Latest news with #Helene-damaged
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
These 2 Western NC rivers were named among America's 11 most endangered historic places
Two Western North Carolina rivers have been placed on a yearly list of America's most endangered historic places, in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene's devastating effects. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has been publishing its "America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places" lists since 1988. As of the 38th iteration, only "a handful" of the more than 350 historic places named on the lists have been lost over the years according to the historic preservation trust. "Across the United States, compelling, meaningful historic sites are at risk, whether from natural disasters, underutilization, neglect, or lack of awareness," NTHP President and CEO Carol Quillen said in a May 6 news release. "Each site on this year's list has inspired passionate supporters from their surrounding communities to work together to save these cherished landmarks and repurpose them for the public, now and into the future." The French Broad and Swannanoa rivers made the 2025 more than six months after Helene caused historic flooding of the rivers in late September 2024. This flooding, along with ravaging WNC communities, causing some $60 billion in damage and killing more than 100 people, also wreaked havoc on river health. The Citizen Times previously reported the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service's proposal to place the river-dwelling Eastern hellbender on the endangered species list. More: Asheville seeks design team to help rebuild Helene-damaged French Broad riverfront parks Swannanoa, French Broad rivers among America's most 11 endangered historic places Following Helene, organizations such as MountainTrue, Riverlink and other environmental nonprofits have worked to repair the damage caused by the storm. These organizations and other river health groups have deployed volunteers to assist in removing massive amounts of debris from waterways, rebuilt river banks and advocated for more sustainable practices to protect ecosystems from future damage. Despite the destruction, there was plenty of early good news surrounding the health of the two rivers. In November 2024, MountainTrue's French Broad Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson described the reasons that he was "very encouraged with the pollution levels found so far in our waterways and river sediment" to The News-Record & Sentinel. Still, it will take years for the rivers to completely recover from the extensive storm damage. Donations can be made to MountainTrue at and to Riverlink at Endangered species in WNC rivers "The French Broad River basin once had one of the most diverse assemblies of aquatic fauna in the state; now it is one of the most heavily altered basins in western North Carolina," reads a report from the NC Department of Environmental Quality. The same report adds that, despite major changes, the basin remains home to a number of aquatic and wetland communities that support diverse species with national or state significance. Within the French Broad River basin, the NC Natural Heritage Program listed: Endangered species of plants and animals (USFWS list) : 8 Threatened species (USFWS list) : 3 Species of Concern (USFWS list) : 43 Endangered species (state of NC list) : 27 Threatened species (state of NC list) : 17 Significantly Rare species (state of NC list) : 49 Species of Concern (state of NC list): 38 The 11 most endangered historic places of 2025 More information about all 11 endangered places can be found at The full list from the National Trust for Historic Preservation in alphabetical order included: Cedar Key, Florida French Broad and Swannanoa River Corridors, Western North Carolina Hotel Casa Blanca, Idlewild, Michigan May Hicks Curtis House, Flagstaff, Arizona Mystery Castle, Phoenix, Arizona Oregon Caves Chateau, Caves Junction, Oregon Pamunkey Indian Reservation, King William County, Virginia San Juan Hotel, San Juan, Texas Terminal Island Japanese American Tuna Street Buildings, Los Angeles, California The Turtle, Niagara Falls, New York The Wellington, Pine Hill, New York More: Dredged up by Helene, 'magical' eastern hellbender now proposed for endangered species status More: Helene swept away WNC trout and anglers. Restoring fishing industry 'will be challenging' Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Western NC rivers among 11 most endangered historic places of 2025
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Governor Stein to deliver first State of the State address
RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – Governor Josh Stein is set to give his first State of the State address Wednesday evening. The governor will outline legislative priorities while highlighting his plans for growing North Carolina's economy, improving public education and investing in public safety. One of the primary focuses of Stein's first 70 days in office is securing funding for Helene-damaged areas and industries in Western North Carolina. While legislators agree relief efforts are crucial, how much money to allocate and how quickly are still points of contention. READ MORE: Gov. Stein visits storm-damaged Yancey County as he prepares to sign $500M Helene relief bill Stein has also been outspoken about the need for more affordable childcare options. He referred to the issue of accessible care options as a 'crisis' Monday while . 'We do not have enough childcare slots to meet the needs of the state,' he said. Stein said he plans to propose raises to childcare subsidy rates in his draft of the state budget, set to be released in late March. The governor's office announced the during the State of the State address will include a drug-awareness advocate from Mecklenburg County. founded The Hunter Dalton after losing her son in 2016 to fentanyl poisoning. Stein recognized Dalton's work while he was the state attorney general in 2018. Stein's address is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Viewers can stream the speech online . State Republicans will provide a rebuttal after the event. House Speaker Destin Hall (R-87) will deliver the remarks. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
FEMA approves $6+ million to replace Washington County bridge
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The State of Tennessee and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved a $6.8 grant to replace Corby Bridge in Washington County, Tennessee. Corby Bridge spans across the Nolichucky River and was originally built in 1958 near Limestone. The 41-foot bridge was destroyed when Hurricane Helene impacted the region. MORE: FEMA approves $6.2 million to replace Helene-damaged bridge in Greene County FEMA stated its share for the project is $5,135,506 and the nonfederal share is $1,711,835. 'The cost estimate was generated using FEMA's Rapid Assessment with Public Infrastructure Data, which uses geospatial and aerial imagery as well as available Federal Highway Administration and State Department of Transportation data,' FEMA said in a news release. 'The scope of work will be updated when the surveys and assessments are completed and a method of repair is selected.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Yahoo
WCSO: Missing Johnson City woman last seen in January
JONESBOROUGH – Washington County, Tennessee, Sheriff's deputies are searching for a woman who went missing on Jan. 23. According to Sheriff Keith Sexton, 35-year-old Cayla Nickles left her residence off Cash Hollow Road early on Jan. 23. She was last seen wearing black and white pajama pants. FEMA approves $6.2 million to replace Helene-damaged bridge in Greene County Nickles is approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs around 195 pounds. If anyone has seen Nickles or has any information about her whereabouts, please call the Washington County Sheriff's Office at 423-788-1414. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
