New Hospital Approved In Buncombe For AdventHealth
(Buncombe County, NC) -- A new hospital in Buncombe County will fall under the umbrella of AdventHealth. The organization was in line to be chosen between Mission Health and Novant Health, which both submitted bids for a hospital. The Department of Health and Human Services signed off on approval for Advent's plan yesterday. It includes nearly 70 beds, labor and delivery, and an ER at Enka Center.
Organizations Helping With Thanksgiving Meals
(Asheville, NC) -- Several Asheville organizations are helping give out Thanksgiving meals this week. One of those is Eblen Charities, which will be giving away 800 meals at the Ingles on Hendersonville Road. The Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry is expecting around 400 people for its annual Thanksgiving dinner. The nonprofit has already been handing out boxes of food this week.
Asheville Airport Busy For Holiday
(Asheville, NC) -- Crowds are picking up at Asheville Regional Airport. Passenger numbers through the rest of the busy holiday period are expected to be back at pre-pandemic numbers. A spokesperson for the airport told WLOS-TV that everyone needs to show up at least two-hours before their scheduled flight. Triple-A reported around a million-and-a-half North Carolinians were expected to travel at least 50-miles away from home.
Stein Helping Settle Opioid Claims
(Raleigh, NC) -- A massive opioid settlement is going to bring millions of dollars into North Carolina. Attorney General Josh Stein has helped finalize a six-point-six-billion-dollar settlement with Teva and Allergan this week. The Tar Heel State will see just under 190-million-dollars. Stein called it the latest step in a dogged pursuit of justice by people whose lives have been torn apart by addiction.
Reward Jumps In Cherokee Murder
(Cherokee County, NC) -- The reward for information in a western North Carolina homicide is jumping drastically. It's been close to nine-years since the body of Marie Walkingstick Pheasant was found in a burning car in the Qualla Boundary's Big Dove community. The Cherokee Indian Police Department announced yesterday the reward ballooned from five-thousand to 50-thousand-dollars this week.
Tourists Need Millions For Stadium Renovations
(Asheville, NC) -- The team owner for Asheville' minor league baseball team is holding out hope to have a new stadium funded. He told the Tourists are in need of around 30-million-dollars to fund renovations to bring McCormick Field up to standard. Changes includes a playing surface replacement, new visitors clubhouse and new stadium lights.
Two Dead In Charlotte Helicopter Crash
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Charlotte television station is reeling in the wake of a tragedy. WBTV meteorologist Jason Myers and pilot Chip Tayag were killed when a station helicopter crashed off I-77 between Tyvola and Nations Ford roads yesterday. CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said it appears the pilot diverted the copter away from the interstate to avoid hitting traffic. It's unclear what trouble led to the wreck.
Four Arrested For Charlotte Homicide
(Charlotte, NC) -- Four suspects accused in a Charlotte murder are behind bars. The CMPD says the men were all arrested in either New York or Maryland last weekend. They're connected to a deadly shooting on Central Avenue early November 6th.
Postal Worker Arrested For Stealing Checks
(Charlotte, NC) -- A Charlotte postal worker is accused of stealing checks. Federal prosecutors say the woman allegedly sold off the stolen checks to people in different states last year. Their worth added up to over eight-million-dollars.
Arson Investigated In Lincolnton
(Lincolnton, NC) -- The FBI is investigating an arson in Lincolnton. It was back in June when a suspect allegedly threw a lit Molotov cocktail at the Crisis Pregnancy Center on Doctors Park. Damage to the building was minor. The suspect was reportedly caught on surveillance video.
One Dead In South Charlotte Homicide
(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a homicide in south Charlotte. Officer say the scene was at South Tryon Street in the Westover division early Tuesday afternoon. No details have been released yet on how the victim died or if any suspects have been arrested.
Darnold Starting At QB For Panthers
(Charlotte, NC) -- The Panthers are switching things up at quarterback again. Interim coach Steve Wilks announced yesterday that Sam Darnold will step behind center for Sunday's game at home against Denver. Darnold's appearance will mark the third different starter for Carolina this season. He started eleven-games last season.
TV Meteorologist And Pilot Killed When Helicopter Goes Down Near Interstate South Of Charlotte
(Charlotte, NC) -- A pilot and TV meteorologist were killed Tuesday, when their helicopter crashed near I-77 just south of Charlotte. Authorities are heralding the pilot as a hero for intentionally steering the aircraft away from interstate traffic before it fatally crashed. The victims were identified as pilot Chip Tayag and WBTV Meteorologist Jason Myers. The FAA and NTSB is investigating the cause of the crash.
Air Travel At RDU This Weekend Expected To Be Up By 19-Percent
(Morrisville, NC) -- Officials at RDU are predicting more than 332-thousand air travelers will pass through its terminals this Thanksgiving holiday weekend. That's a 19-percent increase over the same period in 2019, which set a record. The busiest travel days are expected to be today and Sunday. Passengers are being advised to get to the airport at least two-hours early.
Fujifilm Announces 188-Million Dollar Investment In New Manufacturing Plant At RTP
(Raleigh, NC) -- Fujifilm has announced plans to invest over 180-million dollars to construct a new cell culture media manufacturing plant at Research Triangle Park. The 250-thousand square foot facility will be located on 64-acres of land and employ around 100-new workers. Construction is set to begin in 2023, with production expected to go on line in 2025.
North Carolina To Receive 188-Million From Settlement Against Two Opioid Companies
(Raleigh, NC) -- The State of North Carolina's share of a six-point-six-billion dollar agreement with two opioid manufacturing companies will be 188-million. That, from Attorney General Josh Stein, who announced yesterday that the payments will be spaced out over 13-years. The out of court settlements with Teva and Allergan came after a class action lawsuit was filed against the companies, alleging they contributed to the nationwide opioid crisis by overstating the drug's benefits, while downplaying the risk of addition.
Nearly 250-North Carolina Churches Vote To Leave United Methodist Denomination
(Fayetteville, NC) -- Some 249-churches in North Carolina have decided to separate from the United Methodist denomination, in a dispute over same sex marriages and other policies related to sexual morality. The vote was taken at a special meeting held at Methodist University in Fayetteville over the weekend. The number of churches voting to disaffiliate represents one third of the United Methodist congregations in North Carolina. The issue will be taken up again in 2024, when the World-Wide General Session will be held in Charlotte.
Carolina Hurricanes Lose Another Road Game In Overtime
(Winnipeg, MB) -- The Carolina Hurricanes suffered another heartbreaker last night, as they lost their third straight game in overtime against the Winnipeg Jets. The final score was 4-3. The Jets were ahead 3-0 for most of the contest before the Canes staged a ferocious comeback late in the third quarter to tie the score 3-3 with a goal from Martin Necas. Winnipeg's Josh Morrissey's scored his second goal of the game at the 2:10 mark, to lead the Jets to the 4-3 overtime victory. Carolina will be back home at PNC Arena tonight, to take on Arizona.
Big Holiday Flying Weekend Expected at PTI
(Greensboro, NC) -- Officials at the Piedmont Triad International airport say they're expecting about a 30 percent increase in Thanksgiving passengers this year. That's ahead of last year, although still below pre-pandemic figures in 2019. To help with expected long waits, they say you should reserve a parking space ahead of time and allow a lot of extra time to get through TSA security lines. Also, only pack a carry-on bag if you can in case you have to change flights suddenly.
Boom Supersonic Agreement Formalized
(Greensboro, NC) -- The Piedmont Triad Airport Authority has approved an agreement on how it will officially pay back Boom Supersonic as it builds its factory for its new jetliner. The nearly 57-million-dollars in funding will come from the state and will be the largest part of an incentive package for the company to build its faster-than-sound planes at a new factory at PTI. The project, which was announced in January, is expected to create nearly 18-hundred jobs with an investment to the local economy of 500-million-dollars within ten years.
Man Dies in Auto/Pedestrian Collision
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Yadkinville Police say a pedestrian who was hit Monday has died from his injuries. A news release from the department says officers responded to the crash on US Highway 601 near Yadkinville Elementary School about 7:30 p.m. to find a man who'd been hit in the road. The victim, whose name has not been released, was taken to the hospital where he later died. Police say the incident was not a hit-and-run and that they continue to investigate what happened.
More than 200 Pounds Of Marijuana Discovered in Traffic Stop
(Ashboro, NC) -- Two men have been arrested after hundreds of pounds of marijuana were found in their semi-truck Monday. The Randolph County Sheriff's Office says deputies pulled the truck over near I-85 in Archdale. During the traffic stop, a K-9 officer was called and a search was conducted, resulting in 230 pounds of marijuana being discovered. Two men named Da Hu and Hailiang Hu, who are both from California, were arrested and charged with two counts of felony marijuana trafficking.
Nearly 30-Year Credit Union Employee Charged With Embezzling
(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Winston-Salem Police say a long-time employee of the Winston-Salem Federal Credit Union has turned herself in for embezzling. Barbara Clinkscales-Stowe had worked for the banking institution for 28 years. She is accused of bilking more than 47-thousand dollars from member accounts and is charged with six counts of felony embezzlement. Officials say Clinkscales-Stowe first came to their attention in August, but believe the alleged embezzling started six years ago.