amy cutler spoke with the owner the man. amy has our story. >> reporter: their heavy hearts here to triangle diving center tonight. james stremmel was up member here and was passionate about his sport. >> reporter: this is a photo of james stremmel taken before this tragic accident. it's how france say they want to remember the former marine. greg upper is the owner of that center. >> it's unfortunate, it's unexpected and it was a tragic accidents. >> reporter: it happened around two saturday afternoon at the triangle executive airport in louisburg. stremmel went up with a few others and it was his second or third jump of the day. but somehow the last one was different. stremmel had a hard landing. >> he had 1800 all plus jumps, he's very experienced. that's why it's devastating because we just don't know what stremmel moved to raleigh a couple years ago after he left the marine corps. he wanted to travel to skydive all around the world. stremmel did 13,000 jumps a year and has -- they have never had a fatality. the franklin

wncn's amy cutler has been monitoring it all and joins us from garner with an update. amy? >> reporter: yeah, we just arrived on scene, behind me you can see a large tree that has come down, it's blocking the road. this is on vendura spring road by timber drive in garner. this is a big problem we've been seeing all day long. ice weighing down trees, and when they fall, they bring the surrounding power lines down with them. now, i just had the chance to speak with garner police, they say duke energy progress has been alerted. residents around here are being effected. there are some sporadic outages in the area. this snowy icy mess is continuing to cause major delays at the airport. rdu says it's trying to keep at least one lane open at all times. in all about 25 flights will be departing today. about tens this afternoon into this evening. they're urging anyone who has a flight to call ahead or check online. those with flights today say they expected some delays but it's still frustrating. >> i was in fayetteville originally this morning. and then all the flights got canceled

wcnc's amy cutler is live in the meeting with the latest. amy. >> reporter: well, sean, that closed door meeting, as you said, continues. protesters here waiting for them to get out. commissioners had said they would speak with them once it was over. all of this over csx's plan to build a huge new railroad in selma. 450 acres of land. to make room for that cargo hub, several people would have to use their homes. in a statement csx urged commissioners to continue this dialogue. they say this is day seven of a multi-year process and they are open to discussion. for many of these folks, that land has been in their family for generations. >> it's heritage. i have sweated on that farm. i have walked behind a mule on that farm. i am willing to fight to the end. and i told them they didn't have enough money to buy it. >> reporter: again that closed door meeting continues. we are gonna be out here until it's over and we'll let you know more what they have to say coming up at 11:00. live in smithfield, amy cutler, wcnc news now. from a man who lost a

. >> amy cutler has been on the roads all afternoon. she's live in the wncn mobile news tracker. how's it looking now? >> well, sharon, those secondary roads are still slick and slippery. the main roads though, the highways have been salted and plowed. we are headed eastbound on 40. we just saw a car off the road. we've seen a lot of cars spinning out as well. at this point, the precipitation has stopped. it seems more that the water on the roads are kind of pooling. it's not ice or snow. what we saw earlier. so that's the good news. unfortunately, it's likely to so d.o.t. says they're prepared. they have employees working 12 hour shifts. they have 3200 employees working to clear the roads. and they have hundreds of trucks out there. we saw a lot of plow trucks today salting the roads, clearing the roads, and that is likely to continue since as you guys said, we're only half way through the storm. live in raleigh, amy cutler, wncn news now. >>> the slick road conditions caused a deadly crash this morning on i-95 in johnston county. it came after a tractor trailer truck jackknifed

in light of the cases we wondered what the trend was for amy cutler has more. >>reporter: new data reveals there were 467 meth lab bust last year. where they happen to my surprise. this map shows you where the labs were busted county by county. the county with the largest number in our area. johnston county had 40 meth lab busted. hard net 20, week 17. according -- that was down from 2014 when there was 557 meth lab tests. more shocking in 2015 authorities say 109 children were affected by the labs. they were living in the house where it was going on or present at the time of the bus. behind the statistics of your people and there is help out there who are addicted to meth. group that holds weekly meetings pick one of the former addicts telling me the number of people attending these groups has been on the rise in parts because net is so cheap and easy to make. authorities have tried to combat stats. in recent years they have been living in tracking purchases a pseudoephedrine the main ingredient in making. authorities tonight remind the public of the role. if

wncn's amy cutler joins us live from the scene with more. amy? >> reporter: well, there are heavy hearts here at the center tonight. the owner identifying the victim as james. they tell us he was a regular. he would come almost every weekend. this is a photo of him taken bust before the accident. skydiving center says he had nearly 2,000 jumps, that he knew what he was doing. but something this afternoon went terribly wrong. he spoke with him 20 minutes before he died. that his parachute worked. but somehow, somehow he had a hard landing. we still don't know the why or how of that. first responders quickly arrived but it was just too late. the owner explaining he was a former marine, originally from texas, he moved to raleigh just a couple years ago. >> he's done 1800 plus jumps. he's very experienced. that's why it's devastating. we don't know what happened. we just don't know what happened. >> now, the franklin count sheriff's office and the faa are both investigating, i'm told the faa though will determine the final cause of that crash. live i

wncn's amy cutler has been monitoring it all. she has an update where a tree has been blocking the road in garner. >> this is part of the major problem we've been seeing all day today. large trees coming down and blocking the roads. now it's that ice that weighs down the trees and when they fall they bring the surrounding we're here on vendura spring road by timber drive in garner. i just spoke with police and they say duke energy progress has been alerted. he couldn't tell me how many residents are being effected but there are sporadic outages in the area. this snowy icy mess is causing major delays at the airport. rdu saying it's trying to keep one run way open at all times. in all about 25 flights will be departing today. about ten coming in this afternoon into this evening. they are urging anyone who has a flight to call ahead or check online. those with flights today say they expected the delays but it's still frustrating. >> i was in fayetteville originally this morning and all the flights were canceled in fayetteville. i h

wncn's amy cutler is live in durham to explain. >>reporter:it now means that sororities can hold events like chapter meetings, or study breaks. this as we learned the student rush to the hospital is going to be okay. duke university abruptly suspended all sorority it happened after they say, a female student, a new member of a sorority was rushed to the hospital. she had had too much to drink. >> it happens all over the place. it's really scary. i mean,, i don't know, as a sorority member myself i get nervous for the new members or anyone that is ever in those positions. >>reporter: the university told -- telling us it happened as part of a rush event on tuesday night. the student listed in critical condition. it prompted duke to hold an emergency meeting this evening. the chapter presidents of the sororities, and the executive board coming together with university officials. it was closed to the media. >> i am not entirely surprised. >>reporter:devon buckley is a graduate student at duke. she tells me some sorority girls live belo

and amy cutler is looking at how people responded to the first winter storm of the season. >> reporter: almost as soon as the snowy icy mix began falling, crews began cleaning up. but some still chose to venture out. >> this is what we do. if is it bad weather, serve going to be in the house andoff to be bothered. bothered. >> reporter: we caught up with darlene at the kroegers. she was among several others trying to pick up the essentials. phillips said that she took a cab. what did you have to do to get a cab in this weather? >> i called them. >> reporter: what about the smaller roads, the ones the plow trucks have not gotten to. they have some ice on this one and they have a big hill. what happens when you live up the hill? tony has lived up that hill for 40 years. >> a four wheel vehicle makes a big difference. >> reporter: they park their suvs at the top of the hill. >> people that are not used to driving it especially with a two-wheel drive vehicle, that is tough. >> reporter: amy cutler, wncn >> and the ice is no joke this morning. you can have the latest headlines and forecast

. >>> the our cheering over a decision to scrape the train hub and amy cutler explains why. >>reporter: some on the land nearby and they all had one in common, they were opposed to the project. >> it's been in the family for many years and they are going to try and take. they plan to pass this land down to a grandson and then a knock on the door came last week saying that they will be >>> where was the notice and the chance for the public to weigh in, the details of the project came via email and it's called the carolina connector. they are looking to create a transfer hub and shipping facility and it will bring 1500 jobs to the estate. they held a meeting and then they spoke out. >>> they've taken bill action regarding this project and they do not support the current site of the project. >>> in a statement earlier in the day they urged commissioners to keep the dialogue but it's only day seven. >> we do not condone the threat >>reporter: the next step is finding another piece of land where it can go and there hoping it can still be built in johnston county. >>reporter: powe

i'm amy cutler. >>> rdu was trying to keep one runway open at all times. officials are urging anyone who has a flight call ahead. those expected delays but is >> i was in fayetteville. they delayed it about three times now. >> he is trying to get back to college. the airport says tomorrow will still be better but will have delays in the northeast. >>> durham transit started bus service at 10:00 a.m. but that idea was quickly scrapped. it did not stop fans to see the musical matilda. there were some scary moments. >> there were a couple of spots that were pretty bad especially on and off the highway. >> tomorrow is the last day matilda is out. >>> about three inches of snow are out in lee county tonight. some folks are out making extra wncn caught up with benjamin patterson as he cleared area parking lots. >> if you don't move it it will stay there a couple of days. we are just trying to get in and clear it while we can. >>> thousands of power outages are plaguing folks across the state. more than 20,000 people in wake county and 15,000 in johnston out. wnc

amy cutler talked with the owner and joins us live from the scene with more. amy? >> reporter: there are a lot of heavy hearts at the center here tonight. the owner identifying the victim as james. they tell us he would come here every weekend to jump. the owner of the triangle more than 1800 jumps under his belt. he knew what he was doing. but something this afternoon went terribly wrong. he told us he spoke with him 20 minutes before he died. his parachute worked. but somehow he had a hard landing. we still don't know the how or why of that. first responders quickly arrived but it was too late. the owner explaining he was a marine, originally from texas, he moved to raleigh a couple years ago. >> james was a friend of mine. it's unfortunate. that's all i can say at this point. it's unexpected, unfortunate, and it was a tragic accident. that's all i can tell you. >> reporter: a heartbreaking accident. now, upper tells us that his family is all ready heading here from texas. they too are devastated by this news. we're going to have more on our interview with the ow

amy cutler is in the mobile news tracker in wake county with the message that d.o.t. leaders want you to hear. >> reporter: the message is they are prepared. and the roads are in good condition. let's take a live look out there. we're along the beltline here. and we're just coming up to exit 2. a spokesman for the d.o.t. late this afternoon saying they finished up the roads and that is that salt water mixture that telling us they have 3200 especially trained employees and hundreds of truck as trucks that will be used for snow and ice removal. another problem are abandoned cars. and authorities said if they pile up, they will be towing them. and if that happens to you, here's what you need to know. >> if you happen to leave your vehicle on the shoulder of the roadway and it's gone, if it is towed by the highway patrol, we set up a site on our website and you can look and it will tell you we towed your vehicle and where you can locate it. >> reporter: and they are advising drivers to use common sense and go slower and use additional time and stay off the roads, if you c

amy cutler has been on the roads all afternoon. being very care. and she is live in the wncn where are you and what are you seeing right now? >> well, we're about to get on to 40 west. the conditions, the road conditions have gotten a little bit better in the last couple of hours. there are still a lot of people on the road. give me a live look now. we are just at a traffic look waiting to get on to 40 west again, but the roads are slick and slippery. the concern now is the temperatures drop. there could be some icing on the rods. we have driven by several accidents. and it is particularly hard on those secondary roads. hills. to get up. we the road conditions here, and we will have a live update coming up in a little bit. for now we're live in raleigh, amyct electionr, wncn news. this comes as crews are cleaning the roads. they are having team coverage continues with wcnn. hi. >> sharon all day long out here at the dot yard, it's been a constant flow of trucks in and out of the dot yard. the workers take breaks whenever they can here inside, but t

tran ones amy cutler is at the fox town in north hills where there was a lot of excitement tonight. >>reporter:there sure was, it was a huge night for panthers fans. this place was packed just a few minutes ago, it is starting to empty out. this is a work night, a sunday night, this was a night many had been waiting years for. [ cheering] it was a big night for panthers fans. they made it to the nfc championship and a win tonight would bring them to the super bowl. fans were excited, the edge of hopeful. praying they would come out on top. [cheers and applause] >> the only thing that matters is that the panthers win today. that is it. >>reporter:what better way to refer the panthers that alongside your hundred closest friends. the fox and hound in north hills is where the official triangle, carolina panthers fan club m eets. who knew, right? it was packed. >> i wanted to watch it at home. but my son and my friends talked me into coming here. this is cool, to. >> you have to like the panthers if you're going to hang out here. >>reporter:they are engaged by the way, then it became off

live at duke, i'm amy cutler, nbc charlotte. >>> also breaking news in garner a pedestrian killed on the ramp from 40 eastbound to u.s. 70. this is a live look from the scene right now. police tell us this area could be backed up for a while. again, we know one person a pedestrian is dead after an accident there. garner police are on scene and it happened just before 5:00. we'll have more you tapes as they come in. >>> the aspcs is calling it one of the biggest rescue operations in its history. nearly 600 animals, cats, dogs, rescued from a so-called safe shelter in hope county. our nate rogers has been on the scene all day and -- scene all day and joins us with more. nate? >> reporter: well, authorities began investigating the haven after numerous complaints of sick animals being adopted from the shelter here. now once authorities got on the scene around 7:30 this morning, they say they found many animals living in deplorable conditions. >> people tried to tell the state many, many times. >> reporter: but today, there's action. more than 600 animals found in need of medical careful

amy cutler was there. >> reporter: they have had some problems in recent years, sears close, -- closed, the new development can move things around. >> as you drive in the town center on your left and undeveloped land to your right. that the 90 acre site for what they are calling the eastern cary greenway. it would be similar to north hills, it would include office and retail space along with residential units, a hotel in parking. the grocery store has authority expressed interest. this evening midtown planning director presented his vision and a work session. >> reporter: how do you justify building more business when the >> while, the mall may have opportunity for retail, and maybe hotel or some uses on the other side or within the same general -- general vicinity you residential. >> we want to make sure there are no winners or losers they once mixed with at the moment is taken into full consideration. at the same time we want to make sure what we do is of cary quality. >> test >> reporter: the town council asked them to come up with more specific renderings. now. >>> tax season is un

. >>> amy cutler live from duke. thank you. authorities are calling it one of the biggest animal rescue operations in history. today the aspca took nearly 600 animals from a shelter in hoke county. wncn's nate rogers is live in re ford with the latest. -- raeford with the latest. >> reporter: that is rights began investigating after numerous reports of sick animals being adopted by the shelter. the sheriff's office executed a search warrant. once on the property, they say the conditions were deplorable. >> people tried to tell the state many times. but today, there's action more than 600 animals found in need of medical care. others with severe respiratory disease. >> some of that is living environments. some of the buildings here are just really insufficient, very unsanitary environments for the animals. >>> property owners steven and linda face multiple counts of an mall cruelty. take a look at these pictures. according to the group, you can see dogs and cats housed in filthy kennels and cages. this shows a dog with a broken

amy cutler is live tonight with the latest. >> reporter: well, sharon, duke university is being tight lipped about the specifics of the case. in the last little bit, we did learn from the female student hospitalized in connection with this alcohol related incident is expected to be okay. >> i thought it was pretty serious and really sad. >> taylor is a senior at duke. she's also a member of a sorority. they were alerted to the incident through an email. they told students it involved a new member of a sorority. and they had concerns about recent activities that had taken place during the most recent rush and bid periods. according to the duke website, there are 18 sororities at the university. they had just completed their spring rush. in the wake of the incident, suspending all sorority