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Nearly 300 Individuals Evaluated for Rabies Exposure from North Carolina Petting Zoo Goats

Nearly 300 Individuals Evaluated for Rabies Exposure from North Carolina Petting Zoo Goats

Hundreds of people in North Carolina are being evaluated for potential rabies exposure after interacting with goats from a mobile petting zoo. Three baby goats from Farm Adventures in Harmony, North Carolina, tested positive for rabies, and a fourth was presumed to have the disease; all four were euthanized. State health officials reported that between July 28 and August 27, the farm took these goats on a statewide tour to 10 different locations. As a result, nearly 300 individuals have been evaluated for possible exposure, with over 200 advised to receive rabies vaccinations. The goats are believed to have been exposed to rabies by a skunk that entered their pen in late July. Farm Adventures stated on social media that the baby goats were too young to be vaccinated against rabies and that they were unaware any of the goats had been bitten.

New Homebase Clubhouse Opens in Saratoga Springs to Support Mental Health Amidst Shelter Closure

New Homebase Clubhouse Opens in Saratoga Springs to Support Mental Health Amidst Shelter Closure

RISE Housing and Support Services has opened its Homebase Clubhouse on Union Street in Saratoga Springs, New York. This new facility is designed to provide a voluntary, safe, and supportive environment for adults facing mental health challenges. It offers resources such as nutritious meals, social support, employment and life-skill training, and opportunities to connect with peers. The Homebase Clubhouse is the first of its kind in Saratoga County and one of seven new clubhouse programs being launched across New York State, funded by a $6.3 million grant from Governor Kathy Hochul, with nearly $1 million allocated to RISE. The opening of the clubhouse coincides with the impending closure of RISE’s 24/7 low-barrier homeless shelter, which is set to cease operations in less than two months. While the clubhouse does not offer overnight shelter, RISE Executive Director Sybill Newell anticipates it will serve approximately 60 individuals daily, providing an alternative daytime resource.

Asheville Citizen-Times

WalletHub ranks North Carolina among top 15 happiest states in U.S.

WalletHub ranks North Carolina among top 15 happiest states in U.S.

WalletHub rankings were made based on three key metrics. See where North Carolina ranked among top 15.

North Carolina Authorities Identify Remains of 15-Year-Old Girl Missing Since 1977, Investigating as Homicide

North Carolina Authorities Identify Remains of 15-Year-Old Girl Missing Since 1977, Investigating as Homicide

Authorities in North Carolina have identified human remains found nearly 49 years ago as Cindy Marcell Blizzard, a 15-year-old girl who ran away from her Maryland home in the spring of 1977. The skeletal remains were discovered on December 29, 1977, in a wooded area near a manufacturing facility in Wilson County, North Carolina, approximately five hours south of Blizzard's residence. A medical examiner at the time determined the remains belonged to a white female between 16 and 23 years old and had likely been there for six months to two years. Due to the circumstances of the discovery, investigators are treating the case as a homicide, though the manner of death remains undetermined. The case went cold for decades as forensic technology was insufficient for identification. It was reopened in 2010 by a state anthropologist who submitted the remains for DNA testing. Significant progress occurred in 2024 when the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation's (SBI) Cold Case Investigative Team utilized advan...

Georgia and South Carolina Combat Invasive Yellow-Legged Hornet Threatening Honeybee Colonies

Georgia and South Carolina Combat Invasive Yellow-Legged Hornet Threatening Honeybee Colonies

Georgia and South Carolina are actively working to eradicate the yellow-legged hornet, an invasive species from Asia that poses a significant threat to honeybee colonies in the southern U.S. The hornets, which first appeared in Georgia in 2023, likely arrived via a cargo ship. They are known to ambush and dismember honeybees, consuming their thoraxes to feed their young. This predatory behavior causes honeybees to become reluctant to leave their hives, leading to colony collapse. Brad Cavin, who leads South Carolina's invasive species response team for yellow-legged hornets, reported finding 16 nests in South Carolina in 2024 and destroying approximately 500 this year. In Georgia, trackers have removed about 80 nests this year. Sightings have now also been reported in North Carolina. Eradication efforts involve tracking hornets back to their nests, which can be as large as an exercise ball and are often hidden in trees or under roofs, and then injecting them with insecticide or removing them physically, so...

U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown Highlights Opening of New Mental Health Crisis Center in Cleveland

U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown Highlights Opening of New Mental Health Crisis Center in Cleveland

U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Cleveland's new mental health crisis center, the Glick Recovery Campus, on September 4. Brown emphasized that the center aims to revolutionize community responses to crises, moving away from traditional methods like jail time or emergency room visits. The facility, run by The Centers, a nonprofit health organization, will offer a wide range of services under one roof. These include 24/7 walk-in crisis services, which are set to open on September 28, and an outpatient health center opening on September 14. Additionally, beds for individuals undergoing drug or alcohol withdrawal are expected to become available in January. The campus is designed with a 'no wrong door' philosophy, accommodating voluntary walk-ins, police and EMS drop-offs, and even individuals requiring involuntary holds, a service previously lacking in other facilities. The crisis services will cater exclusively to adults.

Asheville Citizen-Times

North Carolina high school football schedule Week 4, including every WNC game

North Carolina high school football schedule Week 4, including every WNC game

See the schedule of North Carolina high school football games in Western North Carolina in Week 4 of NCHSAA, NCISAA season.

Asheville Citizen-Times

Who is our new No. 1 in Super 10 Football Rankings entering Week 4 of WNC season?

Who is our new No. 1 in Super 10 Football Rankings entering Week 4 of WNC season?

Who stepped up to become the new No. 1 in the Week 4 Super 10 WNC high school football rankings after Week 3?

North Carolina Supreme Court Hears Arguments in TikTok Lawsuit Alleging Harm to Children

North Carolina Supreme Court Hears Arguments in TikTok Lawsuit Alleging Harm to Children

The North Carolina Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a lawsuit filed by then-Attorney General Josh Stein against TikTok, alleging the platform knowingly harms children and teens. The lawsuit, initiated in 2024 and joined by 11 other states and Washington D.C., claims TikTok's content algorithm is designed to be highly addictive to young users, that the company misrepresented the app's safety, and deceived parents about its safety features. TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, are seeking to dismiss the case in North Carolina, arguing the state lacks personal jurisdiction and that the case should be heard elsewhere, possibly in California where TikTok is based in the U.S., or in federal courts. The state argues that TikTok's use of algorithms to target North Carolina residents with customized content establishes sufficient jurisdiction.

Five takeaways from UNC's 2026-27 ACC basketball schedule

Five takeaways from UNC's 2026-27 ACC basketball schedule

The UNC men's basketball schedule is now complete, with ACC opponents released on Wednesday. Here's five takeaways from the mid-week release.

Asheville Citizen-Times

NC announces $20 million to expand childcare in storm recovery areas

NC announces $20 million to expand childcare in storm recovery areas

The $20 million will support childcare facilities on UNC and community college campuses in areas affected by Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby.

Alexander County Home Destroyed by Fire, Lightning Strike Suspected Cause

Alexander County Home Destroyed by Fire, Lightning Strike Suspected Cause

A home on Douglas Court in Stony Point, Alexander County, North Carolina, was destroyed by fire over the weekend. The residence belonged to Stephanie Norton, who lived there with her twin 13-year-old sons and an 8-year-old family member. Fortunately, no one was inside the house when the fire erupted. Investigators believe a lightning strike during a severe thunderstorm may have caused the blaze. Firefighters arrived at the scene within two minutes of receiving the call, but the flames had already spread significantly across the roofline. Neighbor Sharon Watts described the intense weather conditions, including rain, wind, and thunder, before emergency services reached the location. Three fire departments responded to control the fire, with some firefighters being called from church services due to the storm. The family was left with only the clothes they were wearing, having learned of the fire from a neighbor's call.