Hamilton County judge arrested

Hamilton Superior Court Judge William Hughes is facing charges in North Carolina for driving while impaired and driving left of center. Hughes released a statement Monday, saying “I apologize to my family, my friends, my colleagues and the general public for any embarrassment that my arrest has caused them.” He was released on an unsecured bond after the Oct. 27 arrest on the Outer Banks and has an initial court appearance scheduled for Jan. 24. He is presiding over the Melvin Simon estate dispute, among other cases.