North Carolina
Former North Carolina Marine accused of child sex crimes facing up to life in prison
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WTVD) — A former Marine stationed in North Carolina is facing life in prison after he was convicted of multiple counts of child sex crimes.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said a federal jury convicted 25-year-old Anthony Joseph Fritzinger on five counts of production of child pornography, four counts of online exploitation of a minor, one count of possession of child pornography including a victim younger than 12, and two counts of extortion.
According to the DOJ, court records and evidence presented during the trial showed that Fritzinger tried to extort an 18-year-old online into sending him nude photos by threatening to distribute them when she was a minor. The teen’s parents then contacted local law enforcement, who gave the case to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). The NCIS then found Fritzinger’s online activities stalking, soliciting, and extorting minors to obtain sexual images and videos of them.
“We cracked this case because one victim had the courage to come forward, which led other brave victims to share their stories. This case is a warning to predators and wake-up call for parents. Closely monitor your kids’ social media accounts and talk to them about the dangers of strangers online who may pretend to be a friend,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley.
Investigators said Fritzinger, who was stationed at Cherry Point Air Station, used teen online “dating” websites such as Spotafriend and mylol.com to find and contact potential victims, and sometimes posed as a teenage girl. Fritzinger would then start an online relationship with the victims through social media, and encourage them to send him sexually explicit photos and videos.
“Anthony Fritzinger deserves to be held accountable for the predatory crimes he has committed against children, who are the most vulnerable members of our society. Such behavior has no place in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Kelly Parrish of the NCIS Carolinas Field Office.
When sentenced, Fritzinger faces up to life in prison.
Copyright © 2024 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
North Carolina
Stein announces $40 million in recovery, mitigation grants for Western North Carolina
MARION, N.C. (WTVD) — Gov. Josh Stein on Friday announced more than $24 million in mitigation grants and another $16 million for volunteer rebuilding organizations during a Western North Carolina Recovery meeting in Marion.
The funding supports longterm recovery from Hurricane Helene and is intended to help communities better withstand future natural disasters.
State officials said the mitigation grants will help local governments upgrade wastewater and water infrastructure, strengthen transportation systems, relocate facilities out of flood-prone areas, expand flood warning networks and develop shovel ready recovery projects. Nonprofit groups aiding families with home repairs and reconstruction will receive the volunteer-based grants.
“Western North Carolina is coming back strong from Hurricane Helene,” Stein said, adding that recovery requires cooperation among government, private and nonprofit partners.
North Carolina Emergency Management Director Will Ray said the grants reflect a “wholeofcommunity effort” to reduce risk and help towns rebuild stronger.
Over two dozen communities and organizations – including Conover, Hendersonville, Clyde, Marion, Black Mountain, Banner Elk and multiple county agencies – will receive funding for projects ranging from flood gauge installations to dam restoration and wastewater improvements.
WATCH | Hurricane Helene: One Year Later: WNC leans into its resilience, faith and hope
Hurricane Helene: One Year Later (1 of 26)
Copyright © 2026 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Gas prices are hitting the highest level since September 2024, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
On Friday, March 6, western North Carolina drivers were already experiencing shock at the pump.
News 13 caught up with some drivers at a gas station in Henderson County, where the price per gallon was just a penny under $3, sitting at $2.99.
This comes as Tuesday marked the largest single-day jump at the pump since March 2022, according to ABC News, citing Gas Buddy sources.
REPORT: ASHEVILLE GAS PRICES RISE, MORE INCREASES EXPECTED AMID WAR IN MIDDLE EAST
Drivers we spoke with say they’re feeling the fuel costs climb and needless to say, they’re not too pleased.
“Here, it’s the first time I’m seeing the price that high,” said driver and Hendersonville resident Ricardo Martineati. “We don’t understand why the price is going up, but it is what it is. I hope it comes back to what it used to be pretty soon.”
MARCH 6, 2026 – A gas station in western North Carolina. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
Part of the reason for the gas price change is that crude prices surged 35% this week as Iran threatens the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical route many oil producers use to get oil to market, ABC News reports.
Martineati knows it’s not much, but he says he’s got a strategy to save.
SEN. TED BUDD BACKS OPERATION EPIC FURY IN IRAN, WANTS TO AVOID ‘FOREVER WARS’
“Just try to slow down on the takeoff, on the coming to a stop to save some fuel, but that’s it,” Martineati said.
And with all this price pressure, he added that he’s picking a positive perspective.
“At least I’m not driving a diesel-fueled truck,” Martineati said.
While WNC hovers around $3 a gallon, depending on your location, the state is still below the national average of $3.30 a gallon, according to AAA.
North Carolina
NC to receive nearly $70M in FEMA funds, Madsion County manager says $14M hasn’t arrived
MADISON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Senator Tedd Budd’s office announced nearly $70 million in public assistance FEMA funds for Helene recovery toward the North Carolina Department of Transportation, cities and counties.
Madison County Manager Rod Honeycutt created a color-coded spreadsheet of projects, both paid and unpaid. Honeycutt said he sends the spreadsheet to federal leaders’ offices, including Budd’s, regularly to ensure staff are aware of what’s not reimbursed.
Honeycutt estimates about $14 million in reimbursements from FEMA haven’t come through.
As for the $1.9 million just approved for Madison County’s emergency protective measures, including laborers, equipment reimbursement, Honeycutt said the county doesn’t have it yet.
NORTH CAROLINA TO RECEIVE $70M IN ADDITIONAL FEMA FUNDING AS NOEM FACES CRITICISM
“It’s coming back to our fund balance,” said Honeycutt. “And we know it will take six more weeks for it to get through the state and to the county.”
Honeycutt estimates that within six months, FEMA will resolve all reimbursements. He said debris removal jobs along the French Broad River have been delayed as FEMA continues to review the applications.
In Marshall, the town has leased store spaces on Main Street, along with signs advertising leasing available. But longtime resident, artist and business owner Josh Copus is optimistic that Marshall and its community will thrive once again. He acknowledged that FEMA funds and reimbursements to clean up have been an important part of the area’s recovery.
MORE THAN $3.5M HEADED TO BURKE COUNTY FOR CONTINUED HELENE RECOVERY
“I would say our town is 50% fixed and our town was 100% destroyed, so 50% is pretty good,” Copus said.
The awards include:
- Biltmore Forest: $2.5 million for debris removal reimbursement.
- Buncombe County Sewage District: $1.57 million reimbursement for line repairs, vacuuming, line replacements and riverbank restoration.
- Old Fort: $1.15 million Westerman Street Waterline for potable water reimbursement.
- Mitchell County: $11.9 million for debris contractors, tipping fees and debris monitoring reimbursement.
- Buncombe County: $3.5 million toward labor costs for 836 laborers during and after Helene reimbursement.
- Asheville: $5.6 million for North Fork Treatment Plant repairs reimbursement.
- Lake Lure: $1.48 million for lake safety repairs reimbursement.
- Madison County: $1.9 million for emergency protective measures, including laborers, equipment reimbursement.
Delaware hoops loss worst in decades but Ingelsby has faith in future
Florida State men’s hoops vs. SMU: Preview, how to watch, game thread
Georgia basketball rises in latest NCAA Tournament projections
People Power Hawaii festival remembers pivotal Marcos ouster in Philippines’ history
JFAC approves Idaho National Guard education funding
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Tech company at odds with Pentagon warns its AI possibly gained consciousness, Elon Musk gives 2-word response
Israel kills father, daughter in Gaza as genocide continues amid wider war
Cleveland playground now a place of mourning for two girls found in suitcases
Man convicted of Iran-backed Trump assassination plot compared his plan to Butler shooting: FBI
‘Everyone loves Bukele,’ El Salvador’s VP Ulloa defends crackdown
-
World1 week agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Wisconsin6 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Massachusetts5 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Maryland7 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Florida7 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Oregon1 week ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling
-
Pennsylvania2 days agoPa. man found guilty of raping teen girl who he took to Mexico
-
News1 week ago2 Survivors Describe the Terror and Tragedy of the Tahoe Avalanche