Ben Smart

@CityofWS Questions I would like answered: (1) how was the 1-mile radius of evacuation determined? (2) given how comparative amounts of ammonium nitrate have reacted, what is the estimated blast distance range? And how is this calculated? @WFMY

There is no 11am news conference regarding the Weaver fire. The news conference is now planned for 1pm and will include Governor Cooper.

@AshleaOnAir Working with you made me a better journalist… you are so good at what you do and are going to be missed!

Some personal news... facebook.com/AshleaOnAir/po…

Residents in Southeastern Winston-Salem describe feeling the 2.4-magnitude earthquake around 9 a.m. Sunday morning. @WFMY

There is a press conference happening now. NC and Guilford County educators and parents are calling for increased school funding for teachers, air conditioning, bus drivers, and more. The state budget is currently two months late. @WFMY

To clarify, this new rule applies to elementary schools only

The Randolph County Superintendent says starting tomorrow kids will now eat lunch in classrooms and not in the lunchroom. He will inform principals after the meeting. He says “Our data is not good”. @WFMY

BREAKING: Randolph County Board of Education passed the mask mandate in schools indoors from August 30 at least until October 15. Motion passed 4-3. People left abruptly shouting angrily at the board. @WFMY

The superintendent said he wants the media to know there has been significant discussion throughout the pandemic between board members and himself. @WFMY

Debate and discussion is continuing about implications of possible mask mandate, case/vaccination rates, the COVID schools toolkit from NCDHHS, past actions by the board during the pandemic, impacts of virus on children, and more. No decision made yet. @WFMY

RCS Board Chair getting emotional sharing the story of his child who had Kawasaki Syndrome from a virus. He says he would not be able to have a sick child in the schools on his conscious. He pointed to the flag and said he is a God-fearing Republican like the audience. @WFMY

The mood is getting extremely tense. The board chair said he is ready to have officers escort people out. Two people left out of frustration. @WFMY

The crowd became heated and several people shouted when they were told by the board chair that there would be no public comment today, due to the fact that there was no public sign up available beforehand. @WFMY

Four out of roughly 60 people in the audience are wearing masks - one of the focal points of today’s board meeting. @WFMY

Randolph Co Health Director is speaking now. Crowd is interrupting with side comments and the board chair had to step in, and ask the crowd to respect her and allow her to speak @WFMY

Superintendent is reading his recommendation aloud for a mandate that effective August 30- cloth face coverings required indoors in classrooms. Grumbling from the audience. @WFMY

RCS Superintendent: “The issue today is face coverings”@WFMY

Superintendent: 150 more children have quarantined after COVID reported this weekend @WFMY

Currently one person sitting with the RCS board of education is wearing a mask. @WFMY

RCS Superintdent: We sent 530 students to quarantine from Saturday Aug 21- Friday 27 during the first week of school due to COVID exposure @WFMY

Security personnel are on hand at the meeting. @WFMY