Morning Answer Daily

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The Asheville Police Department on Wednesday released a list of citizen calls that officers will no longer answer in response to an alarming number of officers who have left the force.

The release stated that 84 officers have quit since Jan. 1, 2020.

"As a result of the staffing crisis, several changes in officer response will go into effect immediately in order to improve response times for emergency calls made to 911," according to Public Information Officer Christina Hallingse.

Officers with the Asheville Police Department will no longer respond to the following types of crimes:...

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Greenville County Council voted 4 to 8, denying the Hispanic Alliance $7,500.

The money was allocated from the accommodations tax, collected from the hospitality industry to encourage more tourism. The funding comes from tourism tax dollars - not private tax dollars.

But controversy first started weeks ago over statues part of the ‘Wings Over Greenville’ exhibit in Falls Park and the Peace Center. Some consider the work graphic, sexual and demonic – others say it’s a diverse showcase of cultural identity and art.

The Hispanic Alliance worked with the City of Greenville and private sponsors to bring the sculptures to downtown as a temporary exhibit...

LAURENS COUNTY, S.C. — Eight people have been charged after animals were found living in deplorable conditions inside an Upstate home, according to the sheriff.

Laurens County Sheriff Don Reynolds said animal control was called about noon on May 25 to a home on Carriage Farms Court in Gray Court about a malnourished dog.

Reynolds said when deputies arrived they found an underweight dog with spine, hip and rib bones showing.

At least seven other dogs were also observed on the property at this time with no water in sight, except for a small amount that was dark green in color containing insects, Reynolds said.

He said some of the dogs had no shade or shelter from the elements and one dog was covered in fleas and was later discovered to have heart worms...

DUNCAN, S.C. — As Upstate waterparks are set to reopen this weekend, some are still looking to fill open positions, including lifeguards.

“We always say we want our people to be adaptable,” said Patrick Elliott, park director at Shipwreck Cove, a waterpark in Duncan.

Thankfully, Elliott has plenty of lifeguard and staffing help coming off an unusual year.

“We have a lot of returners, so they didn’t really have a big issue with it but filling them in those spots in a year where the calendar is just unknown was a little tricky,” he said.

Lifeguards are fully staffed at Greenville County’s Discovery Island Waterpark in Simpsonville, which is also set to reopen this weekend. But not all Greenville County waterparks have that staffing luxury...

GREENVILLE, S.C. — It's a weekend to honor, remember and celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day.

"Rock the Lot" is a two-night drive-in concert event set to take place on June 4th & 5th at the Greenville Downtown Airport.

It will be the first time the city of Greenville with host a drive-in only concert series.

The event is hosted by the Cancer Survivors Park Alliance.

"After the past year, we're thrilled to be out," said CSPA Executive Director, Kay Roper. "We're thrilled to be rocking the lot for cancer survivors all over the world!"

All proceeds will help to raise funds for cancer awareness and the tickets will be sold per car load...

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Tommy's Country Ham House in Greenville will close its doors Sunday after more than 30 years in business.

Owner Tommy Stevenson said he's retiring.

"This has been one of the most difficult decisions I've ever made," Stevenson said. "The Country Ham House has been my life. This year, I'll be 80 and I want to spend more time with my children and grandchildren."

Originally located on Buncombe Street, Stevenson purchased the restaurant in 1985.

It moved to its current location on Rutherford Street in 1997...

(AP) - Moderna said Tuesday its COVID-19 vaccine strongly protects kids as young as 12, a step that could put the shot on track to become the second option for that age group in the U.S.

With global vaccine supplies still tight, much of the world is struggling to vaccinate adults in the quest to end the pandemic. But earlier this month, the U.S. and Canada authorized another vaccine — the shot made by Pfizer and BioNTech — to be used starting at age 12...

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — Phil Mickelson has made history at the PGA Championship as the oldest, at 50, winner in major championship history.

Mickelson finished off his 73 with a simple par on the 72nd hole to the wild cheers of fans at the Ocean Course.

Mickelson raised his arms in triumph and hugged his caddie, his brother Tim, for his sixth career major and second PGA win joining his Wanamaker Trophy from Baltusrol in 2005.

Mickelson broke the previous mark for oldest player that was held by 48-year-old Julius Boros in winning the 1968 PGA Championship...

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Temperatures are on the rise throughout the weekend with even warmer weather expected early next week.

Today, highs will reach the mid-80s in the Upstate with sunny skies. But then the heat is on!

Saturday could see the first 90-degree temperature of the year.

Sunday continues the warming trend with highs in the 90s.

Monday is when it really starts to get hot. The Upstate can expect highs in the mid-90s with high humidity...

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Detectives in Asheville are asking for help to identify a man who is in critical condition.

He is described as a white man, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, and weighs 142 pounds.

He has brown hair and blue eyes.

He has several tattoos on his body, with the most distinct being a cassette tape with the letter "A" and the number "2" on each side located as his lower abdomen...

GREENVILLE, S.C. —

A man has been charged after a deadly wrong-way crash Friday on Interstate 385 in Greenville, according to Greenville police.

The crash happened at 4:30 a.m. near the exit for Pleasantburg Drive.

The road was blocked until nearly 2 p.m. between the exits for Stone Avenue and Pleasantburg Drive.

The coroner said Thelma Marie Leake, 48, of Greenville, died at the scene. Greenville Police Lt. Alia Paramore said one of the vehicles involved in the crash was traveling the wrong way in the southbound lanes..

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump will speak at North Carolina's annual state Republican Party convention next month.

Party officials announced Monday that Trump will speak at the June 5 convention dinner in Greenville, North Carolina.

Trump has expressed interest in running for president again in 2024 but has not yet announced a decision.

North Carolina GOP party leaders are hoping he'll keep playing a role in state politics and help the party in the upcoming 2022 midterms.

A party spokeswoman said Trump's speech will be off-limits to the media and that journalists won't be able to view it in any way...

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Greenville Drive is getting back into the swing of things and welcoming back fans without a mask to a near full-capacity Fluor Field.

According to GM Eric Jarinko and in accordance with local ordinances, the Drive is dropping all fan mask requirements and is expected to go back to near full-capacity seating beginning in the next homestand on June 1st.

Jarinko says to expect further details on fan capacity in an announcement some time next week.

The Drive will also be getting rid of any buffer zones between players and fans in areas such as the dugout, bullpens and down both foul lines...

PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. — A woman hoarding gas caught on fire following a car accident Thursday night in Pickens County, according to Chief Deputy Chad Brooks with the Pickens County Sheriff's Office.

A deputy in a marked patrol unit, saw a Pontiac G6 traveling on Jameson Road in Pickens and determined that the vehicle was displaying a South Carolina license plate that had been reported stolen, Brooks said.

According to Brooks, as the vehicle approached the intersection of Jameson Road and Wolf Creek Road, the deputy activated his vehicle’s emergency lights in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop.

The driver of the Pontiac turned left onto Wolf Creek Road and accelerated the vehicle in an attempt to elude law enforcement. The deputy then activated his vehicle’s siren, Brooks said...

ROEBUCK, S.C. — An Upstate student who was wowing the judges and fans on "American Idol" said he is no longer on the show because of something from his past.

Caleb Kennedy, 16, was a student at Dorman High School, according to a Facebook post from the school district.

Kennedy was one of the final five contestants on the show.

He posted the following message on his social media accounts Wednesday night.

"Hey y'all, this is gonna be a bit of a surprise, but I am no longer gonna be on American Idol. There was a video that surfaced on the internet and it displayed actions that were not meant to be taken in that way. I was younger and did not think about the actions, but that's not an excuse. I wanna say sorry to all my fans and everyone who I have let down. I'll be taking a little time off social media to better myself, but saying that, I know this has hurt and disappointed a lot of people and made people lose respect for me. I'm so sorry! I pray that I can one day regain your trust in who I am and have you respect. Thank you for supporting me."...

GREENVILLE, S.C. — There is some confusion over South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster’s executive order allowing parents to opt their children out of mask requirements at school.

McMaster issued Executive Order 2021-23, which empowers South Carolina parents to decide whether their children should wear masks in public schools throughout the state.

The South Carolina State Department of Education says students still need to have masks with them.

Education leaders are trying to figure out how to implement the order in schools. The State Department of Education says state face covering guidelines will remain in effect for now.

If parents sign a waiver, it will allow their child to go to school without a mask. The absence of the form is the reason the state department of education is not implementing immediate changes...

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS-TV) — An article over the weekend shows that University of South Carolina President Bob Caslen’s advice to graduates was nearly identical to Admiral William McCraven’s speech to the graduates of the University of Texas in 2014.

In a statement issued to students, faculty and staff on Monday, President Caslen apologized, saying:

“I am truly sorry. During my remarks in our weekend commencement ceremonies, I shared a well-known quote from Admiral William McRaven and failed to cite him as its original author and speaker. I was searching for words about resilience in adversity and when they were transcribed into the speech, I failed to ensure its attribution. I take full responsibility for this oversight. I sincerely apologize to Admiral McRaven, someone I know and respect, our graduates, their families and the entire university community for not leading by example...”

CHARLESTON, S.C. — If you have been to a South Carolina beach lately you may have noticed dead jellyfish lying around.

Experts say it's not necessarily unusual.

They are cannonball jellyfish, a milder type of the species that you may have been stung by.

They start showing up off the coast of Charleston as the weather and water get warmer.

Strandings of the cannonball jellyfish are common between May and August, especially after storms.

Although this particular type of jellyfish is mainly harmless, there are other types with stronger stings that show up along the Carolina coast...

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Gov. Henry McMaster has ordered the termination of South Carolina’s participation in all federal, pandemic-related unemployment benefit programs.

This will go into effect on June 30.

McMaster directed the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce to take the action in a letter sent to DEW Executive Director Dan Ellzey...

CLEMSON, S.C. — Head Coach Dabo Swinney and Clemson Football announced Wednesday that defensive end Justin Foster has indicated his intention to return to Clemson for the 2021 season.

Foster had previously announced his intention to step away from football on Feb. 24 following complications related to asthma and COVID-19.

Earlier this week, he informed Clemson coaches of his intent to return to the team and resume training for the upcoming season.

"For me, the decision came when I went to Duke a couple weeks ago and the doctor was positive on me recovering in the near future," Foster said.

"In the next month or two, she thought I'd recover enough to compete at the college level, and she motivated me and said that if I wanted to play again, she'd encourage me to and support me and she would do the best she could to get me back healthy. She believed that I will be healthy and, for me, that was a big stepping stone," Foster added...