ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 11pm - December 3, 2025

Episode Date: December 4, 2025

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Right now, live coverage from your local news leader, preparing you for tomorrow starting tonight and your first alert forecast. Here's what's happening where you live. This is ABC 11 eyewitness news. Tonight we have your first alert to our first big punch of winter weather possibly coming our way. Here's a live look at conditions in Durham and Raleigh right now where the cold weather is about to give way to a brush with old man winter. some of us. And here's what we're seeing on the first alert predictor for Friday morning. Depending on where you are, you'll see rain, snow, or a mixture. And eyewitness news has you covered and we're preparing you for whatever falls in Central Carolina. Thanks so much for joining us here for the news at 11. I'm Lauren Johnson. Hi everyone. I'm Steve Daniel's eyewitness news and

our first alert team tracking that winter weather heading our way. So for the first word on the potential impact. Let's head over to the first alert forecast center and check in with chief Meteorologist Don Schwenekru, who has that updated forecast for us. Yeah, good evening to you. Now, we're not seeing anything out there tonight. First Alert, Doppler net is dry, and tomorrow's going to be just fine. You don't have to worry about a bad commute tomorrow. It's Friday that we're watching this move in. Now, this is the first alert predictor forecast model by 4.45, 5 a.m. You can see the rain spreading across the region. The best chance for a wintry mixer snowflakes will be to the north of the area of north of the triangle in our northern part of our area, especially

north of I-85. As we progress through the morning, the warm air will win out. It changes over to showers by 10, 11 o'clock in the morning, and by the afternoon, it's gone, and Friday evening looks great. So here's what we're talking about. Rain from Raleigh South, could see a mix with some sleet or freezing rain, and then snow could actually mix in north of I-85. The bottom line looks like this. Timing, Thursday, overnight, into Friday lunchtime. That'd be your best chance to see a wintry mix. The threat that wintry mix likely, mainly north and west. And finally, the impacts really relatively low.

Yes, it's going to be a pain to see it on your windshields. Ground temperatures are going to stay up, though. That should help to melt anything, well, that and along with the brining that we're seeing from DOT. We'll talk more about this chance for a wintry mix on Friday and a first alert to some warmer attempts in your seven-day forecast. Coming up in just a bit, Stephen Lauren. Okay, Don, thanks. And as John just pointed out, the impact on roadways is probably going to be. somewhat limited, but road crews do plan to begin treating our roadways with Brian early

tomorrow morning. NCDOT officials met today, and with the current forecast, they decided to start the preparations ahead of Friday morning's commute. The road crews will treat major roadways, bridges, and overpasses in Wake and Durham counties. Northern counties like person, Vance, Warren, Granville, and Franklin will also be treated. I-440, I-540, U.S. 64, and potentially Capitol Boulevard, and they'll be ready to pivot if things change. If the forecast is for more snow or ends up being that looks like we're going to see more ice or being a bigger deal than it looks like right now, then they will adjust and navigate to be able to handle whatever is needed. One of the big concerns this system could start impacting roads

during the morning commute on Friday, unless the forecast changes, they're urging people to work from home or come into the office a little bit later in the day. If you see brining trucks out tomorrow. Officials are asking you give them plenty of room for the safety of everyone on the road. You don't want to end up like those guys right there in previous winter storms here in North Carolina, that's for sure. And before the winter weather arrives, the National Weather Service says we should get our emergency kit together, including a flashlight, extra batteries, extra food, water and prescription medication, gas up your car too, and you should have some extra blankets in your car in case you have an emergency out there on the road. And we hope you'll stay

with eyewitness news and our first solar weather team as we track this wintry mix. You can get our latest forecast right here on TV or online at ABC11.com. Today marks three years since someone fired shots hitting a Duke energy substation in Moore County. It's an attack that sparked a widespread blackout ultimately leading to one woman's death. And tonight, three years later, there are still many unanswered questions. According to the sheriff, the case is still unsolved. Tom George has been diving into this tonight. He joins us live to show us how people in Moore County are handling this unsolved mystery.

Yeah, Stephen Lauren, Duke Energy tells us in the years since this happened, they have continued to cooperate with the investigation. They have also improved monitoring, better cybersecurity for the grid to try and avoid this kind of thing from happening again. But in the meantime, for people in Moore County, it is still very much frustrating that three years later, this case is still unsolved. Three years ago, Moore County was a ghost town, streets dark, and thousands left in the cold. Got no way to heat because we don't have a fireplace. then we don't have no gas grill or anything like that. So we're just stranded. It's an attack that shook the community. Cameron Blue remembers it like it was yesterday. I can't believe that it's been three years since this happened.

Gunfire damaged two different substations knocking out power to most of the county, for some up to five days. And an 87-year-old woman, Karen Zoinelli, lost her life without the power to her oxygen tanks. The news started releasing that it was an intentional attack. And a lot of people myself included, I mean, it was just really shocking to think like something like this could happen in our town, you know, in such a small town. Violence and sabotage will not be tolerated. The individual that done the damage knew exactly what they were doing. At the time, Satan local leaders calling it targeted. Possible motives included domestic extremism or anti-LGB activity as a local drag show was set to take place that same day. Before the attack, the FBI had warned about

electric infrastructure being a target for extremist ideology, it's a theory retired FBI agent Frank Brostrom says is worth exploring, but he also wonders why dozens of shell casings from a high-powered rifle were left behind. If it was a professional group, a domestic terrorism group, why wouldn't they clean those up? You know, so to me, I just, my feeling is it's going to be a younger group of people, non-professional because of that, because of the evidence they left. So the police are going to be looking to compare that evidence to maybe similar crimes. Today, Sheriff Ronnie Fields says he understands the frustration over the lack of answers, saying, quote, working alongside our state and federal partners, our detectives have followed every viable lead,

interviewed numerous individuals, and devoted significant time and resources to uncovering the facts. But three years later, some wondering if they'll ever get justice. Make peace with that how you can. But I think for a lot of people, it's just, it just, it just, seems kind of unfair. It seems unjust. Like this was a huge tragedy for our community. It was, you know, a crisis. Yeah, a lot of trauma still in Moore County, even three years later. And again, that investigation is still ongoing. The sheriff telling us there is still a $100,000 reward for any information on this case, Lauren. Yeah, and still a family waiting for justice to be served.

Tom, thank you. Durham firefighters responded to a fire. at a business near Burton Park. This is on Ridgeway Avenue. That small fire was contained to the second floor. No one was hurt. There is smoke and water damage. New tonight from Nash County, a woman has been arrested after multiple animals were found dead inside her home. The sheriff's office says the condition of the home was horrific. A 17-year-old was also taken from the home and placed in the custody of child protective services. The woman, 46-year-old Amanda Wearsma, is charged with four counts of animal cruelty and child abuse. We had Chopper 11 flying over the Raleigh Convention. Center this afternoon as this steam was coming out of a boiler and it created concern about

a possible new fire there. Thankfully, it was nothing to worry about. Cruise did spend the day working on a plan to cover that massive hole in the roof caused by Monday night's fire. The ABC 11 I team learning investigators believe the fire started in an HVAC unit on the roof and it was fueled by natural gas. We now know all events at the convention center are canceled for the rest of the month and there's no timeline yet for when events could return. The Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell says city officials are in talks with their insurance provider, Zurich insurance to cover the cost of repairing the damage. Mayor Cowell says insurance adjusters were on the scene yesterday at the convention center, but there's no word yet about when the

city could get the money needed to repair the roughly $2 million in damage. A temporary cover was installed there on the roof today. Happening tomorrow, the Johnston County father charged with killing four of his own children will be in court. We expect to learn more about how the case against Wellington Dickens III will proceed. Back in October, he called 911, confessing to the killings and directed authorities to the bodies of the four children in the trunk of his car parked in the garage after he was arrested he told authorities he buried his one-month-old baby in 2023 in the woods behind his home in zebulin this is video as he was seen with authorities searching for the body tonight a growing water debate in cumberland county one that has county officials asking the state to pump the brakes on a proposal that may affect the cape fear river town leaders in fuqua verena want to draw six million gallons of water every day from the cape Lake Fear River Basin because of increasing demand in that part of Wake County. The water would then be pumped into the Noose River Basin, but some Cumberland County officials are warning it could have a long-term environmental impact.

And while it may not seem a big deal now, but when you start talking about droughts, when you start talking about growth, especially across eastern North Carolina and down the Cape Fear River, whether that's industrial growth or whether that's residential growth, that will be impactful. And the Fayetteville Public Works Commission says the water transfer is also a national security consideration because Fort Bragg gets 8 million gallons of water every day from the Cape Fear River. There's a public meeting on the issue tomorrow at Fayetteville Tech. A years-long legal battle between Umpstead Park supporters and the R.D.U. Quarry is coming to

an end. Today, a Wake County judge ruled in favor of the Umstead Coalition in its fight to protect the state park from quarry expansions. And a 19-page ruling, Superior Court Judge Sean Cole upheld a 1981 agreement. that limits mining to 50 years. That effectively prevents the expansion from happening. Judge Cole also ordered quarry buffers to return to their 2018 levels, much farther back than the current 25-foot buffer that exists. Umpstead coalition supporters are excited about this legal victory and the preservation of that land.

I think everybody's been pretty happy. We've received many emails and calls so far congratulating us, and some saying we knew it would happen. You knew you could do it. and it's really it's a it's a village it's a big win it's the right win the state DEQ and Wakestone which is now Vulcan materials are both reviewing the ruling and have yet to announce the potential for any further action still to come here on eyewitness we'll tell you about the big triangle music venue now charging for parking and

Wake County deputies on a shopping spree tonight how they're helping some kids check off their holiday list and downtown Durham celebrating the opening of a new restaurant will take you inside flavor hills on opening night. And Don, it is chilly outside. Yeah, the temperature's down around freezing tonight. We're going to warm up tomorrow. Tomorrow will actually be warmer than today was. But don't get used to it, that chance of a wintry mix. We'll talk about that next. At Dejardin Insurance, we put the care in taking care of business. Your business, to be exact. Our agents take the time to understand your company, so you get the right coverage at the right price. Whether you rent out your building, represent a condo corporation, or own a cleaning company, we make insurance easy to understand so you can focus on the big stuff, like your small business.

Get insurance that's really big on care. Find an agent today at Dejardin.com slash business coverage. Get to know yourself and your roots better with ancestry DNA. Want to know where your family comes from in northern France? Maybe you'd like to see how your genes influence certain traits like diet. at fitness and allergies. There's so much of you and your heritage to discover. Visit Ancestry.ca and get started with an Ancestry DNA kit today. In vote 2026, former Governor Roy Cooper officially submitted his paperwork today and his run for the U.S. Senate. Yesterday, former NCGOP and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Watley filed. Analysts say they are both considered favorites to win the March 3rd primaries. That seat is open because Senator Tom Tillis is not running

for re-election. The Bull City is welcoming a new restaurant in downtown Durham right on Main Street. Flavor Hills has opened its kitchen. The restaurant serves southern comfort food, and it's replacing the former Copa restaurant. Some of their dishes include Cajunship, Cajian shrimp grits, and a dirty fried chicken sandwich. Co-owner Tellers Pollard explained why they wanted to expand to Durham. I was moved when I came to the city and inspired by the tradition, all the past triumphs of just black economics because it's really an American story because it really showcases the American dream here in Durham. All right the owners tell us the interiors donned with bold art and it's similar to downtown Raleigh's location which opened back in 2024.

In addition to Durham and Raleigh there is a flavor hills in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. New tonight in Raleigh, Coastal Credit Union Music Park is now charging people to park at the venue. People attending events can buy a parking pass in advance for $20 or on the day of the event For $25, those new fees go into effect next year. Wake County welcomed one of the largest classes of first responders this evening. It was graduation night for the 47th EMS class, and it includes 42 new paramedics and EMTs. As Wake County continues growing, the need for EMS workers is also growing. Last year alone, Wake EMS responded to more than 130,000 calls for help.

This is really the main reason for the job is to just help everyone else and be there for people. really at sometimes you know their worst times so it's just nice to be able to work with the county for the county congratulations to all of our new first responders in wake county who will be out there saving lives way county deputies out and about on a different kind of mission this evening they traded the streets for stores as part of shop with the sheriff event deputies joined children at learning express toys and carry this evening 12 children were given two hundred dollar gift cards to fulfill their holiday wish list. I think it's important because they need to understand that they're protecting us and

that they're doing things to help the community and what a what a safe place we live in because of the sheriff's department. There are two other events happening at the Walmart and Nightdale on Saturday and then at the Target and Garner next Thursday. The Wake County Sheriff's Office's Charitable Foundation helped to keep this holiday tradition alive. It's a great way for them to connect with people in the Sheriff's Department. All right, Don's back with us to dive into what's come on our way at the end of the week and also to talk about maybe a brush with a little winter weather next week.

Uh-oh, Don, you're busy. It has been a busy night, yeah. And also, we've got a viewer pick to show you that's kind of cool. Show that in just a moment. Taking a look at your seven-day forecast. Tomorrow will be fine, actually. Tomorrow will be warmer 55. Friday is when we could see a winter remix in the morning,

change you over to all rain before it exits around lunchtime. Saturday. I have damp start in there, but most places won't see much in the way of rainfall, and it clears out. And then we warm up on Sunday. Let's take a look at this viewer pick coming to us out of Raleigh. Jacini Tyler shot this tonight. A ring around the moon means rain or snow soon. That's the old weather saying. And sure enough, that's what we're seeing. Rain or snow headed in. This is created by the high ice crystals of serious clouds. If you want a better explanation on it, it's on all my social media. Just go to my story. You'll be able to find. that out. All right, live look at First Alert Doppler net tonight, scanning the skies dry across the Carolinas. Looking down into Fayetteville right now in the self-help sky cam, 36 degrees clear skies. Winds are calm, so not much of a wind chill tonight. Maniota Murphy, numbers in the 30s across most of the state. The only 40 is down here at Wilmington. They're at 41, 32 at ECU, as well as up at Chase City. 33, Lumberton, 34 in the triad. 30 out in Boone, so a little warmer than last night. Murphy's at 28. see quiet weather tonight into tomorrow. Just a few high clouds drifting through those serious clouds making that ring around the moon. That is it. But back here we're seeing this storm system start to form. This is the thing that will bring us the rain slash sleet slash snow sometime Friday morning. Now here's your first alert predictor forecast model. So we'll start tomorrow 6 a.m. or dry. You'll be just fine. You'll lead the sunglasses actually on the way to work. As you get home tomorrow afternoon, those temperatures will be warmer in the mid 50s. We'll see some.

high cloud starting to move in still should be a pretty sunset may even see a ring around the moon tomorrow night as well now by 4 a.m. on friday we're seeing the leading edge of this moisture get here may take a little while for the atmosphere to moisten up a bit so this could show a bunch on radar but not be showing a lot at the surface initially could start off as some snow or mixed precipitation sleet or freezing rain then as we go through the morning by 10 a.m. that warm air is really starting to win out and i think between 10 and noon this is a exiting the region by Friday night. If you've got any Friday evening planes, you're going to be just fine. Friday night into Saturday, the temperatures will tumble into the 30s. And so that may make for some slick spots on Saturday morning just on some of the bridges. Most of the roads are going to be fine. Ground temperatures are warm. But we'll have to watch for that on Saturday morning. For tomorrow, 55 degrees. Warmer than it was today. A little bit warmer. Clouds increasing across the region. Temperatures across the region tomorrow in the 50s, 54 out your door. Holly, Holly Springs, Carrie, Carborough, 55 down in Lillington, Clinton, 56 in Fayetteville. You go north, 52 in Henderson, 54 in Rocky Mount, Wake Forest, and Wilton. Your seven-day forecast, powered by Accuweather, Friday, that winter mix in the morning. By the afternoon, it's out of here. Saturday, a slight chance at a rain shower, but if you're headed to the tree lighting and carry with Lauren Johnson or you're headed to the Durham tree lighting, you're going to be just fine.

Sunday 51, mostly cloudy skies. Monday, I've got a rain shower chance, but as this ends, we do see some cold air working in, so it may end as a few snowflakes. Nothing you're going to have to shovel. Don't break out the sleds. You're not going to need anything like that. And then Wednesday, a little bit warmer as we stay in the 50s.

And lots of questions on that Monday. We'll keep an eye on that. But not a lot of questions on Friday. Looks like we could see a mess in the morning. Okay. Don, thank you. Still ahead here on eyewitness news, we're going to show you an unprovoked attack. Wait until you see why this police canine

appeared to be going over there admiring a snowman. Reason number 37 why Nissan is built for our winter. Because winter getaways should be cozy, not cold. Kick standard heated front seats and side mirrors help keep you warm and your view clear. That's winter ready. Now, Lisa 2026 kicks S front wheel drive for 349 monthly at 3.9%. Or get $2,000 cash purchase,

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Okay, first check out this little girl right here. She decided to let her dreams of becoming a hairstylist run a little wild, and let's just say she needs a few classes before she starts cutting hair. Aw. What did you do that? Okay, go. Look, who hasn't given themselves a haircut before, right? The family in Crescent City, California was pretty supportive, though. The dad saying his daughter looks beautiful regardless of that haircut, but her siblings think she needs.

thinks she now needs to get a wig to cover that thing up. Yeah, there was like a little symphony of giggles back there. That's right. They're having a good time, no doubt about it. All right, you can call this dog a Grinch. This is video from Wisconsin. This is a police dog named Chase. You look at him and you think he's admiring a snowman.

What we can't see are the thoughts running through Chase's mind. Chase had his heart set on one thing on that stone man. The stick. After sniffing around for a bit, the dog quickly goes after the target, grabs the stick arm of the snowman takes off. Now the police department is calling this an unprovoked attack. The police dog's a thief. A thief in the day, not even the nights.

All right, finally, we're seeing a pretty dazzling Christmas tree right here. That's nothing short of an example of some pretty brilliant engineering. This is out in Burbank, California. The homeowner has shared this video of the Christmas tree with mechanical Christmas villages along with trees and even a ferris wheel on that thing. I don't know. Does that actually still count as a regular Christmas tree? As a girl who doesn't have her tree up, it absolutely does. I'm not going to shame anyone who went to these great lengths.

Yeah, that is a wild sight. Maybe it's just a phase you're going through. You'll get over it. I can't help you with that. The next appointment is in six months. You're not alone. Finding mental health support shouldn't leave you feeling more lost. At CAMH, we know how frustrating it can be trying to access care.

We're working to build a future where the path to support is clear, and every step forward feels like progress. another wrong turn. Visit camh.ca to help us forge a better path for mental health care. And we're going to be able to be. I'm going to be. We're going to be able to be. ALEEN SULLIVAN. We're going to be able to be.

Steve Lauren, NC State going to a bowl game, Dave Doran going strong into year, Yeah. And so interesting that he's trying to suggest it's not just about the NIL dollars. There's more to this relationship when you're picking a college. How about that? Yeah, he talked about the parents and how important it was to them as well. Some old school values in that NC state programs while strong. Yeah. Trey, thank you. And thank you at home for watching. It's going to do it for us here tonight. Jimmy Kimmel is on the way next and we are hoping to see you back here tomorrow night at 11.

Remember the news is always on at ABC11.com. Good night. ABC 11 eyewitness News is sponsored by Capitol Chevron.