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NC woman faces death penalty; police say she murdered adopted children Blake and London Deven
Avantae Deven the adoptive mother of Blake and London Deven was taken into custody Wednesday and faces numerous charges in connection to their disappearance and deaths.She made her first appearance Thursday afternoon in a Fayetteville courtroom. She's facing five felonies including first-degree murder and child abuse. If convicted, she could face the death penalty."The allegations are certainly some of the worst that I've seen in the almost 25 years that I've been doing this," Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West said.The judge ordered Avantae to be held in jail without bond until at least her next probable cause hearing, which...
Drones are now being used not only to respond to natural disasters but better predict them
A group of drone pilots in Raleigh are working to help veterans develop more skills to help serve the community.Vets to Drones provides training for veterans looking to become licensed drone pilots. That certification opens up a lot of doors in various industries, including disaster response.When Hurricane Idalia hit Florida in 2023, drone pilots took to the skies to help search and rescue crews. They also helped conduct power line inspections in order to more quickly restore power in hard hit areas.SEE ALSO | Outer Banks becoming graveyard for homes collapsing due to erosion caused by stronger stormsSand that once...
Malfunctioning NC traffic signals will now flash red in all directions
The N.C. Department of Transportation is changing the flash mode for traffic signals when they malfunction.They will all now flash red making it an all-way stop.The department began modifying its traffic signals back in May so they will revert to a flashing red in every direction whenever there is a problem, such as an equipment failure."We are making this change to improve the safety of our intersections and provide a consistent display when the signal is not operating normally," said Nick Zinser with NCDOT.Previously, the department used a yellow-red flashing mode when a signal malfunctioned.The main corridor with the heavier traffic got a flashing yellow for drivers to cautiously proceed, while the side-street drivers received a flashing red.The department will phase in this change over the next year as part of preventative maintenance.
Neighbors react to arrest in connection with Blake, London Deven disappearances
Ring door bell video from James Howard's Fayetteville home shows the moment police closed in on Avantae Deven."This just didn't happen overnight," said Howard who was at work at the time. "This has been going on for years."Howard--a veteran of Desert Storm--said he and other neighbors were suspicious of his neighbor on Berriedale Drive long before investigators came to the community for a mental health check last November.Long before we knew two children were missing from this Fayetteville home."She gave me a whole fake name and all that," Howard said. "I didn't know any of this stuff."Investigators revealed on Wednesday...
Man injured in Raleigh shooting; no suspect in custody
A man was taken to the hospital following a shooting in Raleigh on Wednesday evening.The Raleigh Police Department said the shooting happened just before 9:45 p.m. in the 3000 block of Morgans Mill Court.The man was taken to the hospital with what police described as non-life-threatening injuries.Police said no suspect is in custody.Tracking crime and safety across Raleigh, Durham and your neighborhood
NC Board of Elections denies initial bids for 3 political parties
The North Carolina Board of Elections' Democratic majority denied certification to three political parties looking to place candidates on November's presidential ballot.The decision means that for now, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s, "We The People," Cornel West's "Justice for All," and Randall Terry's Constitution Party will not appear on the state's ballot as presidential candidates.According to ABC11's newsgathering partners at the News and Observer, the board said Democratic board members expressed concerns on Wednesday about improper addresses, misleading petition gatherers, and voters who asked for their signatures to be removed, which prompted them to deny certification.The board chair, Alan Hirsch,...
Eight arrested during childcare rally at General Assembly
Eight people were arrested on Wednesday as part of a "Deadline for Day Care" rally at the North Carolina General Assembly building.Organizers, advocates, and faith leaders were gathering to voice their displeasure to state lawmakers for what they say was their failure to provide enough funding for childcare centers across North Carolina, still reeling from the hit they took during COVID-19."This General Assembly is out of control. And we went down there today to say our kids are worth it. Our kids are who we want to fight for," said organizer Rob Stephens. "And childcare providers and teachers shouldn't be...
Group works to train immigrant farm workers on heat safety
They are some of the jobs most impacted by the heat.Working in fields harvesting everything from tobacco to sweet potatoes and strawberries. But sometimes whether it be language barriers or immigration status, workers may not be able to get the help they need.It's why one group is making it their mission to keep people safe and informed by meeting them in the field for training sessions.As the sun goes down after a long day on the job, workers young and old gather around the bed of Leticia Zavala's truck.Her lesson starts with a sobering reminder, showing a picture of Jose...
2-year-old who died in drowning identified as Wake County deputy's son
A 2-year-old boy who died after drowning in a backyard pool on Tuesday has been identified as the son of a Wake County Deputy.The Wake County Sheriff's Office posted condolences to the family on social media on Wednesday stating their "hearts are with Deputy Jose Perez-Apodaca and his family during this devastating time.""As members of the Wake County Sheriff's Office, we stand ready to serve not only our community but also our family within the agency and those we love at home," Sheriff Willie Rowe said in the post. "Your thoughts, prayers, and compassion for the Apodaca family are deeply appreciated."Authorities said it happened at a pool in the backyard of a home on Gail Ridge Lane.The 2-year-old was rushed to the hospital where he later died.The Police Benevolent Association has created a fund to support the family financially.
Health officials urge caution as feels-like temperatures hit triple-digits
It took only 20 minutes for Joeseph Bryant to feel the effects of the heat while walking at Pullen Park on Wednesday afternoon."I was just in my car and I have really cold A/C. And then as soon as I got out here, I'm all sweaty and stuff," Bryant said.SEE ALSO | Raleigh hits record-breaking 103 degrees on WednesdayPullen Park was largely quiet in the early afternoon, as families avoided the sweltering temperatures."We are on our 14th day over 90 (degrees) here in Raleigh, which normally that's something we would see in July or August," State Climatologist Dr. Kathie Dello...
NTSB releases new details on fatal small plane crash in Siler City
The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report about the small plane crash that killed two people in Siler City.Authorities later identified the two people onboard at the time of the crash as flight instructor McMillan Abernethy and student Justin Strauss.The report says the plane did a 'touch and go' landing -- according to another flight instructor in the air at the same time -- who was watching as it happened.That flight instructor also said that the student pilot on the plane that went down said they were having an issue and requested to land.ALSO SEE: A look at...
1 killed when truck crashes off bridge into swamp in Sampson County
A truck drove off a bridge in Sampson County on Wednesday.Investigators said it happened around 1:30 p.m. on Faison Highway where it passes over Gilmore Swamp.First responders arrived at the scene to learn that one person inside the truck was able to escape, but another was feared to be stuck in the submerged vehicle.Crews then closed the highway and moved a crane truck into place. Divers then went into the swamp and tied off the truck, so the crane could lift it out of the water.Just before 5 p.m., crews pulled a body out of the truck.What caused the deadly crash remains under investigation.
North Carolina heat likely cause of record-breaking attendance for NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Museums in the Capitol City are experiencing possible record-breaking attendance numbers as people are looking for indoor activities to keep kids occupied during the hot weather.North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences reports attendance is up 500-1,000 people a day."The museum has been slammed the last several days, and I do think it is because of heat," NC Natural Sciences Museum Educator Christopher Smith said.The facility, which is the largest natural history museum in the Southeast, is free to the public.SEE ALSO | Camps change programs to keep kids safe during dangerous heat: 'Don't take that risk'Thousands of children are in...
Blake and London Deven both dead, adoptive mother charged with murder, abuse: Police
A woman who adopted several children has been arrested and charged with the murder of two of them who haven't been seen for years.Police say Avantae Deven is the adoptive mother of Blake and London Deven. She was taken into custody Wednesday and faces numerous charges in connection to their disappearance and deaths."Our evidence shows that both Blake and London are deceased," Fayetteville Police Chief Kemberle Braden said at a Wednesday afternoon news conference. Braden said their adoptive mother is the person responsible for abusing and ultimately killing the children. He said part of the abuse included starvation.Avantae Deven was...
U.S. surgeon general declares gun violence a public health crisis
Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has long called gun violence an epidemic in the United States.He is now taking a major step forward declaring gun violence a public health crisis. Tuesday morning, he issued an advisory report, detailing the consequences gun violence poses on health and the wellbeing of the country.It included its impact on children, communities, and families.By The Numbers Gun violence is the leading cause of death among children and adolescents. More than half of adults surveyed reported that they or their family members have experienced gun violence. This includes a family member killed, witnessed a shooting and fired a gun. Nearly six of ten adults say they worry about their loved ones being victims of gun violence. Communities across the Triangle are feeling the impacts of growing gun violence.Over the weekend in Raleigh, there was three separate shootings across the city with a total of six people injured.WATCH | Businesses lament weekend of gun violence in Raleigh that left 6 shotSix people were shot at three locations during a 12-hour span this weekend in Raleigh, two outside shopping centers.SEE ALSO | Wild chase in Garner ends with driver hitting 4 cars before crashing
General Assembly overrides 3 Cooper vetoes, including bill restricting public mask-wearing
North Carolina General Assembly voted to override Gov. Roy Cooper's vetoes of three bills, including HB 237 and HB 834, which change the rules surrounding mask-wearing and the juvenile justice system, respectively.Cooper, a Democrat, just vetoed HB 237 on Friday, the bill that targets wearing of masks to conceal one's identity - something many protesters have done recently, and he had vetoed the Juvenile Justice Bill on June 14 that would transfer 16- and 17-year-olds charged with the most serious felonies to adult court.Both of those bills will now become law, along with a third bill that allows more trees...
Mother of missing North Carolina girl named suspect in disappearance for first time
Nearly two years after the disappearance of 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari, police called her mother a "suspect in her disappearance" for the first time.Cojocari is the Cornelius, North Carolina, girl last seen on a school bus surveillance camera on Nov. 21, 2022.Her mother and stepfather said they spoke often to each other asking if the other knew where Cojocari was but neither ever contacted police.SEE ALSO | Parents 'clearly' know more about missing North Carolina 11-year-old, police sayMissing 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari's parents "clearly" know more than they've told investigators, local police said on Tuesday.On Dec. 15, school leaders confronted Cojocari's mother...
Member of Native American tribe recounts gun being pulled on her at burial ground in NC
A Hillsborough woman and member of the Tuscarora Nation spoke to ABC11 about a terrifying encounter during the weekend where she said she had a gun pulled on her."We just came to pray and honor our ancestors. We didn't have banners we didn't have signs; no one knew we were there," Brandy Alvarez said.She and a group had traveled to Carteret County to pray over a local burial ground.That ground is in the Bridge View subdivision in Cedar Point where archaeologists this month discovered what is likely the state's biggest American Indian find in 30 years.While they were there, she...
NBA Draft hopefuls from Duke, UNC, and NC State prepare for big night
Duke's Jared McCain became the first Tobacco Road player to hear his name called at the NBA Draft,The Philadelphia 76ers took the former Duke freshman star with the No. 16 overall pick.The Utah Jazz then took Duke's Kyle Filipowski with the 32nd overall pick (the second pick of the second round).The first Tobacco Road player outside of Durham taken in the draft was Harrison Ingram. The Tar Heel forward was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs with the 48th overall pick.The Charlotte Hornets used their No. 6 overall pick to select a French teenager.Tidjane Salaün is a 6-9, 217-pound forward...
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