North Carolina
Applications open for $221M Helene disaster grant for North Carolina farmers
HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — The application window is now open for a $221 million federal disaster block grant for farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Terry Kelley, director of N.C. Cooperative Extension in Henderson County, said the grant was made possible through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The money was allocated to the state last year, and on March 30, the USDA and the state’s Department of Agriculture opened the grant application period.
“This is additional help for farmers in the area affected by Helene, and it’s going to cover some specific things,” Kelley said.
The program covers four categories of eligible losses: infrastructure damage, market losses, future economic losses and timber losses.
USDA DISASTER BLOCK GRANT APPLICATIONS OPEN SOON FOR HELENE-AFFECTED FARMERS
“The apple trees that were lost, basically washed away,[…] were in full production. I mean, it’s going to take growers four or five years to get those trees back into production,” Kelley said.
Since Helene, Kelley said that farmers have received a little over $450 million from the state, and now $221 million in federal dollars on top of that.
“That sounds like a huge figure. I mean, it sounds like it’s big, but you’re looking at around $650 million, but Henderson County had around [a] $135 million loss, $135 to $150 million loss,” Kelley added.
FILE – Crops and farm land in Henderson County, North Carolina. (Photo: WLOS Staff)
He said they’re still running behind, with only being at 10% or so recovery, and farmers are still hurting. So, this grant application is an opportunity to get some money back.
News 13 took a trip to McConnell Farms in Henderson County, where farmer Danny McConnell said the last 18 months have been somewhat difficult.
“September 27th will live in my mind for many, many years to come,” he said.
McConnell said he filled out his grant application on Monday. While it’s a lengthy application, he encouraged all farmers to take the time to fill it out.
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Kelley said that, as far as he knows, this is the last opportunity to get recovery money from Helene.
“Is it going to be the kind of money that changes lives? No, probably not. But maybe it’s going to be the kind of money that will at least help bridge the gap to get people back on solid ground,” he said.
Kelley said that with a natural disaster like Hurricane Helene, recovery will take years, but he’s hopeful that little by little, they can help get people back to close to where they were before the storm.
The goal is for all farmers to be aware that help is out there. Kelley said you can fill out the application online or go to your local extension office for help.
For more details on how to apply, visit the link here.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Students from across North Carolina are calling on lawmakers to strengthen nicotine laws, pushing for legislation that would raise the legal age to purchase vaping products.
Students and educators from 14 counties gathered Wednesday at the North Carolina General Assembly, urging lawmakers to pass House Bill 430, also known as Solly’s Law. The bill would raise the minimum age to buy vapes from 18 to 21.
Advocates say nicotine use continues to be a major issue among teenagers, especially as many vaping products are marketed with fruity flavors that resemble candy.
According to the NC Tobacco 21 Coalition, North Carolina is one of just six states that has not raised the legal age for purchasing vaping products to 21. The group says 95% of tobacco addiction begins before the age of 21.
House Bill 430 is named after Solomon Wynn, a New Hanover County high school student who died in 2023 from complications related to vaping.
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Educators and students say vaping remains a daily challenge in schools across the state.
“Our students matter. Their brains matter,” said Halifax County Schools Superintendent Eric Cunningham. “When we take the vape pens, we see aggression. We need immediate action now.”
Durham high school student Gabriel Anderson said the issue often comes down to illegal sales to minors.
“The issue is vendors — people who are selling to young teens,” Anderson said. “Some are upholding the law. The solution is to cut the age gap and bring it to 21.”
Following Wednesday’s hearing, teen advocates met with lawmakers and said they plan to continue pushing for stronger protections to limit youth access to vaping products.
ABC11’s Bianca Holman contributed to this report.
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The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Tuesday, April 28, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 28 drawing
Day: 7-1-3, Fireball: 8
Evening: 2-7-5, Fireball: 6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 28 drawing
Day: 7-3-3-9, Fireball: 3
Evening: 6-2-6-6, Fireball: 4
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from April 28 drawing
02-03-06-21-37
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Double Play numbers from April 28 drawing
20-28-29-35-40
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 28 drawing
11-21-34-39-45, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:
- Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
- Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.
When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.
HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — One person is dead after a late-night shooting at a park in Henderson County, authorities confirmed.
Deputies with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a shooting at Dana Park around 11:26 p.m. Monday, April 27. When they arrived, they found one victim who later died from their injuries.
Investigators said the shooting does not appear to be random, but there is no immediate threat to the public.
The case remains under active investigation as deputies work to determine what led up to the shooting. Officials said no additional information will be released at this time.
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