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Concerns about bridge safety in NC

Concerns about bridge safety in NC

Garland Haywood is the Bridge Manager for the North Carolina Department of Transportation. It’s his job to make sure bridges in our area are safe, secure and inspected every two years.

“You could certainly have something undermining a bridge that if you don’t have these diligent inspections you’re not going to catch,” said Haywood.

According to AAA, nearly 900,000 people across the state are expected  to hit the roads for Memorial Day weekend.  But most of us don’t think twice about the bridges we drive near until we see accidents like the one Thursday in Washington.

A truck carrying an oversized load slammed into a bridge which caused it to collapse.

"Click It or Ticket" Campaign Now Under Way in NC

"Click It or Ticket" Campaign Now Under Way in NC

The Governor’s Highway Safety Program today officially launched its Memorial Day "Click It or Ticket" campaign, marking 20 years of seat belt safety awareness efforts that have saved countless lives.

To honor this milestone and show support for the cause, GHSP is asking North Carolinians to get out their cell phone cameras, snap a self-portrait of them buckled up while parked and share it on social media, using the hashtag, "#SafetySelfie."

"As the state that started "Click It or Ticket" two decades ago, we're known for finding unique ways to encourage people to fasten their seat belts," said Don Nail, interim director of GHSP. “The ‘#SafetySelfie’ is just one more example of our innovative approach to changing motorists' behavior for the better. By harnessing the power of social media, we hope to convince the small percentage of people who aren't buckling their seat belts that it's the right thing to do."

Female teacher charged with sex crime against teen student

Nikki Setzer Icard

TAYLORSVILLE, NC (WBTV)- An investigation is underway against a high school teacher after she is accused of sex charges against a teenage student.

Investigators in Taylorsville arrested Alexander Central High School Algebra teacher Nikki Setzer Icard on Tuesday morning.

She was charged with indecent liberties with an 18-year-old male student.

According to the school's website, Icard taught Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Honors Algebra 2.  She hosted tutoring sessions before and after school and held a Math Lab every Thursday after school with the Senior Beta Club.

Investigators told WBTV that Icard was the student's senior project advisor and his teacher.

She has been placed in the Alexander County Detention Center under a $10,000 bond.

Copyright 2013 WBTV. All rights reserved.

Senate budget proposal changes SBI

Senate budget proposal changes SBI

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- The North Carolina Senate released its state budget proposal late Sunday night.

It's a  $20.6 billion dollar plan that includes adjustments to Medicaid, education reform, and a big change for the State Bureau of Investigation.

Senate leaders have been looking for ways to trim costs, and to prevent any tax increases, and they're proposing consolidation as a tool to do so.

But the SBI proposal is starting to look like a convoluted case.

Attorney General Roy Cooper stood with a dozen law enforcement officers today to oppose the move. Cooper says putting the SBI under McCrory's control could create a conflict of interest, and that it would cripple the organization's independence and investigative techniques.

The SBI currently handles public corruption cases, and in the past it's investigated more than 500 public officials, including the past two governors' administrations.

Tip led to triple arrest in scrap metal theft, deputies say

Nathaniel Wilson, 47

ALEXANDER COUNTY, NC (WBTV)- Three people have been arrested for a recent scrap metal theft after a tip to deputies lead to the trio, according to the Alexander County Sheriff's Office.

Nathaniel Wilson, 47, Mary White, 45, and Junior Bumgarner, 75, were arrested and charged with two counts of misdemeanor larceny and one count of felony larceny each.

Deputies said a Crimestoppers tip led authorities to a home in Catawba County where the three lived.

Wilson's Bond was set at $11,000, while White and Bumgarner's bonds were set at $5,000.

Detectives say they are still investigating other larcenies in the area and more charges are expected.

Copyright 2013 WBTV. All rights reserved.

Operation "Road Watch" ends on successful note

Operation "Road Watch" ends on successful note

The Highway Patrol completed its Operation "Road Watch" campaign after a two-day intensive enforcement effort on I-85 in Cleveland and surrounding counties. 

During the two-day event, which began on Tuesday, May 14, and ended on Wednesday, May 15, Troopers concentrated on commercial motor vehicle violations as well as focused their attention on motorists who were driving aggressively around big trucks, speeding, tailgating, and driving aggressively.

Established in 2007, Operation "Road Watch" was designed to improve commercial motor vehicle safety as well as the efficiency of commercial vehicle operations.

Severe weather spotter training classes offered

Severe weather spotter training classes offered

Severe weather season is underway in the Carolinas and the National Weather Service is looking to train severe weather spotters in our area.

The first of two classes in our area will be offered Thursday evening, May 16, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Iredell County Agriculture Center. Classes are about two hours long and covers the basics of thunderstorm development, fundamentals of storm structure and how to identify potential severe weather features.

The class is free, but you will need to register by calling 704-878-5097. For directions and more information, click here.

The next class will be offered in Union, SC on Tuesday, May 21st.

For more information on the SKYWARN program, click here.

Copyright 2013 WBTV.  All rights reserved.