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Hurricane Helene flooding in NC stirs yellow jacket swarms, prompting distribution of Benadryl and EpiPens

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Hurricane Helene flooding in NC stirs yellow jacket swarms, prompting distribution of Benadryl and EpiPens


Hurricane Helene’s deadly flooding in western North Carolina disrupted the underground nests of stinging insects, causing them to swarm workers and residents trying to recover from the storm.

The surge of stings from yellow jackets, bees and other insects has prompted the state health department to buy Benadryl and epinephrine injections as aid groups also work to acquire the medications and get them to those in the affected areas.

Alycia Clark, Direct Relief’s chief pharmacy officer, told The Associated Press that many of those seeking treatment for insect stings are electricians working to restore powerlines and other outdoor workers.

“With every disaster, we get requests for EpiPens, but this one is definitely an outlier,” Clark said.

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HARRIS SLAMMED FOR PLEDGING MILLIONS TO LEBANON AS NORTH CAROLINA SUFFERS

Hurricane Helene’s flooding disrupted the underground nests of many insects in western North Carolina. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

The group told The AP that it has sent more than 2,000 EpiPen injections to community health centers, clinics and pharmacies across western North Carolina.

Pharmacists in North Carolina are providing emergency refills for those already prescribed allergy medications and is allowing people to buy epinephrine injections such as EpiPens without a prescription, a state health department spokesperson told the outlet.

State health officials and relief groups are working to distribute the medication across the affected areas. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File )

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While most people are not allergic to stings from wasps, bees and other insects, irritation and pain can be intense and stings can swell and remain painful for days, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some people, however, can have a severe allergic reaction that can lead to anaphylaxis that can cause difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue and throat, weak pulse and loss of consciousness. In these situations, it’s critical to administer epinephrine immediately.

SAMARITAN’S PURSE CONTINUES HELENE RELIEF EFFORTS WITH THREE WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS IN NORTH CAROLINA

Hurricane Helene killed at least 232 people throughout the southeast. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)

Being stung more than a dozen times can also cause a buildup of venom in the body that can cause serious sickness that can include dizziness, fever, convulsions or vomiting.

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Hurricane Helene killed at least 232 people as the storm tore through the southeast. Hundreds more are still unaccounted for from the deadliest mainland U.S. hurricane since Katrina.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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Virginia

West Virginia American Water opens new training facility in Nitro – WV MetroNews

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West Virginia American Water opens new training facility in Nitro – WV MetroNews


NITRO, W.Va. –Employees at West Virginia American Water, both new and experienced, now have the opportunity to receive training in Nitro that includes classroom instruction and hands-on learning.

Main part of the training facility which will be used as a classroom

Company officials, local officials, and community members gathered Friday afternoon for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the company’s new distribution training facility in Nitro.

The facility, located at 135 Main Avenue, features modern classrooms and hands-on training environments in Nitro.

Scott Wyman, president of West Virginia American Water, said the opening was a very proud moment for him.

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“Great facility, great timing, great location for us, so very proud,” Wyman said.

The company purchased the building from its previous owners and worked with the city of Nitro to obtain permits and complete construction to refurbish the building.

Wyman said the facility will benefit both current employees and future workers at West Virginia American Water.

“Not only for our employees, but we have some interns coming through the company now, just to show them what happens in the water business, be a great opportunity bring them through here, see the kind of behind the scenes how it works, and see maybe water might be something they want to pursue,” he said.

Nitro city councilman Joe Murphy said he hopes the facility also reaches students at Nitro High School.

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“Having companies like this offer training services right near our school is awesome,” Murphy said. “So, I’m hoping they develop a great relationship with the school and there going to go over there and help get the kids down here and get them interested into different trades, so yeah definitely excited about that.”

The safety of the company’s employees is the primary reason for establishing a training facility like this.

However, Scott Wyman said the facility is also intended to help ensure the company provides reliable water service to customers.

“In turn we also get the ability to be a little bit more efficient with our work, make sure it’s done properly, so it lasts longer, it cost a lot of money to invest in water infrastructure so we want to make sure it’s done right the first time, so that all plays into the big picture,” he said.

The company provides water to 14 million customers across 14 states and 18 military installations.

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Murphy said it is great to have a facility like this, especially because of its focus on safety.

Hands-on environment in the facility

“Safety and training of any business or entity is vital, so having them invest in the training, and also having them do it here in the City of Nitro, is great for the city of Nitro,” he said.

Wyman said it was amazing to have the support of the city of Nitro because of the relationship they have built over the years.

“Mayor Casebolt, his staff, the city of Nitro in total, wonderful to work with, we not only appreciate for what they helped us get done here, but really more importantly for the partnership that we’ve had with them over the years, whether it was through the water stuff we worked on, whether it was for the water acquisition we just did, didn’t really matter, the city has always been a good partner,” he said.



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West Virginia

Logan, Catholic, Huntington and GW win team titles at State Tennis

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Logan, Catholic, Huntington and GW win team titles at State Tennis


-We are the champions.

Laying claim to titles at the annual West Virginia High School Tennis State Tournament on Friday were Charleston Catholic’s boys and Logan’s girls in Division II while GW’s boys and Huntington’s girls finished at the top in Division II.

For the Catholic boys, who defeated Williamstown, it was the 14th under the guidance of David Sadd.

Logan’s girls made history with their first-ever state team championship in tennis.

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-Meanwhile, the Marshall women’s softball team fell to Arizona, 7-5, in its opening round game of the NCAA Tournament. Morgan Zerkle’s Herd hit four home runs in the game.

-The University of Charleston women’s softball team was within a win of claiming the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional I Tournament in Shippensburg.

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-In college baseball, both WVU and Marshall lost the second game of their three-game series with TCU and Texas State, respectively.

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Dallas, TX

Dallas Cowboys schedule wallpapers: Mobile and desktop versions available

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Dallas Cowboys schedule wallpapers: Mobile and desktop versions available


The 2026 Dallas Cowboys schedule is here and now we can all begin to plan our lives. Such is life when you are this committed to your favorite football team.

Something we put together once the schedule comes out are wallpapers so that you can have it with you on the device that you choose. We have done so again this year, and here is what you need to know.

You should be able to open any of the images and save it to your device. Again, if you have issues let us know.



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