Local and State Headlines for Tuesday, August 21st, 2018

Protesters Topple Confederate Statue At UNC (Chapel Hill, NC)

A statue of a Confederate soldier at UNC in Chapel Hill is down after it was knocked over by protesters last night.  A group of around 250 marched to the campus calling for the immediate removal of the monument called Silent Sam.  The crowd started cheering and throwing dirt on it after some people pulled it down using rope.  The university said in a statement that the protesters actions were dangerous, and they are investigating the incident.

Men Safe After Scaffolding Malfunction (Asheville, NC)

Two construction workers who were aboard scaffolding that malfunctioned on Asheville's tallest building are safe.  The malfunction left one side of the scaffolding dangling high up on the former BB&T building in downtown Monday afternoon.  The men hung on and were helped to safety before firefighters arrived at the scene.  The scaffolding has been secured and the malfunction is being investigated.      

Mission Health Plans Big Donations (Asheville, NC)

Mission Health plans to donate up to 90-million-dollars to five communities if it's sold to for-profit HCA Healthcare.  The money would be directed to foundations supporting health services in Brevard, Spruce Pines, Highlands and Asheville.  A foundation would also be formed in Franklin.  HCA and Mission Health are currently in discussions on finalizing a deal. 

SUV Slams Through Business After Crash (Boone, NC)

Boone Police say an SUV rammed through a business yesterday after a crash with a deputy's car.  The driver of the SUV reportedly stopped in the road as he attempted to turn onto Highway 105 in the middle of a downpour.  The deputy's car t-boned the SUV, which sent it spinning.  Investigators say the man continued to drive through the business because he may have mistaken the gas pedal for the brakes.  Minor injuries were reported.  

DOT Trying To Finish Project Before Equestrian Games (Polk County, NC)

DOT crews are scrambling to finish a road project that is expected to help traffic flow for the upcoming World Equestrian Games in Polk County.  A spokesman told WLOS-TV that teams have been working on the Highway 74 road connector project sun up to sun down, but have been delayed by heavy rains and flooding.  The connector will act as a passage for competitors heading up from Greenville and Spartanburg.  The event is expected to draw half-a-million people to the Tryon International Equestrian Center in mid-September. 

Bigfoot Named Marion's Official Animal (Marion, NC)

Bigfoot is being celebrated big time in the western North Carolina town of Marion.  The mythical creature has been ceremoniously named as the community's official animal.  A local Sasquatch enthusiast who founded a Bigfoot research group says he presented town leaders with the idea after a town in New York did the same thing.  Marion even has its own festival commemorating all things Bigfoot coming up in September.


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