State Discusses Vaccine Rollout

(Raleigh, NC) -- The state is detailing new information in a planned rollout of a coronavirus vaccine. Governor Roy Cooper said yesterday a shipment of around 85-thousand vaccines created by Pfizer will be delivered this month, pending FDA approval. Those will go to healthcare workers and any other employees who work in high risk health settings. More vaccines could be available as early as January for people with multiple chronic conditions.

NC COVID-19 Hospitalizations Climb Over Two-Thousand

(Asheville, NC) -- The number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in North Carolina is over two-thousand for the first time. Public health officials reported the number yesterday, which stands at a record two-thousand-33. Mission Health's six-hospital system in western North Carolina is currently treating over 60 patients, also a record high. The governor is still urging people to wear a face mask despite encouraging news about a vaccine.

Serial Robber Wanted

(Etowah, NC) -- The FBI is looking for a serial robber who victimized two banks in western North Carolina recently. A man known as the "Too Tall Bandit" robbed the United Community Bank in Etowah and the First Bank in Brevard at gunpoint last month. Investigators have now linked the same suspect to more than a dozen other robberies in Tennessee and the Carolinas dating back to 2009. A reward of up to 15-thousand-dollars is being offered.

One Dead In Deputy-Involved Shooting

(Rutherford County, NC) -- The remains of a missing Rutherford County man may have been found. A body was discovered yesterday in the Bill's Creek area of Rutherford, more than ten days after Daryl Price disappeared from the Ellenboro area. One suspect is already facing murder charges, while another was arrested for being an accessory. An autopsy is underway to confirm the identity.

Remains Of Missing Man Possibly Found In Rutherford County

(Rutherford County, NC) -- The SBI is investigating a deadly deputy-involved shooting in Rutherford County. WLOS-TV says it happened while the sheriff's office was trying to serve warrants at a home south of Rutherfordton yesterday. The suspect was killed after allegedly pulling out a gun against the deputy.

Suspects In Chase Arrested

(Transylvania County, NC) -- The search for two Hendersonville men connected to a police chase is over. WLOS-TV reports the suspects were chased by Transylvania County deputies after a homeowner encountered them backed up to her storage building on Jeter Mountain Road Sunday. The getaway car crashed twice during a pursuit, as the suspects and deputies exchanged gunfire. The two men eventually ran away on foot in Henderson County, but they were finally arrested yesterday.

More Videos Released In Danquirs Franklin Shooting

(Charlotte, NC) -- More video footage is out from a deadly Charlotte police shooting dating back to March 2019. The CMPD released more than 200 videos yesterday at a judge's order which come from the day Danquirs Franklin was shot to death by an officer outside a Burger King on Beatties Ford Road. Footage is from different police body cams, inside the restaurant and traffic surveillance. The SBI has ruled the shooting was justified.

Victim In Shooting Called Hero

(Cramteron, NC) -- The victim of a deadly shooting in Cramerton is being called a hero. It was early Monday morning when suspects entered a home on 15th Street with intentions to commit robbery. Brenton McCaskill died after he was shot. His girlfriend told NBC Charlotte that McCaskill died a hero while trying to protect her and her family. Four suspects have been arrested.

CMS Wants Teachers To Receive Vaccine Soon

(Charlotte, NC) -- CMS officials want teachers to be some of the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The school board sent a letter to the state this week, requesting that Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers fall next in line after health care workers for vaccine priority. Students have slowly been phasing back in to the classroom.

Virtual Lighting Held For Stadium Christmas Tree

(Charlotte, NC) -- The Christmas season is starting off a little differently this year at Bank of America Stadium. The Carolina Panthers once again lit up its large Christmas tree yesterday, but it was celebrated virtually due to COVID-19. Team owner David Tepper and his wife held the countdown and wished everyone a happy holiday season.

COVID-19 Surge Pushes NC Hospital Numbers To Highest Level To Date

(Raleigh, NC) -- COVID-19 metrics continued to shatter previous records in North Carolina on Tuesday. Figures released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services showed there were two-thousand-33 patients in the hospital, the highest number recorded since the start of the pandemic. The Department also reported the state's positivity rate had soared to 10-point-two-percent, which helped to push the number of confirmed new coronavirus cases up to two-thousand-883. Twenty-three more people died from the disease yesterday for a total to 52-hundred-84.

Wake County School Board Approves Christmas Bonus For Non-Teacher Employees

(Wake County, NC) -- Employees and support personnel of the Wake County School District will be getting a Christmas bonus soon. The decision came Tuesday night as school board members voted to approve the one-time 500-dollar bonus for full time workers who are not teachers. Board members also said the bonus is being awarded as a show of appreciation for all of the hard work staff members have done throughout the course of the pandemic.

Nash County Sheriff's Deputy Dies In Hospital Following High Speed Chase Crash

(Nash County, NC) -- A Nash County Sheriff's deputy who was critically injured in an auto crash Thanksgiving night has died. According to the Nash County Sheriff's Office, 26-year-old Deputy Jared Allison passed away Tuesday while in the Intensive Care Unit at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville. Allison was ejected from his police cruiser while in high speed pursuit of a motorcyclist on U.S. Highway 301 and May Drive in Rocky Mount. Allison leaves behind a wife and a nine-year-old son.

Too Tall Bandit And Bank Robber May Still Be Hiding Out In North Carolina

(Raleigh, NC) -- The FBI is calling on the public for help in locating the so-called 'Too Tall Bandit' following a series of armed bank robberies in North Carolina and two other states. Authorities describe the suspect as being about six-feet-six-inches tall and walks with a limp in his right leg. The FBI has posted images of the masked 'Too Tall Bandit' on its web page. The Agency say he is responsible for at least 16-bank robberies in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Arrests Made In Hanes Mall Assaults

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- Winston-Salem police are announcing a pair of arrests in connection with a weekend assault at Hanes Mall. Two teens were taken into custody on suspicion of attacking and robbing a man and a woman who were picking up their daughter. The scene unfolded last Saturday night in the parking lot near TGI-Fridays. Police say six juveniles have also been identified as suspects, and they've initiated a juvenile petition process against them.

Congressman Mark Walker To Run For U.S. Senate

(Greensboro, NC) -- Congressman Mark Walker of Greensboro is running for U.S. Senate in 2022. He announced yesterday he'll compete for the seat currently held by Senator Richard Burr, who's not seeking reelection. Walker is the first major candidate to enter the race.

Gov. Roy Cooper Plans To Offer COVID-19 Vaccine For Free

(Undated) -- Governor Roy Cooper says he hopes to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine for free to those who want it. During a press conference yesterday, Cooper said the state is preparing to receive the Pfizer vaccine, which needs to be stored in very cold temperatures. He said the state will work to get the vaccine safely to everyone, including those in rural areas. Healthcare workers and people with underlying illnesses will be the first to receive the vaccine.

Rep. Ted Budd Has COVID-19

(Undated) -- U.S. Representative Tedd Budd of North Carolina has tested positive for the coronavirus. He announced the diagnosis yesterday on Twitter. Budd said he has "very mild symptoms" and will continue to work remotely while he's quarantined on his farm.

ACC Shuffles Schedule, Giving Notre Dame Berth Into ACC Title Game

(Greensboro, NC) -- The ACC is shuffling its football schedule due to several postponements, giving second-ranked Notre Dame a berth into the ACC Championship Game. The conference announced its Athletic Directors have voted to evaluate the teams in contention based on a nine-game conference schedule. The changes eliminate one regular-season game for both Notre Dame and Clemson, and gives the Fighting Irish a spot in the title game based on the current standings and holding all tie-breakers. The moves also allow the ACC to keep the championship game on December 19th.

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