Local Archives | Page 11 of 17

Apr212022 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

North Carolina Zoo Announces the Permanent Closure of its Aviary Habitat

NC Zoo

ASHEBORO, N.C. (NC ZOO)– Today, the North Carolina Zoo announces the permanent closure of its Aviary Habitat. Built in the early 1980s, the 40-year-old domed structure requires significant repairs due to the effects of high humidity and wet conditions. The difficult decision to close and take down the habitat has been made by Zoo leadership and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. "For 40 years, the Zoo's Aviary offered a special place to connect with nature," said North Carolina Zoo's Director Pat Simmons. "The free-flying birds and tropical plants served as an oasis for many people - guests and staff alike. It was a heart-wrenching decision to close the Aviary; however, safety is our highest priority.” There are 93 birds of 33 species that are in the process ...

Apr142022 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

“Marginal” Risk of Severe Weather This Afternoon

Weather

ASHEBORO N.C. - Forecasters are warning of a slight risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon as a cold front responsible for damaging storms approaches the Triad. A few strong storms are possible this afternoon through early evening (mainly after 4pm) as a cold front enters the Triad and encounters warm moist air. That front has already weakened and it is expected to weaken even more as it passes over the mountains. Still forecasters are saying that damaging straight line winds of up to 60 mph with hail up to an inch in diameter are still possible. Storms are expected to clear the area by late tonight, between 11 pm and midnight, but the cold front will push temperatures down overnight with lows around 49 F with winds 6 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. ...

Apr122022 by Sky EmersonNo Comments

NC Zoo Announces Special Events For Earth Day

NC Zoo

NC Zoo (Stock Photo) - Scott Pelkey / Acme News Archive ASHEBORO N.C. - April 22nd is Earth Day, and the North Carolina Zoo will be celebrating with special happens across the park. 12:00pm - 4:00pm: Seed Giveaway of North American native flowers at North America & Africa Exists10:00am - 2:00pm: Cup & Bottle Exchange at North America & Africa entrance plazas. Bring an aluminum can or plastic beverage bottle to us for recycling and exchange it for a refillable souvenir water bottle!Kid Zone will have several special activities:Ribbon tree featuring climate change messagesComposting talks & demonstrationsDetails on participating in the City Nature Challenge and the AZA BioBlitzYou can even bring an old electronic device for recycling to support Gorillas on the Line whi...

Apr62022 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

NWS Calls For Strong Thunderstorms Starting This Evening

Weather

ASHEBORO N.C. - The National Weather Service in Raleigh is warning of the risk of isolated severe thunderstorms are possible late with damaging winds starting this evening. A Hazardous Weather Outlook posted this morning warns of strong to potentially isolated severe thunderstorms starting tonight and continuing through Thursday morning. The main threat is damaging wind. The primary threat from these storms is damaging winds with wind gusts tonight reaching between 20 and 25mph. Forecast TonightA chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 63. South wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an i...

Mar222022 by Sky EmersonNo Comments

National Weather Service Warns Of Possible Severe Weather Wednesday

Weather

ASHEBORO N.C. - Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Raleigh have issued a hazardous weather outlook warning of possible severe thunderstorms, strong winds, and localized flooding for Wednesday. Almost all of central North Carolina including the Triad was placed under a level 2 "slight risk" by the Storm Prediction Center. Meteorologist say Wednesday afternoon, likely around 3 pm, is when they expect to see the greatest threat of severe weather. (Credit: National Weather Service) Thunderstorms in the afternoon may range from strong to severe with damaging winds as high as 60 mph possible. Minor flooding, hail, and even an isolated tornado are also possible. 3 Day Forecast WednesdayShowers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Some of t...

Mar222022 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Smoke From Controlled Burn Seen Across Randolph County

Local

ASHEBORO N.C. - Smoke from a controlled burn in the Uwharrie National Forest is creating hazy conditions across Randolph County. Today the National Forest Service is burning around 900 acres of land in the Uwharrie National Forest near Mt. Gilead. The US Forest Service says the goals of the prescribed burn is "to reduce available fuels for large fire growth in the recreational area, support low browse forage for wildlife, and enhance the rare Montane Longleaf Pine ecosystem and also the Oak, Hickory, and Shortleaf Pine ecosystem." The following trails will be temporarily closed for burn operations starting this morning: TR717 Burl Tree Way TR715 Tananger TR716 Rudolph TR714 Wren TR713 River Those trails are set to reopen on Wednesday March 23rd 2022, once Forest Serv...

Mar112022 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

Severe Weather Forecast This Weekend Expected To Bring Thunderstorms and Snow?

Weather

ASHEBORO N.C. - The National Weather Service office in Raleigh issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for central North Carolina this morning. Forecasters are saying a powerful storm system will bring the chance of severe thunderstorms tonight and again early Saturday before cold air pours in behind the storms on Sunday with wind chill readings expected to drop into the teens Saturday night intoearly Sunday morning. The strongest of these storms will be Saturday morning with meteorologist saying that localized downed trees and power lines, isolated structural damage, quarter-size hail, deadly cloud-to-ground lighting, Flash Flooding, and isolated tornadoes all possible. Also a possibility, that rain may briefly change to snow late Saturday morning and during the afternoon, before ending, m...

Mar82022 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Crews Set To Begin Blasting This Week At Greensboro-Randolph Megasite

Local

Crews mobilize for preparation work for the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite. (NC DOT) LIBERTY N.C. – Crews are set to begin blasting as early as this week as part of construction at the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite. In a press release the NC DOT says blasting operations will start as early as this week and continue over the next several months as crews work on the initial grading necessary to construct the manufacturing plant. Officials say blasting operations will take place during daytime hours only, and when weather permits. Ames Construction of Burnsville, Minnesota, was awarded a $17.8 million contract in January to conduct the initial site preparation. The General Assembly appropriated $135 million for NC DOT to work on site grading, roads, highway interchanges and other impro...

Mar72022 by Sky EmersonNo Comments

Statewide Tornado Drill Set For Wednesday March 9th

Weather

ASHEBORO N.C. - Schools, daycares, government offices, and businesses are set to participate in a statewide tornado drill this wednesday. The Statewide Tornado Drill is scheduled for Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at 9:30 AM. The drill, a part of national severe weather week is a program between the National Weather Service and ReadyNC.gov, a service of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. Designed to give people in the state a chance to review and participate in a tornado drill ahead of the upcoming tornado season. In the last 10 years North Carolina has seen 380 tornados according to data from the National Weather Service, 97 of those resulted in property damage, with 32 deaths, and 554 injuries. Watch vs Warning What is the difference between a Tornado Watch and a To...

Feb112022 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Weather Whiplash | NWS Calls for 60s Saturday, Snow Sunday

Weather

[RNN] - The old joke about "If you don't like the weather in North Carolina just wait a little bit" is an old one, but it's stayed around because it's true and this weekend is going to be the perfect example of that. (via https://www.memesmonkey.com) During the day Saturday the weather is going to be perfect for going out with partly cloudy skies and highs in the mid-to-upper 60s. That will last all day until a cold front begins to cross the Piedmont Saturday night dropping temperatures to around 37°F and bringing with it some lite sprinkles, changing to rain after 1 am. Sunday is going to be the opposite of Saturday with temperatures not moving from their overnight low of 37°F and rain is the morning turning to a mix of rain and snow continuing all day and through the night as...