North Carolina News – February 1

North Carolina News – February 1

AP-US-FERTILIZER-PLANT-FIRE

Thousands flee homes near N. Carolina fertilizer plant fire

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — An uncontrolled fire raging at a North Carolina fertilizer plant forced the evacuations of thousands of people as firefighters warned early Tuesday that chemicals at the site could cause a large explosion. Authorities drove through neighborhoods and knocked on doors asking residents to leave within a one-mile radius (1.6 km) of the Weaver Fertilizer Plant on the northside of Winston-Salem, where the fire started Monday night. Bright orange flames could be seen shooting into the sky along with thick plumes of smoke as lights from firetrucks and other first responder vehicles surrounded the fully engulfed building. The Winston-Salem Fire Department said the evacuation area included about 6,500 people in 2,500 homes.

ELECTION 2022-SENATE-NORTH CAROLINA

Beasley leads NC Senate fundraising; GOP side stays close

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democrat Cheri Beasley remained the top campaign fundraiser ahead of next fall’s U.S. Senate race in North Carolina at the close of 2021. The former state Supreme Court chief justice said Monday that her campaign raised more than $2.1 million for the three months ending Dec. 31, and had $2.8 million in the bank. On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Ted Budd’s campaign raised a little more than former Gov. Pat McCrory in the fourth quarter and had a little more cash in the bank. Beasley’s political position has improved now that her two top Democratic rivals left the race. The primary for both nominations is May 17.

ALLEGED BOMB MAKER

Feds: Man taught bomb making to person targeting authorities

Federal authorities say a man who teaches military tactics in North Carolina has been charged with showing someone how to make a bomb that would kill people in federal law enforcement. The U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday that 38-year-old Christopher Arthur has been arrested. Arthur had been on the FBI’s radar since at least 2020. That’s when federal authorities say one of Arthur’s tactical instruction manuals was found in the home of a man who was killed in a shootout with police in New York. The FBI said it received information that the man was attempting to organize a militia against the U.S. government. Arthur runs a company called “Tackleberry Solutions” in Mount Olive. It’s 70 miles southeast of Raleigh. 

REDISTRICTING-NORTH CAROLINA

N. Carolina justices won’t step aside in redistricting case

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Three North Carolina Supreme Court justices have decided they won’t step aside from hearing a blockbuster redistricting case this week, Associate Justices Anita Earls, Sam Ervin IV and Phil Berger Jr. denied on Monday the recusal motions targeting them from lawyers covering both sides of the litigation. Their decisions likely mean all seven justices will listen to remote oral arguments Wednesday in the challenges to the state’s recently enacted congressional and legislative districts. The absence of justices from proceedings could have tilted the outcome as to whether lines approved for the next decade will be upheld or struck down.

FIRE DEPARTMENT-CONDUCT CLAIMS

EMS crew moved from NC fire department over conduct claims

ADVANCE, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina county said it was moving an emergency medical services crew out of a community’s fire department over multiple reports of unprofessional conduct by fire personnel. Davie County has terminated its agreement for housing an EMS transport unit, staff, equipment and supplies at the Advance Fire Department. County Manager David Bone informed Chief Rodney Miller of the change in a letter dated Jan. 21. The letter says EMS staff witnessed inappropriate behavior by fire department workers and their guests, including unwanted physical touch and winemaking inside the station. The county and fire department have entered a new agreement to move the EMS unit to a different facility in the community.

HOUSE FIRE-BABY INJURED

Mother, 3 children injured after North Carolina house fire

LEXINGTON, N.C. (AP) — A 3-month old is among three people hospitalized after a mobile home fire in North Carolina in which an older sibling rushed into the flames to save his sisters, officials said.The Davidson County Fire Marshal’s office said firefighters responded at around 7 a.m. Saturday to a mobile home fire.  According to the fire marshal’s office, an 18-year-old sibling went back into the mobile to save his sisters, while a firefighter crawled on the floor, found the baby and carried the infant to safety.WGHP reports that the mother and sisters are being treated for burns at a Winston-Salem hospital and are expected to recover.

ARGUMENT-FATAL SHOOTING

Argument between 2 men ends in fatal shooting, arrest

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Police in a North Carolina city say a man was shot and killed after getting into an argument with another man over a female friend. News outlets report Winston-Salem police responding to reports of a shooting around 3:10 p.m. on Sunday found 29-year-old Luis Enrique Javier with apparent gunshot wounds. Paramedics with Forsyth County Emergency Medical Services pronounced Javier dead. Police arrested 42-year-old Jose Angel Castro Marin and charged him with murder. Marin is jailed without bond, and it’s not known if he has an attorney. 

FATAL SHOOTING-WOMAN CHARGED

North Carolina woman charged in shooting that killed man

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Police say a North Carolina woman has been charged with first-degree murder after a shooting that killed one man and left a second man in critical condition. News outlets report an arrest warrant says 19-year-old Jalia Love Jones was also charged with attempted murder and second-degree trespassing after a weekend shooting at an apartment complex in East Asheville. The arrest warrant was issued Jan. 30, when the shootings occurred. Jones is being held at the Buncombe County jail under a $400,000 bond. It’s not known if she has an attorney.

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