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Lyrid meteor shower responsible for few shooting stars

Lyrid meteor shower responsible for few shooting stars

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- If you happened to be out very early this morning, were far away from city lights, and were able to pick out the brightest streaks in the sky, then you may have seen the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower.

This shower occurs every year in mid to late April when the Earth passes through a trail of debris from the Comet Thatcher.

This year's biggest obstacle to viewing today was the moon, nearly full this morning, which reflected enough sunlight to block out all but the brightest meteors.

Some meteors will be visible until April 25th. Rarely, outbursts of up to 100 meteors per hour can be seen, although more commonly this meteor shower will produce only 15-20 meteors per hour.

If you do happen to snap a shot, we'd love to see your pictures!  Submit them here.

The next meteor shower, the Eta Aquarids, will occur on the nights of May 4-5.

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Free shredding event Saturday

Free shredding event Saturday

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- The Better Business Bureau is offering a free, on-site, document shredding for individuals and small businesses this weekend.

It's part of the BBB's nationwide "Secure Your ID" day.

The shredding event is happening Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Providence High School on Pineville-Matthews Road.

There is a limit though: four large bags or boxes per car.

Not sure what to keep and what to shred? BBB has a records retention guide.

Copyright 2013 WBTV. All rights reserved.

Investigators: Teen kidnapped after drug buy

Investigators: Teen kidnapped after drug buy

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office arrested a 17-year-old Newton teen in connection with a kidnapping incident that involved drugs.

Detectives are searching for three other people in connection with the Thursday night incident.

Investigators said a 14-year-old and several other teens set up a possible drug buy with four occupants of an SUV on the dirt portion of Tripple H Lane.

One of the teens with the juvenile allegedly grabbed some marijuana out of the vehicle and ran away with it before it was paid for. The 14-year-old was forced into the vehicle which left the scene.

The driver of the vehicle went to two unknown locations before putting the teen out of the vehicle near Oliver’s Crossroads and East Maiden Road.

Measles outbreak reported in 2 NC counties

Measles outbreak reported in 2 NC counties

RALEIGH, NC (WBTV)- Public health officials from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services are working with local health departments to investigate an outbreak of measles.

To date, seven cases have been identified in residents of Stokes and Orange Counties, according to a news release from the NC Department of Health and Human Services. 

Local public health departments are contacting other people who might have been exposed to these cases and providing vaccine to limit the spread of infection.

"Measles is very uncommon in North Carolina, so many people aren't aware of the symptoms," said Dr. Laura Gerald, State Health Director. "Measles spreads quickly, particularly in children and adults who aren't vaccinated.  We want to make the public aware of this outbreak so individuals can take steps to protect themselves and their families."

Apples finally in bloom

LINCOLN COUNTY, NC (WBTV)- It is more than a week or two late, but the apple trees in Lincoln County are finally blooming.

A colder than normal March kept the trees from blooming out and farmers say it's a good thing it worked out as it did.

Freezing temperatures at the end of March could have destroyed the crop.

"Everything is late and we are happy this year about it," said Thomas Chavez at Knob Creek Orchards. 

Peaches bloomed just two weeks ago and avoided the worst of the cold weather as well. Even so, growers say there is always concern about the last two weeks of April and the beginning of May.

Some colder has been forecast for the period though temperatures are not expected to be in the range that could cause trouble.

"It has to get down into the 20's before there's real damage," said Alan Davis, of Davis and Son Orchards. 

Man arrested after search turns up former meth lab, officials say

LINCOLN COUNTY, NC (WBTV)- Lincoln County Sheriff's narcotics investigators assisted North Carolina probation officers on a warrantless search of a home in western Lincoln County that turned up a former meth lab, according to officials.

Around 1:15 p.m. Tuesday investigators went to a home on Chapel Lane in Cherryville where they found evidence that a former meth lab was operated there. The incident did not require a cleanup by the State Bureau of Investigation, the official report states.

The occupant of the residence, Dusty Franklin Sisk, 31, is on probation, which allows for a search without a warrant.

Sisk was charged with one felony count each of manufacturing a controlled substance schedule II and possession of a controlled substance schedule II.

Woman crashed car into day care after being fired, deputies say

LINCOLN COUNTY, NC (WBTV)- A woman who had been terminated from her job at a local day care crashed her vehicle into the front door of the business Tuesday afternoon, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies and detectives were dispatched to the Tutor Time Day Care Center on Waterside Loop Road in Denver, NC, around 2:55 p.m. after employees reported that a former employee, Amy Susan Fier, 60, rammed her vehicle into the double metal and glass front doors to the business.

No one was injured in the incident, but officials say several elementary school age children were in the lobby of the building at the time. Damage to the building was estimated at $3,000.

Fier left the scene before deputies arrived, but was stopped a short distance away and taken into custody. Officers told WBTV the front of the vehicle was covered with pieces of glass from the shattered doors.