Buncombe County authorities say 14 people have been charged with organized retail theft after thousands of items were seized from an Arden pawn shop. Two owners of Denny’s Jewelry and Pawn along with four employees and nearly a dozen other people have been charged. Investigators say they hauled off more than 4,000 items stolen from major local retailers during a raid last week.

14 PEOPLE FACE FELONY CHARGES IN RETAIL THEFT INVESTIGATION, OVER 4,000 ITEMS RECOVERED

Caption: 14 people face felony charges in retail theft investigation, over 4,000 items recovered

Flu cases in western North Carolina are ramping up as medical leaders encourage everyone to get their flu shot. The North Carolina Department of Health says that so far this fall flu cases are double what they were two years ago. With numbers already high they’re expecting the virus to gather steam and stress the importance of getting vaccinated.

GET VACCINATED: NUMBER OF FLU CASES WORRIES HEALTH OFFICIALS, WNC RESIDENTS

Caption: Get vaccinated: Number of flu cases worries health officials, WNC residents

The daughter of a pedestrian killed in Haywood County over the weekend is calling for more safety measures on the busy road where it happened. 71-year-old Laura Haberneck was killed on U.S. 19 near North Lakeshore Drive, which is the main entrance to Lake Junaluska. There are crosswalks across parts of U.S. 19. But they’re quite a way from the main entrance to Lake Junaluska, where Haberneck attempted to cross about lunchtime Saturday. She and her husband were at Lake Junaluska from Spruce Pine, staying at the campground across the busy road. Her daughter says she would like to see a crosswalk there, as well as flashing lights.

DAUGHTER OF PEDESTRIAN KILLED ON BUSY HAYWOOD COUNTY ROAD CALLS FOR CROSSWALKS

Caption: Daughter of pedestrian killed on busy Haywood County road calls for crosswalks{p}{/p}