Holiday's End Marked By Continued Cold
It is bitterly cold across North Carolina and forecasters say snow could be coming to the eastern part of the state later this week.
The National Weather Service issued a wind chill advisory for 75 of the state's 100 counties for Tuesday morning. Wind chill readings as low as 15 below zero are expected in the mountains.
Many schools planned to open two hours later than usual because of the cold.
Duke Energy reported about 6,300 customers without service Tuesday morning. The most serious problems were reported in Lee and Randolph counties, west and southwest of Raleigh.
A winter storm watch was reported in 33 counties. Snow is possible Wednesday with up to 4 inches expected along the coast.
New Testing Finds Chemical Across River From Chemours Plant
North Carolina officials say elevated levels of an industrial chemical have been found on the opposite side of the Cape Fear River from the chemical plant.
The Fayetteville Observer reports that the state Department of Environmental Quality found the chemical GenX on the east side of the river as part of their testing of wells within a mile of the Chemours plant in Bladen County.
Previous testing had shown GenX only on the side of the river where the plant operates.
GenX is classified by the federal government as an "emerging contaminant" needing more study. It is used to make Teflon and other coatings.
State officials also say they will expand water testing to wells within a mile-and-a-half of the plant.
Angry At Trump, North Carolina Democrats Hope For 2018 Gains
North Carolina Democrats say they're energized for 2018, intent on regaining their historical control of the state's General Assembly.
And they've got candidates in place to show for it.
Party officials say they've already recruited candidates for 100 of all 170 seats up for grabs in November. Democrats say they're encouraged by recent election outcomes, especially Gov. Roy Cooper's win in late 2016 and Democratic legislative gains in neighboring Virginia in 2017.
Cooper tells The Associated Press that voters are frustrated with the Republican leadership in North Carolina and with President Donald Trump's administration.
GOP legislative leaders acknowledge the Democrats have momentum. But they say Republicans have results on their side with a strong economy and lower taxes.
In Unusual Step, Victims Told Of Destroyed Rape Kits
Years after police in one North Carolina city destroyed hundreds of rape kits, they did something unusual: They enlisted the help of a rape crisis group and together, they called the victims and told them that the evidence was gone.
Fayetteville police Lt. John Somerindyke says that in 90 percent of the more than 300 cases, the victim or guardian was reached or the victim had died. Police recruited the help of Rape Crisis Volunteers of Cumberland County to reach out to the victims.
The Joyful Heart Foundation advocates for testing of all rape kits sitting on shelves. Experts there say they don't know of another police department that's called victims about destroyed rape kits.
Smokey Bear Sign Goes Missing In North Carolina, Then Found
Only YOU can recover Smokey Bear.
That was the call issued by one North Carolina fire department with a $1,000 reward offer after a 6-foot tall sign of Smokey Bear went missing last week.
Broad River Fire & Rescue in Buncombe County says the sign and an accompanying fire danger meter were snatched sometime in the final days of December from North Carolina Highway 9.
But authorities said Monday via social media that a woman found the Smokey Bear sign leaning against a tree in a trail area of the Pisgah National Forest. The fire danger sign wasn't recovered.
The department said it plans to modify the $1,200 sign installation to prevent future thefts.
The National Park Service says the Smokey Bear wildfire prevention campaign dates to the 1940s.
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