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"Click It or Ticket" Campaign Now Under Way in NC

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, 3:31pm

"Click It or Ticket" Campaign Now Under Way in NC

The Governor’s Highway Safety Program today officially launched its Memorial Day "Click It or Ticket" campaign, marking 20 years of seat belt safety awareness efforts that have saved countless lives.

To honor this milestone and show support for the cause, GHSP is asking North Carolinians to get out their cell phone cameras, snap a self-portrait of them buckled up while parked and share it on social media, using the hashtag, "#SafetySelfie."

"As the state that started "Click It or Ticket" two decades ago, we're known for finding unique ways to encourage people to fasten their seat belts," said Don Nail, interim director of GHSP. “The ‘#SafetySelfie’ is just one more example of our innovative approach to changing motorists' behavior for the better. By harnessing the power of social media, we hope to convince the small percentage of people who aren't buckling their seat belts that it's the right thing to do."

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Senate budget proposal changes SBI

Submitted by Melissa Hankins

Monday, May 20th, 2013, 7:32pm

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- The North Carolina Senate released its state budget proposal late Sunday night.

It's a $20.6 billion dollar plan that includes adjustments to Medicaid, education reform, and a big change for the State Bureau of Investigation.

Senate leaders have been looking for ways to trim costs, and to prevent any tax increases, and they're proposing consolidation as a tool to do so.

But the SBI proposal is starting to look like a convoluted case.

Attorney General Roy Cooper stood with a dozen law enforcement officers today to oppose the move. Cooper says putting the SBI under McCrory's control could create a conflict of interest, and that it would cripple the organization's independence and investigative techniques.

The SBI currently handles public corruption cases, and in the past it's investigated more than 500 public officials, including the past two governors' administrations.

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Operation "Road Watch" ends on successful note

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 2:39pm

The Highway Patrol completed its Operation "Road Watch" campaign after a two-day intensive enforcement effort on I-85 in Cleveland and surrounding counties.

During the two-day event, which began on Tuesday, May 14, and ended on Wednesday, May 15, Troopers concentrated on commercial motor vehicle violations as well as focused their attention on motorists who were driving aggressively around big trucks, speeding, tailgating, and driving aggressively.

Established in 2007, Operation "Road Watch" was designed to improve commercial motor vehicle safety as well as the efficiency of commercial vehicle operations.

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Severe weather spotter training classes offered

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 12:05pm

Severe weather spotter training classes offered

Severe weather season is underway in the Carolinas and the National Weather Service is looking to train severe weather spotters in our area.

The first of two classes in our area will be offered Thursday evening, May 16, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Iredell County Agriculture Center. Classes are about two hours long and covers the basics of thunderstorm development, fundamentals of storm structure and how to identify potential severe weather features.

The class is free, but you will need to register by calling 704-878-5097. For directions and more information, click here.

The next class will be offered in Union, SC on Tuesday, May 21st.

For more information on the SKYWARN program, click here.

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NC House bill draws fire over contraception rules

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 1:50pm

NC House bill draws fire over contraception rules

A bill broadening so-called conscience protections and the number of employers who can refuse to provide contraception services in health insurance coverage has been approved by a North Carolina House committee.

The bill approved Wednesday allows any medical professional to refuse to participate in an abortion and allows any business to refuse to provide contraception coverage on religious or moral grounds.

The bill expands so-called conscience protections beyond doctors and nurses to include people such as pharmacists and technicians.

The contraception provision expands existing law that exempts religious organizations to any private or nonprofit company.

The bill also outlaws health care plans that include abortion services from future online marketplaces of private plans offered under the federal Affordable Care Act.

Opponents say the bill tramples women's rights.

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Reward offered after man found bound, dead inside Stanly Co. home

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 1:33pm

ALBEMARLE, NC (WBTV)- A reward is being offered for new information after deputies say a man's body was found bound to a chair inside a Stanly County home earlier this week.

Stanly County Sheriff Rick Burris told WBTV that CrimeStoppers is offering a reward up to $1,000 for information in the death of 27-year-old Jason Whitney Burleson.

Investigators say Burleson was found bound to a chair inside his home along the 27000 block of Groves Road, just outside of Albemarle, on Sunday afternoon.

"Evidence at the residence indicated that Burleson was the victim of a homicide committed by unknown person or persons," deputies told WBTV.

Sheriff Burris told WBTV that his department is "aggressively investigating" the case and that they are doing a number of interviews.

"It's going to take some time, we have to cover all of our bases," Burris said on Wednesday morning. "But hopefully we'll be able to make an arrest."

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Police looking for person responsible in fatal hit and run

Submitted by John Cominsky on Monday, May 13th, 5:36 pm

ALBEMARLE, NC (WBTV)- The Albemarle Police Department is investigating a hit and run that left one person dead over the weekend.

On Sunday morning, at approximately 1:45 a.m. Tony Wayne Cunningham, Jr., who police say was in his twenties, was walking on Snuggs St. near Snuggs Park Road when he was struck by a vehicle, police said.

A witness described the vehicle to police as a possible 2,000's model Toyota or Mitsubishi that was dark blue/ gray in color. The vehicle may have extensive front end damage.

The witness also gave a description of the driver as a black male with shoulder-length dreadlocks.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call the Albemarle Police Department at (704)984-9500.

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