Michael Futch

Another update warranted in primaries for N.C. House District 43. With 24 of 28 precincts reported, Kimberly Hardy continues to impress with possible upset of Democrat incumbent Rep. Elmer Floyd, 4,618 to 3,928. On GOP side, Diane Wheatley leads Clarence Goins Jr., 2,919 to 2,286

Update on the N.C. House of Representatives District 43 primaries: With 17 of the 28 precincts reported, Kimberly Hardy is leading incumbent Rep. Elmer Floyd in the Democrat voting, 3,734 to 3,310. On the GOP side, Diane Wheatley holds 2,180 to 1,934 lead over Clarence Goins Jr.

In the Republican primary in the N.C. House of Representatives District 43 race, Diane Wheatley leads early with 923 votes over Clarence Goins Jr.'s 690. The winner goes on to face the Democrat primary winner between incumbent Rep. Elmer Floyd and newcomer Kimberly Hardy.

Based on early results, incumbent Rep. Elmer Floyd may have a tough assignment tonight to win re-election in the N.C. House of Representatives District 43 race against newcomer Kimberly Hardy. Floyd has 1,674 votes to Hardy's 1,667. Yes, it's way too early at this stage, but ...

It's official: CBL Properties, the owners and managers of Cross Creek Mall in Fayetteville, has announced that it has signed a lease with Dave & Buster's. The entertainment and restaurant complex will be incorporated into redevelopment plans for the former Sears building.

The former Hilltop House in the Haymount area of Fayetteville will be reopening on April 17 as ... an indoor golf facility. Food will be served, but it no longer will be Southern cuisine with a French twist. The Fayetteville Under Par Golf Club will serve largely pub food.

In other state House races of local interest, incumbent Democrats Elmer Floyd of Fayetteville and Marvin Lucas of Spring Lake were leading Districts 43 and 42, respectively. John Szoka, a Republican from Fayetteville, was on top in the District 45 race.

With 19 of the 25 precincts in, incumbent Democrat Billy Richardson is leading Republican Linda Devore with 57.3 percent of the votes in the race for N.C. House District 44. Devore, a former chairwoman of the Cumberland County Republican Party, had compiled 42.6 percent.

Spring Lake Alderman James O'Garra, who made allegation, says he doesn't know at this time if he will appeal decision. "It's getting expensive," he said after hearing in Raleigh.

Bipartisan State Board of Elections & Ethics on Thursday upheld previous Elections panel ruling in favor of state Sen. Ben Clark. Allegation made that Clark no longer lives in Senate District 21.

While many restaurants were closed with power out, the mobile R Burger had a long line waiting to order in front of Select Bank & Trust off Raeford Road. "I feel certain that's part of the reason today," said Betty Abbott. https://t.co/8jpEVKJljY

"They finished whatever they were eating. The people with cards couldn't pay for their food. I said have a good day." Jimmy Diamantopoulos, co-owner of Spinners restaurant on Raeford Road, on the city's power outage.

Vivian Mendez was sitting in traffic at intersection of Raeford Road and Purdue Drive. "The guys have been doing good job," she said from her car, referring to officers directing traffic. "I've been out about 15 minutes. It's all like this."

"Wonder why they turned off all the lights off around here?" wisecracked a Budweiser beer distributer as he pushed two-wheel cart in parking lot off Raeford Road.

Parking lot at Chick-fil-A largely empty after 11. Blackstone Smokehouse closed after power went out at about 11:03. People standing in front of businesses, looking at stopped traffic on Raeford Road. https://t.co/JNouX44SXx

Police in uniforms and what appears to be off - duty officers directing traffic at lights along Robeson Street, Raeford Road with power out in city. https://t.co/gponxhEIzQ

Raistlin Martin sentenced to life with possibility of parole after 25 years for first-degree murder of his grandfather in Cumberland County Superior Court.