704 Unfiltered

The Rowan County Sheriff's Office said a man faces charges for allegedly exposing himself to kids near a stopped school bus on Wednesday.

Deputies said neighbors captured video of 52-year-old Terry Lynn Horn dropping the diaper he was wearing, exposing himself to at least four children along Leigh Drive west of Salisbury. Horn was taken into custody and charged with four counts of indecent exposure.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/indecent-exposure-rowan-county-nc-crime-local/275-b1081595-2f25-4d4c-aa8c-c0603950a68a

Lauren Heath, the 16-year-old who had been missing since Oct. 13 has been found safe. Monroe Police confirmed she is being reunited with her family.

Heath was found in Kirkwood, Missouri, according to police. No information was provided on why Heath was over 700 miles away from home. Monroe Police are asking for the public to respect the Heath family as they "heal and recover" now that Lauren is safe. 

"The response from the public and the assistance from other agencies, law enforcement, public and private entities has been tremendous and immeasurably helpful during this investigation. Our detectives have worked tirelessly to get to this resolution, and I could not be more proud or pleased with their efforts," Monroe Police Chief J. Bryan Gilliard said in a news release.Lauren Heath, the 16-year-old who had been missing since Oct. 13 has been found safe. Monroe Police confirmed she is being reunited with her family.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/missing-teenager-monroe-north-carolina/275-b04031bd-0abf-4e49-a428-2ad08c396f38

One person was killed and two others were seriously injured in a shooting at a gas station in north Charlotte late Tuesday night. Richard DeVayne joins the show from Beatties Ford Road, where police are still gathering details on the incident.

FULL STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/homicide-investigation-underway-in-northwest-charlotte-north-carolina-beatties-ford-road/275-d0ae9d6e-a71d-413b-9870-cab8e65ddc39

Plus, it seems like every device is connected to the internet nowadays. But is your smartwatch or thermostat spying on us? National security experts say many devices on the market have been linked to China. Ben Thompson connects the dots won why you should be careful with what your purchase and how connected you are.

And we have your top headlines in the morning rush. Destiny Richards has details on CMS' plan to convince voters why the $2.5 billion bond package is good, Gaston County is getting a Fortune 500 grant and we have the latest on a sexual assault that targeted a jogger in Fort Mill earlier this week.

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at Wake Up Charlotte.   

SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart 

All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere. 

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is looking to hire more police officers to meet the demand of a rising 911 call volume.

The department's latest class of new recruits began Monday. Recruit Class 196 is comprised of 81 recruits who will embark on a six-month training program. The class is the largest class in the department’s history. 

"We have made considerable strides in hiring despite the nationwide shortages and we’re incredibly proud of this," CMPD Deputy Chief Jacquelyn Hulsey previously told WCNC Charlotte.

There has been an uptick in property crime and shootings, according to CMPD data released last week. More staffing will allow the law enforcement agency to be more proactive in their response. 

"That is going to assist us in having more presence in the community," Hulsey said about recruiting more officers.

"Our 911 calls are up 8%," Hulsey said. "This is an increase of nearly 60,000 calls for service year to date."

Overall hiring for the department, including both sworn and non-sworn positions, has increased by 22% in 2023, according to the department. Total sworn trainee applications have increased 18% this year compared to 2022.

Reducing violent crime is currently Chief Johnny Jennings' top priority as property crime and shootings are up by 14%.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/cmpd-recruitment-hiring-police-officers/275-d5d3d6a4-53b8-4e4a-be2c-6f62b51cc6b9

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

Editor's Note: This story discusses domestic violence, which may include descriptions of violent acts. Reader discretion is advised.

The Gaston County Police Department is conducting a criminal investigation after an overnight murder-suicide and house fire near Stanly.

Around 2 a.m. Saturday morning, officers were called to 220 Brentwood Lane to assist the Gaston County Sheriff's Office with a suspected murder-suicide.

The suspect, 48-year-old Russell Blakney, is believed to have intentionally set fire to the house. Gaston County police found Blakney's remains at the crime scene. 

Blakney's twin children were also in the house at the time. Officers rescued Blakney's 11-year-old daughter from the house and she was taken to Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem. She is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries from the fire and is in stable condition.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/fire-shooting-gastonia-person-dead-north-carolina/275-88efc93c-1e63-4e72-a436-25a499f26461

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Wednesday, family and friends held a prayer vigil for 16-year-old Lauren Heath, who has been missing since Oct. 13.

"We don’t know where my baby is," Latanya Heath, Lauren's mom, said. "She wasn’t upset about anything and was getting ready for homecoming on Saturday, she did leave and walk out I just don’t know with who."

FULL STORY: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/missing-teenager-monroe-north-carolina/275-b04031bd-0abf-4e49-a428-2ad08c396f38

Cash or Card? It's not only a matter of convenience, it could be a matter of saving money. Ben Thompson explains why it might be worth it to carry a little extra cash to use on small transactions.

Plus, North Carolina imposed a new law that enforces harsher penalties against people convicted of impaired boating. We connect the dots on how a tragedy that struck a Concord family could make a difference for others moving forward.

And finally, we have the biggest headlines to start your morning in the morning rush.

Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at Wake Up Charlotte.   

SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart 

All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere. 

The South Carolina Court of Appeals has agreed to put Alex Murdaugh's appeal of his murder convictions on hold while his legal team makes claims that there was jury tampering in his high-profile trial.

The court issued an order Tuesday that temporarily pauses the appeal made to their court. This procedural move allows Murdaugh to file a motion for a new trial in a lower court by arguing there was jury tampering during his six-week long trial earlier this year. 

The order says Murdaugh's legal team must give status updates on their efforts every 30 days. If they don't, it could result in his appeal being dismissed. 

Murdaugh was convicted in March of the June 2021 murders of his wife Maggie and youngest son Paul following a six-week-long trial that drew international attention. He is serving two consecutive life sentences for those crimes at an undisclosed prison in South Carolina. Murdaugh maintained his innocence through the trial and during the appeal process. 

But in September, his attorneys filed a 65-page motion outlining what they say was jury tampering during the trial by Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill. They alleged that Hill had private conversations with jurors about the case, asked jurors about their opinions about whether Murdaugh was guilty, instructed jurors not to believe the evidence, lied to the judge to remove a juror who Hill believed was going to vote guilty and pressured the jury to make a decision quickly. 

They claim several jurors have signed affidavits to back up their claims. 

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/special-reports/alex-murdaugh/alex-murduagh-south-carolina-court-appeals-order/101-105dc9fb-c8d6-41a0-b217-fb46bfa5565f

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

Three now-released inmates of the York County jail have tested positive for tuberculosis, the sheriff's office said on Monday.

The York County Sheriff's Office said all three people were acquaintances and were together prior to being arrested. The first person was taken to jail on Oct. 7 and the second on Oct. 8. The third person was not taken to jail but instead went straight to the hospital after being arrested, according to the sheriff's office.

All three people posted bond for their charges and have been released from custody. The sheriff's office did not provide the names of the inmates or say what they were charged with.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/york-county-inmates-test-positive-for-tuberculosis-south-carolina/275-a735905d-2298-4810-a3fb-107f33fc9b71

Changes could be coming to the city of Albemarle.

On Monday, the Albemarle City Council was set to discuss the treatment of drag shows, reconsidering reclassifying drag shows as a "sexual-oriented business or activity."

This comes a few months after two board members of the city's planning and zoning committee were caught using homophobic slurs on a hot mic during a city council meeting about the classification of drag shows in August.

Both city leaders resigned a few days after the incident. At the time, Mayor Elbert Whitley told WCNC Charlotte that he does not condone the speech used and it does not reflect the city.

Brian Johnson, a pastor with Perfecting Life Global Ministries submitted a form to the council asking for a change. Johnson is requesting for the council to classify drag shows as an "adult cabaret."

RELATED: Town of Mooresville holds first pride parade Saturday

Adult cabaret includes:

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/albemarle-city-council-drag-shows-north-carolina/275-51cf6564-f44a-4d26-be12-508a17439f17

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

A search is underway for a person that investigators say left the scene of a crash that left a motorcyclist with serious injuries.

The crash happened on Providence Mill Road at NC 16 southeast of Newton on Sunday around 10:40 a.m., according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Authorities say a motorcyclist was struck by a silver Ford Fusion while traveling east on Providence Mill Road. The driver of the motorcycle suffered serious injuries and was taken by medical helicopter to a nearby hospital. Their condition was not made available by troopers. 

The Ford Fusion believed to have been involved in the crash was found abandoned on Little Mountain Road near the intersection of Buffalo Shoals Road. 

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/hit-and-run-suspect-wanted-after-crash-in-catawba-county-troopers-say-north-carolina/275-fd066cfe-3545-4761-8ee0-94aeccd9f3c0

Three Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers are being treated after they were hurt while trying to take a suspect into custody Friday.

This happened around noon in north Charlotte in the 9800 block of Spring Park Drive, which is located near Clarks Creek Park off Hucks Road. The street is about half a mile east of Old Statesville Road. 

WCNC Charlotte spoke to the homeowner, who said her daughter called to alert her that an intruder and police were in the house.

"I could hear him downstairs, I could also hear the officers with him," the homeowner said. "He was in the house, at least long enough to have helped himself to a drink and was preparing to help himself to another drink."

CMPD said they received a call from a neighbor about a suspicious suspect.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/3-cmpd-officers-hurt-north-charlotte/275-5759f053-4a8e-40da-bba6-0406727d22e8

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!

For the first time in its 150-year history, Mooresville will host a Pride parade on Saturday. Despite support from several businesses and community groups, organizers say there's still quite a bit of pushback in the town. Destiny Richards joins the show from Moorsville with the latest details on the parade and Pride event.

Plus, we have the biggest headlines from across the Charlotte area. Get your day started on the right foot with the morning rush.

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at Wake Up Charlotte.   

SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart 

All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.