North Carolina

NC Wildlife: No charges in Asheville ‘black bear cub harassment’ for selfies

Published

2 weeks ago

April 20, 2024

NC Wildlife: No charges in Asheville ‘black bear cub harassment’ for selfies

ASHEVILLE — After a group of people were videotaped pulling two young black bear cubs from a tree to take a selfie at an Asheville apartment complex April 16, officers with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission have decided not to press charges, drawing surprise and criticism from wildlife advocates.

Wildlife commission officers began investigating after they were contacted by the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office regarding what the commission later called “harassment of black bear cubs” at Berrington Village Apartments. When staff arrived on scene, they were told “both cubs had escaped after a cub bit one of the people,” according to previous news release.

“Officers with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission have investigated this incident, and, while dangerous and unfortunate, it appears to be an isolated event,” said commission spokesperson Failey Mahlum.

“It is unlawful in NC to capture and keep black bears. However, the bear cubs were immediately released, and officers have determined there will be no charges filed.”

Mahlum confirmed that the investigation into the incident is now closed.

Ashely Hobbs, a special projects biologist with NCWRC, previously told the Citizen Times that when she arrived at the apartment complex, one bear cub was wet, cold and alone, sitting in a retention pond.

Hobbs said it must have been there for a while and was “obviously a bit traumatized.” In the later-released news alert April 18, Hobbs said the cub was “favoring one of its front paws.”

Previous reporting: Video, witness: Asheville apartment residents pulled black bear cubs from tree for selfie

More: Fines levied for visitors feeding bear on Blue Ridge Parkway? When will road reopen?

NC Humane Society director encouraged penalties, ‘surprised’ there’s none

Gail Thomssen, the North Carolina state director for the Humane Society of the United States, called this incident a “startling and serious reminder of the severe lack of awareness, caution and respect for wildlife that some can exhibit when chasing opportunities to interact, handle and pose for photos with wild animals.”

Thomssen said it was part of a “shockingly irresponsible” trend of people interacting with wildlife. “It is cruel to the animals and puts the public in harm’s way.”

While in an initial statement Thomssen “encouraged penalties,: when asked for her reaction to the commission’s decision not to press charges, she said the Humane Society was “surprised that no charges were filed since it is illegal to capture and keep black bears in North Carolina,” adding that she believed the wildlife commission “conducted a thorough investigation.”

“We do hope at the very least, that the critical attention this sad situation is receiving, that the public can reflect on what happened to these animals and hopefully have more respect and leave wildlife alone,” Thomssen said.

North Carolina General Statute 113‑294 (c1) states that “any person who unlawfully takes, possesses, transports, sells, possesses for sale, or buys any bear or bear part is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor,” punishable by a fine of at least $2,000.

The law does not stipulate how long a person must be in possession of a bear to be in violation of the statute.

“The commission’s tired argument that the perpetrators quickly released the cubs is yet another feeble excuse for the commission’s refusal to enforce North Carolina’s wildlife laws that are already wholly inadequate, even if the commission enforced them,” Diana Starr, an Asheville multispecies geographer and bear advocate, told the Citizen Times April 19.

“These ‘abuse for likes’ cases must be vigorously prosecuted to deter other abusers and are why wildlife harassment and abuse laws must be strengthened and enforced,” Starr said.

More: ‘Shocked’ Blue Ridge Parkway traveler recounts seeing visitors ‘inches’ from black bear

What did the video show? Where are the bear cubs now?

The video, obtained by the Citizen Times, shows a group of people trying to grab the black bear cubs from a tree branch extending over a short fence to the apartment complex’s property. One woman snatches a cub, and after screaming in excitement, she poses for a picture with the bear.

The cub then drops to the ground and runs along the inside of the fence, attempting to climb the fence a couple of times while the women chases after it.

“I tried telling them to stop, but they wouldn’t listen so I thought recording it might help get justice for the sweet bear cub,” said Rachel Staudt, a resident of the apartment complex who took the video.

Mahlum said wildlife officers and biologists have spoken with the individuals involved about the importance of leaving bear cubs alone.

“We hope the media attention this incident has received will re-emphasize the importance of following the BearWise® Basics and to leave wild animals alone,” Mahlum said.

The cub rescued from the retention pond remains at the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge in Candler, a licensed orphaned bear cub rehabilitation facility, according to Mahlum.

“She appears to be in stable condition and has been placed with another orphaned cub rescued earlier this year,” Mahlum said. “The second cub in the video has not been located, but we continue to monitor the area for signs of it or the mother bear.”

Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober

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North Carolina

Biden touts lead pipe replacement efforts in North Carolina

Published

5 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Press Room

Biden touts lead pipe replacement efforts in North Carolina

UBS managing director Jason Katz and Interactive Brokers strategist Steve Sosnick reveal how investors can navigate conflicting messages in the stock market on The Claman Countdown.

President Joe Biden traveled to Wilmington, North Carolina, on Thursday to tout the administration’s water infrastructure investments in a key swing state as the election season draws nearer.

Biden focused the majority of his remarks on efforts to replace lead water pipes that remain in use around the country despite health concerns associated with lead leaking into drinking water. Funding to address the issue was included in both the bipartisan infrastructure law and the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion stimulus package Democrats approved along party-lines. Both laws were enacted in 2021.

“Today, nine million lead service lines connect water mains to our homes, schools, daycare centers, businesses,” Biden said. “That includes some 300,000 lead service lines in North Carolina alone. The cost to replace them is consequential, but too many families only learn the threat to their children after they get sick.”

“You know, this is for some time why I’m determined, I’m determined to fix it. We’re finally moving. Until the United States of America, God love us, deals with this – how can we say we’re a leading nation in the world, for God’s sake we’re better than this,” Biden added.

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PROPOSES TO REQUIRE LEAD PIPES TO BE REPLACED WITHIN 10 YEARS

President Joe Biden touted his administration’s efforts to replace hazardous lead pipes at an event in Wilmington, North Carolina, on May 2, 2024. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

“These lead lines are tough and durable and they don’t rust, but we’ve long since learned they leak poisonous toxins into our water,” the president explained. “The science is clear – lead service lines pose severe health risks, damaging the brain and kidneys. In children especially, they stunt growth, slow learning and cause lasting brain damage.”

“One study shows when you reduce lead exposure for children, their test scores actually improve in school as much as if you were to reduce class size by a third at one-tenth the cost of doing that. It pays off across the board,” he added.

BIDEN ANNOUNCES FRESH ROUND OF $6.1 BILLION IN STUDENT LOAN HANDOUTS, BRINGS TOTAL GIVEN TO $160 BILLION

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on water infrastructure at the Wilmington Convention Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Photographer: Cornell Watson/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

“Let me say what I’ve said many times before, there’s no – no – safe level of lead exposure, none. The only way forward is to replace every lead service line that connects Americans to clean water. That’s why Kamala and I are making sure this administration is the first ever to set out to do it, and we’re going to get it done,” Biden said.

The White House published a press release Thursday that noted that the administration’s $3 billion in funding to replace toxic lead pipes comes as part of a broader $15 billion in funding for that purpose under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that came from the bipartisan infrastructure law.

BIDEN VOWS TO LET TRUMP-ERA TAX CUTS EXPIRE NEXT YEAR, MEANING HIGHER RATES FOR MANY

Congress approved billions of dollars in funding for the replacement of lead pipes around the country. (Antonio Pere/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images / Getty Images)

It noted that the bipartisan infrastructure law included over $50 billion in funding for water infrastructure, while the American Rescue Plan provided over $20 billion in water infrastructure for state and local governments slated for use on water infrastructure projects.

Further, the White House said the state of North Carolina has used $150 million from the American Rescue Plan to test for and remove lead hazards in schools and daycare centers around the state.

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The White House said that with today’s announcement of $3 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure law being allocated to lead pipe replacement projects, the first such project funded under the law began in the city of Wilmington.

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North Carolina

North Carolina Senate OKs $500 million for private school vouchers, student accounts

Published

12 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Press Room

North Carolina Senate OKs $500 million for private school vouchers, student accounts

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -The North Carolina Senate has approved legislation to set aside roughly $500 million more for programs that provide taxpayer money to help K-12 students attend private schools.

The majority-Republican Senate voted Thursday along party lines to spend the money, almost all of which will cover a surge in demand for Opportunity Scholarship grants since income caps to receive them were eliminated.

The demand has resulted in a waiting list of nearly 55,000 students.

The measure could go to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper next week if the House votes to affirm the legislation.

Cooper opposes these vouchers, but Republicans hold narrow veto-proof majorities.

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North Carolina

North Carolina bill ordering sheriffs to help immigration agents closer to law with Senate vote

Published

19 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Press Room

North Carolina bill ordering sheriffs to help immigration agents closer to law with Senate vote

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Sheriffs would be required to temporarily hold inmates in jail that federal immigration agents believe are in the country illegally under a bill passed by the North Carolina Senate on Thursday.

But unlike two previous versions of the bill successfully shot down by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto in the last five years, the measure stands a strong chance of becoming law thanks to GOP seat gains.

The Senate voted along party lines for the measure in a 28-16 vote. Now the legislation returns to the House, where Speaker Tim Moore said Wednesday he supports the measure and that his chamber could vote on the Senate changes as soon as next week.

An affirmative House vote would send the measure to Cooper, who could veto it again. But GOP supermajority in both chambers since last year means Cooper’s veto could be overridden and the bill enacted if Republicans stay united.

The bill, sponsored by several key House leaders, centers around the issue of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers. Those are requests for local law enforcement to notify federal immigration agents about an inmate believed to be in the country unlawfully and maintain custody.

State Republicans have said the need for the bill is apparent as several sheriffs across the state, particularly from Democratic urban counties, haven’t cooperated with immigration agents.

“Most sheriffs comply, but we have a few who don’t want to,” said Wilson County Republican Sen. Buck Newton on Thursday. “This has been going on for years and years and years that it’s reached the point of critical mass.”

Under the proposed changes, all sheriffs or jailers are required to hold inmates accused of serious crimes for up to 48 hours if a detainer is issued. It also mandates the involvement of judicial officials to order law enforcement to hold the inmate in question, according to the bill.

A Senate amendment to the bill would allow anyone to file a complaint with the state Attorney’s General Office if they believe a jail administrator is not complying with the law. The legislation would go into effect on July 1.

Senate Republicans used a parliamentary maneuver to table another amendment from Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, that would allow a district attorney to file an objection to a detainer on behalf of a crime victim who seeks prosecution against an inmate in North Carolina. A district judge would have the ultimate say over whether a jail administrator would comply with a detainer request.

“You need to join me in supporting victims of crime and victims of domestic violence and prosecutors across our state by allowing them to seek justice by voting no,” Mohammed said.

Current state law already asks sheriffs or other law enforcement officials to check an inmate’s legal status if they are charged with serious crimes. If the jailer cannot determine someone’s legal status, a query should be sent to ICE.

Two previous iterations of the bill failed to become law in 2019 and 2022 when Cooper vetoed them and Democrats held enough seats to block an override veto.

In response to the legislation, the governor’s office said Wednesday that Cooper was concerned if the bill was constitutional and effective in making communities safer. It would take away authority from sheriffs for “purely political purposes,” spokesperson Jordan Monaghan said.

As with previous bill versions, advocates for Latino immigrants spoke against the mandate in Senate committees this week and during a lobbying day on Wednesday.

They said the requirement would actually make communities less safe by instilling fear into immigrants, especially those who are undocumented, by discouraging them from reporting crimes or building trust with law enforcement.

“The Republican majority in this legislature continues to push forward extreme laws that target immigrants and punishes our community for merely existing,” Axel Herrera Ramos of Durham with the advocacy group Mi Familia en Acción said at a rally outside the old Capitol building. “Don’t tell me it’s about safety.”

At least six states broadly outlaw local agencies’ ability to restrict federal immigration law enforcement involvement, National Conference of State Legislatures policy analyst Jay Gideon said in an email. These prohibitions aim to strike down “sanctuary” policies that do not enforce local cooperation with federal immigration agents.

Georgia’s Republican Gov. Brian Kemp also signed a bill Wednesday requiring jailers to check inmates’ immigration status and criminalizes the failure to do so.