A Philadelphia company has announced plans to buy and re-develop the historic R.J. Reynolds Tobacco headquarters in Winston-Salem. PMC Property Group plans to spend $7.8 million to buy the 22-story building, and to invest an estimated $60 million overall in the conversion. Plans call for a boutique hotel on the bottom six floors, and 120 luxury residential units above. The Winston-Salem Journal reportsthat demolition could begin within 30 days, and the building could open in the fall of 2015.
UNITED HEALTHCARE TO OFFER SUBSIDIZED PLANS IN NC
A third insurance company has decided to sell federally subsidized health insurance in North Carolina. UnitedHealthcare has notified the North Carolina Department of Insurance of its plans to sell insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The company will join Blue Cross and Coventry Health Care of the Carolinas in selling on the federal insurance exchange in 2015.
BABYSITTER CHARGED
Police in Gastonia have charged a babysitter with felony child abuse after a 15-month-old was scalded by hot water in a bathtub. The Gaston Gazette reports that the 24-year-old woman was supposed to be watching the baby and four other children in the home when the child was burned on June 8. In court Friday, the woman said the burns were an accident. Gaston County Police said Willard was wearing headphones, listening to music and playing games on a computer when she was supposed to be watching the children. Family members say the toddler climbed into the bathtub, turned on the hot water and burned herself.
DWI CHECKPOINTS BRING ARRESTS
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police charged 7 people with driving while intoxicated last night and early this morning at a checkpoint in the 6600 block of Harris Boulevard, in east Charlotte. Seven people were cited for driving with suspended licenses, and four were found with open containers. A total of 59 citations were handed out. It was the second night in a row that CMPD operated a checkpoint. Eight people were charged with DWI Friday night on North Sharon Amity Road.
US TO REVIEW RED WOLF PROGRAM
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to review the red wolf program, raising the possibility that the 27-year experiment to restore the rare predators in eastern North Carolina may come to an end. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission asked the federal agency this month to "determine the appropriateness of continuing the experimental (wolf) program."
NASCAR: KESELOWSKI WINS AT KENTUCKY
Brad Keselowski dominated the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Saturday night, leading 199 of 267 laps and becoming Kentucky Speedway's first repeat winner. Keselowski won from the pole position for the first time, chasing down and passing leader Kyle Busch on Lap 248. Busch was second, followed by Ryan Newman, Matt Kenseth and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Keselowski also won in 2012. It was his second victory this season.
