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Person Injured After Bear Enters Home in Asheville, North Carolina

Person Injured After Bear Enters Home in Asheville, North Carolina

A person was injured after a bear entered a home in Asheville, western North Carolina, on Tuesday night around 9 p.m. Authorities reported that a female bear, accompanied by her three cubs, gained entry to the residence through an unlocked door. The North Carolina Wildlife Commission, Buncombe County EMS, and the Reems Creek and Asheville Fire Departments responded to the scene. The injured individual sustained injuries while attempting to escape the home, though the extent of their injuries and current condition have not been released. The bear and her cubs had left the premises before emergency crews arrived. The Reems Creek Fire Department issued a public reminder for residents in areas with active bear populations to exercise caution, secure potential food sources and attractants, and ensure doors and windows are locked. They also advised against approaching or interacting with bears.

Asheville Resident Injured by Bear Entering Home, Wildlife Officials Plan to Dispatch Animal

Asheville Resident Injured by Bear Entering Home, Wildlife Officials Plan to Dispatch Animal

A person in Asheville, North Carolina, sustained non-life-threatening injuries after an adult female bear entered their home through an unlocked door on Tuesday night. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. while the bear's three cubs were playing on the front porch. The victim was hurt while attempting to create an escape route for the bear. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) reported that the victim was treated at a hospital and subsequently released. The NCWRC clarified that the victim was not intentionally feeding the bear, but the animal had repeatedly accessed pet food inside the home via the unlocked door and unsecured trash outside. Following an investigation, the NCWRC has determined that the adult female bear poses a threat to human safety and plans are underway to catch and humanely dispatch it. Efforts are also being made to capture the cubs and relocate them away from human-related food sources, as they are considered self-sufficient at their age.

Person Injured in Bear Attack in Asheville, North Carolina

Person Injured in Bear Attack in Asheville, North Carolina

A person sustained injuries in a bear attack that occurred on Tuesday night in Asheville, North Carolina. The Reems Creek Fire Department confirmed the incident, with multiple agencies, including Buncombe County EMS and the Asheville Fire Department, responding to the scene. The extent of the individual's injuries and their current condition remain unknown. The North Carolina Wildlife Commission has been notified of the incident and is expected to release further information regarding the attack on Wednesday. This event highlights the ongoing interactions between wildlife and human populations in the region.

North Asheville Resident Encounters Bear Inside Home, Prompts Safety Measures

North Asheville Resident Encounters Bear Inside Home, Prompts Safety Measures

A north Asheville resident, Whit Alexander, discovered a black bear inside her home via her security camera. The incident occurred on August 18, prompting immediate concern for her pets. Upon returning home, Alexander found her dogs safe but the bear still present, which she then ushered out. This event follows a separate incident where a bear injured another north Asheville resident. Alexander's neighbors have also reported recent bear encounters, including one instance where a bear entered a neighbor's porch and accessed dog treats. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has advised residents to take measures to deter bears, such as securing trash and pet food and removing bird feeders when bears are active. Alexander's family has since stopped using their doggy door and has placed 'unwelcome mats'—plywood slabs with nails—on their back deck as a deterrent.

Asheville Fire Department Responds After Bear Enters North Carolina Home, Injuring Resident

Asheville Fire Department Responds After Bear Enters North Carolina Home, Injuring Resident

A person was injured after a bear entered a home in Asheville, western North Carolina, on Tuesday night around 9 p.m. The North Carolina Wildlife Commission, Buncombe County EMS, and the Reems Creek and Asheville Fire Departments responded to the scene. Firefighters indicated that a female bear appeared to have opened an unlocked door to gain entry into the residence. The bear and her three cubs had left the premises before emergency crews arrived. The injured individual sustained injuries while attempting to escape the home. The extent of their injuries and their current condition have not been released. The Reems Creek Fire Department issued a public reminder for residents in areas with active bear populations to exercise caution, secure potential food sources and attractants, keep doors and windows secured, and avoid approaching or interacting with bears.

Asheville Citizen-Times

Bear safety tips for Western North Carolina after bear attack

Bear safety tips for Western North Carolina after bear attack

A black bear swatted at a Western North Carolina man after entering his home. Here's how to stay safe if you encounter one.

Asheville Citizen-Times

Asheville leaders push police department to end contract with Flock

Asheville leaders push police department to end contract with Flock

Asheville police say they have safeguards that help protect the public, but some City Council members are calling for an end to the Flock contract.

Asheville Citizen-Times

Buncombe releases sidewalk plans for growing county population

Buncombe releases sidewalk plans for growing county population

Buncombe County is drafting its first pedestrian plan. Projects would add 16 miles of sidewalks and improve safety for residents.

Asheville Citizen-Times

Buncombe board approves 191 townhomes near Asheville Regional Airport

Buncombe board approves 191 townhomes near Asheville Regional Airport

Buncombe County approved 191 townhomes near the airport while delaying two other major apartment proposals.

Buncombe County Approves $1.6 Million Contract for New Indoor Recreation Facility with Resilience Features

Buncombe County Approves $1.6 Million Contract for New Indoor Recreation Facility with Resilience Features

Buncombe County, North Carolina, has unanimously approved a $1.6 million contract with Raleigh-based Method Studio for the design and oversight of a new indoor recreation facility at the Buncombe County Sports Park in Enka-Candler. This facility marks the county's first major indoor space to be managed by its parks and recreation system. While primarily a recreation center, the design firm's contract refers to it as a 'Community Resiliency Center,' incorporating features such as rooftop solar with battery storage, an emergency power generator, a rainwater capture cistern, and medical supply storage. The facility is planned to include two high-school regulation basketball/volleyball courts, spectator seating, locker rooms, offices for the Parks and Recreation Department, a catering kitchen, and conference rooms. Its gym space will be flexible for community events or voting. The exact location within the sports park is still being determined, with a likely spot at the entrance on the former Sand Hill Element...

UNC-Led Research Reveals Lyme Disease Ticks Gaining Ground in Western North Carolina

UNC-Led Research Reveals Lyme Disease Ticks Gaining Ground in Western North Carolina

New research led by the University of North Carolina (UNC) has found that ticks carrying Lyme disease are becoming more prevalent in western North Carolina. The study, which focused on Biltmore Forest in Buncombe County, revealed that approximately 40% of adult blacklegged ticks tested carried Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. This infection rate is comparable to those historically observed in parts of the Northeastern U.S., an area traditionally associated with high rates of tickborne illness. Dr. Ross Boyce, a UNC Health infectious diseases specialist and researcher with UNC School of Medicine, highlighted that this finding is striking given previous assumptions that Lyme disease was not widespread in North Carolina. The research also detected other disease-causing bacteria in the ticks, including those associated with anaplasmosis and hard tick relapsing fever, potentially marking the farthest south these pathogens have been found in ticks.

Moore County Commissioners to Hold Public Meeting on Flock Camera Privacy Concerns

Moore County Commissioners to Hold Public Meeting on Flock Camera Privacy Concerns

Moore County commissioners are holding a special public meeting with the sheriff's office to discuss Flock cameras, which are automatic license plate readers. The meeting, scheduled for Monday at 4 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the Moore County Senior Enrichment Center in West End, was planned weeks ago due to ongoing community concerns about privacy and potential misuse of the system. The Moore County Sheriff's Office is expected to present information on the cameras and address public questions. This comes less than a week after Moore County deputies reportedly used these cameras to track Demetrius Aggelis, a suspect in a triple homicide in Pinebluff. Flock Safety, the Atlanta-based company behind the cameras, states their devices are designed to assist in locating missing persons, identifying stolen vehicles, and tracking criminal suspects. However, critics are concerned about the breadth of data searches and the oversight of officer access, especially given past accusations of two North Carolina officers u...