ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 11pm - February 21, 2026

Episode Date: February 22, 2026

Eyewitness News at 11pm - February 21, 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. But tonight we are taking you outside on this warm Saturday night. Skies in Raleigh and Durham are clear at this hour, but you will want to keep your umbrella close because rain is heading our way tomorrow. You are watching Godwinness News at 11 tonight. I'm Dwan Hoggar. Thank you so much for you. joining us this evening. Now we do start our next half hour together talking first alert weather. Skies across the viewing area have been cleared this evening following a morning of spotty showers. However, rain is set to return late tonight into tomorrow for that. Chief meteorologist Don Schwinnaker in for Cruz Medina tonight. Now Don, big question, when is the rain coming? How much can we expect?

Well, we expect that rain to work through overnight. Let's time it out for you. Your first alert predictor. First alert is Doppler net scanning the sky's not seeing any rainfall here. We're starting to see some show up out towards Charlotte, though. That will work east as we head through the overnight. So here's your first alert predictor forecast model. By about 3 a.m. It's starting to work in in spotty showers across the region. Between 3 and 7. That's when we expect more widespread rainfall to work through

and a better chance forward to the north, less of a chance off to the south. As we go through your Sunday, it will be hit or miss showers. And then there could be a second batch that works through in the afternoon, just very scattered. Live look into downtown Durham tonight,

gorgeous night to be out in about 53 degrees right now under a cloudy sky, east-southeast wind at five miles per hour, and numbers from across the region running in the 50s. Let's check you on the overnight forecast, and you'll notice by 3 a.m. There are the showers arriving. We're down to 50 degrees, and we could actually get into the upper 40s tonight with a few showers on the way. We'll talk more about that, and we'll first alert you to some warmer attempts in the seven-day forecast. It's all coming up for you just a bit. Duan? All right, Don, we'll see you again in a few minutes. Tonight, one man is dead and another man is facing charges after a car crash on I-440. It happened last night on the belt line between the

Glenwood Avenue exit and Lake Boone Trail. Investigators say the initial collision involved several cars. Those cars were moved to the shoulder of the highway. And while crews were clearing that scene, investigators say Jack Neville was speeding when he hit the back of another car. That car hit Eduardo Valdez, who was standing outside his vehicle that was involved in the initial crash. Valdez died from his injuries. Neville is facing multiple charges tonight, including demeanor death by vehicle. In fade, Villamann is facing charges this evening after police say he was involved in a deadly hit and run. It happened a little after 1015 last night at the intersection of Ramsey Street and Fernwood Drive.

Police say motorcyclist Ian Gaskins was traveling south on Ramsey when a car traveling north on Ramsey turned left on Fernwood Drive hitting the motorcycle. Gaskin died at the scene. The driver of that car kept going but was later identified as 43-year-old Roberto Coton Jr. He was arrested and faces multiple charges, including felony death by motor vehicle and driving under the influence. He's being held tonight at the Cumberland County Detention Center. Well, new tonight, two people are facing charges in connection to a multi-state retail theft ring. According to the Durham County Sheriff's Office, 21-year-old Jefferson DeNartez Chavez and 19-year-old Eden Nelson-Denartis Chavez are accused of stealing from retailers across the Carolinas and Virginia.

After an eight-month investigation, deputies arrested the two today at a home. on Liberty Street in Durham. Officials say during their arrest they found multiple stolen items including power tools, TVs and other items. Both suspects are being held at the Durham County Detenton Center. Well tonight Durham Fire is investigating an apartment fire that left more than a dozen people displaced. The fire department sharing this video from the fire at an apartment complex. This is all in the 2100 block of Broad Street. Crews say they were called to the scene shortly before 430 this afternoon. Officials say they

They were able to put out the fire quickly and rescue a dog who was trapped in an apartment. No one was hurt from that fire. However, 13 adults and four children have since been displaced. The Red Cross is assisting them at this time. Also in Durham, community members in the Bull City holding a vigil this evening for those who have lost their lives to gun violence. Brian Curry, Lawrence Hunt, Jr. Tonight's event comes after multiple deadly shootings in Durham in the past,

couple of weeks, many involving young people, community members were using tonight to call for peace and to talk about the ways to stand against gun violence. According to Durham Police, there have been nine homicides in the city so far this year. And just yesterday, Durham Mayor Leo Williams announced that the city is partnering with the University of Maryland's Violence Reduction Center to develop anti-violence strategies. On new tonight, the Raleigh Police Department Foundation is giving people a glimpse at the equipment officers were wearing during the shootout with a Garner murder suspect earlier this week where two officers were shot. The foundation sharing these pictures in a Facebook post tonight of that helmet and a shield that were damaged from gunfire.

The suspect, 26-year-old Solomon Owens, was also injured during this shootout. He has been charged with murder and the death of Joey Adams, who has found shot in his car on Timber Drive and Garner earlier this month. Owens is facing additional charges for that shootout with the officers. He's being held tonight in jail on no bond. Well, tonight as the U.S. military prepares for possible strikes against Iran, thousands of people in the war-torn country fill the streets today, marking the 40th day of mourning for those killed in recent protests. Now, here locally, Iranians here in the Triangle also rallying today,

the group driving from Briar Creek to downtown Raleigh with the former Iranian flags on their cars to raise awareness about what they say is the dire need for U.S. intervention in the country. Are John Dowding talking with organizers today about the importance of making their voices heard? A rally on the move this evening in Raleigh as Iranians in the Triangle urged the Trump administration to take immediate action to help the people of Iran. We need help. Please help and please be our voice and support us. Tonight, an urgent plea from Iranians in the triangle. The only message I have for all people, especially in the United States, to just help and support the people of Iran. They really need that.

Dozens gathered calling for an end to the Iranian regime and freedom for their loved ones still in the. the country as protests and Iran continue. A few friends got shot and got killed, so that's why I'm here to be their voice. It comes as President Trump is out with a stern warning for Iranian leaders as both sides negotiate a deal over a new Iranian nuclear agreement. We're either going to get a deal or it's going to be unfortunate for them. Back at home, Iranians and Raleigh urging the Trump administration to act. We want to be our people's voice and we want American government just,

Stop telling helpings on the way and act right now. President Trump act now, please. Dozens of local Iranians gathered for a car rally to make their voices heard, displaying what they say is the true flag of Iran, the flag flown before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The group started at the regal cinemas in Breyer Creek, driving down U.S. 70 and ending at the Marbles IMAX theater downtown. And tonight, Iranians share a message for their loved ones at home.

We're going to our our own of your sound of your tenhan not just million Irani out of the country with you have been as a

same way we're we're with you we're going to Pyrusy ABC News reports more than 7,000 protesters have been killed in Iran over the last month

Those we spoke to today say they worry the longer it takes for U.S. help to get to the country the more danger millions of people in Iran could be in in Raleigh this evening. I'm John Douting. EC 11. Our Witness news.

All right, John, many thanks. Time to talk college hoops. Now the Duke Blue Devils are celebrating a win tonight after beating number one-seeded Michigan this evening. The two teams facing golf at Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C. That's where we find our Trayvon Miles tonight. He was there at the game. Now, Trey, I have to put this in front of you after tonight. It's probably very safe to say that there is a new number one here in the U.S. in the top 25. And they will be residing in Durham.

You're exactly right, DeWan. We will see what happens with the AP poll come Monday. But this was dubbed the Capitol showcase, right? Two big time teams in our nation's capital. And it lived up to its name and billing. This was big, colossal. It was very, very big. Also, both of these teams put on a show.

When we got into the arena and we talked about it earlier, it had the feel of something different. It felt like we were at a big. bigger venue or just the buzz from the crowd and the excitement and the fans all felt that type of way. And that was before we even got to the game. The game was just as good as the environment. Duke held a two-point lead at halftime and down the stretch. They just executed perfectly.

Both teams, though, so complimentary of the competition and the atmosphere that DC provided today. This game helped us understand what a tournament environment is all about, even the practice. You know, to have a practice with, you know, I'm grateful for all the Duke fans that showed up today. That was incredible. So I'm thankful for this, just this whole event, the game, because I think it really simulates what's going to be. You play these games for a number of reasons. The crowd was amazing. I do think this will prepare us better for the NCAA tournament, whether it's a first round game or a Sweet 16.

the lead a game, whatever the case. If we're fortunate enough to be in one of those, this environment prepares us for this. This had a different feel than a lot of the games we played in this year. And the reason why it had a different feel was because during the game, they announced that this was the largest neutral site game this year. So that feeling that everything that palpable buzz that we felt in the air was real tonight, we definitely got a final four preview.

Duke deserves a ton of credit for the way. they finish down the stretch. We'll talk more about that later coming up. Yeah, Trey, certainly looks like a team that knows that after tonight they are number one in the nation, they're going to hold on to the number one spot. They look forward to seeing the tar hills again in another short couple of weeks. So we'll see how things play out. Thanks so much, Tray. Well, still to come, one person is missing tonight after an explosion at a feed mill in eastern North Carolina. Love the latest in that search. And the trade war continues. President Donald Trump announcing new global tariffs following yesterday's landmarks

Supreme Court decision, pulling most of his sweeping tariffs are illegal. Plus, a massive winter storm is barreling toward the northeast tonight, how people in that part of the country are preparing for the heavy snow and high wind heading their way. And Chief Meteorologist Don Schwinnaker back with the check of our 10th tonight. Yeah, and we're seeing dry conditions out there now. We've got rain headed into our region. We'll time it out for you coming up. And those numbers running in the 50s is going to get cold around here.

We go below freezing to start next week. We'll tell you about that next. Well, new tonight. Investigators are searching for a plant worker after an explosion at a feed mill in eastern North Carolina. It all happened at the Purdue Feed Mill plant in Hertford County. The county sharing the news on Facebook this evening. Officials say they were called to the facility around 2 o'clock this morning after reports of a fire. It was later determined an explosion had caused the fire. Four workers were on side of the time and one worker was still unaccounted for as of this evening. As of right now, the cause of that explosion is still unaccustomed. under investigation. President Donald Trump has announced he is increasing the global tariffs to 15%. Trump making that announcement on Truth Social today. He originally imposed 10% global tariffs on Friday after the Supreme Court ruled as sweeping tariffs violated federal law.

The president calling the decision, quote, ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American. I'm ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed for not having the courage to do what's right for our country. The new tariffs are allowed under a trade law. At least 2,000 companies have already sued the Trump administration to get refunds for the original tariffs, paid by some 300,000 importers. President Trump is set to hold a state of the union addressed this Tuesday for a joint Congress.

The number of Democrats have said they plan to boycott that event. All right now, millions of people across the east are preparing for a major winter storm headed their way. both New York and New Jersey have already declared a state of emergency, urging everyone to stay home and off the road. Tonight, here's ABC's Allison Kosick with the latest on that massive storm. More than 50 million people are bracing for heavy snow and high winds as a powerful nor'easter is set to batter the East Coast beginning on Sunday. I don't have snowblowers to offer anyone, but people coming in for shovels and plenty of de-oison products. The forecast now says some areas could see it.

as much as one to two feet of snow. A state of emergency declared in at least 22 counties in New York. This is going to be a brutal blizzard. In New York City, thousands of workers with the Department of Sanitation are on alert. Blizzard conditions expected in the city for the first time since 2017. New Yorkers can expect that Monday morning commute will be extremely hazardous with heavy snowfall and peak winds coinciding to create slippery conditions and greatly reduced visibility. New Jersey's Governor declaring a state of emergency starting at noon Sunday, urging people to stay home. We need to be prepared. We need to be safe. Get water. Get all of your charging done with your devices. Stay off the roads. Officials warning the incoming system could cause power outages with winds up to 60 miles per hour along the coast and coastal flooding.

The coast, you know, will get the brunt of this storm. Please take this storm seriously. The blizzard hitting the northeast less than a month after a storm walloped the region with more than a foot of snow in some places. That storm led to the cancellation of 20,000 flights across the country. The major airlines are offering travel waivers for impacted airports. Travelers should expect cancellations and delays through at least Wednesday. Allison Kosick ABC News, New York. All right, Chief Meteorologist Don Schwinnaker in tonight for Cruz Medina. Now, Don, I'm looking here at this map behind you.

I know that a lot of us, we have, you know, there are people who move down here from up north, so they're all thinking about family and friends who are under this winter storm watch. Yeah, and if you're going to be traveling, the problem is a lot of those flights go through those areas are going to be canceled the next couple of days. So it may affect you that way.

Look at all these warnings. All the orange areas are blizzard warnings. They could see 10 to 14 inches of snow initially and wind creating white out conditions up and down the coast. Winter storm warnings all the way, back through the Allegheny Mountains of central Pennsylvania. A few of winter storm watches through upstate New York and into New England tonight. But they are in for a mess.

And this is what we call. This is almost like a hurricane, the shape of it. You can see the eye of it here. You may hear the term bomb cyclone. It's kind of a hot buzzword. And that's just this system could really turn into a weather bomb, basically. And it's going to throw so much moisture, so much snow and so much wind their way. It's definitely going to be a major story the next couple of days.

Around here, our story is rain. We're not seeing any out there tonight. We will live lookout at level 7. Oh, there were some folks sitting out there. They must have called it tonight. 52 degrees right now under a cloudy sky. Mannyota Murphy, 47 at the coast. 50 here, 46 up in Chase City.

The triad checks in at 51, 55 in Charlotte, 46 in Boone, 55 down in Myrtle Beach. Tonight we'll see those temperatures dipping into the 40s for lows. degrees. Rain moves in after midnight and it will stick around into the morning hours. A look at the satellite radar composite. You can see the showers out west of us through Tennessee. This system pulling out of Georgia tonight. These are going to combine to make that nor'easter and that's what will just hammer the east coast with snow. First alert predictor forecast model as we go through the overnight. Here's the showers in by 5 a.m. We see the rain starting to fall. Then as we get toward 10 o'clock to showers become a little more scattered.

Later afternoon as that last piece swings through, it brings us one more batch of showers in the late day. Surface map shows that pulling out of here and very blue cloudy skies and colder temperatures working in on Monday. Forecast for tomorrow looks like this 48, Raleigh, 46 Durham and 53 in Fayetteville. Your seven-day forecast showing 45 on Monday feels like temperatures in the 30s all day long. And Monday night into Tuesday, it is going to be chilly down into the. 20s for lows. Tuesday afternoon, 47, 60s back by Wednesday. Cain's return on Thursday after the Olympic break and temperatures will be in the 60s. We'll be right back. Well, a beloved Chapel Hill restaurant that made it through Tropical Storm Chantal last summer opened its doors to customers

again today. ABC 11's Tom George showing us how their long road to recovery is finally playing off. Stepping inside keep us. The Alecchukin represents a timeless ability to have faith and believe in. a journey to owner Georgios Bakatsyasas' native Greece. The place is pretty much reborn. The kitchen, the wood-fired grill, the bar back open. Of course, we brought back all new equipment, all new finishes. A far cry from what it looked like when Chantal hit, the water rising as high as six feet. We could have had a beautiful Greek taverna by the islands or you only swim there.

That could have been possible. It's been a tough past year. Last summer, floodwaters tore through Orange County. Tropical storm, Chantal devastating multiple homes and flooding businesses in the Eastgate shopping center in Chapel Hill, including Kipos. It's been a long road to rebuild. We didn't have as much luck with the insurance that we'd like to have, but we were committed to bringing this restaurant back because it was very important. One of the only things that survived the flood, these family photos from Greece. Of course, this restaurant when I opened it, it was honoring the ancestors and they were more resilient than I will ever be.

So that's the least I can do is to make sure that this restaurant comes back. And today, finally getting to put aside some of that toughness and resilience and just celebrate. Extremely exciting. So exciting, I can be doing jumping jacks through the ceiling, through the roof. In Chapel Hill, Tom, Georgia, ABC 11, I witness news. Hi, Tom, any thanks for that. All right, the hardest working sportswoman here in the triangle is here back in studio. Kate, of course, got to give you your flowers.

Look, what a basketball game that we are able to enjoy tonight. just a lot of folks who are Blue Devil fans feeling good tonight. This is one of those games where I always wonder, why do people wait to get so tuned to college basketball until March? We have so many of these big time games that started in November, of course, tonight in February. This was a huge tune-up for the Blue Devils. As March is right around the corner, we show you how they beat Michigan, and we check in with Trayvon Miles, and we come back from sports.

Duke Head Coach John Shire does everything for a reason. Thank you so much for choosing us tonight. We certainly appreciate it. The latest eyewitness news. It all starts off in just a few short hours at 6 o'clock tomorrow. Thanks so much for watching.