Don’t swim in waters along North Carolina’s coast, state still warns

Published

2 years ago

August 11, 2024

Don’t swim in waters along North Carolina’s coast, state still warns

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina officials are still advising against swimming at the coast after Tropical Storm Debby hit the state this week, impacting water quality along beaches.

Before the storm hit, state recreational water quality officials advised against swimming for a large area of the North Carolina coast after the storm passed.

On Saturday, officials told CBS 17 that the no-swimming advice is still valid on beaches from the Wright Memorial Bridge in Kitty Hawk down south to the South Carolina state line

“The precautionary advisory will remain in place until samples collected are within a safe swimming standard,” said Erin Bryan-Millush, manager of the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program.

Heavy rains negatively impact coastal waters — through stormwater runoff that can contain elevated levels of harmful bacteria that drain into coastal surf, she said.

More than 10 inches of rainfall at the coast has caused street flooding along with overflowing waters into homes, businesses and yards.

“The sources of bacteria can vary and include failing septic systems, sewer line breaks and overflowing manholes,” Bryan-Millush said.

Flooding in Ocean Isle Beach this week from Tropical Storm Debby. Photo courtesy: Ocean Isle Beach

Some coastal towns are forced to pump flood water into the ocean or into streams that can easily reach beach areas.

The no-swimming advisory must remain in place 24 hours after such pumping has ceased, Bryan-Millush said.

On Saturday, Oak Island, Emerald Isle and North Topsail Beach were still pumping or are within 24 hours of having stopped, she said.

The areas in orange have the no-swimming advisory. The areas in green do not have a warning. Image from N.C. Recreational Water Quality

But simply waiting after the pumping ends is not enough, she said.

Water testing will then take place — likely on Monday and Tuesday.

Officials said, “depending on results we hope to begin lifting ocean-side waters (advisories) by Wednesday.”

Bryan-Millush said the no-swimming advisories will be lifted in part or as a whole when test results become available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.

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Families locked out of NC State graduation ceremony: ‘Ridiculous’

Published

9 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

Families locked out of NC State graduation ceremony: ‘Ridiculous’

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A graduation ceremony for NC State University’s Department of Biological Sciences at Reynolds Coliseum on Friday night left hundreds of family members outside, frustrated and emotional after they were not allowed into the building.

Inside, graduates were met with pomp and circumstance as they walked across the stage to accept their degrees.

Outside, people shouted in confusion as they realized they would not be permitted to enter.

“I’m hurt. She’s hurting. We’re hurt,” said Dr. Darlene Jackson, a grandmother from Winston-Salem. “They’re asking, can’t we get here? But this is ridiculous. Ridiculous.”

We get here, and we are turned away. That’s BS. It shouldn’t be happening like this. They did not plan this well,

– Sally Charlet, NCSU grandparent

Families said they arrived about an hour before the 7:30 p.m. ceremony, only to find a line wrapped around the building. Many said they were eventually told the venue had reached capacity.

“They are saying the fire marshal shut it down because it’s too crowded,” Jackson said. “They should have known how many occupy this. They should have had it in a different place.”

Sally Charlet said she flew in from Florida earlier in the day to watch her granddaughter graduate.

ALSO SEE | Donor surprises NCSU textile school grads by paying off loans

“We get here, and we are turned away,” she said. “That’s BS. It shouldn’t be happening like this. They did not plan this well, and they should have tickets. That would have made a lot of sense.”

According to GoPack.com, Reynolds Coliseum seats about 5,500 people.

Some families said they were especially devastated after years of supporting their students’ work.

This is awful, and it needs to be made right.

– Eddie McFall, NCSU parent

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“It’s very disheartening,” said Rhonda Bartone, whose son earned his Ph.D. In toxicology. “He did a five-year program getting his Ph.D., and we have no family. And they’re seeing him get his Ph.D. right now. We had to text his professor and ask him to please take some pictures of him. It’s hard not to cry.”

Several people outside shared photos sent by students inside showing empty seats.

“There was unfortunately not better planning for the hundreds of students, maybe even thousands of students, and, of course, thousands of students, even more people, parents, siblings, loved ones,” said Julia Norton, whose fiancé earned his Ph.D.

One father, Eddie McFall, who is also an alumnus of NC State, said he has three children at the university, including a senior graduating Friday.

“His mother was five feet from the door when they shut it down,” he said. “Won’t let anybody in there.”

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About 45 minutes after the ceremony began, someone came outside to address the remaining crowd. Families were told their only option was to watch a livestream from the student union or on their phones.

“I can go to my house and watch the livestream,” McFall said. “Who’s the event coordinator? Who from the school did this? This is awful, and it needs to be made right.”

NC State did not respond to questions about how the situation unfolded or why the event was not ticketed. The university said it provided a livestream for those unable to attend in person and had posted earlier in the week advising visitors to expect delays around the coliseum.

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Fifteen North Carolina co-op lineworkers help electrify rural Guatemala village

Published

21 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

Fifteen North Carolina co-op lineworkers help electrify rural Guatemala village

NORTH CAROLINA — Fifteen lineworkers from North Carolina’s electric cooperatives recently traveled to Guatemala to help bring first-time access to electricity to a rural village.

The group spent three weeks working in El Plan Nuevo Amanecer.

Crews constructed three miles of line, bringing power to more than 50 homes, a school, two churches and the community’s only health clinic.

Photo: North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives

Without access to bucket trucks or heavy machinery, volunteers worked by hand across rugged terrain.

The project helped bring light to the village, creating new opportunities for education, economic growth and safer everyday life for the community.

The effort was done alongside NRECA International.

Volunteer lineworkers represented several North Carolina electric cooperatives, including EnergyUnited, Union Power Cooperative, Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative, Jones-Onslow EMC, Edgecombe-Martin County EMC, South River EMC, Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation and Rutherford EMC.

Photo: North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives

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NC Lottery Pick 3 Day, Pick 3 Evening results for May 7, 2026

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Thursday, May 7, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 7 drawing

Day: 3-7-3, Fireball: 0

Evening: 3-5-8, Fireball: 9

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 7 drawing

Day: 8-1-3-1, Fireball: 5

Evening: 7-1-5-3, Fireball: 4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from May 7 drawing

10-11-14-19-36

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Double Play numbers from May 7 drawing

01-25-31-32-33

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 7 drawing

05-08-21-44-48, Bonus: 01

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.

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