By Andrew Rice
In local news, the Turchin Center for visual arts will observe its 20th anniversary on Friday. According to the Watauga Democrat, a celebration will take place on Friday, May 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. as a part of Downtown Boone’s “First Friday.” The event will include art exhibitions in six galleries, live music, art-making stations, refreshments and a cash bar. The event is free and will be open to the public.
In state news, a Roanoke Rapids firefighter was charged with with statutory rape and indecent liberties with a child. According to WRAL, Matthew Monroe Norton was arrested on April 28 and charged with one count of statutory rape and one count of of indecent liberties with a child. Norton was issued a $500,000 secured bond. The investigation remains ongoing.
In national news, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday that it made a record number of arrests and seizures in a coordinated effort to target fentanyl and opioid sales on the dark web. According to NPR, the operation began in October 2021 and spanned the United States, Europe and South America. Authorities arrested 288 people and seized 85 kilograms of drugs, 117 firearms and $53 million in cash and online currencies.
And now for a special weather report powered by Booneweather.com. Today will be a mostly cloudy day with some spotty rain in the morning and a high of 49 with a low of 36. Winds will range from 15 to 25 miles per hour. Some gusts are expected to be up to 40 miles per hour so make sure to bundle up! For 90.5 WASU, I’m Andrew Rice.