Rutherford County in western North Carolina this week debunked two false rumors spreading in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

“We are aware of several false reports circulating on social media on the situation in Chimney Rock. We want to address these rumors directly to ensure the public has accurate information,” Rutherford County Emergency Management said in a statement posted on social media of the mountain town devastated by the powerful remnants of the hurricane. 

The agency said rumors of a “special meeting” held to discuss federal, state or local governments seizing Chimney Rock, North Carolina, following severe hurricane damage, were “entirely false.”

Chimney Rock, which is around 20 miles southeast of Asheville, North Carolina, has suffered extensive damage in the wake of the storm, however.

NORTH CAROLINA REELING FROM DEVASTATING HELENE AS DEATH TOLL CLIMBS: ‘NEVER SEEN ANYTHING QUITE LIKE THIS’

“Everything along the river is gone,” Tracy Stevens of the destroyed Chimney Rock Brewing Co. told the Asheville Citizen-Times. “What was once a town is now a river. It’s beyond anything I can imagine.”

Emergency Management also clarified false rumors that there were “bodies everywhere” in the town.

“Tragically, we have two confirmed fatalities because of the storm. Claims of ‘bodies everywhere’ are completely unfounded,” officials said. “Our emergency services and professional contractors are working tirelessly to clear debris and ensure the safety of residents, and we will continue to provide support to those affected.”

HURRICANE HELENE: NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS FIGHT FOR THEIR SURVIVAL AS BASIC GOODS BECOME SCARCE

On Friday, the agency also said that more than 800 people had been confirmed safe across the county “thanks to the diligent efforts of the Sheriff’s Office and the FBI team working to verify all missing persons.”

Homes are seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Wednesday in Chimney Rock, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

More than 200 people have been evacuated from Chimney Rock and nearby Lake Lure, and more than 13,000 people are still without power in the county. 

The agency said Chimney Rock and Lake Lure residents can now return to their homes, but “must present proof of residency at designated checkpoints. Access across the bridge into Chimney Rock is strictly prohibited. Through traffic is not currently allowed in the Lake Lure Town Center area near the Lake Lure Beach and beyond. Power and clean-up crews are actively working in these areas, so please drive slowly and cautiously.”

Businesses are seen in a debris field in Chimney Rock, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

The hurricane’s death toll hit 230 as of late Friday since Helene made landfall in Florida last week, with most of the deaths in North and South Carolina.

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Hundreds also remain missing.

Any team that is coached by Mike Tomlin is going to be ready to play on any given Sunday. Such was the case for the 2023 Steelers who finished 10-7 and made it to the playoffs once again. Tomlin has never had a losing season during his tenure in Pittsburgh and the team has built a reputation for being a tough, well-coached football team under his watch.

Fast forward to 2024 and this Steelers team looks vastly different but under Mike Tomlin it will still be a disciplined football team who should be respected.

2023 Record: 10-7

Last Meeting: 11/8/2020 Steelers win, 24-19. Dallas Cowboys lead series 17-16-0

Head Coach: Mike Tomlin (176-101-2 as a head coach)

Key Additions: QB Justin Fields, QB Russell Wilson, LB Patrick Queen

Key Departures: QB Kenny Pickett, WR Diontae Jackson, WR Allen Robinson II

What more can you say about T.J. Watt that hasn’t already been said about the playmaker? Watt may be the most feared pass rusher in the game today and the Cowboys better have a plan for how to stop him on Sunday.

With a rookie left tackle in Tyler Guyton, and Terrence Steele at right tackle who has been known to be shaky at times, figuring out how to limit Watt and his impact will be key to the team’s success.

Watt has the ability to completely change the momentum of a game and if the Cowboys don’t come prepared, he’s going to be a game-wrecker once again. Whether it’s by keeping a running back in or chipping him with a tight end, the Cowboys are going to have to maneuver their offense around where Watt is in order to limit his impact.

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With the shakiness that is the Dallas Cowboys secondary George Pickens has a chance to make a massive impact on Sunday night. The Cowboys are battling injury issues at corner so they will be undermanned even if it is just DaRon Bland who misses the game.

Pickens, a dynamic pass catcher out of Georgia, is rounding into form as one of the games best receivers. Trevon Diggs will travel some, but Mike Zimmer doesn’t ask him to do it all the time, setting up a situation where Pickens can find a favorable matchup against other cornerbacks the Cowboys trot out there.

Last week he went off for over 100 yards receiving. If the Cowboys aren’t careful and don’t have a plan for it, they could see Pickens do something like that once again.

Right-handed pitcher Yonny Chirinos elected free agency on Friday, according to the official Minor League Baseball transaction log.

Chirinos spent 2024 on a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins, who selected his contract and called him up to the big leagues on June 19. He made six starts with the club before getting designated for assignment on July 23, and he was outrighted to Triple-A Jacksonville after clearing waivers.

Because all of the 30-year-old veteran’s options have been used, and the Marlins didn’t add him back to their 40-man roster at the end of the season, he was eligible to elect free agency.

Chirinos went 0-2 with a 6.30 ERA, 1.867 WHIP, 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings and a -0.1 WAR with Miami in 2024. During his time with Triple-A Jacksonville, however, Chirinos went 10-6 with a 3.66 ERA, 1.310 WHIP and 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings.

That production alone makes Chirinos an viable candidate to provide organizational depth for another team, but he has a strong track record in the majors as well.

Chirinos was once the No. 21 prospect in the Tampa Bay Rays’ farm system entering 2018. He was a spot starter and long reliever for the club for the next three seasons, until he underwent Tommy John surgery midway through 2020.

After returning to the mound for a few MLB outings in 2022, Chirinos made it back to full strength in 2023. He was ultimately designated for assignment by the Rays that July, though, so starting pitcher Shane McClanahan and first baseman Yandy Diaz could come off the injured list.

Chirinos went 19-14 with a 3.64 ERA, 1.161 WHIP and 4.3 WAR across 64 appearances with the Rays, 33 of which were starts. His brief time with the Atlanta Braves didn’t go quite as well, considering he went 1-1 with a 9.27 ERA, 1.791 WHIP and -0.8 WAR in his five starts after getting claimed off waivers.

The Marlins have now had six players elect free agency since the regular season came to a close on Monday. Chirinos joins right-handed pitcher Matt Andriese, outfielder Cristian Pache, left-handed pitcher Kent Emanuel, shortstop José Devers and catcher Ali Sánchez.

On top of all of those players jumping ship heading into 2025, Miami is set to overturn its entire coaching staff and more than 70 organizational staffers. The Marlins finished dead last in the NL East at 62-100 this season, just one year removed from making the postseason.

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