Greenville-New Bern-Washington, North Carolina News
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Hot Dog Contest: Champ Downs 64
Joey Chestnut has successfully defended his title at Coney Island's annual hot dog eating contest, but the victory didn't go down easily.
WITN 7 – Jul 4, 2008 11:54 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
Joey Chestnut has successfully defended his title at Coney Island's annual hot dog eating contest, but the victory didn't go down easily.
WITN 7 – Jul 4, 2008 11:54 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
Statue Of Liberty Crown May Reopen
The National Park Service has been looking at reopening more of the Statue of Liberty to visitors.
WITN 7 – Jul 4, 2008 11:54 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
The National Park Service has been looking at reopening more of the Statue of Liberty to visitors.
WITN 7 – Jul 4, 2008 11:54 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
Immigrants Become U.S. Citizens In Kinston
Some immigrants became U.S. citizens on Independence Day.
WITN 7 – Jul 4, 2008 11:54 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
Some immigrants became U.S. citizens on Independence Day.
WITN 7 – Jul 4, 2008 11:54 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
Viewer's Voice: Your Chance to Weigh In
Gas prices and gangs tend to be high on the list of concerns from our viewers, as we ask for your thoughts each week. For this edition of viewer's voice, Kevin more had a question:Why weren't teenagers that vandalized JH Rose High School reported as gang members? The definition of a gang is a group of young people who spend time together for social reasons and may engage in delinquent behavior. We only refer to people as suspected gang members when law enforcement officers say that's the case, after their investigations.RH Verdier asks:How about assigning one of your reporters to ask each of our state and national representatives what they are doing to develop America's own oil and gas resources and nuclear power? It's a subject we often ask our representatives about. For example, this month we reported that Congressman Jones cosponsored the energy independence and price reduction act, to remove restrictions on developing oil and gas in Alaska.From Ali Wiechel"I live in Williamston and we had a new gas station open this morning, the gas was $3.83, and all the surrounding stations for regular gas was $4.03 and by tonight it's $3.73 all over town. If the gases at all the gas stations take such a plunge why in the world are our gas prices so high? Thanks for all your great coverage."We've gotten several questions about the new station's prices, so producer Amy Kibler responded. As we explained when a Sheetz station opened in Greenville, when a new competitor opens, they can do "promotional pricing," for a certain number of days. Thanks to those who wrote and called for viewer's voice.
WNCT.com – Jul 4, 2008 10:51 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
Gas prices and gangs tend to be high on the list of concerns from our viewers, as we ask for your thoughts each week. For this edition of viewer's voice, Kevin more had a question:Why weren't teenagers that vandalized JH Rose High School reported as gang members? The definition of a gang is a group of young people who spend time together for social reasons and may engage in delinquent behavior. We only refer to people as suspected gang members when law enforcement officers say that's the case, after their investigations.RH Verdier asks:How about assigning one of your reporters to ask each of our state and national representatives what they are doing to develop America's own oil and gas resources and nuclear power? It's a subject we often ask our representatives about. For example, this month we reported that Congressman Jones cosponsored the energy independence and price reduction act, to remove restrictions on developing oil and gas in Alaska.From Ali Wiechel"I live in Williamston and we had a new gas station open this morning, the gas was $3.83, and all the surrounding stations for regular gas was $4.03 and by tonight it's $3.73 all over town. If the gases at all the gas stations take such a plunge why in the world are our gas prices so high? Thanks for all your great coverage."We've gotten several questions about the new station's prices, so producer Amy Kibler responded. As we explained when a Sheetz station opened in Greenville, when a new competitor opens, they can do "promotional pricing," for a certain number of days. Thanks to those who wrote and called for viewer's voice.
WNCT.com – Jul 4, 2008 10:51 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
A Look Back at the Life of Jesse Helms
A long-standing Senator and high profile political leader from our state has died. Officials say former Senator Jesse Helms died of natural causes early this morning in Raleigh. Helms was a man of firm faith and a controversial politician. He left a lasting legacy on our state.Jesse Helms' political career spans more than three decades. Known as a conservative's conservative, Helms served from 1973 to 2003 in the US Senate, serving as Foreign Relations Committee for several years. Helms rallied against communism overseas during the Cold War, fought against abortion and supported voluntary school prayer here in the US. Jesse Helms served as a Washington lobbyist in the 1950's before returning to North Carolina, where he was elected to the Raleigh City Council and eventually a US Senator. He was on the frontlines of political battles of tobacco and cash crops. And Helms went toe-to-toe with Senators for naming a holiday after Martin Luther King Junior, something he was adamantly against. While Helms served as a political commentator for WRAL TV, he viewed most of the media as too liberal. Helms' chose not to seek a sixth term in 2002 after battling several cancers and failing health. Officials opened a Jesse Helms Research Center on the campus of Wingate University in Monroe in his honor. And in 2005, Liberty University opened the Jesse Helms' School of Government. Helms was 86-years-old.
WNCT.com – Jul 4, 2008 10:47 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
A long-standing Senator and high profile political leader from our state has died. Officials say former Senator Jesse Helms died of natural causes early this morning in Raleigh. Helms was a man of firm faith and a controversial politician. He left a lasting legacy on our state.Jesse Helms' political career spans more than three decades. Known as a conservative's conservative, Helms served from 1973 to 2003 in the US Senate, serving as Foreign Relations Committee for several years. Helms rallied against communism overseas during the Cold War, fought against abortion and supported voluntary school prayer here in the US. Jesse Helms served as a Washington lobbyist in the 1950's before returning to North Carolina, where he was elected to the Raleigh City Council and eventually a US Senator. He was on the frontlines of political battles of tobacco and cash crops. And Helms went toe-to-toe with Senators for naming a holiday after Martin Luther King Junior, something he was adamantly against. While Helms served as a political commentator for WRAL TV, he viewed most of the media as too liberal. Helms' chose not to seek a sixth term in 2002 after battling several cancers and failing health. Officials opened a Jesse Helms Research Center on the campus of Wingate University in Monroe in his honor. And in 2005, Liberty University opened the Jesse Helms' School of Government. Helms was 86-years-old.
WNCT.com – Jul 4, 2008 10:47 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
Fun Festivities for the Fourth
Folks across the east are gearing up for Fourth of July festivities. Cities and towns across the east are holding celebrations and festivals, like this one in Greenville, to celebrate Independence Day. There are games, music and things for people of all ages to do. For a list of all the festivities, just type in the keyword: fireworks.
WNCT.com – Jul 4, 2008 10:41 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
Folks across the east are gearing up for Fourth of July festivities. Cities and towns across the east are holding celebrations and festivals, like this one in Greenville, to celebrate Independence Day. There are games, music and things for people of all ages to do. For a list of all the festivities, just type in the keyword: fireworks.
WNCT.com – Jul 4, 2008 10:41 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
Frugal Family Fun at The Agricultural Center
With gas prices hitting record highs this month, some families are rethinking just how far they are willing to travel for those summer vacations. But, there are some destinations right here in the east that you can get to that won't cost you a fortune when you get there. If you’re looking for something new and different, not to mention easy on the wallet this summer, take in a horse show one weekend at the Agricultural Center in Martin County. Trish Andrews is with the East Coast Open Show Circuit. She said, "We have open all breed horse shows which means almost any type of horse that you have, you can come ride in our show; there’s something for everybody." They show five times a year at the Ag Center but there is a different show circuit here just about every weekend. And there’s more to these shows than what goes on in the ring. The Alford family, from Rocky Mount, started showing horses 14 years ago. "We do it as a family. Both my girls show, me and my wife are just the handlers and show keepers, and keep everything rolling smoothly," said Travis. One of those girls is 19-year-old Brittany. Brittany explained her check list, "We make sure his saddle is on correctly, make sure the chin strap is loose enough, it's not too tight." After running through the list, it’s a quick trip to the practice ring to stretch the horse. Then it’s onto the show ring where Brittany was showing Destiny in the country western class. To get a real appreciation for these shows the best thing to do is just come check them out. "Just be spectators to enjoy and see what's going on,” said Travis. They are fun for the whole family and best of all they are free.
WNCT.com – Jul 4, 2008 10:35 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
With gas prices hitting record highs this month, some families are rethinking just how far they are willing to travel for those summer vacations. But, there are some destinations right here in the east that you can get to that won't cost you a fortune when you get there. If you’re looking for something new and different, not to mention easy on the wallet this summer, take in a horse show one weekend at the Agricultural Center in Martin County. Trish Andrews is with the East Coast Open Show Circuit. She said, "We have open all breed horse shows which means almost any type of horse that you have, you can come ride in our show; there’s something for everybody." They show five times a year at the Ag Center but there is a different show circuit here just about every weekend. And there’s more to these shows than what goes on in the ring. The Alford family, from Rocky Mount, started showing horses 14 years ago. "We do it as a family. Both my girls show, me and my wife are just the handlers and show keepers, and keep everything rolling smoothly," said Travis. One of those girls is 19-year-old Brittany. Brittany explained her check list, "We make sure his saddle is on correctly, make sure the chin strap is loose enough, it's not too tight." After running through the list, it’s a quick trip to the practice ring to stretch the horse. Then it’s onto the show ring where Brittany was showing Destiny in the country western class. To get a real appreciation for these shows the best thing to do is just come check them out. "Just be spectators to enjoy and see what's going on,” said Travis. They are fun for the whole family and best of all they are free.
WNCT.com – Jul 4, 2008 10:35 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
Operation Firecracker In Carteret County
Operation Firecracker In Carteret CountyThe 4th of July is a time to celebrate with friends and family but not everyone does that in a responsible way. Last night thirteen different law enforcement agencies set up shop along Highway 70 in Newport making sure folks were doing just that. With flashlights in hand officers and deputies from all over Carteret County joined forces for Operation Firecracker. However, the pre-dawn checkpoint meant more to them than just a typical routine check. Newport Police Officer Ty Mann, says, "Miss Donna Sheck was their mother, she lost all three of her kids to drunk driving in four years. So just keep that in mind when you’re out checking these guys. Any doubt, pull them out and check them." Keeping Highway 70 safe was in memory and honor of the three Sheck children who were all killed by drunk drivers. In 1999 8-year-old Clifford Check and his sister 10-year-old Savanna Sheck were killed by a drunk driver. Just four years later, their older sister Kansus Sheck was killed by a drunk driver. Over a period of four hours every single vehicle was stopped if an officer felt suspicious they brought out the breathalyzer. Some were in fact a designated driver while others paid the price for their poor choice. By the end of the evening, Officer Mann says four suspected drunk drivers were off the streets, saving other drivers lives. Ed Mullis with MADD of Carteret County says, "It's tragic to loose somebody like that. Somebody that close to you and for that family to lose three children, that's not fair. It's not fair to any of us to think we have drivers out on the road who are drinking and driving." While nothing can take away the Sheck familys pain, preventing another family from the same senseless grief is what officers say they'll continue to do. Officer Mann says they ticketed two people for misdemeanor drug charges and 17 other people for various violations.
WNCT.com – Jul 4, 2008 10:35 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
Operation Firecracker In Carteret CountyThe 4th of July is a time to celebrate with friends and family but not everyone does that in a responsible way. Last night thirteen different law enforcement agencies set up shop along Highway 70 in Newport making sure folks were doing just that. With flashlights in hand officers and deputies from all over Carteret County joined forces for Operation Firecracker. However, the pre-dawn checkpoint meant more to them than just a typical routine check. Newport Police Officer Ty Mann, says, "Miss Donna Sheck was their mother, she lost all three of her kids to drunk driving in four years. So just keep that in mind when you’re out checking these guys. Any doubt, pull them out and check them." Keeping Highway 70 safe was in memory and honor of the three Sheck children who were all killed by drunk drivers. In 1999 8-year-old Clifford Check and his sister 10-year-old Savanna Sheck were killed by a drunk driver. Just four years later, their older sister Kansus Sheck was killed by a drunk driver. Over a period of four hours every single vehicle was stopped if an officer felt suspicious they brought out the breathalyzer. Some were in fact a designated driver while others paid the price for their poor choice. By the end of the evening, Officer Mann says four suspected drunk drivers were off the streets, saving other drivers lives. Ed Mullis with MADD of Carteret County says, "It's tragic to loose somebody like that. Somebody that close to you and for that family to lose three children, that's not fair. It's not fair to any of us to think we have drivers out on the road who are drinking and driving." While nothing can take away the Sheck familys pain, preventing another family from the same senseless grief is what officers say they'll continue to do. Officer Mann says they ticketed two people for misdemeanor drug charges and 17 other people for various violations.
WNCT.com – Jul 4, 2008 10:35 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
Former Senator Jesse Helms Passes Away
Former Sen. Jesse Helms, who served 30 years in Congress, died on the Fourth of July, the Jesse Helms research center says. He was 86. The center, based at Wingate University in North Carolina, said Friday that he died at 1:15 a.m. Jimmy Broughton, Helms' former chief of staff, says the former senator died of natural causes in Raleigh. Helms built a career along the fault lines of racial politics and battled liberals, Communists and the occasional fellow Republican during his decades in Congress. He was slowed in later age by a variety of illnesses, including a bone disorder, prostate cancer and heart problems.Jesse Helms as a conservatives' conservative. Once dubbed "The Shining Knight” of the political right, from 1973 to 2003, the Republican senator from North Carolina fought against what he considered liberal elitism, opposed abortion and supported voluntary school prayer. As chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, he railed against communism. Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr. was born October 18, 1921. After a stint in the Navy, he married Dorothy Coble. They had three children. In 1950 Helms helped Conservative Democrat Willis Smith win a seat in the senate. After serving as a Washington lobbyist, Helms returned to his home state and was elected to the Raleigh City Council. In 1960 he began delivering the nightly editorials on the local TV station. And in 1972, he rode President Nixon's coattails to become a US Senator. Helms fought many battles over tobacco, his state's cash crop. He went toe to toe with other senators for naming a holiday after Martin Luther King, Jr., something he was adamantly against. And he often confronted what he called the liberal media. The last two of Helm's five victories came against Harvey Gant. The race gained national attention not only because Gant was African-American, but also because of a Helms' commercial urging white voters to reject Gant because of his support for Affirmative Action. With failing health Helms didn't seek a sixth term. When it came to Jesse Helms, no one in North Carolina was neutral. His enemies called him mean and narrow minded. His supporters celebrated him as a man of principle and character. One thing was always certain...you always knew exactly where Jesse Helms stood and he let you know it.
WNCT.com – Jul 4, 2008 5:35 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
Former Sen. Jesse Helms, who served 30 years in Congress, died on the Fourth of July, the Jesse Helms research center says. He was 86. The center, based at Wingate University in North Carolina, said Friday that he died at 1:15 a.m. Jimmy Broughton, Helms' former chief of staff, says the former senator died of natural causes in Raleigh. Helms built a career along the fault lines of racial politics and battled liberals, Communists and the occasional fellow Republican during his decades in Congress. He was slowed in later age by a variety of illnesses, including a bone disorder, prostate cancer and heart problems.Jesse Helms as a conservatives' conservative. Once dubbed "The Shining Knight” of the political right, from 1973 to 2003, the Republican senator from North Carolina fought against what he considered liberal elitism, opposed abortion and supported voluntary school prayer. As chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, he railed against communism. Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr. was born October 18, 1921. After a stint in the Navy, he married Dorothy Coble. They had three children. In 1950 Helms helped Conservative Democrat Willis Smith win a seat in the senate. After serving as a Washington lobbyist, Helms returned to his home state and was elected to the Raleigh City Council. In 1960 he began delivering the nightly editorials on the local TV station. And in 1972, he rode President Nixon's coattails to become a US Senator. Helms fought many battles over tobacco, his state's cash crop. He went toe to toe with other senators for naming a holiday after Martin Luther King, Jr., something he was adamantly against. And he often confronted what he called the liberal media. The last two of Helm's five victories came against Harvey Gant. The race gained national attention not only because Gant was African-American, but also because of a Helms' commercial urging white voters to reject Gant because of his support for Affirmative Action. With failing health Helms didn't seek a sixth term. When it came to Jesse Helms, no one in North Carolina was neutral. His enemies called him mean and narrow minded. His supporters celebrated him as a man of principle and character. One thing was always certain...you always knew exactly where Jesse Helms stood and he let you know it.
WNCT.com – Jul 4, 2008 5:35 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory Remarks About Helms' Passing
Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory issued the following statement upon learning of the passing of longtime former North Carolina U.S. Senator Jesse Helms. “It is with deep sadness that I learned of the loss of U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, a true statesman. As Mayor, Senator Helms provided impeccable constituent services and was always friendly and accessible. He kept his word whenever he made a commitment and he always put North Carolina first. Senator Helms was a friend to all North Carolinians, particularly Charlotteans, through his diligent work to help Charlotte secure its first federal grant for light rail. Without Senator Helms support from the very beginning, the highly successful Lynx Blue Line would not be a reality today. As a friend, I will miss Jesse’s warm smile and genuine hugs and friendly demeanor. It is an ending tribute that Senator Helms passed on Independence Day, as he was always a strong defender of our country’s security and family values. His passing is a great loss for our State and Country. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Dot and the entire Helms family.” -- Mayor Pat McCrory The Mayor has asked that all flags on City property be lowered in honor of Senator Helms.
WNCT.com – Jul 4, 2008 5:28 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory issued the following statement upon learning of the passing of longtime former North Carolina U.S. Senator Jesse Helms. “It is with deep sadness that I learned of the loss of U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, a true statesman. As Mayor, Senator Helms provided impeccable constituent services and was always friendly and accessible. He kept his word whenever he made a commitment and he always put North Carolina first. Senator Helms was a friend to all North Carolinians, particularly Charlotteans, through his diligent work to help Charlotte secure its first federal grant for light rail. Without Senator Helms support from the very beginning, the highly successful Lynx Blue Line would not be a reality today. As a friend, I will miss Jesse’s warm smile and genuine hugs and friendly demeanor. It is an ending tribute that Senator Helms passed on Independence Day, as he was always a strong defender of our country’s security and family values. His passing is a great loss for our State and Country. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Dot and the entire Helms family.” -- Mayor Pat McCrory The Mayor has asked that all flags on City property be lowered in honor of Senator Helms.
WNCT.com – Jul 4, 2008 5:28 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
