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Former probation officer sentenced on drug, extortion charges

BURKE COUNTY, NC (WBTV)- A former North Carolina probation officer was sentenced to nearly a year and a half in prison for extortion and drug trafficking offenses involving persons under his supervision.

According to U.S. Attorney Anne M. Tompkins, 46-year-old James David Franklin, of Lenoir, was also sentenced to three years of supervised release following his prison term.

From April 2001 through July 2010, Franklin was employed as a Surveillance Officer by the North Carolina Department of Correction's Division of Community Corrections (DCC) and supervised probationers on intensive supervision in Burke and Caldwell Counties, according to court documents and court proceedings.

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National Walk@Lunch Day: Take a walk during your lunch break

National Walk@Lunch Day: Take a walk during your lunch break

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Did you know it's National Walk@Lunch Day®?

National Walk@Lunch Day is designed to fit into your busy day. It was created to help improve personal health and decrease health care costs.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates the cost to treat illness and chronic disease caused by inactive lifestyles is nearly $1,000 for every family in America, every year. Simply getting 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, such as a brisk walk at least five times a week, has significant health benefits, lowering the risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease, hypertension or type 2 diabetes, and improving the health of muscles, bones and joints.

So on your lunch break today, break away from the desk for a few minutes, and take a walk. While you're out there, snap a picture with your phone and tweet it to @WBTV_News.

Congress weighs Internet shopping tax bill

Congress weighs Internet shopping tax bill

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- You're next online purchase could cost you more than you're used to.

A bill making its way through the Senate will make tax free shopping on the Internet a thing of the past, if that bill continues to receive the same swell of support it got Monday, when the Senate voted 74 to 20 to take up the bill.

The National Retail Federation is also standing behind the change. The group says it would even the playing field between brick and mortar stores and their online competition.

The proposal would require Internet retailers to tax you, and the sales tax would be sent to the state where a shopper lives.

But opponents say states are being greedy, and that the bill is just another way for lawmakers to raise your taxes.

Currently, states can only require online stores to collect sales taxes if the store has a physical presence in the state.

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NCHP ends "Operation Drive to Live" on a high note

NCHP ends "Operation Drive to Live" on a high note

RALEIGH, NC (WBTV)- The State Highway Patrol concluded "Operation Drive to Live" after a week-long education and enforcement campaign.

The campaign, which began on Monday, April 15 and ended on Friday, April 19, was focused on promoting safe driving awareness to teenage drivers.

During the operation, Troopers enforced all traffic laws around the state's high schools and conducted traffic safety education programs. Troopers were actively looking for violations such as speeding, following too closely, careless and reckless driving, and any violation of the motor vehicle laws that can result in serious injury or death.

In addition, Troopers presented over 100 traffic safety education programs to students across the state.

Officials say that mile for mile, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers. In 2011, 3,331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver, compared to 3,267 in 2010.

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New study links poor drinking habits to poor eating habits

New study links poor drinking habits to poor eating habits

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Every calorie counts towards your daily intake, so don't forget about the liquid ones!

And on top of that a new study suggests when we drink, we just don't eat right.

Rob Debreczeni was the poster child for the freshman 15 when he was in school.

"I started probably at 185, 180, somewhere in that range," said Rob.

But cafeteria food was not the culprit for the weight gain.

"Sitting down and having five or six beers I probably gained an easy 15 pounds," said Rob

He admitted to being a binge drinker in college.

"Well, when I was in a fraternity we had quite a few parties," said Rob.

"Binge drinking is identified more when you have one setting of drinking at least five drinks or more and that can be sporadic, it can be a few times a year, or hopefully, it's not weekly or a regular basis," said Registered Dietitian Michelle Ray with Novant Health.

Lyrid meteor shower responsible for few shooting stars

Lyrid meteor shower responsible for few shooting stars

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- If you happened to be out very early this morning, were far away from city lights, and were able to pick out the brightest streaks in the sky, then you may have seen the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower.

This shower occurs every year in mid to late April when the Earth passes through a trail of debris from the Comet Thatcher.

This year's biggest obstacle to viewing today was the moon, nearly full this morning, which reflected enough sunlight to block out all but the brightest meteors.

Some meteors will be visible until April 25th. Rarely, outbursts of up to 100 meteors per hour can be seen, although more commonly this meteor shower will produce only 15-20 meteors per hour.

If you do happen to snap a shot, we'd love to see your pictures!  Submit them here.

The next meteor shower, the Eta Aquarids, will occur on the nights of May 4-5.

Free shredding event Saturday

Free shredding event Saturday

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- The Better Business Bureau is offering a free, on-site, document shredding for individuals and small businesses this weekend.

It's part of the BBB's nationwide "Secure Your ID" day.

The shredding event is happening Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Providence High School on Pineville-Matthews Road.

There is a limit though: four large bags or boxes per car.

Not sure what to keep and what to shred? BBB has a records retention guide.

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