Army Sgt. Matt Cooke of Stanly County was given the Purple Heart award in Salisbury Saturday for his bravery in 2009 when another soldier opened fire on fellow troops at Fort Hood Texas. Thirteen people died and 32 others were hurt, including Cooke, who was shot while trying to protect another wounded soldier. Congressman Robert Pittenger said of Cooke, “You are a hero to me and so many Americans.” Soldiers involved in the incident initially weren’t eligible for the Purple Heart, after officials classified the shooting as workplace violence, instead of combat. Pittenger co-sponsored a bill last year that changed that.
19-YEAR-OLD DIES IN HEAD-ON CRASH
A 19-year-old Charlotte man died Saturday morning when his Chevy pickup veered across the center line and collided with a box truck on Carmel Road. The wreck happened around 7:13 AM as John Greg-OR-a-schuk was outbound in the 3300 block of Carmel Road. The driver and a passenger in the truck were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Police are investigating, but say they don’t think speed or alcohol were factors, and no charges have been filed. Everyone was wearing seat belts. Anyone who may have seen the wreck is asked to call Detective Kevin Allred at 704-432-2169
SC DEMS ENTERTAIN POTENTIAL CANDIDATES
Many South Carolina Democrats say they plan to back Hillary Rodham Clinton in the South's first presidential primary next year. But that didn’t stop them from giving a warm welcome at Saturday’s state party convention to liberals Martin O'Malley and Bernie Sanders - who may challenge Clinton. O'Malley is promoting his record of increasing education spending and raising the minimum wage while Maryland governor. He favors more aggressive banking rules and friendlier student loan policies. Sanders - a Vermont senator who identifies himself as a democratic socialist - is critical of an economic and political structure that concentrates wealth among a few corporations and individuals. Clinton wasn't at the convention, but in a video she stuck to her campaign theme of being a "champion" for the middle class.
POLICE CHASE NEAR PINEHURT ENDS IN WRECK
Two people died and another was injured after a car crashed into a tree during a police chase in Moore County Friday. The chase happened after a Pinehurst police officer tried stopping a vehicle around 9 p.m. on Juniper Lake Road near U.S. Highway 15-501, north of Pinehurst. The driver pulled over but then sped away once the officer got out of his car. The car struck a trailer being towed by a truck before running off the road and hitting a tree. Two passengers in the car were pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver was taken to the hospital. The victims’ names have not been released.
DOT MOWING CONTRACTOR CHARGED IN WRECK
Authorities have charged a state Department of Transportation subcontractor in the death of motorcyclist southeast of Raleigh. The crash was first reported around 7:45 a.m. Friday. Investigators say William Pittman was moving to a new spot to mow along North Carolina 42, east of Clayton, when he pulled into the road and collided with 31-year-old Anthony Suggs Jr.
BENNETT PLACE MARKS CIVIL WAR SURRENDER
A state historic site in Durham this weekend is taking note of the 150th anniversary of the largest surrender of the Civil War - an event overshadowed by the earlier capitulation at Appomattox and President Lincoln's assassination. Bennett Place is commemorating the surrender negotiations that took place at the former family farm on April 26th, 1865. Historical re-enactors are playing the roles of Confederate Gen. Joseph Johnston and Union Gen. William Sherman, along with other troops from both sides. Nearly 90,000 Confederate soldiers from the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida surrendered in the deal, effectively ending the Civil War.
CURRY’S 39-POINT NIGHT LEADS WARRIORS
The Hornets’ NBA season is over, but many Charlotteans have a favorite in the playoffs - Charlotte native and former Davidson basketball star Stephen Curry. Curry scored 39 points last night to lead his Golden State Warriors to a 109-98 win over New Orleans. That completed a four-game sweep of the Pelicans, and sends the Warriors into the NBA Western Conference Semifinals. They’ll face either Portland or Memphis.
RICHMOND RACE RESCHEDULED TO SUNDAY
Last night’s Sprint Cup Race in Richmond, Virginia, was rained out. NASCAR will try to get the race in today at 1 o’clock. Joey Logano has the pole position.