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NCDOT Needs Feedback on Proposed Trail Expansion Project in Randleman

NCDOT Needs Feedback on Proposed Trail Expansion Project in Randleman

Government, Local
Map of proposed expantion from Great Trails State Implementation Report. RANDLEMAN N.C. - The N.C. Department of Transportation is seeking public input on plans to extend the Deep Rivier Trail in Randleman. The proposed project would extend the existing 1-mile Deep River Nature Trail in Randleman on both ends, creating a 5.6-mile trail segment along the Deep River that includes a scenic natural surface trail loop in a Deep River oxbow near Randleman Lake. The Deep River Trail expansion is one of 10 projects identified as part of the Great Trails State Implementation Report as having the most impact and being most ready for implementation. NC DOT says the projects were chosen for their equity benefits and connectivity to the larger state trails network. The project cost is esti...
NC Zoo | Desert Dome Welcomes Pair of Rare African Birds

NC Zoo | Desert Dome Welcomes Pair of Rare African Birds

NC Zoo
[Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] ASHEBORO N.C. – The Desert Dome at the North Carolina Zoo recently became the new home to a pair of rare African birds. Several months ago, two Von der Decken's Hornbills arrived at the North Carolina Zoo. Jake, the male, who came from the Los Angeles Zoo, and Zuri, the female, who came from the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in New York. After spending around a month in quarantine, a standard precaution, the pair were introduced to each other and now reside together in the Desert Dome. Von der Decken's Hornbills (Tockus deckeni) are a distinctive species of birds found in the arid regions of East Africa, particularly in Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania. The birds distinguishing feature, is its large bill, also called a horn.  “For them it's a too...
Arctic Air Mass to Bring Frigid Temperatures and Threat of Winter Weather this Week

Arctic Air Mass to Bring Frigid Temperatures and Threat of Winter Weather this Week

Weather
ASHEBORO N.C. – The National Weather Service in Raleigh is warning that an arctic air mass will bring frigid temperatures tonight and into Wednesday, with more dangerously cold temperatures and the threat of winter weather later this week. According to forecasters at the National Weather Service in Raleigh, a cold front will move across the region today bringing cold rain. Behind that cold front an arctic air will move into central North Carolina mass bringing frigid air and gusty winds of 15 to 20 mph tonight. Here in Randolph County, temperatures tonight and into Wednesday morning will plunge to 17 degrees, with windchill values reaching as low as 7 degrees, and that’s just round one. Round two comes Saturday night into Sunday morning when temperatures will again drop to as ...
NWS Issues Watches Ahead of Heavy Rain, Wind, Flooding Risk Tuesday

NWS Issues Watches Ahead of Heavy Rain, Wind, Flooding Risk Tuesday

Weather
ASHEBORO N.C. – Ahead of expected heavy rain, strong winds, and the threat of flash flooding on Tuesday the National Weather Service office in Raleigh has issued a Flash Flood Watch and Wind Advisory for much of central N.C. including Randolph County. According to forecasters, a strong storm system will bring widespread heavy rain, gusty to damaging winds, and the threat of a few tornadoes to central N.C. on Tuesday January 9th, 2024. Severe weather is expected to begin to arrive in Randolph County starting as soon as noon on Tuesday and is expected to continue until late into the night. WIND - South or southeasterly winds will increase to 15 to 25 mph, with gusts between 35 and 45 mph expected during the afternoon and evening Tuesday. Gusty winds could blow around unsecured ...
Winter Weather Advisory – What to Expect in Randolph County

Winter Weather Advisory – What to Expect in Randolph County

Weather
ASHEBORO N.C.  – The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for portions of central North Carolina, including Randolph County. Here is what you can expect. A period of light freezing rain is set to impact the northern Piedmont, mainly along and north of I-85, from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday morning. Here in Randolph County, forecasters are predicting around 0.02” of ice accumulation. Temperatures will remain right near the freezing point through the morning hours on Saturday and any freezing rain is expected to transition to rain by 4 a.m. Total rainfall for Saturday is expected to be around half to three quarters of an inch. The risk of isolated flash flooding cannot be ruled out from Saturday morning through early afternoon. Combined with ...
North Carolina Zoo Set to Temporarily Close for Staff Training and Safety Drills

North Carolina Zoo Set to Temporarily Close for Staff Training and Safety Drills

NC Zoo
Emergency Services Vehicles near Junction Plaza at the NC Zoo. (Scott Pelkey / Acme News Archive) ASHEBORO N.C.  – The North Carolina Zoo along will all its public walking trails will be closed to the public from Monday January 8th through January 12th for staff training, including required safety drills and maintenance. As an accredited Zoo through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the North Carolina Zoo is required to conduct various safety drills involving its staff. These drills cover a wide range of scenarios, from protocols for handling animal escapes to responding to diving incidents, to fires, animal bites, and more. “Employees need to drill and practice their responses so that they are prepared in the event of an actual situation,” said Diane Villa, the Zoo’s Di...
North Carolina Zoo Sets Record Attendance After Passing One Million Guests in 2023

North Carolina Zoo Sets Record Attendance After Passing One Million Guests in 2023

NC Zoo
ASHEBORO N.C. – With just a few days before the end of the year, the North Carolina Zoo exceeded one million guests in a calendar year for the first time in its history. On December 27th, 2023, Ran Liu and his family became the one millionth visitor to the North Carolina Zoo for the 2023 calendar year. The previous record for highest attendance in a calendar year was 930,002, set in 2022. The Liu family (Photo provided by NC Zoo) “Being recognized as the millionth guest was a pleasant surprise and an honor,” says Liu, a Zoo member according to a press release from the Zoo. “I look forward to the day when [the Zoo] celebrates two or three million guests in a year,” he explains. “Everyone should experience it for themselves. I encourage others to come, volunteer, or find a way to ge...
North Carolina Zoo Mourns Tragic Loss of Giraffe Calf

North Carolina Zoo Mourns Tragic Loss of Giraffe Calf

NC Zoo
(Acme News Archive) ASHEBORO, N.C. (NC ZOO)-– The North Carolina Zoo is heartbroken to announce the untimely death of Fenn, the beloved six-month-old giraffe calf, whose birth and presence at the Zoo delighted individuals around the world. A grief counselor has been brought in to support staff members as they navigate the emotions associated with this tragic loss. Fenn was nursing when he became unexpectedly startled by another giraffe. He bolted, colliding with a nearby gate and falling to the ground.  Unfortunately, Fenn sustained head and neck trauma from the fall and passed away late evening Dec. 13 despite receiving rapid medical intervention from veterinary staff.  Fenn was born at the North Carolina Zoo on May 20, 2023, to a first-time mother, Leia (14), and fathe...
Coastal Low to Bring Heavy Rain and Winds Sunday

Coastal Low to Bring Heavy Rain and Winds Sunday

Weather
(irontrybex / Adobe Stock) ASHEBORO N.C. - A strong coastal low system will sweep across central North Carolina Sunday bringing torrential rain and strong winds.  A coastal low-pressure system will begin to move up from the gulf through the southeast coast of the United States, across Florida and Georgia on Saturday and through South Carolina and North Carolina on Sunday.  Impacts According to the National Weather Service Office in Raleigh the storm will bring areas of heavy rainfall with the potential for localized flooding, especially in urban and poor drainage areas. Rainfall amounts of two to three inches are expected from Saturday night through Sunday night. Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around light unsecured objects such as holiday decorations....
Community Rallies to Support Family after Child Seriously Injured in House Fire

Community Rallies to Support Family after Child Seriously Injured in House Fire

Local
(Photo via Facebook) See upcoming events to support the Burroughs family and how you can help out by clicking here. ASHEBORO N.C. - The community is coming together to support a local family after their 10-year-old son was seriously injured in a house fire that destroyed the family home.  On December 8th, 2023, at 2:50 a.m. the Burroughs’ family home on Mountain Creek Rd. caught fire. At the time, Kevin and Shauna Burroughs were home asleep with their two children, 15-year-old daughter, Kamdyn and 10-year-old son, Chevy.  According to stories shared by family and friends with local media outlets, Shauna was able to pull Kamdyn out through a window. Kevin, the father, was pushed back by heavy smoke and fire trying to reach Chevy and ended up breaking through a wall to ...