WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA (WTVD) — As Western North Carolina nears two weeks since Helene hit causing widespread destruction, the recovery and cleanup efforts are still a huge undertaking.
Aerial Recovery is a non-profit made up of veterans and first responders that go to natural disasters all over the country and are now in Western North Carolina. Seth Griffith with Aerial Recovery says, “What we found is veterans and first responders work really well in disaster response. We have skills that we learned in the military we are not afraid to work. We’ve been doing everything from reconnaissance missions in remote areas, to extract people that need to get out.
Griffith says they’ve been getting medical supplies in remote areas along with basic living necessities.
“If we can give them a heater, a generator, bring them food, just talk and be human with them for 10 minutes, pray with them.” He stresses the importance of working with local authorities. “Work along with them, not by ourselves. We want to be a force multiplier, not be the tractor, or come in like cowboys and take over, it’s not our show, we want everyone to work with us aiding and assisting alongside.”
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I just stood up on the porch and prayed.
Dee Pitzer, Stuck at home
Dee Pitzer is one of the homeowners who needed help. “I’m still kind of stuck because I can’t get out down there.” The rain and mud from Helene washed out a large chunk of not only the road in front of her home but her entire driveway.
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“The water on the road was waist deep. It was just coming in so fast no one could stand up in that, so I just stood up on the porch and prayed.”
Volunteers with Aeriel Recovery brought in skid steers to try and make navigating out of their Garren Creek neighborhood easier. Justin Foles with Aerial Recovery explains what they’re doing, “We are trying to make sure the road is nice is smooth. It’s really just a quality-of-life type thing, so they can get in and get out. If we can we try and put some culverts in that way the water has a place to flow and not just up and over the driveway to erode it even further if any more rain comes in.”
A quality-of-life type thing, so they can get in and get out.
Justin Foles, Aerial Recovery
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Another homeowner along the road Van Smith says the outpouring of support hasn’t stopped including visits from the National Guard and law enforcement, who all brought big smiles to his 4-year-old grandson, Oliver when they let him get in their vehicles and escape from all of the destruction around his home.
“We are getting a lot of help. Gotta give your hats off to all of these guys they’ve been super good. Everyone pulling together and making it happen we have to.”
Randy West and his wife also received help from the volunteers. During Helene, two mudslides brought the trees down, some narrowly missing his house.
“That’s all we lost is the back door. We are so fortunate to have this place after everybody around us lost their lives. Their homes, their driveways. We are so fortunate,” West tells ABC11.
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A crew with Aerial Recovery surprised West Thursday. Foles said, “We want to make their life a little bit better, give them everything they want and need.”
I cannot thank that crew enough for showing up.
Randy West, WNC Homeowner
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Crews spent hours cutting up all of the fallen trees that blocked access to his spring, which is also his source of water. After they finished the job, West said, “It helped a lot. They cut me a trail right here to get up to my spring. I cannot thank that crew enough for showing up.”
Just before the crew left, West let them in on a little surprise, “Y’all don’t realize this, but that is my birthday today and this is the best present I could have gotten, “West said.
Aerial Recovery says they will be in Western North Carolina as long as there is a need.
SEE ALSO | 11 members of same family killed when mudslide wiped out ‘Craigtown’ during Hurricane Helene
One family lost 11 people when Hurricane Helene devastated the community named for them.
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ALSO SEE | Brothers stranded by Helene walk 13 miles through thick mud, washed-out roads
A small, mostly GA-focused airport in North Carolina will get $4.5 million to help attract a new airline.
WCTI-TV reported Wednesday that the money was allocated to Pitt-Greenville Airport in a state budget recently signed into law by Governor Josh Stein. The funding will support a revenue guarantee for carriers that opt to connect Greenville.
Many small airports use revenue guarantees to help reduce the financial risk for potential partner airlines.
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Currently, only American Airlines serves Greenville, with American Eagle commuter flights to Charlotte.
Airport Executive Director Brandon Craft told WCTI that the addition of another airline could help grow Greenville into a travel hub for eastern North Carolina. He also said that the airport is pursuing grants to help expand and improve its facilities.
Greenville is located about 80 miles east of Raleigh.
The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Wednesday, July 8, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from July 8 drawing
12-29-37-43-55, Powerball: 18, Power Play: 4
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
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Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 8 drawing
Day: 2-9-0, Fireball: 5
Evening: 7-9-6, Fireball: 6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 8 drawing
Day: 8-9-6-6, Fireball: 6
Evening: 3-4-8-5, Fireball: 4
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Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from July 8 drawing
07-13-19-23-33
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Double Play numbers from July 8 drawing
01-03-14-18-32
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 8 drawing
16-18-43-48-50, Bonus: 01
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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:
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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.
RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. (WLOS) — A damaged Flock Safety camera in Rutherfordton has reignited debate over the use of license plate reader technology, with thousands weighing in online after police shared a photo of the vandalized device.
The Rutherfordton Police Department posted an image of the damaged camera on social media, where the post quickly gained more than 20,000 comments. While some users condemned the vandalism, others praised the person responsible, with comments including “Not all heroes wear capes” and “Give them a medal.”
Local law enforcement officials said there is too much misinformation online about the cameras.
FLOCK CAMERA DAMAGED IN NORTH CAROLINA TOWN, PROMPTING POLICE STATEMENT
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“We’re seeing a lot of misconceptions that these cameras collect more data than they actually do,” said Capt. Ryan Bailey with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. “The camera itself is only capturing the vehicle traveling down the road.”
Bailey said Flock cameras do not record video. Instead, they take still images of passing vehicles and capture license plate information. According to the sheriff’s office, those images are automatically deleted after 30 days.
The department also says safeguards are in place to prevent misuse of the system. Deputies are required to enter a case number before searching the database, allowing administrators to audit searches and ensure the technology is being used appropriately.
JULY 8, 2026 – A Flock camera in Rutherford County, North Carolina. (Photo: WLOS Staff)
Despite those protections, opinions among residents remain divided.
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“I don’t like that idea at all because of the over-abundance of electronics and interference in our privacy,” Rutherfordton resident Rachel Alexander said.
Others believe the cameras are a valuable investigative tool.
“I have no really negative opinion with them. I think they’re really helpful, especially with criminals and children abductions,” said local homeowner Phyllis Irvine.
POLL: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT FLOCK CAMERAS?
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office says the cameras have also proven useful in locating vulnerable people, including those with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other cognitive disabilities who may have gone missing while driving.
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Officials say the technology has become an important resource for investigations and emergency response across the county.
Flock cameras cost about $3,500 each. Law enforcement officials say anyone caught intentionally damaging one could face charges.
