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Hurricane Earl weakens to a Category Two storm as it lashes the Outer Banks. Wind gusts are expected to reach hurricane strength or higher overnight before the storm moves up the Atlantic coast. FEMA is setting up headquarters at Fort Bragg and the National Guard has deployed 80 troops. ...

An animal right's group wants Hendersonville City Council members to enact a stricter animal ordinance.



Off the Chain protesters lined up outside city hall Thursday. Advocates want city council to pass an ordinance that would keep dogs from being chained outside unsupervised. ...

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office wants your help finding a local woman who's been missing more than a week. Ashley Rose Hansen was last seen the night of August 20th shopping at Walmart in Murphy. Surveillance video shows her leaving the parking lot. The sheriff's office says that's the same time she sent a text message to someone and then drove out of the parking lot in the direction of her home in Andrews. ...

A labor day tradition draws thousands in Henderson County. The North Carolina Apple Festival kicks off tomorrow. The county gearing for a tradition that goes back six decades. It's important to the local economy, but part of Henderson County's heritage too There's shuttle service available from Jackson Park, and the big parade is Monday at 2:30. ...

Evacuations and hurricane warnings have some beach vacationers looking for calmer weather for the Labor Day weekend.

AAA travel agents say they've been getting calls from people checking out the availablility of hotels in Asheville.

Some travelers plan to stop here and wait out the storm. ...

A Madison County man is accused of molesting two young girls.

58 yr. old Jimmy Williams faces four counts of indecent liberties with a child. Authorities say Williams would watch the 13 yr. old sisters at his home, and when they started acting strangely, their mother told police they said Williams had been touching them inappropriately. ...

Opening statements in the trial of Edwardo Wong will begin Friday.

Attorneys questioned nine potential jurors this morning, but all were excused. Unable to seat a third alternate juror, prosecutors told the judge they would go with his plan to start the trial with just two alternates. ...

A hurricane warning has been posted for the North Carolina coast as Hurricane Earl churns in the Atlantic Ocean.

Evacuations are underway for the barrier islands.

The South Asheville ACE Hardware store has closed unexpectedly because of the tough economy. Customers are arriving to make purchases and reading a sign on the door. It explains the closure and thanks the many people who have shopped there routinely. All are surprised and disappointed to read the news. ...

Time is running out for animals at the Rutherford County Animal Shelter. The shelter will close temporarily for repairs and any animals not adopted before Friday will be euthanized.

The repairs are mandated by animal welfare state regulators. If the improvements aren't made, the shelter could lose it's license. ...

Opening statements in the Edwardo Wong murder trial are pushed back by another day.

On Wednesday, attorneys on both sides of the case hoped to find their third and final alternate, but that did not happen.

They spent several hours questioning 13 potential jurors, but all 13 were sent home. ...

The Madison County Sheriff's Office is investigating a bomb threat at a home in Mars Hill.

Authorities received the threat a short time ago at a home on Gabriel's Creek Rd., and they've evacuated a 1/4 mile area around the home. They are waiting on the Asheville PD Bomb Squad to arrive. ...

Volunteers and experts trained to help disaster victims are leaving the mountains and headed to the sea.

They'll help with any disaster relief needed for hurricane Earl.

Dozens of volunteers are on the road with food and supplies to help people who may be evacuated. ...

Pertussis Outbreak

An outbreak of Pertussis is causing concern among public health officials. There were 15 cases in Buncombe County last month. Because the disease is easily avoidable thru vaccine - authorities say one case can cause worry.

The Henderson County Sheriff's Office along with the Hendersonville Police Department announced a new software program they will be utilizing together to fight crime. Mobile phone users across the county will now be able to provide crime fighting tips by sending anonymous text messages. ...

The Environmental Protection Agency is moving forward with plans to propose the CTS site in south Asheville to the National Priorities List of hazardous waste sites.

The EPA says its decision is based on a series of groundwater studies conducted over the past three years. ...

Asheville Police safely end a three-hour standoff involving a suspect from South Carolina. Authorities say Kenneth Eldimore Allison was wanted on charges he made false 911 calls there. When police here pulled him over for a license plate check, they say he became agitated and refused to get out of his car. ...

There is strong reaction after the voice of an accused serial killer from the mountains is heard exclusively on our newscasts. William "Wild Bill " Holbert worked at a gym owned by Kevin and Marie Hoover. They say he extorted tens of thousands of dollars from them. ...

Combat Operations in Iraq Ending

President Obama will address the nation tonight, about an end to combat operations in Iraq. Although popular opinion supports a withdrawal, why and just how is varied, especially in the mountains.

The Buckhorn Restaurant at the TA Travel Center in Candler is hosting a "Poker Run" benefit for the Raines family this Saturday, Sept. 4th.

Three of the Raines' children were burned in a campfire accident earlier this month, and two of them are still recovering at Shriner's Childrens Hospital in Cincinnati, OH. ...

North Carolina Democrats are changing the name of their annual Asheville fundraiser.
Starting next year, the Vance-Aycock dinner will have a different name, but party officials have not decided what it will be.
Democrats have been criticized for the name, because of Governor Charles Aycock's role in white supremacy campaigns in Wilmington. ...

Conflict between a mountain high school football coach and some parents of players involves allegations of tough treatment after a big loss Friday. Administrators at North Buncombe HS confirm a group of parents met with school officials and Blackhawks head coach Carey Metts. ...

Apartment Complex Controversy

An apartment complex proposal is already drawing fire. The Caledonia apartments are proposed for the intersection of Caledonia road and Finalee avenue. It would be 100 apartments in 2 buildings, on a site that is almost 6 and a half acres. ...

Madison High School was tested for mold today, after students and at least one teacher complained of seeing it and feeling sick. Superintendent Dr. Ron Wilcox says the school recently got a new air conditioning system. During the changeover, the campus was without a. ...

Sunday marks the five-year anniversary



FIVE-YEARS AGO TODAY THE MONSTER STORM SLAMMED THE GULF COAST... KILLING 16-HUNDRED PEOPLE.

Opening statements in the Edwardo Wong murder trial could start this week in Catawba County.

The case could also come to a screeching halt, depending on a decision that's expected to come early Monday morning.

Wong is charged with first degree murder in the 2008 shooting death of State Trooper Shawn Blanton. ...

More calls are coming into our newsroom from people who say they got sick after swimming in Lake Powhatan.

The CDC recommended the lake be closed to prevent the spread of cryptosporidium. That's a parasite that comes from feces and sewage and can be spread if the water is accidentally swallowed. ...

A new report says the U.S. birthrate has dropped to it's lowest point in 100 years. Experts believe the recession is forcing couples to put off starting a family.

Edwardo Wong's attorneys say he can't get a fair trial because the judge is biased.

They say Judge Nathaniel Poovey should be recused because of conversations he had with Wong in open court, and behind closed doors.

Wong is accused of killing Trooper Shawn Blanton in Haywood County. ...

People poor into the Asheville Humane Society to adopt a free pet. The shelter waived it's adoption fees beginning today through Tuesday to help reduce its population before the shelter relocates to a new facility.

By Frank Fraboni