Latest news with #NorthCarolinaGeneralStatutes
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Former Union County student charged for allegedly possessing a weapon on school campus
UNION COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A former Porter Ridge High School student was arrested for allegedly having a weapon on the school campus. On May 25, Union County deputies were notified of reports that 19-year-old Amen Sankar drove to the high school, parked under the covered walkway near the entrance and took photos of his car. Sankar allegedly removed an AR-15-style rifle from the car and took more photos displaying the weapon just feet from the school's main entrance. These images were later shared on his Snapchat account, deputies say. Fortunately, the school was not in session and the campus was occupied at the time. Parents were notified of the incident by Union County Public Schools on the same day. Earlier this week, Sankar was arrested and charged with possession of a weapon on a school campus. He was transported to the detention center and issued a $5,000 bond, which he has since posted. Sheriff Eddie Cathey addressed the incident, stating, 'The safety of our schools and the well-being of our students, staff, and community will always be a top priority for this office. Weapons are not permitted on school campuses, with the only exceptions being those specifically allowed and properly secured under North Carolina General Statutes. There is no excuse for violating these laws. This office will continue to respond swiftly, decisively, and without hesitation to any threat, act of violence, or unlawful possession of a weapon on school grounds.' This is an ongoing investigation, and detectives request that anyone with information related to this case call our main office at (704) 283-3789. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area 🚨 >> Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Buc-ee's is coming to NC, but critics remain vocal about mega-center's impact
Buc-ee's has already received the green light to build one of the world's largest gas stations on 32 acres at Exit 152, off Interstates 85/40 in Mebane. But the project's opponents in this small but growing blue-collar town refuse to back down. The Indigenous-led 7 Directions of Service, in partnership with North Carolina Environmental Justice Network (NCEJN), have released a report, renewing health, air and water concerns against the 120-pump gas station planned for a largely vacant stretch of Trollinger-Hawfields Road in Alamance County. It's about 50 miles west of downtown Raleigh and 130 miles north of uptown Charlotte. 'Mega gas stations like Buc-ee's are not just roadside stops — they are sources of toxic pollution,' Rania Masri, NCEJN's co-director, said on Tuesday outside Mebane City Hall, in a press conference livestreamed on the groups' Instagram pages. The approved store will be less than half the size of Mebane's Walmart Supercenter. Among the report's charges: that the mega gas station would consume an estimated 23,000 gallons of water daily, sit across from a mobile home community, and store fuel in quantities that pose risks to drinking water if leaks occur. 'We do not need more toxic infrastructure,' Masri said. 'We need more clean water, breathable air, and communities where health and dignity are non-negotiable.' The report also highlights the project's potential harm to historic Native American trading paths that served the Catawba, Occaneechi and Waxhaw. 7 Directions has collected over 1,600 signatures on a petition against the project and rallied speakers to attend public hearings.. It's working to map the path and document its history to fight against Buc-ee's. 'It's a disgrace that the city would allow this piece of historic landscape to be bulldozed over,' said Crystal Cavalier, its cofounder, at the conference. Buc-ee's officials were unavailable for comment. In January 2024, the Mebane City Council unanimously voted to approve the project and rezone the site. On Tuesday, the city provided a video link to the meeting and stood by its decision. 'Mebane citizens and the general public presented statements and evidence as required by North Carolina General Statutes and Mebane Unified Development Ordinance,' Mebane spokeswoman Kelly Hunter said in a statement. This was Texas-based Buc-ee's second attempt to make a foray into North Carolina. The first was about eight miles east in Orange County, where the project was roundly dissed before Buc-ee's withdrew its application. Buc-ee's has a cult following, thanks in part to its Beaver Nuggets, housemade brisket and barbecue. But opponents say the benefits won't outweigh the negative impact to traffic, the environment and town character. Many of those who opposed the planned Buc-ee's in Orange County also fought the plan for Alamance County. Buc-ee's will have a 74,000-square-foot convenience store, 120 gas pumps (60 fueling stations) and 652 parking spaces, including 24 electric vehicle charging stations. Neighboring tenants include two UPS facilities, a copper mill, and Lidl, Walmart and Amazon distribution centers. The travel center said it will hire at least 225 full-time workers, pay annual property taxes of $120,300 to the city and county, and bring in about $1.8 million in sales tax revenue. The company is not getting any city or county economic development incentives. Buc-ee's could add up to 1,500 more trips each hour at peak times, and nearly 2,300 trips at peak hours on Saturdays. Buc-ee's does not serve tractor-trailer trucks. City staff expect Buc-ee's to use 23,000 gallons of water a day, compared to 2.1 million gallons a day for existing Mebane customers. Buc-ee's has submitted detailed plans to the city and to the N.C. Department of Transportation, which remain under review, said Ashley Ownbey, Mebane's development director. Construction could start once the developer gets building permits. 'We have a few more comments for them to address,' she said in a phone call Tuesday. 'I imagine they'll be able to turn those around quickly.' Road improvements also are needed before the store opens, including more travel and turn lanes on Trollingwood-Hawfields Road and the Interstates 85/40 on-and off-ramps, new stoplights and a wider bridge over the interstate. The N.C. Department of Transportation started work on the $38.7 million project this spring, with Buc-ee's picking up $10 million of the cost. The work could take up to two years, but shutdowns and detours are not expected, NCDOT officials have said.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Former student arrested for bringing AR-15-style rifle to Union County school campus
A former student has been arrested for bringing a gun to a school campus, according to the Union County Sheriff's Office. On May 25, deputies said 19-year-old Amen Sankar drove to Porter Ridge High School, parked under the covered walkway near the entrance, and took photographs of his vehicle. ALSO REAd: CMS revamp communication protocol after mass shooting threats Sankar allegedly then removed an AR-15-style rifle from the vehicle and took additional photos displaying the firearm just feet from the school's main entrance. These images were later shared via his Snapchat account, according to deputies. However, school was not in session, and the campus was unoccupied. Parents were then notified about the incident by the district. Deputies said Sankar was quickly identified and arrested. He was then charged with possession of a weapon on a school campus. 'The safety of our schools and the well-being of our students, staff, and community will always be a top priority for this office. Weapons are not permitted on school campuses, with the only exceptions being those specifically allowed and properly secured under North Carolina General Statutes. There is no excuse for violating these laws. This office will continue to respond swiftly, decisively, and without hesitation to any threat, act of violence, or unlawful possession of a weapon on school grounds,' said Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey. Sankar received a $5,000 secured bond and has since been released. However, the investigation into the case is ongoing. VIDEO: CMS revamp communication protocol after mass shooting threats
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Two high school softball coaches separated by deputies after confrontation at softball game
MARTIN COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT)– A viral video posted to social media is gaining attention after a high school softball game on the night of Monday April 14th shows two head coaches being separated by deputies. Bystanders at the game said it was a normal game until around the fifth inning when some of the calls were getting close, leading to more fans speaking out from the stands, and the coaches from both schools also getting into the game more intensely. When the game ended both teams shook hands. The head coach for Martin County High School and the head coach for John Paul II Catholic School shook hands for an extended period and exchanged words. After they stopped shaking hands, more words were exchanged across the field as they began to move apart. Then, video shows the head coach for Martin County approaching the JP II coach while still exchanging comments. As Martin County's coach gets close to the JP II area, deputies begin holding him back and separating him. In the video you can hear a loud reaction and comments from fans on both sides. Martin County's head coach can be seen spinning out of the deputies' hands trying to get by but ultimately being restrained and returning back to his team's area. WNCT spoke with parents and fans from both teams about the incident from Monday night. Parents and fans from Martin County declined an on-air interview but gave statements saying that the negative comments were also coming from the JP II side throughout the game. A parent of one JP II softball player agreed to speak on-air about the situation. 'I think where I draw the line with the event is when adults are doing this in front of and at children. We're all grown adults we should have that compassion and that understanding not to do that in front of and at children,' Eddie, a parent of one of the JP II softball players said. Martin County School's released a statement today regarding the situation: 'We deeply regret Coach Lilley's emotion-filled response to profane and derogatory comments by the coaches of the opposing team made directly to and regarding our high school student athletes. However, we are deeply disappointed the video circulated by the opposing team only shows a portion of what transpired.' Martin County Sheriff's Office also releasing a statement today regarding their investigation of the incident: 'During the incident, there was a heated exchange of words between Coach Donell Albritton (John Paul II Catholic School) and Coach Bob Lilley (Martin County High School). Deputies separated the coaches and provided an escort for the visiting team and coaches to their bus. This incident was witnessed by Martin County Sheriff's Office Deputies and a subsequent investigation was conducted. At the conclusion of the investigation, it was found that no North Carolina General Statutes were violated and that no criminal charges were warranted.' 'I think the bigger piece is accountability. Just making sure that everyone is held accountable and everyone holds themselves accountable. Let cooler heads prevail and make sure that we allow these girls, and even boys in other sports, to really enjoy the sport versus having to deal with events like this,' Eddie said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Civil nuisance case resolved at Rowan County home tied to crime, overdoses: Sheriff
(QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A civil nuisance abatement action has been completed at a Salisbury home after a string of criminal activity, according to the Rowan County Sheriff's Office. The house located along Sides Road has been the site of several criminal violations, drug overdose deaths, and community complaints, the RCSO said. Just in the last two months, there was an incident where , and a separate incident where two people were arrested on several drug-related charges. At or near the home along Sides Road, an and two people were arrested in connection to the crime. In a recent news release, the RCSO said, 'The Nuisance Abatement Process through the State of North Carolina has been underway for several months on this residence.' Chapter 19 of the North Carolina General Statutes defines nuisance activities as crimes involving drug laws, recurring violence, and breaches of the peace. The terms of the nuisance abatement state the property must remain vacant and be placed for sale with a licensed real estate broker within 30 days. Nuisance-related activities on the property are prohibited and any trespassers will be charged accordingly, deputies said. 'I appreciate the cooperation from the property owner and community members as we continue working together in Rowan County to ensure our communities and citizens are safe. I hope this successful resolution assists with restoring peace to this community,' Sheriff Travis Allen said. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area 🚨 >> Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
