Ministers Push For Monument Removal In Rutherford County

(Rutherford County, NC) -- A group of ministers is pushing to have a Confederate monument removed in Rutherford County. A reverend from Salem United Methodist Church was at the courthouse yesterday to read a letter signed by 30 ministers. He said a darker part of the past lies beneath these statues. The 25-foot monument that stands in front of the courthouse was brought in by the Daughters of the Confederacy 110 years ago.

Buncombe Chief Deputy Resigns After Investigation

(Buncombe County, NC) -- A Buncombe County deputy at the center of an alleged gun theft investigation is off the force. Chief Deputy Don Eberhart was put on administrative leave in April after being accused of stealing a gun from Carolina Guns and Gear. Sheriff Quentin Miller said yesterday Eberhart resigned, while a charge has now been filed by the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys. Miller added that Eberhart was cooperative in the SBI's investigation.

NC COVID-19 Hospitalizations Close To One-Thousand

(Raleigh, NC) -- COVID-19 hospitalizations are climbing close to one-thousand in North Carolina. Public health officials confirmed yesterday that 982 people are currently in the hospital, with an additional 15-hundred coronavirus cases reported statewide. More than 55-thousand of nearly 75-thousand positive cases in total are presumed to be recovered. Both Henderson and Buncombe counties have had around 700 cases each.

Customer Gives Server One-Thousand-Dollar Tip

(Lake Lure, NC) -- A four-figure tip left for a western North Carolina server is no joke. A customer at La Strada at Lake Lure left an extra one-thousand-dollars on a 30-dollar tab last weekend, with a note at the bottom that said "Seriously, God bless." The server has only been working at the restaurant for a month. She told WLOS-TV the customer doesn't understand just how much she was blessed, and plans to use it to help her four kids.

Electronics Manufacturer Relocating To Asheville

(Asheville, NC) -- An electronics manufacturing company is moving its headquarters to Asheville. The Chamber of Commerce said Monday that Charles Edward Industries plans to invest one-point-five-million dollars to relocate from Knoxville into a renovated building on Broadway Street. The company will begin hiring for 60 new positions this fall. Circuit boards and electronic components will be produced at the headquarters.

Asheville, Buncombe To Resume Parking Garage Fees

(Buncombe County, NC) -- It will soon cost to park at a government-owned garage in Asheville and Buncombe County. Fees resume at the beginning of August for the first time in almost four months, after they were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. The city still plans to offer some special circumstances, like curbside pickup zones for restaurants in commercial districts. Businesses are currently allowed to request the use of some spaces to expand operations.

Confederate Statue Removed In Downtown Salisbury

(Salisbury, NC) -- A Confederate statue that's been standing in Salisbury for over 100 years is now gone. Crews came in last night to take away the downtown monument known as Fame and move it to an unnamed location. The city council voted unanimously on the removal last month after the police chief declared it a public safety risk. The statue features an angel holding a Confederate soldier to act as a tribute to Rowan County soldiers.

Union County School Board To Discuss Mascot Policy

(Union County, NC) -- The Union County school board is planning to discuss a potential policy on mascot names tonight. A proposal is on the table that would require organizations to respect cultural differences and values when giving a school its nickname. One that could come up at tonight's meeting is Parkwood High School, which goes by the Rebels. Last year's student body president told WBTV it'd be a good thing for the community to unify behind a new mascot they can be proud of.

Highway Patrol Stepping Up Presence On I-485

(Charlotte, NC) -- The state highway patrol is stepping up speeding patrols on I-485. The response comes after a family was killed on the interstate Friday night and a trooper was struck the next morning. Five troopers will be part of an initial wave in two weeks to concentrate on patrols solely on I-485. A GoFundMe page created to help the injured trooper's family has raised over ten-thousand-dollars so far. He suffered life-threatening injuries.

City Discusses Potential Initiative To Cut Down Crime

(Charlotte, NC) -- City leaders are tackling more ways to cut down on violent crimes as the homicide rate grows again in Charlotte. The 55 homicides so far this year match numbers through July 6th in 2019, which signified a serious spike from the last decade. Council members discussed a program last night called a Violent Crime Interrupter Coalition. Part of the initiative helps train trusted community members to help de-escalate situations. Mayor Vi Lyles says a similar program helped the city of New Orleans reduce homicides each of the last three years.

One Dead In East Charlotte Shooting

(Charlotte, NC) -- The CMPD is investigating a homicide in east Charlotte. One man was shot to death during an apparent argument near a strip mall off East W.T. Harris Boulevard and Lawyers Road yesterday. One officer told WBTV there have been some long-term challenges in the area. More than 130 incidents including assaults, burglaries and thefts were reported within a mile radius of the crime scene just last month alone.

Rock Hill, Fort Mill Pass Face Mask Requirements

(Rock Hill, SC) -- Face masks mandates are going into effect in nearby South Carolina cities. A mandatory requirement that begins Friday was passed in Rock Hill yesterday. The town council in Fort Mill also passed a requirement that begins after midnight tonight. Anyone will be required to wear a covering while inside a commercial business in the town limits.

Cooper Vetoes Controversial Death Investigation Bill

(Raleigh, NC) -- Under mounting pressure from protesters, Governor Roy Cooper on Monday vetoed the controversial Senate Bill 168. The legislation, which had already been approved by the North Carolina General Assembly, would have kept confidential records of individuals who died while in police custody or in prison. That would have lasted at least while the case was being reviewed by the state Medical Examiner.

Women's Prison Population To Get Tested This Week

(Raleigh, NC) -- The North Carolina Department of Public Safety has announced plans to conduct mass coronavirus testing at the women's prison facility in Raleigh this week. The decision comes after officials reported 45-women recently tested positive in a single housing unit. Records show that more than 900-prisoners statewide have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic first began.

Wake County First In State To Make Juneteenth A Holiday

(Wake County, NC) -- The Wake County Board of Commissioners has voted unanimously in favor of a resolution that would make Juneteenth, or June 19th, an official paid holiday for its employees. The vote Monday makes Wake County the first in the state to declare the date an official holiday. June 19th is recognized as the date in 1865 that slaves in Texas received the news that they were free, two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The new ordinance in Wake County is set to take effect in 2021.

Wake County Approves Over A Million To Prevent Homelessness

(Wake County, NC) -- The Wake County Commission has approved one-point-seven-million dollars in federal assistance to help people remain in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are part of the money awarded to the state from the CARES Act. According to the Commission, the funds will be used to help prevent evictions and help low to moderate income families find adequate and affordable housing.

Five Greensboro Officers Test Positive For COVID-19

(Greensboro, NC) - Five Greensboro police officers and two other department employees are recovering from coronavirus. City officials announced the positive test results yesterday. All seven employees are reportedly doing well. Employees who've had contact with them will also undergo testing.

Remains Of Missing Man Positively Identified 36 Years Later

(Winston-Salem, NC) - A missing person's case involving a Winston-Salem man is closed 36 years after his disappearance. With the help of new DNA technology, remains found along a country road in Alabama back in 1984 were recently identified as 37-year-old Dwight Gordon. Forensic scientists determined his death was due to multiple blunt force trauma. James Cleckler, who was 32 at the time of the killing, was charged with murder and sentenced to life in prison. He's since been released.

Greensboro Woman Shot And Killed

(Greensboro, NC) - Greensboro police are investigating a deadly shooting. Forty-seven-year-old Suzanne Polastre was gunned down late Sunday night in the area of 28-hundred South Elm-Eugene Street. She died at the hospital. There's no word yet on who shot the woman or what their motive was.

NC Native Charlie Daniels Dies From Stroke

(Wilmington, NC) - Country music legend and North Carolina native Charlie Daniels is dead at the age of 83. "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" singer passed away yesterday morning in Nashville following a stroke. Daniels was born in Wilmington in 1936. He was a part of local bluegrass scene before moving to Nashville in the late 1960s. Daniels later became a member of the Grand Ole Opry and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Confederate Time Capsule Found Under Statue In Raleigh

(Raleigh, NC) - Workers removing a Confederate monument in Raleigh have discovered a time capsule. It was buried 126 years ago under the Confederate Soldiers Monument at the North Carolina State Memorial. Inside, a stone from Gettysburg was found, along with a pair of buttons that belonged to Robert E. Lee, and a strand of hair from his horse, Traveler.