AP-US-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-VETERAN-BUSINESS

Amid pandemic, grants keep Army veteran’s business afloat

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — When the COVID-19 pandemic dried up 95% of the income coming into Nicole Walcott’s North Carolina business, the U.S. Army veteran dug in her heels and started applying for any grant she could find. Without the financial assistance she’s received from nonprofits like Operation Homefront, Walcott doesn’t believe her alternative wellness center in Fayetteville would be open today. Throughout the pandemic, Operation Homefront has helped more than 1,000 veterans struggling financially even though the nonprofit has been receiving fewer donations. As a new wave of the virus hits, they’re bracing for an influx of even more requests.

POST OFFICE-CHAMBERS

Julius Chambers honored by renamed N. Carolina post office

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A post office in North Carolina’s largest city is now renamed for a late civil rights attorney. President Donald Trump signed into law recently a measure backed by North Carolina’s congressional delegation and designed to honor Julius Chambers. His law firm won many significant civil rights cases, including one over court-ordered busing in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district. Chambers later served as chancellor of North Carolina Central University. A northeast Charlotte post office is now known as the “Julius L. Chambers Civil Rights Memorial Post Office.” Chambers died in 2013 at age 76.

BC-NC-SAILORS RESCUED-CARGO SHIP

Cargo ship rescues sailors off North Carolina’s coast

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The crew of a cargo ship is being credited with rescuing two sailors who were caught in rough seas hundreds of miles off North Carolina’s coast. The Raleigh News & Observer reports that the rescue occurred Saturday about 345 miles east of Hatteras Inlet on the Outer Banks. The U.S. Coast Guard said that rough seas had disabled the boat’s sails and engine and stranded the two sailors in severe weather. The Coast Guard launched an aircrew and broadcast an emergency alert to other vessels. A 958-foot cargo ship, the KSL Santiago, was nearby and rescued the sailors.

BC-NC-BONFIRE SHOOTING

Shooting at bonfire causes 6 non-life-threatening injuries

AUTRYVILLE, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina authorities say a shooting at a late-night bonfire left six people with non-life-threatening injuries. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said it was dispatched at about 11:57 p.m. Saturday to a gathering of a large group of people in Autryville, North Carolina. The sheriff’s office says an argument between two males broke into a fight that ended with the shooting. Detectives interviewed several people at the scene and continued to investigate Sunday. Authorities say one of the shooters has been identified, and detectives continue to investigate.

FATAL DRIVEWAY ACCIDENT

2-year-old child dies after being struck by parent’s car

ANGIER, N.C. (AP) — A 2-year-old child has died in North Carolina after a parent accidentally struck the toddler with a car in the family’s yard. News outlets report the child was run over in the family’s driveway Sunday near the town of Angier. The toddler was taken to a hospital in Raleigh, where they died. Johnston County Sheriff’s Capt. Jeff Caldwell says there were no signs of intoxication by the parent. He told WNCN-TV that nothing appears to be criminal. No charges are expected to be filed.

BC-NC-VIRUS OUTBREAK-NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina reports new daily high in coronavirus cases

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina is reporting a new high of coronavirus cases for the second day in a row. North Carolina reported 6,438 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Sunday. That compares to 6,018 cases the state reported Saturday. Cases have been rising significantly in the state in the past week. North Carolina went over 6,000 cases just two days after going above 5,000 cases. North Carolina’s health secretary described the increases as “very worrisome” on Saturday. Dr. Mandy Cohen said state officials were looking at what further actions could be taken to save lives in the state.

CANABIS OIL FACILITY

Canabis oil facility built in South Carolina town

NEESES, S.C. (AP) — An industrial hemp company based in North Carolina has built a new cannabis oil extraction facility in a South Carolina town. The Times and Democrat reports Carolina CannaTech built its 2,400-square-foot cannabidiol facility on a 50-acre parcel of Carolina Fresh Farm’s 3,000-acre hemp and sod farm just south of Neeses. Company officials declined to comment on the investment cost, except to describe it as “significant.” The facility will provide hemp extracting services for its own CBD brand, Nature’s Highway, as well as to other CBD companies.

BC-NC-VIRUS OUTBREAK-NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina hits record 6,018 virus cases for the state

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina is reporting a record increase in cases of the coronavirus and hospitalizations in the state. North Carolina reported Saturday morning that the state has had 6,018 cases since Friday. North Carolina says there are 2,171 people with COVID-19 in the state’s hospitals. That’s up 14 from a day earlier. The state’s health secretary says the increase is very worrisome. Mandy Cohen notes that in less than a week, the state has gone from exceeding 5,000 new cases reported in one day to exceeding more than 6,000. Cohen also notes that the state has a record number of people in intensive care.