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May312024 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
North Carolina Zoo welcomes 30 millionth all-time guest

North Carolina Zoo welcomes 30 millionth all-time guest

NC Zoo
The North Carolina Zoo recently welcomed Maria Ines Perez, who became the 30 millionth guest since the site opened to the public in August 1974. (Photo Courtesy of the North Carolina Zoo) ASHEBORO — The North Carolina Zoo celebrated a historic milestone this month, welcoming its 30 millionth all-time guest since the site park opened in 1974. Late last year, the Zoo welcomed their one millionth guest for the year, and those attendance numbers are not letting up. In April of this year, the Zoo recorded a record for single-month attendance with 192,000 guests. Now, the world's largest natural habitat Zoo is celebrating another attendance milestone by welcoming their 30 millionth all-time guest since the site park opened just shy of 50 years ago. Maria Ines Perez, the lucky 30 millio...
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May252024 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
Special discount for Randolph County residents coming to North Carolina Zoo

Special discount for Randolph County residents coming to North Carolina Zoo

NC Zoo
[Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] ASHEBORO – Randolph County residents will be able to visit the North Carolina Zoo for just $5 for a limited time later this summer. The NC Zoo turns 50 in August, and as part of the celebration the Zoo will have “Randolph County Days at the Zoo.” From Aug. 5th through the 30th, Randolph County residents, along with up to three guests, can visit the Zoo for $5 each. “This is a program to give back to our community and express our gratitude for 50 Wild Years here in Randolph County,” said Diane Villa, deputy director and chief communications officer at the North Carolina Zoo. Randolph residents will need to make an online reservation to receive the discounted rate. Up to three accompanying guests, who do not need to be from Randolph County,...
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May102024 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
What’s New at the Zoo | New animals, Asia, and more!

What’s New at the Zoo | New animals, Asia, and more!

NC Zoo
Anana, the North Carolina Zoo's female polar bear looks through the glass into the Polar Bear Cave. [Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] ASHEBORO — This year marks the North Carolina Zoo’s 50th anniversary, and while Asia isn’t opening until 2026, 2024 is still a big and busy year for one of the state’s best attractions. Late last year, the Zoo welcomed their 1millionth guest for the year, and those attendance numbers are not letting up. In April, the Zoo recorded a record for single-month attendance with 192,000 guests, and the Zoo says it is approaching 30 million all-time visitors. Whoever it happens to be is going to be in for a surprise. Summer comes to the Zoo Each April, as temperatures and the number of daily guests rise, the Zoo switches into summer mode. The entra...
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May22024 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
Wednesday’s internet outage linked to fiber lines damaged by construction crews

Wednesday’s internet outage linked to fiber lines damaged by construction crews

Local
Underground fiber line - Stock Photo (Christian Schwier / Adobe Stock) ASHEBORO — An internet outage on Wednesday, affecting a large portion of Randolph County, has been linked to fiber lines damaged by construction crews. At about 3 p.m. Wednesday, an internet outage began to affect large parts of Randolph County. By 6 p.m., Randolph County Emergency Services had posted to Facebook that it was experiencing a “degradation in the phone and internet services affecting Brightspeed and AT&T customers.” The same outage also affected internet and telephone services at the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, which also notified the public through social media. Randolph News Now learned Thursday the outage was related to damage to two fiber lines, owned and operated by Brightspeed, that...
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May12024 by Randolph News NowNo Comments
Forest Service warns of coyote attack on Uwharrie Trail

Forest Service warns of coyote attack on Uwharrie Trail

Local
Coyote - Stock Image (Harry Collins / Adobe Stock) ASHEBORO — The U.S. Forest Service is warning visitors to be on alert following a recent coyote attack on a trail in the Uwharrie National Forest. In what is being called an isolated incident, early Saturday morning two individuals received minor injuries after being attacked by a coyote on the Uwharrie Trail near Big Island Creek. The U.S. Forest Service and N.C. state officials are working to locate the coyote involved.  According to a press release, encountering coyotes and other wildlife can be a common occurrence in the Uwharrie National Forest. Officials offered the following tips: Know before you go—contact the District Ranger’s office (open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) or visit the N...
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May12024 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
They’re Here: Cicadas re-emerge across North Carolina

They’re Here: Cicadas re-emerge across North Carolina

Local
Cicada Brood XIX, with their 13-year cycle, have begun to emerge across North Carolina [Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] ASHEBORO — It’s officially May and on top of flowers from April showers, this month will bring forth two broods of cicadas in the U.S. in a phenomenon not seen since the early 1800’s. If you have scrolled news articles or social media in the last few weeks you’ve probably come across headlines telling of a super rare event with “billions” of cicadas emerging this year. So, what’s happening? Periodical cicadas are insects that spend most of their lives living underground feeding off the sap of tree roots. In summer, as the ground warms, cicadas make their way to the surface to transform into adults and mate. Once above ground and transformed into adults, peri...
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Apr52024 by Randolph News NowNo Comments
NC Zoo warns of high attendance this weekend due to Spring Break

NC Zoo warns of high attendance this weekend due to Spring Break

NC Zoo
Visitors to the North Carolina Zoo view Johnthan the Chimp. (Acme News Archive) ASHEBORO — The North Carolina Zoo is warning visitors to plan ahead and be aware of expected higher than normal attendance through this weekend due to spring break. On April 1st, 2024, the N.C. Zoo officialy switched to spring hours, adding an extra hour, now remaing open until 5 p.m. Early spring has historically been the busiest time of year for the Zoo and officals says they anticipate high attendance through April 7th, due to spring break. In the interest of safety and preserving a positive vistor experience, and likley also to avoid traffic jams stretching out to the roundabout at the entrace again, the Zoo says they will be limiting access to the property when parking is full. "If you arrive ...
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Apr42024 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
Everything you need to know about Monday’s total solar eclipse

Everything you need to know about Monday’s total solar eclipse

Local
https://youtu.be/2MJY_ptQW1o Watch the NASA livestream of the eclipse on April 8th from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT ASHEBORO — On Monday, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, and while Randolph County isn’t in the path of totality, it will still be an astronomical event worth witnessing. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. To fully witness a total solar eclipse, including seeing the “ring of fire,” you’ll need to be within a 115-mile-wide area stretching from Texas to Maine called the path of totality.   None of North Carolina is in the path, so no one in the state will see the moon fully cover the sun. In Randolph County, astronomers say the moon will cover around 80% of the sun, maki...
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Mar62024 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
Ready to ‘Spring Forward’? Daylight Saving Time Starts this Sunday

Ready to ‘Spring Forward’? Daylight Saving Time Starts this Sunday

Local
Daylight Savings Time (Stock Photo / Randolph News Now) ASHEBORO N.C. - Daylight Saving Time starts this Sunday as most of the country 'springs forward' for the annual trade where we all lose an hour of sleep, in exchange for more daylight in the coming spring and summer months. When Does the Time Change Daylight Saving Time starts on Sunday, March 10th, 2024, at 2 a.m. As clocks 'spring forward' 2 a.m. becomes 3 a.m. Daylight saving time for 2024 will end on Sunday, November 3, 2024, 2:00 a.m. According to a poll by the Assoicated Press in 2021, "Forty-three percent want to stay on standard time year-round, while 32% prefer to see the clocks remain on daylight saving time.  Only 25% percent like the existing state of affairs in most of the country, shifting back and fo...
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Feb132024 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments
Vote for the NC Zoo for BEST ZOO in USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards

Vote for the NC Zoo for BEST ZOO in USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards

NC Zoo
(Image provided by the N.C. Zoo) ASHEBORO N.C. - The North Carolina Zoo is asking for your vote after being nominated to compete against twenty other zoos for the title of 'Best Zoo' as part of USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards for 2024. A panel of experts with USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards nominated their top 20 picks for the best zoos in the United States. Among those picks was the North Carolina Zoo. The nomination coincides with the Zoo's 50th anniversary this year. In a post on social media, the NC Zoo Soceity said that "chosen by industry connoisseurs and USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards editors, we're honored to be among the nominees." Now it's up to the public to vote. You may vote once per day through Monday, March 4 at noon ET. The top The 10 winn...
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