GRANDMOTHER KILLED-TWO CHARGED

Granddaughter, boyfriend charged in 88-year-old’s death

DANVILLE, Va. (AP) — Authorities say a granddaughter and her boyfriend have been charged with second-degree murder in the death of an 88-year-old Virginia woman. The Danville Register and Bee reports Danville police say 24-year-old Lindsey Mae Johnson and 22-year-old Nicasio Antonio Guzman are charged in the death of Elizabeth Morris Adkins, who was found dead in her home on Sunday morning. Johnson and Guzman are both from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. A statement from police said the department couldn’t comment on a possible motive because the investigation is ongoing. Johnson and Guzman are jailed without bond. 

AP-US-COLLEGE-ADMISSIONS-BRIBERY-

$50K fine, no prosecution for ex-coach in college scam deal

BOSTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors have promised to drop their case against a former Wake Forest University coach charged in the college admissions bribery scandal if he pays a $50,000 fine and follows certain conditions. A deferred prosecution agreement unsealed Tuesday in the case against William Ferguson says that the former coach accepts responsibility for his role in the scheme, but that prosecutors will move to dismiss his case after 24 months if he pays the fine and abides by the terms of the agreement. The unveiling of the deal comes days after prosecutors won guilty verdicts against two wealthy parents accused of buying their kids’ way into school as athletic recruits in the first trial in the high-profile scandal. 

NORTH CAROLINA-LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Robinson declines again to apologize for anti-LGBTQ remarks

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson has again declined to apologize for remarks he made in June criticizing sexual education in public schools and likening gay and transgender people to “filth.” The Republican Party’s highest executive officeholder in the state was responding Tuesday to criticism from three LGBTQ lawmakers. Some Democrats and LGBT advocacy groups have called for Robinson’s resignation but no major Republican officials have condemned him. The lieutenant governor insists that he can separate his personal views about homosexuality from his day-to-day job.

DURHAM MAYOR

Second-place NC mayoral primary candidate ends campaigning

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — The second-place finisher in a North Carolina mayoral primary last week has suspended her campaign. That leaves a former judge as the only active candidate for next month’s general election. City council member Javiera Caballero announced her decision Monday. She received one-quarter of the mayoral vote in the seven-member nonpartisan primary. Elaine O’Neal led the field decisively. They both advanced to the general elections, and both names will remain on the Nov. 2 ballot. O’Neal would become the first Black woman to be the city’s mayor. Current Mayor Steve Schewel is not seeking a third term.

OFFICER SHOOTING-NORTH CAROLINA

Police: North Carolina officer shoots armed suspect

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina police department says an officer shot and wounded a suspect who they say ran from a traffic stop and pointed a gun at the officer. A news release from the Greensboro Police Department says officers stopped a car at an intersection on Monday afternoon. The news release says the passenger in the car, who was armed with a handgun, fled the scene. When an officer gave pursuit, the suspect raised his weapon toward the officer. That officer shot the suspect, identified as 25-year-old Lewis Latrell Harrison III of Greensboro. Police filed multiple charges against Harrison, and the officer is on administrative leave. 

MISSING MAN-BODY FOUND

Two charged in death of North Carolina man reported missing

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Police have charged two men with murder in the death of a North Carolina man whose body was found in a river more than a week ago. The Asheville Citizen Times reports a news release from the Asheville Police Department says Samuel Gonzalez De La Cruz and Roberto Robles-Ramirez are charged with first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping. Both men are still at large. The police department said earlier in October that officers received an anonymous tip about a body in the Swannanoa River. The man was identified as 19-year-old Jose Renoso Ramirez of Woodfin, who had been reported missing on Sept. 27.

HOUSE FIRE-BODY FOUND

Body of North Carolina man found in house following fire

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Firefighters in North Carolina say they found a man’s body in a house after they put out a fire there. The Winston-Salem Journal reports firefighters responded to the fire shortly before 10 p.m. on Monday, and officials say the first fire engine arrived around five minutes after it was dispatched. The fire was brought under control in 13 minutes. The Winston-Salem Fire Department hasn’t released the victim’s name, and says an autopsy will be performed on the man to determine a cause of death. Investigators are trying to determine what caused the fire. 

WORKER ELECTROCUTED

N. Carolina company cited for accident that killed worker

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A state agency has cited a North Carolina company after a worker was electrocuted and two others injured back in April. WITN reports the N.C. Department of Labor says it found two serious violations against Caldwell & Jones near Mount Olive and fined the company $9,000. Cashwell & Jones and its parent company, Harvey Fertilizer and Gas, have 15 days to pay the fine, request an informal conference with the labor department, or appeal the fine. The worker was killed as they were installing a flagpole in front of the business in April. 

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