North Carolina News – February 12

TEEN DRIVING TESTS

DMV has started offering altered road tests for teen drivers

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s Division of Motor Vehicles has started offering road tests to teen drivers again. The Raleigh News & Observer reports that the DMV had largely stopped the tests last March to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The agency had waived the driver’s test requirement for most people seeking their first North Carolina license. But the policy didn’t apply to 16- or 17-year-olds seeking a provisional license. The DMV has developed a road test course in large parking lots that does not require examiners and students to sit together in a car. The test consists of a socially distanced examiner who gives instructions that involve turning, parking and basic driving skills.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NORTH CAROLINA

1 in 37 North Carolina vaccine recipients live out of state

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services says nearly 3% of people who have received first doses in the state are nonresidents. Data from the department shows more than 27,000 people living out of state have received first doses of the Pfizer or Moderna coronavirus vaccines. Residents of South Carolina have hopped across the state border due to frustrations over their home state’s appointment booking process. More than 1 million people have been vaccinated in North Carolina since the distribution efforts began in November. People who are at least 65 years old are presently eligible to get vaccinated.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-SCHOOL REOPENING

N.C. bill mandating K-12 school reopening OK’d by House

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina House lawmakers approved a bill to require K-12 schools to reopen with at least some in-person offering. Parents who do not want to send their child back to school would still be given the option of learning remotely. But the Senate declined to send the proposal to Gov. Roy Cooper after changes were made that make it easier for teachers to continue working from home. Teacher advocates want workers immediately vaccinated. That could be a challenge amid supply shortages and strong demand among elderly residents. The bill could head to Cooper next week if leaders from both chambers come to an agreement on how best to reopen schools.

AP-US-PRESIDENT-THREATENED-MAN-ARRESTED

North Carolina man accused of threatening Biden over phone

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A federal prosecutor has accused a North Carolina man of threatening President Joe Biden and others through phone calls to the White House. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte says 27-year-old David Kyle Reeves of Gastonia appeared in federal court on Thursday. He was arrested Feb. 5. Authorities say Reeves made multiple phone calls to the White House switchboard between Jan. 28 and Feb. 1 and made threats against the president and others. Authorities say Reeves also made threats in phone calls to the Secret Service and the U.S. Capitol Police. His attorney could not be immediately reached for comment.

OFFICERS SHOT-NORTH CAROLINA

Police ID woman, release new details in deadly standoff

HIGH POINT, N.C. (AP) — Police have identified a woman found dead inside a North Carolina home where a standoff took place last week. Police finally killed the gunman after four officers were wounded in an 11-hour standoff. Officers found the body of Blanca Cadavid inside the home, along with two children who were not physically injured. A medical examiner’s report estimates that Cadavid was killed about the time police heard a gunshot in the area. A standoff between police and Josue Drumond-Cruz ended in an exchange of gunfire. Three High Point officers and one Greensboro officer have survived gunshot wounds. Police have yet to describe a motive.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-FLORIDA TOURISM

Orlando launches first tourism ad campaign since pandemic

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tourism officials in Orlando are launching their first full-scale marketing campaign since the start of the pandemic. It’s aimed at tourists located within driving distance in the southeast U.S. The $2.2 million advertising campaign launched this month is targeted for spring and summer travel to potential visitors living in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. The campaign, called “The Wonder Remains,” includes TV ads, YouTube, digital ads, social media ads, e-newsletters and website content. Along with highlighting Orlando’s theme parks and restaurants, the campaign emphasizes the safety measures that have been taken at its tourist attractions to protect tourists from the new coronavirus.

BODY FOUND-SUITCASE

Police: 2 charged in killing of woman and her unborn child

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Authorities in North Carolina say they’ve charged two people in the killing of a woman and her unborn child. The Raleigh News & Observer reported Wednesday that Thomas Clayton Johnson and Emmalei Grace Trevathan were arrested following a traffic stop in Raleigh. The Wake County Sheriff’s Office said the body Brittany Smith was in a bag found near the Neuse River Trail. Detectives said the initial cause of death appears to be strangulation. Authorities said that many aspects of the case remain under investigation. They include a possible motive and whether Smith knew Johnson and Trevathan. Smith was reported missing last week. Authorities said that she and her boyfriend had been living in a tent in someone’s backyard.

AP-NC-DRUG CHARGES-MAN ARRESTED

North Carolina man charged with drugs, firearms violations

NEW BERN, N.C. (AP) — Authorities have filed multiple charges against a North Carolina man after they received several complaints about suspected drug activity and wildlife violations. The Craven County Sheriff’s Office says in a news release that deputies and officers from North Carolina Wildlife conducted an investigation which led to a search warrant being issued. The sheriff’s office arrested 39-year-old Michael Glen Stevenson and charged him with possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamine and several unspecified wildlife violations. Stevenson was also served with outstanding warrants for assault on the elderly and communicating threats. He’s jailed on a $135,000 bond and it’s not known if he has an attorney.