Press Releases

Two hikers lost in the Shining Rock Wilderness area in Haywood County were rescued Saturday evening thanks to the efforts of helicopter crews and nearly 100 ground based rescuers from over two dozen local, state, and federal agencies. Haywood County first responders began searching for the two hikers Friday after they called 911 for help. Early Saturday morning, the hikers called 911 again and said they were able to start a small fire and they had found a makeshift shelter. The two men reported being very cold and completely out of food and water. 

As the winter weather approaches, the State Highway Patrol along with the N.C. Department of Transportation are reminding motorists to not leave their vehicles abandoned on the shoulders of public roadways.  For the safety of the traveling public and to ensure plow and salt trucks can effectively work to clear roads, state officials are working together to identify and move abandoned vehicles that are blocking travel lanes or posing an immediate safety hazard.

The State Emergency Response Team has activated the Joint Information Center in response to the winter storm, which is expected to start impacting North Carolina today. Located at Joint Force Headquarters at 1636 Gold Star Drive in Raleigh, the JIC will coordinate the release of information regarding state storm preparation and response. Individuals are on duty to gather the latest information and assist reporters interested in covering the state’s response to the storm. Additionally, officials will use this center to conduct media briefings as needed.

After less than a week in office, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is already preparing for his first winter storm. Meteorologists are predicting four to eight inches of snow across most of the central and eastern portions of the state this weekend. “Given our often unpredictable weather, I encourage North Carolinians to keep a close eye on the forecast during the next several days,” urged Governor Cooper. “This storm could bring several inches of snow to much of our state. Now is the time to update your emergency supply kits if you have not recently done so.”

Governor Roy Cooper today named Erik Hooks to lead the state’s public safety department to direct statewide law enforcement, emergency management, juvenile justice, and corrections divisions.   “He has the utmost integrity and determination to keep the people of our state safe,” Cooper said. “North Carolina can depend on him to bring hard work and dedication to the mission of public safety.”

Nearly 230 law enforcement officers from state, local and federal agencies joined forces this week for Operation Silent Night, an enforcement operation that served outstanding criminal warrants and conducted compliance checks on high risk and violent offenders on probation and parole in Franklin, Granville, Vance and Warren counties.   Significant arrests and accomplishments included:

Safekeeper Donnie Ward #1523340 was found unresponsive in his cell just after midnight Thursday morning at Central Prison. Corrections and medical staff initiated CPR, but Ward was later declared dead, the result of an apparent suicide. The State Capitol Police Department is investigating the death. Ward, 41, was being held at Central Prison as a safekeeper, pre-trial detainee. The Caldwell County man was awaiting trial on murder charges for the November 2015 shooting death of Eleuterio Vasquez Petrez

This year, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety prison system saw a three-fold increase in the number of facilities growing and donating produce to local food banks, community pantries and social service organizations. The 20 facilities more than doubled the amount of fruits and vegetables sent to help fight hunger and improve health in their communities.

Governor Pat McCrory has declared Dec. 11-17 as Winter Weather Preparedness Week and is urging North Carolinians to plan, prepare and be ready for potentially dangerous winter weather.

Nearly 50 law enforcement officers and support staff from state, local and federal agencies joined forces this week for Operation Arrow – Onslow County, an enforcement operation that served outstanding criminal warrants and conducted compliance checks on high risk and violent offenders on probation and parole.