Raleigh North Carolina News

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) — Dozens of volunteers in Cumberland County are stepping up to feed the community for Thanksgiving. Thanks to the kindness of others, Hurricane Florence victims will have a full meal to enjoy. “It helps us to give back and see the smiles on people’s faces and to give love. That’s something we need in this day and time,” said volunteer Tonia Warren. Organizers told volunteers they fed 5,000 people last year; this…

The Latest on California’s wildfires (all times local): 7 p.m. A state report says two more sets of human remains were found Tuesday, bringing the total number killed in a devastating California wildfire to 81. The so-called Camp Fire swept through the rural town of Paradise on Nov. 8. It has destroyed nearly 13,000 homes. ___ 2:45 p.m. Dozens of people who lost their homes in a deadly Northern California wildfire remain at a makeshift…

A county GOP chairman in Ohio says he was mistaken in publishing a meme on Facebook that appeared to refer to the California wildfires as “God’s Punishment to Liberal California.” Columbiana County Republican Party Chairman Dave Johnson says he deleted the meme. It showed a landscape ablaze along with the text about “Liberal California.” Johnson said in a statement he didn’t intend “any disrespect to the innocent lives” lost but was pointing to policies he…

Newly released video shows the dramatic moment firefighters rescued three people and two dogs as thick smoke and flames fast approached in Southern California. The Los Angeles Fire Department released video Tuesday of a helicopter crew rescuing the group from a mountain peak as a wildfire bore down. The Nov. 9 video was taken as pilots David Nordquist and Joel Smith battled the Woolsey Fire that was raging through the Santa Monica Mountains toward Malibu….

By David Crabtree, WRAL anchor/reporter Fayetteville, N.C. — During Hurricane Florence, I met a woman who lived under a bridge until floodwaters forced her out. Her name is Judy. She survived Florence, and now she’s trying to live, in a life filled with struggles. In mid-September, the Cape Fear River rose past its banks, pushing the people living under a bridge out of the only place they called home. That’s when and why we met…

Operation Toy Storm has kicked off through December 15 geared specifically to help families in Eastern North Carolina hit hard by Hurricane Florence. “Before the hurricane came, I kept thinking I want to do something, I want to do something to help,” said Theresa Kostrzewa, Director of Operation Toy Storm. “We did some volunteer work and helped people at the coast and helped Carteret County School System collect some stuff then about three weeks ago…

As firefighters continue to work to contain the historically devastating Camp Fire, one question is on the minds of many who were affected: What started it? RELATED: The deadliest wildfires in California history The cause of the Camp Fire is still under investigation, but victims sued Pacific Gas & Electric last week, accusing the utility company of failing to maintain its infrastructure, thereby causing the fire. PHOTOS: Camp Fire burns through Butte County, California The…

A new nonprofit group led by prominent lobbyists is holding a toy drive Nov. 27 and 28 at the Legislative Building, when the General Assembly convenes. Operation Toy Storm is asking for donations of new, unwrapped toys for North Carolina children affected by Hurricane Florence. It will set up collection bins outside the offices of House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger. “We all represent clients, companies and organizations who may be willing…

The Medical University of South Carolina’s board of trustees has votes to approve the purchase of four new hospitals in the Palmetto State, an unprecedented move for the public medical school. The four hospitals: Chester Regional Medical Center, Carolinas Hospital System in Florence, Springs Memorial Hospital in Lancaster and Carolinas Hospital System — Marion, have a total of 827 beds and are owned by subsidiaries of Community Health Systems, according to a press release. “This…

Twenty games into the Carolina Hurricanes’ season, what do we know? The Canes, in Rod Brind’Amour’s first year as head coach, are 9-8-3. They’re not in playoff position with Thanksgiving two days away. Scoring remains problematic. The goaltending situation still is unsettled. The good news: parity reigns in the NHL. Listen to any coach or general manager and they’ll mention how evenly matched the league is and the standings bear that out. In the Eastern…

MARBLEHEAD, Ohio — A pint-sized pup adopted by a northern Ohio police department is having a positive impact on officers and the community. The Marblehead Police Department has a new K-9 officer, but he’s not the typical dog you’d see on the force. That’s because Zorro is a 4-month-old, 4.2-pound, Chihuahua/Rat Terrier mix. Chief Casey Joy said he was inspired by news stories about animals in need after Hurricane Florence, so he went on Petfinder.com…

Staff and families of Frank Porter Graham Bilingüe in Carrboro are used to the playground flooding after heavy rain, but Hurricane Florence brought rising waters to a new level. Now the school is asking the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education and the community to help restore the playground. It sits in a low-lying, grassy field next to Morgan Creek. At least once a year, the water from the creek knocks down the chain-link fence around…

Actor Frankie Muniz was left in the middle of a watery disaster last week when he returned home from France and found what his cat had done in his absence. “I arrived home from my uncle’s funeral to find 4 of my 5 story brownstone home under 3 feet of water,” the “Malcolm in the Middle” star tweeted on Thursday. “Everything I own, destroyed. Every wall, piece of artwork, personal photos, furniture … All because…

By Claudia Rupcich, WRAL reporter Raleigh, N.C. — A growing number of families are in need this holiday season, many because of Hurricanes Michael and Florence. According to the Salvation Army, more 7,800 families have signed up for the Angel Tree program in Wake County, which provides clothes and toys for children who otherwise may go without on Christmas. That’s 500 more angels than last year. “We actually had to host a late registration date…

Brad Weldon lost his home to fire when he was a kid, so when a deadly wildland blaze came roaring toward his ranch house in the pines where he lives with his 89-year-old blind mother, he wasn’t going to let disaster strike twice. Weldon and his mother’s caregiver, armed only with a garden hose and buckets, successfully fought the flames for 24 hours. At times, they had to lie down in the dirt to “avoid…