Connect with us

North Carolina

Task Force 10 reflects on rescue efforts in western North Carolina

Published

on

Task Force 10 reflects on rescue efforts in western North Carolina


GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – A team of eastern Carolina first responders are reflecting on their humbling experience in the western part of the state, as homes and lives were forever transformed by Tropical Storm Helene.

North Carolina knows all too well the impacts of natural disasters. Teams like NC Task Force 10, which is made up of first responders from Greenville and New Bern’s Fire/Rescue departments, also know distance doesn’t matter when it comes to helping fellow North Carolinians out.

After thirteen days of extensive search and rescue efforts were made on land, on mountains and through coursing waters, the 20 members of NC Task Force 10 made it home on October 8, changed and humbled by the experience.

“When you get a chance to slow down and relax and understand what people have lost, that does start taking a toll on you,” said Capt. Brad Johnston.

Advertisement
NC Task Force 10 team members rescuing an American flag from Helene’s devastation.(Greenville Fire/Rescue)

The team helped with emergency operations and life-saving missions in Polk, Rutherford and McDowell counties.

Capt. Brad Johnston from Greenville Fire and Rescue looked back on his team’s work, saying one challenge they encountered was western North Carolina’s terrain.

“We’re very familiar with a lot of flood water in eastern North Carolina, but we weren’t very familiar with mudslides,” said Johnston. “That’s what we encountered at the beginning of navigating through mudslides and then navigating on mountain roads.”

The USAR team working in McDowell County assisting in search efforts on Oct. 3.
The USAR team working in McDowell County assisting in search efforts on Oct. 3.(Greenville Fire/Rescue)

The task force teamed up with several fire and rescue departments from North Carolina and beyond to rescue, evacuate and search for people trapped by the storm’s devastation including some that helped in eastern North Carolina when Florence hit in 2018.

“Florence hit New Bern years ago, and for us, we had so many outside units come help us out,” said Capt. Stephen Jasset. “So for us to go to the western part of the state to help them out it was kind of rewarding for the rescuers to be able to give that back.”

A full circle moment of help repaid, as the mission to aid others continues in western North Carolina.

Advertisement

The task force said they were able to assist four people, evacuate eleven and rescue four individuals. They also were called to more than 30 shelter-in-place missions to make sure people who stayed in their homes were safe.

According to Governor Roy Cooper’s office, more than 1,600 responders from 38 state and local agencies conducted missions in the western part of the state in the wake of Helene’s devastation.



Source link

Advertisement

North Carolina

Thousands gather in downtown Wilmington to protest against ICE – WWAYTV3

Published

on

Thousands gather in downtown Wilmington to protest against ICE – WWAYTV3


WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY)–As many as one thousand people gathered in downtown Wilmington around Thalian hall as part of the “Ice Out for Good” protest.

This protest is one of many throughout the country to protest against ICE, after the death of Renee Nicole Good, who was shot in the head by an ICE agent on January 7th.

Organized by Indivisible Actions Southeast North Carolina, protesters surrounded the building as they waved signs and chanted across third street.

Many of the protestors held signs to not only protest Trump and ICE, but also to remember Renee Nicole Good.

Advertisement

In the past week, Trump and many others say the ICE agent was just trying to defend himself, and many of the protestors disagree. Many say that Good was the victim in the situation.

“I think it needs to be a thorough investigation. Minnesota needs to be involved. There needs to be an ethical way of going about this. If there was nothing wrong, then they would cooperate. We need to keep investigating. We need to understand. I think they were way too quick to write off motivation. At the end of the day our neighbor or was killed,” said one protestor.

One other protestor says they are upset over what is being told. “That’s very disturbing to see a spin put on things when you have an actual video and then you’re propagandized about what we’re being told it was, even though we saw it was not.”

“Things could have been de-escalated by the officer,” said another protestor, believing that things didn’t have to turn out that way.

A Vigil for Good will be held outside the Alton Federal Building along Water Street. It will start at 7 in the evening on Wednesday, and it will be hosted by Siembra NC and Make North Carolina Work.

Advertisement

 





Source link

Continue Reading

North Carolina

North Carolina DL, former four-star prospect plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal

Published

on

North Carolina DL, former four-star prospect plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal


North Carolina defensive lineman D’antre Robinson plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. He transferred to UNC from Florida ahead of the 2025 campaign.

In his lone season with the Tar Heels, Robinson made 12 appearances. He recorded 39 tackles and a forced fumble. He was also credited with half a sack.

As a true freshman at Florida in 2024, Robinson played in 11 games. He notched 16 tackles, including three for loss, as well as 1.5 sacks.

D’antre Robinson played high school football at Jones (FL), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 267 overall player and No. 27 defensive lineman in the 2024 recruiting cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings.

Advertisement

This past season was legendary head coach Bill Belichick‘s first at the helm of North Carolina. UNC posted a 4-8 overall record and a 2-6 mark in conference play

In December, Belichick hired former Arkansas offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino to serve in the same role for the Tar Heels next season. In November, there was speculation that Belichick would return to the professional ranks. Alas, the 73-year-old HC quickly squashed those rumors.

“Despite circulating rumors, I have not and will not pursue any NFL head coaching vacancies,” Belichick wrote. “Since arriving in Chapel Hill, my commitment to the UNC Football program has not waivered.

“We have tremendous support from the university, our alumni, and the entire Carolina community. My focus remains solely on continuing to improve this team, develop our players, and build a program that makes Tar Heel fans proud.”

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

North Carolina

Experienced former North Carolina tight end signs with Auburn

Published

on

Experienced former North Carolina tight end signs with Auburn


Auburn’s latest incoming transfer brings experience and production to what was a position of weakness last season.

Former North Carolina tight end Jake Johnson signed with Auburn on Saturday, a source confirmed to AL.com. Johnson is the third transfer tight end Auburn has signed since the portal opened, joining Jonathan Echols and Xavier Newsom.

Johnson, however, is the most proven of Auburn’s signees at tight end. He brings four years of experience at North Carolina and Texas A&M, catching 16 passes for 144 yards and one touchdown in 2025.

His best season came with the Aggies in 2023, during which he caught 24 passes for 235 yards and four touchdowns. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, he brings versatility to Auburn’s tight end room and may be the best pass catching option.

Advertisement

With Johnson now signed, Auburn’s tight end room is now up to five players, putting the Tigers in a good spot going into the 2026 season.

The transfer portal officially opened on Jan. 2 and will remain open until Jan. 16. Keep up with all of Auburn’s incoming and outgoing transfers here.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending