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Neighbors complain of "animal abuse" in Weddington

Neighbors in Weddington say a local man is abusing animals by not feeding them, and leaving them outside for weeks at a time. WBTV has learned Union County Animal Control launched an investigation into the matter this week.

We're told the alleged abuse is at a flower and produce stand on the corner of Hemby and Providence Road. It's run by Herbert Stanhope Delaney, and neighbors say he's the focus of the complaint.

A concerned viewer sent us cell phone video on Monday. The video shows several dogs packed into a small cage on the stand's property. The viewer said the same dogs are out there in severe weather, forced to eat wet dog food, and live in their waste.

"It's the animal abuse that has thrown gasoline on the fire," said neighbor Mike Simon.

Simon is the president of the High Gate Homeowner's Association, just across the street from the dogs. He says for months, he's complained to the city and county, with no resolution.

Fire that injured firefighter ruled arson, warrants issued for resident

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- A Charlotte firefighter sustained minor burns while battling an apartment fire Monday afternoon in south Charlotte.

Police have warrants out for the resident of the apartment, Elizabeth Kummer, 32, for arson. They say she intentionally set the fire.

The call came in at 1:08 p.m. for an apartment fire on Harrowfield Road near Johnston and Carmel Roads, according to the Charlotte Fire Department.

Firefighters say the apartment at Carmel Village Apartments is a total loss and several pets were inside the apartment at the time of the fire.

The firefighter was treated by medics on scene for his injuries.

No word yet on if any one was injured who lived in the complex.

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Police kept busy overnight due to severe storms rolling through the area

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Emergency crews were kept busy overnight checking on tripped alarms thanks to heavy storms in the area.

When many people think of severe storms, they imagine the night sky being lit up like it was on fire, blinding rain or downed trees.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police see burglar alarms.

Another round of heavy weather came rolling through the area around 12:30am on Wednesday, bringing with it air-to-ground lightning strikes every few seconds, and rainfall coming down in buckets.

But with all of that, the headache didn't turn out to be massive damage, it was the power surges that came along with the storm system.

Officers said they responded to calls at several homes and businesses overnight.  Most checked out to be nothing.

When the fire department rolled up to a blaring alarm at the 7/11 convenience store off of Reames Road in north Charlotte however, they spotted smoke inside.

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Property tax cut proposed in Mecklenburg Co.

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Tuesday night, Mecklenburg County Manager Harry Jones proposed a 2.44 cent property tax decrease that would give residents the lowest tax rate in eight years.

The tax decrease is part of a budget proposal presented to county commissioners for the next fiscal year.

Jones said he was pleased to announce the tax proposal, made possible by what county leaders called conservative estimates on just how much money the county would bring in during 2012.

The property tax decrease would bring the rate down to 79.22 cents per $100 of valued property.

While many property owners will be excited about the proposal, not everyone will be happy with the overall budget.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools requested a $27 million increase from the county, which would have helped pay for a three percent raise in teachers' salaries.

Appeal denied for man found guilty of killing two CMPD officers

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- A man who shot and killed two Charlotte police officers in northeast Charlotte in 2007 has been denied an appeal to overturn his murder conviction.

In September 2010, Demeatrius Antonio Montgomery was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in the slaying of Officers Sean Clark and Jeff Shelton at the Timber Ridge Apartments in east Charlotte in 2007.  He is currently serving two consecutive life sentences without parole.

His new attorney filed an appeal, 217 pages long, in September 2011 in an attempt to get the conviction overturned. Several of the 16 reasons for appeal deal with Montgomery's mental competency.

The court ruled that the appeal was without merit and that the trial court did not err in procedure.

However, Montgomery's appellate defender, Andrew DiSimone said he is reviewing the possibility of filing a petition with the NC Supreme Court.

Mecklenburg makes progress in flood plains, but hundreds still at risk

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Over the past several years, Mecklenburg County has used federal dollars to buy out hundreds of flood prone properties. However, more than 1500 are still at risk of being damaged by rising waters.

One of those neighborhoods is Madison Park along Park Road, where dozens of homes along Mockingbird Lane and Wedgewood Drive sit in a flood plain. Neighbors tell WBTV when a nearby creek overflows, it can cover the roadway.

"A couple people in this neighborhood were instrumental in helping us make our new flood plan," said Dave Canaan, director for the County's Water and Land Resources.

He said even though 250 homes have been bought out, there are still many people at risk when it comes to flooding. A new plan just approved in May, will look at other cost effective options beyond buy-outs. One idea, Canaan said, is to elevate some structures. It would be a cheaper, long-term solution in some cases.