolina. Flames covered more than 70 acres near Camp Daniel Boone in Haywood County over the weekend. A separate fire has covered around 90 acres at Cals Creek in Macon County. There have been no reports of any structures being damaged. Forest service firefighters are investigating the causes of both.
Suspect Charged After Baby Found Left In Bag
(Polk County, NC) -- A suspect is facing charges after a baby was found in a bag more than a week ago in Polk County. The infant was allegedly left in a sealed bag in the parking lot of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Tryon. The sheriff's office initially charged the mother with child abuse. WLOS-TV reported a second suspect was arrested last week for attempted murder. The child is doing okay.
Highway In Natahala Gorge Re-Opens After Work
(Sylva, NC) -- U.S. Highway 19/74 is finally re-open through the Nantahala Gorge. Road crews have spent the last three weeks blasting the hillside in order to haul off nine-thousand tons of material. The effort was to stabilize the area after a mudslide in early January. The DOT says crews will still spend at least a month installing rock anchors and steel cables on the slope. The highway through the Gorge area is now re-open to one lane until the project is complete.
Coronavirus Death Toll At Six In Meck County
(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- The number of deaths from coronavirus has risen to six in Mecklenburg County. Health officials reported over the weekend that four more patients died, with more than 660 cases now confirmed in the county. The News and Observer says there was a 15-percent surge in cases statewide yesterday, marking North Carolina's largest one-day increase. There are over 26-hundred cases in the state.
Three Arrested For Murder
(Charlotte, NC) -- Three suspects are facing charges for the murder of a Charlotte woman. The CMPD says the body of 20-year-old Mary Collins was found on Rollerton Road in NoDa on Saturday. She was last seen in south Charlotte in late March. Officers arrested three people for kidnapping and murder. They all remain in Mecklenburg County jail.
Eight Arrested For Gathering Outside Clinic
(Charlotte, NC) -- Some people are facing charges for allegedly violating the stay-at-home order during a protest in Charlotte. The CMPD arrested eight people after they were issued citations and reportedly refused to comply on Saturday outside the Preferred Women's Health Center on Latrobe Drive. One religious group leader told WBTV that taking a stand now was important because the government doesn't have unlimited power. Officers say there was a group of around 50 people in the protest.
Panthers' Land Deal Finalized
(York County, SC) -- The Carolina Panthers' organization is now owner of land to build a new practice facility in York County. A 16-million-dollar deal for 240 acres off I-77 was completed in late March. Local officials have expressed interest in annexing the property into the city of Rock Hill, while developing businesses surrounding it. The new construction is expected to be up and operational by the 2022 season.
CMS Seeking Face Masks
(Charlotte, NC) -- CMS is looking for supplies as more meals continue to go out to students this school year. WSOC-TV reports the district needs around one-thousand face masks to use while preparing and distributing meals. Close to 30-thousand meals are handed out each day. CMS board member Carol Sawyer says they want to give each employee at least two masks.
Unemployment Filings In State Over 400-Thousand And Climbing
(Raleigh, NC) -- New figures released by the North Carolina Department of Commerce show more than 400-thousand people across the state have filed claims for unemployment benefits. Those numbers cover the period from March 16th through April 4th. The Department said more than 24-thousands claims were filed on just Saturday alone. As of last Friday, more than ten-million dollars had been sent out in benefit payments. The North Carolina Department of Employment Security says claimants should be aware that it takes approximately 14-days from the time a person files until they receive their first payment.
One Year Old Girl Shot And Wounded During Gunfight
(Durham, NC) -- Durham police continue to search for suspects in connection with a shooting in which a one-year old girl was wounded by a stray bullet. It happened around 4 p.m. Sunday in the 12-hundred block of Truman Street near the McDougald Terrace neighborhood. Authorities report the child was shot once in the leg and treated at a nearby hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Investigators say multiple gunshots were exchanged between two vehicles that were seen speeding away from the scene.
Durham Student Lessons Will Be Mailed Starting This Week
(Durham, NC) -- Starting tomorrow, the Durham Public School District will start mailing instructional material to the homes of elementary and middle school students. High school students will be able to pick up their instructional materials from certain designated locations. The changes come after a worker who distributed both learning materials and meals to students, tested positive last week for the coronavirus. Under the new food distribution system, one weeks worth of food will be given out at the beginning of each week.
Man Dies After Being Shot At Large Gathering
(Fayetteville, NC) -- A North Carolina man died over the weekend after being shot at what police describe as a "large gathering" in Fayetteville. It happened early Sunday morning around 1:45 along the 19-hundred block of Pavilion Drive. The victim, identified as 25-year old Donovan Butler, died after being treated at Hoke County Hospital. So far, no suspects have been arrested. North Carolina is now under a stay-at-home order that bans gatherings of more than ten-people and directs social distancing of at least six feet from one another.
North Carolina Prison Staff Screened For Coronavirus
(Raleigh, NC) - Staff members at all of North Carolina's prisons are now being screened for coronavirus. The move was made after three inmates tested positive for COVID-19. The health screenings, which include temperature checks, will be done before staff members go through security.
Tribute To Nurses Painted In High Point
(High Point, NC) - A High Point artist is paying tribute to health care workers who are fighting COVID-19. Jenna Rice painted a mural in downtown High Point. She tells FOX 8 health care workers are the true heroes in this pandemic. She says the mural took her eight hours to complete.
Vacant House Catches Fire In Winston-Salem
(Winston-Salem, NC) - An investigation is underway in Winston-Salem after a vacant home caught fire. Crews responded to the scene last night in the 800-hundred-block of Rich Avenue. When they arrived, the house was heavily engulfed in flames. There's no word yet on what caused the fire. No injuries were reported.