WNC Wildfire Grows,AVL Bans Plastic Yard Waste Bags,Flooding Funds Run Dry

Jun 25, 2023

McDowell County Wildfire Grows

(McDowell County, NC) -- A western North Carolina wildfire is continuing to grow. The U.S. Forest Service says a blaze near Dobson Knob in McDowell County expanded to around ten-acres yesterday. It first started with a lightning strike last Friday. Trail closures are in place as a team of more than 20 firefighters continues to stave away the fire from private property around the North Grove community.

Buncombe County Low On Social Workers

(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe County is running low on social case workers. A representative with child protective services told commissioners yesterday that staffing is down roughly 30-percent. Low employment numbers mean social workers on staff are handling up to 15-cases each, which is well above the state-mandated maximum. Recommendations were made to provide employees with a 200-dollar weekly stipend, but the board won't act on it until at least mid-August.

Asheville Stops Plastic Bag Use For Yard Waste

(Asheville, NC) -- A plastic bag ban with yard waste is beginning this week in Asheville. Any city residents who leave debris in plastic bags are now being directed to place it in paper bags or a reusable container. The decision to stop using plastic bags came after a survey several months ago, which showed a vast majority of citizens were in favor of the ban.

Former Henderson County Employee Files Discrimination Lawsuit

(Hendersonville, NC) -- A former social services employee in Henderson County is starting a legal challenge over alleged racial discrimination. The Citizen-Times reports Marlene Wilkerson claims she experienced a hostile work environment and was paid less than her white co-workers in Henderson County. She filed a lawsuit earlier this year, alleging discrimination. Wilkerson is seeking monetary losses from the job.

Buncombe Sheriff's Office Holds Community Event

(Buncombe County, NC) -- The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office is continuing to try to strengthen ties with the community. A National Night Out event was held last night at the Buncombe County Sports Park in order to interact with residents. A sergeant told WLOS-TV that it's a good opportunity to meet with officers one-on-one in a non-enforcement capacity.

Flooding Assistance Running Out In North Carolina

(Haywood County, NC) -- The deadline for Tropical Storm Fred aid is running out for mountain residents. The system caused major flooding almost two-years ago, especially in Haywood County. State officials say close to 700-people have applied for state funding since then, but many more suffered damage. The final deadline to seek assistance is coming up August 17th.

Raleigh Police Looking For Suspects In Two Separate Shootings Yesterday

(Raleigh, NC) -- Police in Raleigh are investigating two shootings yesterday, that occurred less than ten minutes apart. One incident happened at the intersection of Glenwood Avenue and Creedmoor Road near Crabtree Valley Mall, in which a woman was wounded by gunfire. She was treated at a nearby hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The other occurred shortly after 5 p.m. in the parking lot of the Food Lion at Greystone Village Shopping Center in north Raleigh. An adult male was seriously injured. Police say it doesn't appear the two shootings were connected.

Governor Signs State Disaster Declaration

(Raleigh, NC) -- Governor Roy Cooper on Tuesday signed a disaster declaration for the Nash County town of Dortches, which was devastated by an EF-3 tornado last month. The declaration makes state financial assistance available for local governments to help with debris removal and emergency protection. The announcement comes after the state EMA determined that Dortches incurred more than ten-thousand dollars in storm-related damages from the July 19th tornado. The town did not qualify for federal disaster assistance.

Bus Driver Shortage In Wake County To Impact About 2,000 Students

(Wake County, NC) -- A severe shortage of bus drivers has forced the Wake County School District to reduce the number of routes for the upcoming fall term by seven. The changes announced Tuesday, will also leave 17 bus routes without full-time drivers, impacting the transportation of an estimated two-thousand middle and high school students. The District is now offering hiring bonuses as an incentive to attract more bus drivers.

Cumberland County Sheriff Sues State Auditors Office

(Cumberland County, NC) -- The sheriff of Cumberland County has filed a lawsuit against State Auditor Beth Wood. At issue is a dispute over whether the auditors office had the authority to attempt to conduct an investigation back in October. At a court hearing Tuesday, Sheriff Ennis Wright argued that Wood did not have the jurisdiction to investigate his office and that she breached her oath by falsely claiming that she did. Wright also claimed the State Auditors Office refused to disclose the nature of their planned investigation.

DMV Opens New License Plate Office In Southern Wake County

(Wake County, NC) -- The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles opened a new license plate office Tuesday. The contractor-run office is located in the Fuquay Crossings Shopping Center in southern Wake County. State officials say the goal is to reduce long lines and extended wait times for license plate renewals. This comes after a similar office closed in Holly Springs in 2022.

Durham Bulls Lose First Road Trip Game To The Nashville Stars

(Nashville, TN) -- The Durham Bulls kicked off a six-game road series with a 6-4 loss to the Nashville Sounds last night. The Sounds bats were too loud at First Tennessee Park, as they were led by second baseman Patrick Dorrian, who got an RBI double and first baseman Keston Hiura , who batted in a two-run double to push Nashville ahead for good. The Bulls four runs came from an RBI double by Austin Shenton and an RBI triple from Kameron Misner. The teams reconvene tonight, starting at 7:35 pm.

Man Charged With Killing Grandmother In Caswell Co

(Caswell Co., NC) -- A man accused of beating his grandmother to death in Caswell County is due in court today. Brian Keith Jones Junior is being held without bond on one felony court of first-degree murder. He was arrested following the death of 81-year-old Barbara Renn Monday night on Everett Lane.

Greensboro Man Wanted In Virginia Shooting

(Henry Co., VA) -- A Greensboro man is wanted in a shooting this past weekend in Henry County, Virginia. Deputies were called out Sunday to the 600 block of Price Hairston Lane, where they found Michael DeAngelo Hairston with a gunshot wound to his hand. The victim was treated and released from the hospital. Investigators determined that James Hylton the fourth went to the victim's home and shot him. Hylton is currently wanted on multiple charges, including malicious wounding and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Thomasville Man Wins $100K On Scratch-off Ticket

(Thomasville, NC) -- A Thomasville man is celebrating after winning 100-thousand-dollars on a scratch-off ticket. Zachary Sharpe purchased the ticket this past Saturday from a Sheetz in Lexington after attending a Post Malone concert with his family in Charlotte. Sharpe arrived at lottery headquarters Monday to collect his prize. He took home just over 71-thousand-dollars after the required state and federal tax withholdings.

One Wounded In Burlington Shooting

(Burlington, NC) -- One person is wounded following a shooting in Burlington. Police say the victim was found shot last night in the parking lot outside of the Carousel Cinemas. The person was taken to the hospital. No arrests have been made.

Archdale Bar-B-Que Reopens

(Archdale, NC) -- The Archdale Bar-B-Que is back open. The eatery closed last September. The owner cited multiple factors for the closure, including high prices and struggles with staffing. They decided to reopen following pleas from the community.