State Lawmakers Discussing Medical Marijuana

(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina lawmakers are back to discussing medical marijuana this week. A bill passed by the state Senate would make it possible to treat certain conditions like cancer, epilepsy and Parkinson's with medical marijuana. The House Committee on Health must first approve the legislation before it moves any further. A similar bill was also passed by the Senate last year, but made it no further.

Man Arrested After Threats Made Against Senators

(Washington, DC) -- A suspect is accused of threatening a current and former U.S. Senator from North Carolina. Federal investigators accused the 51-year-old man of making threats over phone calls to Thom Tillis and Richard Burr dating back to 2021. He was arrested last week after flying into Atlanta from Thailand. The suspect also allegedly threatened to cut the hands off of the person who sent him unsolicited political emails.

Deputies End Additional Patrols In Downtown Asheville

(Buncombe County, NC) -- Part of a new safety program in Asheville is wrapping up. Buncombe County deputies were tasked with helping increase patrols to reduce crimes on weekends during the month of May. The initiative is part of a larger 60-day safety project in Asheville. The results of the project will be assessed at the end of that time frame.

Dangerous Bacteria Levels High In French Broad River

(Asheville, NC) -- A new report shows high levels of E. coli in the French Broad River. The environmental nonprofit MountainTrue released data this week that shows levels close to eight times the Environmental Protection Agency's standard for swimming. Some of the bacteria is thought to be coming from cattle and Asheville's stormwater. A public works official told WLOS-TV the city is working to replace aging infrastructure to help mitigate the risk of contamination.

Roadwork On Greenville Highway In Henderson County Underway

(Henderson County, NC) -- A major road project is underway in Henderson County. A detour is in effect along Greenville Highway this week as crews improve storm drainage. Turn lanes and widening will eventually be added in the next five-months. The entire project totals close to seven-million-dollars.

Mission Health Talks With Community About Freestanding ER

(Asheville, NC) -- Mission Hospital is taking input from the community as it makes plans for a freestanding emergency room. The E-R would be built at Smokey Park Highway and I-40 to help serve the western part of Buncombe County. A community information meeting was held last night, with another one to come next Tuesday at Starnes Cove Baptist Church.

Two Arrested For 2022 Charlotte Murder

(Charlotte, NC) -- Two suspects are behind bars for a murder in Charlotte last summer. The man and woman were arrested this week, around ten-months after a 38-year-old was shot to death on North Tryon Street. The CMPD also charged the female suspect with prostitution.

Toddler Found Dead In Caldwell County Pool

(Caldwell County, NC) -- The sheriff's office is investigating a toddler's death in Caldwell County. A mother allegedly found her three-year-old son in their above-ground swimming pool at a property on Woodmont Court South Sunday morning. It's believed the child somehow made it outside overnight, even though a safety latch had been installed on their back door.

State Lawmakers Discussing Medical Marijuana Again

(Raleigh, NC) -- North Carolina lawmakers are back to discussing medical marijuana this week. A bill passed by the state Senate would make it possible to treat certain conditions like cancer, epilepsy and Parkinson's with medical marijuana. The House Committee on Health must first approve the legislation before it moves any further. A similar bill was also passed by the Senate last year, but made it no further.

Brooks Sandwich House Future Uncertain

(Charlotte, NC) -- A longtime sandwich shop in Charlotte is facing an uncertain future. WBTV reports the owners of Brooks Sandwich House in NoDa are thinking about selling its land on Brevard Street. There are reportedly no plans to close, but different possibilities are being considered. A 50th anniversary of the restaurant will be celebrated at the end of June.

CATS Adjusting Schedule On Some Routes

(Charlotte, NC) -- The Charlotte Area Transit System is changing some rail and bus schedules. Those adjustments will happen on Route 16, Route 56 and the CityLYNX Gold Line. Riders can view real time tracking on the CATS-Pass mobile app.

Elliott Suspended After Move In Charlotte Race

(Charlotte, NC) -- A dangerous move at Charlotte's Coca-Cola 600 is leading to punishment from NASCAR. Chase Elliott is being forced to serve a one-race suspension after he was accused of wrecking Denny Hamlin at the Monday race. The 2020 Cup champion denied causing the wreck on purpose, calling it an unfortunate circumstance.

American Arrested For Making Threats To Kill Two North Carolina Senators While Living In Thailand

(Raleigh, NC) -- An American living in Thailand has been arrested for allegedly making threats to kill North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis and former Senator Richard Burr. Department of Justice documents show the threats were made in 2021, by 51-year old Eric Charles Welton. During that period, Welton reportedly made numerous phone calls to Burr and Tillis' offices, threatening to harm or kill everyone on staff. He also made similar threats to U.S. Marines and staff working at the U.S. Consulate in Thailand. Welton, who was arrested last week in Atlanta, is facing one count of threatening a federal official.

House Health Committee Opens Debate Over Proposed Medical Marijuana Bill

(Raleigh, NC) -- Members of the House Health Committee heard testimony from several people yesterday, on the pros and cons of legalizing medical marijuana in North Carolina. Included among them was Republican Senator Bill Rabon of Brunswick County, who testified that he used marijuana 23-years ago, to help him survive treatment for stage three colon cancer. A bill that was approved by the Senate back in February, would allow patients with over a dozen conditions, to use medical marijuana with a doctors prescription. A State Medical Cannabis Commission would also be established to license and regulate growers, processors and distributors.

Forbes Ranks North Carolina Sixth On List Of States Most Prone To Natural Disasters

(Raleigh, NC) -- With the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season set to begin on Thursday, a new poll ranks North Carolina No. 6 on a list of states most prone to natural disasters. The survey, conducted by Forbes Magazine, found there have been at least 49 climate related disasters in North Carolina since 2012. Those disasters cost the state an estimated 39-billion dollars. Texas was No. 1 on the list.

Durham Fires Solid Waste Director After Just Three Weeks On The Job

(Durham, NC) -- After just three weeks on the job the new director of the Solid Waste Management Department for the City of Durham has been fired. In a statement released Tuesday, City Manager Wanda Page said James Lyons was terminated for misrepresenting his experience during the hiring process. Page also cited an independent recruitment firm for failing to conduct a basic screening on the applicant. PoliHire is a national firm based in Washington, D.C.

Wake County Offering Free Mpox Vaccines To Those Who May Be At High Risk

(Wake County, NC) -- The Wake County Department of Health is urging high-risk individuals to get vaccinated against the mpox virus. The appeal comes in response to a cluster of infections identified in the Chicago area earlier this month. The disease, formerly known as monkeypox, is commonly transmitted through direct contact with an infected person, including respiratory secretions. Health officials have expressed concerns about mpox being spread during upcoming summer events and festivals.

Former UNC Basketball Standout Caleb Love Announces Commitment To Arizona

(Chapel Hill, NC) -- Former UNC star point guard Caleb Love will be playing ball next season for the Arizona Wildcats. The announcement from Love on Twitter yesterday, comes less than a month after he re-entered the transfer portal, citing unexpected problems with academic credits at Michigan. Love was considered one of the most sought after players in the country, after playing three seasons in Chapel Hill. It was also learned Tuesday, that Elliot Cadeau, one of the nations top high school recruits, will enroll at UNC on June 10th and plans to play for the Tar Heels next season.

Police Charge Mother With Death Of Two Children In House Fire

(Greensboro, NC) -- Greensboro police say they've now charged the mother of two children who died in a housefire on Glendside Drive two weeks ago. First responders found a two-year-old and a three-year-old inside the home that caught fire March 16th. They were declared dead at the scene. Noelle Cervantes, who is 33, has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of felony child abuse. Her bond has been set at a million-dollars. Officials have not identified the cause of the fire.

Man Charged With Felony Animal Cruelty

(Winston-Salem, NC) -- A local man from Winston-Salem has been arrested after animal services deputies found a dog that he allegedly beat to death. The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office says the arrest came after a domestic incident earlier this month on May 7th. While responding to that call, neighbors told officials that Elson Warren had been beating a dog named Blondie against the railing of the back porch. Officials from animal services found the deceased dog and an animal autopsy showed she'd died of severe blunt-force trauma with injuries to her back and spinal cord. She also had fractures to her head, face and jaw, and her liver had hemorrhaged. Warrant was arrested on Friday and charged with felony animal cruelty.

United To Offer Non-Stop Service Soon To Denver From PTI

(Greensboro, NC) -- United Airlines has announced it will soon begin daily non-stop service from Piedmont Triad International Airport to Denver, Colorado. The flights which will start in September will make United the only carrier to fly nonstop to Denver from PTI. Airport Executive Director Kevin Baker says the flights to Denver will offer an important new gateway to other points in the west, as well as to international flights to Asia. The PTI to Denver flights will leave Greensboro at 8:30 a.m. and arrive in Denver at 10:26 a.m. local time.

Medical Marijuana Legislation Moves to NC House

(Raleigh, NC) -- The North Carolina House has begun considering a medical marijuana legalization proposal. The discussion Tuesday morning comes more than 12 weeks after the state Senate passed Senate Bill Three with bipartisan support. The bill also known as the "Compassionate Care Act," allows medical marijuana use for people who have cancer, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder and other ailments. A recent Meredith College poll reported that 73-percent of North Carolinians support legalization for medical purposes. This bill does not allow recreational use and would not cover conditions such as chronic pain.

Measure Would Strip Governor of More Powers

(Raleigh, NC) -- The latest of three bills that shift power from the governor to state lawmakers is now moving ahead quickly after some changes in the state House. Senate Bill 512, which was created by Republican lawmakers, would reduce the number of people the governor gets to appoint to state governing boards and would also give additional power to other elected officials in the executive branch. Political watchdogs say it could be on Democratic Governor Roy Cooper's desk within days. The measure has been opposed by five former governors, but passage could come this session for the first time as there are enough Republicans in the legislature to overturn a Cooper veto.

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