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Video of homeless veteran’s controversial arrest in Gastonia released

*This story was corrected on October 12, 2022 Joshua Rohrer, a homeless veteran with PTSD, was arrested Oct. 13, 2021, for panhandling and resisting arrest. During the struggle with police, Rohrer’s dog, Sunshine, was tazed in the struggle. The officer involved says the dog bit his boot. The Gastonia Police Department maintains their officers acted...

Zach Rounceville
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More redistricting public hearings slated for Tuesday

The General Assembly kicked off a month-long series of 13 public redistricting hearings in Caldwell County last week with two more scheduled for Tuesday, September 14 in Forsyth County and Pasquotank County. Rep. Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, who is chairman of the N.C. House Redistricting Committee, welcomed the crowd to the first hearing at Caldwell Community...

Dallas Woodhouse
News

No thanks, governor. Local governments push back against lockdown letter

Johnnie Carswell won’t be a tool for Gov. Roy Cooper’s shutdowns. He had words for Dr. Mandy Cohen, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services secretary, too.  Cohen last week wrote 36 counties asking officials “to consider additional local actions to improve compliance.” Suggestions included shuttering bars, tightening restrictions on restaurants and gatherings, and fining...

Julie Havlak
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Bill to establish private liquor stores gets committee hearing but no vote

Rep. Chuck McGrady, R-Henderson, won’t seek re-election when his term expires next year, but he’s far from finished. House Bill 971, which McGrady sponsored, has stalled in the legislature. Still, McGrady got a hearing for a proposed committee substitute in the House’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee on Tuesday, July 23. He co-chairs the committee. The...

John Trump

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Despite disappointments on alcohol reform, lawmaker says, ‘We’re winning the battle’

N.C. lawmakers, one could argue, have had unprecedented success this legislative session in reforming the state’s archaic laws governing spirituous liquor.  Senate Bill 290 — which passed the Senate, 39-4, and was sent to the House, where it passed the House ABC Committee and now sits in the House’s Rules Committee — is one example. ...

John Trump
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Governor signs alcohol-related bills into law

Gov. Roy Cooper on Wednesday, June 26, signed of pair of alcohol-related bills into law. House Bill 389 opens the way for universities to sell beer and wine at college sporting events.  Senate Bill 11 strengthens permitting rules for selling alcohol and the ability of law enforcement to crack down on violators. Sen. Andy Wells,...

CJ Staff
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ABC Omnibus Regulatory Reform takes big step in revamping way N.C. controls liquor

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2. A bill filed Tuesday, April 2, in the N.C. House would dramatically revamp how the state governs liquor sales and distribution, including a provision allowing for Sunday sales. Distillers, brewers, and consumers would be among the beneficiaries of the expansive measure, modernizing...

John Trump
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Bill would allow alcohol sales at public college events

A bill in the N.C. House would authorize public colleges and universities to allow the sale of alcohol at stadiums, athletic facilities, and arenas located on school property. Reps. John Bell, R-Greene; James Boles Jr., R-Moore; Ken Goodman, D-Richmond; and David Lewis, R-Harnett, are the primary sponsors. The measure, House Bill 389, expands existing legislation...

John Trump
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Latest bills to reform N.C. liquor laws would benefit state’s craft distilleries

The stack of bills from N.C. lawmakers looking to reform and modernize the state’s 80-year-old liquor laws is growing. In the Senate, lawmakers filed Senate Bill 290 on Monday, March 18. A companion bill, House Bill 378, came Tuesday morning. The measures would allow N.C. distilleries to sell malt beverages and unfortified and fortified wine,...

John Trump
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Bill to strengthen alcohol enforcement moves to House

A bill to strengthen permitting rules for selling alcohol and the ability of law enforcement to crack down on violators has unanimously passed the N.C. Senate. Sen. Andy Wells, R-Catawba, introduced Senate Bill 11, in large part because of a spate of shootings and killings outside three Catawba County bars between April 2017 and April...

John Trump