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New research on Brown Mountain Lights

New research on Brown Mountain Lights

MORGANTON - New evidence about the Brown Mountain Lights has emerged in recent months, prompting local officials to host a second symposium on the natural phenomenon.

The symposium, titled "Brown Mountain Lights: What Does Our Government Really Know?" takes place Saturday, Nov. 3, at the City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium (COMMA).

Following February's first symposium, well-known North Carolina photographer Charles Braswell Jr. has come forward with never-before-seen photos and video of the mysterious lights.

Braswell, a credentialed photographer for the NASA Space Shuttle program, will speak at the second symposium and unveil some of the most detailed photos ever captured.

The photos and video were shot in 2001, after years of occasionally observing the lights.

"When Charles showed me these photos, I was taken aback," said Burke County tourism director Ed Phillips, organizer of the symposiums. "People will definitely to want to see these and hear what Charles has to say about his encounters."

Raphael's Points: Where's Parker, Jeff Gordon, Batman, and a skiing squirrel!

Raphael's Points:  Where's Parker, Jeff Gordon, Batman, and a skiing squirrel!

CONCORD - He's our own hero on a half shell, we call him Adrian Parker.  He lit up the scoreboard during his high school football days at South Rowan, then dazzled NASCAR's top drivers with his mad PR and Ninja skills, now he's the Communications Director at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the legendary figure behind PARKER'S POINTS!

DW: Okay, Race #1 in the Chase is now in the books.  Would you call that a statement performance for Brad Keselowski and Penske?

AP: The short answer is yes. But, Keselowski has been the most consistent performer over the past three months.

Consider this, in the past 11 races, dating back to his win at Kentucky, Keselowski has racked up 10 top-10 finishes, seven top-five’s and two victories. That’s ridiculous good and if he keeps that up, the Blue Deuce is going to be hard to beat in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

5.9 magnitude earthquake felt across the Carolinas

5.9 magnitude earthquake felt across the Carolinas

An earthquake hit the Virginia region about 1:51 pm. and was felt throughout North Carolina -- and as far south as Savannah, GA.

The earthquake was centered in Virginia about 34 miles northwest from Richmond and was a 5.9 magnitude. (Original reports put it at 5.8 strength)

The Pentagon was evacuated at just afterward and the US Capitol was also being cleared.

Teacher suspended after allegedly fondling himself outside restaurant

Teacher suspended after allegedly fondling himself outside restaurant

HICKORY, NC (WBTV) - A high school teacher has been suspended from his job after police say he fondled himself outside of a family restaurant in Hickory.

According to the Hickory Police Department, officers were called to the Ruby Tuesday restaurant at 1821 US Hwy 70 SE in Hickory on Tuesday afternoon around 4:45 p.m. to the report of an indecent exposure.

Officers say someone called police after seeing 54-year-old Michael Lennell Wallace, of Hickory, standing outside of the restaurant near the highway "with his penis exposed, fondling himself."

Man struck by lightning thrown eight feet

Man struck by lightning thrown eight feet

BURKE COUNTY - A Burke County man suffered the shock of a lifetime during a pop-up thunderstorm Tuesday night.

Twenty three-year-old Kenneth Davis pulled into his driveway along Airport Rhodhiss Road around 8:30 p.m. when he noticed the storm rolling in.

Click here to view a photo gallery from the scene!

Davis turned to his roommate after getting out of his car and said, "Oh look, a pop-up thunderstorm."  As if on cue, Davis said, a bolt of lightning struck a tree about ten feet from where he was standing. 

Women cut during fight over botched haircut

Women cut during fight over botched haircut

HICKORY - A North Carolina woman has been charged with assault after a fight over a haircut.

The fight came after an argument between two women Wednesday.

Teen took pills, went 'mad' before killing roommate, according to 911 call

HICKORY, NC (WBTV) - Funeral details have been released for a man who was murdered inside his Catawba County home early Monday morning.

In a 911 call that was released on Tuesday, 19-year-old Michael Anderson, who was charged with the murder, can be heard telling the 911 operator that he killed his roommate, 36-year-old Stephen Starr. 

Related: Facebook reveals details about murder suspect and victim.

Anderson called 911 around 4:45 a.m. and told the operator he had taken cough medicine which lead him to brutally kill and mutilate his roommate.

"I took some pills and, um, the pills made me go mad and I murdered my roommate," and Anderson added, "I shot him three times and then I used an axe and mutilated his body."