North Carolina

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

Published

2 years 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

Source link

Click to comment

North Carolina

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

Published

3 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

Advertisement

“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.”

Download the ABC11 News app

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.

Source link

North Carolina

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

Published

15 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

Source link

North Carolina

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.

Source link