North Carolina
Drought worsens in central, NC farmers and rural communities feeling strained
LOUISBURG, N.C. (WTVD) — Drought conditions across central North Carolina are creating growing challenges for farmers as they prepare to harvest some crops and plant others, raising concerns about yields and long-term economic impacts.
Fields in Franklin County show signs of prolonged dryness as farmers work through a critical point in the growing season. One farmer planting corn on Thursday said it is the driest he has seen in quite some time.
“Sometimes I just wonder how we do make it,” said Travis Nelms, a fourth-generation farmer at N&N Farms in Louisburg.
Nelms is among many farmers facing multiple pressures at once. Rising fuel and fertilizer prices have already increased production costs, and the dry conditions are adding further strain. Despite that, he said optimism remains part of the job.
“It kind of goes back to that farmer’s optimism. We’re optimistic folks because here we are in a drought like this, and trying to plant seed in the ground to make a crop in the dry time,” Nelms said.
The lack of moisture is evident in the soil itself. As Nelms planted, he pointed to uneven, clumped earth caused by the dryness.
“You can see all around out here, it just came up clumpy. This is just extremely dry right now,” he said.
The drought is also affecting crop yields. Nelms said wheat fields are already showing signs of reduced production.
“Right now it’s looking to be a 35-to-40-bushel crop. I’m about a half a crop is what I’m looking at right now,” he said.
Agricultural economists say farmers are being forced to make difficult decisions about whether to plant without enough moisture in the ground.
“It’s time to be planting crops, and so a lot of farmers are probably considering, should I plant? Do I have enough moisture? Will the plants germinate?” said Jeffrey Dorfman, an agricultural economics professor at NC State.
Dorfman said the drought compounds financial challenges many farmers already face.
“They’re getting less for their crops, and it’s costing them 65% more to grow them. It’s not a good situation. This is just sort of an insult to injury,” he said.
For now, farmers like Nelms say they are relying on hope for rain to arrive soon.
“As always, we just hope it rains in a timely manner. And if it don’t get a good staying, I don’t know what we’ll do,” he said.
Experts warn that if dry conditions continue, the effects could extend beyond farms. Less crop production can mean less income for farmers, which can reduce spending in rural communities and impact local economies across the region.
SEE ALSO | Lawn care companies navigate drought and rising fuel costs
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RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — A groundhog has tested positive for rabies in Western North Carolina.
Rutherford County Animal Control Services posted on social media on May 1 that the North Carolina State Lab of Public Health sent Animal Control Services the notification on April 29.
According to the post, the groundhog was in the vicinity of Oak Springs Baptist Church to the Rutherford County Airport of the Gilkey Township area.
There was no reported human exposure with the groundhog, the post said.
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Animal Control Services said it was the first positive test for rabies in Rutherford County for 2026. The last positive rabies test confirmed by the N.C. State Lab of Public Health was July 3, 2025 That animal was also a groundhog from the city limits of Rutherfordton near the intersection of Alt U.S. 74 and U.S. 64 area.
The Rutherford County Health Director and Rutherford County Animal Control Services is advising residents to be sure that their animals are under their direct control. Animals that are allowed to wander or run loose are at a greater risk of coming into contact with rabid animals, the post said.
Residents’ pets with rabies vaccinations not up to date and that are exposed to a rabid animal will have to be euthanized or placed in a strict supervised quarantine at the owner’s expense for up to four months, Animal Control Services said in the post.
If residents’ pets have up-to-date vaccinations, the pets will need a booster vaccine if exposed to rabies.
RUTHERFORD COUNTY RESIDENTS DEMAND CHANGE AMID RISING ANIMAL CRUELTY CLAIMS
During the next six months anyone living in the Gilkey Township area should watch for animals with unusual behavior and be sure all pets have current rabies vaccinations. North Carolina State law requires that all cats and dogs have rabies vaccines at four months of age, a booster 12 months after the initial rabies vaccine and then a booster vaccine every three years.
All local veterinarians offer rabies vaccines. Rutherford County Animal Control Services also offers rabies vaccines., including low cost rabies vaccine clinics, which are available on the first Tuesday every month from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (no appointment needed) for $5 per vaccine.
Anyone seeing an animal displaying abnormal behaviors should call Animal Control Services at 828-980-0016.
The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Thursday, April 30, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 30 drawing
Day: 0-5-5, Fireball: 5
Evening: 3-2-5, Fireball: 9
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 30 drawing
Day: 9-5-1-5, Fireball: 1
Evening: 2-0-4-8, Fireball: 1
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from April 30 drawing
21-30-31-35-40
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Double Play numbers from April 30 drawing
11-15-23-32-43
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 30 drawing
05-19-21-42-55, Bonus: 03
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.
A memorial service for the former Miss North Carolina will be held this weekend in Greensboro. Summer Carson, former Miss Cleveland and a friend of Everett’s, encourages people to attend the public service.
Reporter : Grace Holland
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Web Editor : Sydney Ross
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