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Police Release Possible Motive in Belmont Neighborhood Shooting

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Police in Charlotte say three men have been shot in an apparent drive-by shooting in the Belmont neighborhood in east Charlotte.

The shooting was reported around 4:30 p.m. Friday at Keen and Pegram Streets, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Police on scene told WBTV that the victims maybe between 18 and 25 years old, and that they all lived in the community.

Police also told WBTV they have a possible motive in the shooting. They say it was a domestic or retaliation  in connection with another shooting earlier Friday.

Medic units took all three patients to the Carolinas Medical Center and police say they should be ok.

Detectives have been at the hospital talking to the victims trying to get information that could lead to the shooter.

Sunny weekend just in time for the holiday

Sunny weekend just in time for the holiday

People in the WBTV viewing area will have plenty of chances to get outside and celebrate this holiday weekend.

A much drier air mass will move in Friday, which will drive temperatures down into the 40’s overnight, and the 30’s for the mountains.

Thanks to lots of sunshine, we’ll still see highs in the mid-70’s Saturday and upper 70’s Sunday.

All in all, your holiday weekend looks spectacular, with at best a slight chance of a stray shower or storm on Monday.

Concerns about bridge safety in NC

Concerns about bridge safety in NC

Garland Haywood is the Bridge Manager for the North Carolina Department of Transportation. It’s his job to make sure bridges in our area are safe, secure and inspected every two years.

“You could certainly have something undermining a bridge that if you don’t have these diligent inspections you’re not going to catch,” said Haywood.

According to AAA, nearly 900,000 people across the state are expected  to hit the roads for Memorial Day weekend.  But most of us don’t think twice about the bridges we drive near until we see accidents like the one Thursday in Washington.

A truck carrying an oversized load slammed into a bridge which caused it to collapse.

Allergy-sniffing dog might help keep kid safe

Allergy-sniffing dog might help keep kid safe

Bailee's energy is endless.

The two year old Gastonia girl keeps going and going. But all that spunk has to be contained to her home.

That means no parks, no restaurants, no grocery stores and no birthday parties.

"When Bailee gets invited to a birthday we have to decline the invitation because it's not safe for her and you try telling a two year old she can't have a cupcake," said Bailee's mom Julie.

"It's very heartbreaking."

At six months old Bailee was diagnosed with a severe allergy to all tree nuts.

And it's not just food. It's anything with a trace of nuts, lotion, shampoo even phones.

Baliee's mom lives in constant fear.

"We do keep Bailee in a bubble basically," said Julie.

"Just walking outside she can kind of cross something and come in contact with an acorn. We've had reactions to acorns."

Run to benefit brain tumor research

Run to benefit brain tumor research

The Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas is hosting its Grey Matters 5k Trail Run/Walk this weekend.

Participants can enjoy a great morning of fitness and fun while burning calories through the beautiful wooded trails of Reedy Creek Park.

Medals go to the top 3 overall Male and Female runners in each age group.

Families and jogging strollers are welcome on the 4-foot wide pea gravel trail.

The Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to increasing public awareness of the impact of brain tumors and providing support for the development of treatment strategies and cooperative biomedical research related to brain tumors in the Charlotte region.

Pre-registered runners should meet at Reedy Creek Park, located at 2900 Rocky River Road in Charlotte, Saturday May 25, prior to the 8 a.m. start-time.

Check-in and 'day of' registration begins at 7 a.m.

Recommended county budget calls for property tax hike

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- If Mecklenburg County officials have their way - home owners will be paying more in property taxes.

Interim County Manager Bobbie Shields presented his 2014 recommended budget to county commissioners Tuesday night.

Shields says the property tax increase will help pay for services in the current budget and deal with increased demand.

The county says funding is needed to "address the growth in CMS student population, opening of new parks, libraries, and merit increases for employees."

According to county officials, a 2.5 cent tax increase would mean about $50.00 higher property tax bill for a $200,000 home.

WBTV checked in with some homeowners to see how they feel about possibly paying more in taxes.

John O'Neill of Huntersville says "if the money is gonna be well spent, ensure financial - fiduciary - responsibility to make sure we're paying our debt - I think it's necessary."

NOAA forecasters expect above normal Atlantic Hurricane Season

NOAA forecasters expect above normal Atlantic Hurricane Season

Forecasters with NOAA issued their predictions for the 2013 hurricane season Thursday. Once again, a busy year is expected in the tropical Atlantic. NOAA expects 13-20 named storms to form. Of those 7-11 could be hurricanes, and 3-6 of those could be major hurricanes with winds of at least 111 mph.

Forecasters look at several factors including sea surface temperatures, the likelihood of an El Nino event in the Pacific and long-range computer models to assist in their predictions.

Drs. Phil Klotzbach and William Gray, forecasters at Colorado State University, are also anticipating an above-average season. They expect 18 named storms to develop. Of those, they anticipate nine hurricanes.