Veto Override Of School Bill Fails

(Raleigh, NC) -- A bill requiring North Carolina's public schools to offer in-person learning is dead in the water. The state Senate failed to override Governor Roy Cooper's veto by one vote on Monday night. The governor has promoted the return of students to the classroom, but was against the bill because he said it didn't implement proper safety guidelines. Most school districts in North Carolina already offer some type of in-person learning.

Thousands Of New Vaccine Doses Coming To WNC

(Asheville, NC) -- Thousands of newly-approved COVID-19 vaccine doses are on the way to western North Carolina. Mission Health and Advent Health confirmed to WLOS-TV that seven-thousand doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be distributed through 18 regional counties within a few days. North Carolina, as a whole, is expected to receive at least 83-thousand doses. The new medicine is a single dose vaccine.

Reward Offered In Search For Asheville Murder Suspect

(Asheville, NC) -- A reward is being offered in the search for an Asheville murder suspect. The investigation dates back to November, when a 17-year-old died after being shot near a ball field on Gay Street. U.S. Marshals have been looking for Dionate Whitson, who is charged with murder. The Asheville Police Department says up to five-thousand-dollars is being offered for information leading to Whitson's arrest.

Asheville Police Chief Considering Re-Instatement Of Fired Officer

(Asheville, NC) -- Asheville's police chief is considering whether or not to rehire a fired officer. A judge dismissed a misdemeanor assault case last month against Anthony Sorangelo, around a year after he was accused of punching an intoxicated man in a patrol car. Police Chief David Zack told the Citizen-Times he is now reviewing if Sorangelo's actions were fireable offenses since the criminal charges have been cleared. Sorangelo's attorney previously said they'll most likely go through the Civil Services Board to overturn the firing.

COVID Hospitalizations Decline Again

(Raleigh, NC) -- COVID-19 hospitalizations are continuing a decline in North Carolina. Monday's report of just over 13-hundred hospitalizations marked a 12th straight day of drops in numbers. Under 15-hundred new cases were reported as well.

Mission Health Relaxes Visitor Rules

(Asheville, NC) -- Mission Health is relaxing visitor restrictions. As COVID numbers improve, the hospital system will be allowing one visitor to stay with patients overnight beginning today. Any inpatients will be allowed two visitors. There are still exceptions to people being treated for COVID-19, who will not be allowed anyone to place a visit.

Cherryville Man Charged In Capitol Riots

(Cherryville, NC) -- A Cherryville man is facing charges connected to the U.S. Capitol riots. The FBI confirmed the charges yesterday, but hasn't released any further details on what he's facing. WSOC-TV reports family members tipped off investigators that Grayson Sherill was at the Capitol on January 6th, when protesters broke through barriers and entered the building as lawmakers were still inside. Several others from the Charlotte area have already been arrested.

Thousands Of New Vaccine Coming To Mecklenburg County

(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- Thousands of newly-approved COVID-19 vaccines are on the way to Mecklenburg County. Health officials say ten-thousand doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be distributed locally within the next few days. North Carolina, as a whole, is expected to receive at least 83-thousand doses. Gaston County will see around 12-hundred.

Renovations Beginning Soon At Stadium For Charlotte Soccer Club

(Charlotte, NC) -- Work is set to begin at Bank of America Stadium to prepare for Charlotte's new soccer franchise. A spokesperson for Tepper Sports & Entertainment told the Charlotte Business Journal 50-million-dollars in renovations are expected to begin this month. They include the construction of a players' tunnel and locker rooms, as well as improvements to the stadium's east end. Charlotte FC's first season is scheduled for 2022.

Water Service Restored At UNCC

(Charlotte, NC) -- Water service is back to normal at UNC Charlotte. The school went into reduced operations early Monday morning when a 24-inch water main in the Mallard Creek area busted. Crews repaired the pipe and were able to restore normal service by early afternoon.

Garth Brook Concert Re-Scheduled Again

(Charlotte, NC) -- The Charlotte concert of a country music legend is being delayed again. Garth Brooks' performance at Bank of America last year was initially postponed due to the COVID pandemic. An updated concert set for this April is now re-scheduled for September 25th. NBC Charlotte says it took just an hour-and-a-half for 70-thousand-plus tickets to be purchased when they went on sale for the original 2020 show.

Test Results Show Remote Learning Not Working For Most North Carolina Students

(Raleigh, NC) -- The North Carolina Department of Education has released the results of the first round of tests from the 2020-21 academic school year. They show a majority of high school students did not pass state end of course exams given last fall. This includes 66-point-four-percent failing Math 1, nearly 55-percent not passing Math 3, 55-percent failing Biology and 58-percent of third graders scoring at Level-1 on their reading exams. The low scored is blamed on the pandemic forcing students into remote learning.

Future Unemployment Benefit Recipients Will Have To Show Proof Of Job Search

(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper issued a new executive order Monday that will soon require those receiving unemployment benefits show proof that they are looking for a job. However, the order, set to go into effect on March 14th, will only apply to those filing claims for the first time. People currently on unemployment will not be affected. Also under the new order, workers must register for accounts where they can get leads for jobs or workforce training.

Cameron Village Library Ordered To Undergo Name Change

(Raleigh, NC) -- The Cameron Village Regional Library in Raleigh has been ordered to change its name. This after the Wake County Board of Commissioners Monday voted to rename the library after historical records revealed that the Cameron family were once one of North Carolina's largest slave owners. The new name of the facility will be The Village Regional Library. Back in January, the owners of the Cameron Village Shopping Center also agreed to change its name.

Greensboro Coliseum To Host ACC Matchups

(Greensboro, NC) -- The Greensboro Coliseum is getting ready to welcome student-athletes and spectators for the ACC Tournament. Last year's event was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. There will be several safety measures in place, including rapid COVID-19 testing for players, contactless ticketing and scattered seating for fans. The woman's tournament kicks off tomorrow, followed by the mens' tournament next Tuesday. Officials are expecting a crowd of less than three-thousand.

Winston-Salem Unveils Street Honoring Black Firefighters

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Winston-Salem is unveiling a new street name in honor of the city's first eight black firefighters. A brief ceremony was held yesterday at the corner of East Third Street and Dunleith Avenue to mark the 70th anniversary of the occasion. The street sign designates that block of Dunleith as "First Eight Avenue." It honors Raphael Black, Willie Carter, Lester Ervin, John "Hank" Ford, Robert Greer, John Meredith, George Penn and John "Roi" Thomas who first reported for duty on March 1st, 1951.

North Carolina Reports 1,466 New COVID-19 Cases

(Undated) -- North Carolina is reporting its lowest daily number of COVID-19 infections since early November. State health officials announced 14-hundred-66 new coronavirus cases yesterday. Fewer than 15-hundred people are hospitalized with the virus. That's the lowest number since mid-November.

North Carolina A&T State University Student Makes It Past Blind Auditions

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- North Carolina A&T State University student Victor Solomon is a part of "Team Legend" on Season 20 of NBC's "The Voice." The senior and member of the school's gospel choir made his debut during the blind auditions last night. He sang John Legend's "Glory," which earned him a three-chair turn. Ultimately, Solomon chose to stick with the coach whose song he covered and was recruited to Team Legend.

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