It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Bennett Place gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Durham, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“My family’s experience has been wonderful with Always Best Care. They are an exceptional team”
“Always going the extra mile making sure my father is being well taken care of.”
“Always best care is a family oriented agency . I am blessed in my heart”
“I am very grateful to work for Always Best Care since year 2019. All office”
“Wonderful company!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services was exactly what our family needed during a challenging time”
“Wow, the virtual reality dementia training is very eye opening. Gives you an idea of”
“Enjoyed taking this virtual trip through the mind of a dementia.”
“This was a very good experience. It changed my mind on a lot of things”
“I had a great experience”
“Great experience! I think everyone who cares for someone with dementia should have this experience.”
“This experience was great. It gave me a different perspective on dealing with dementia. I”
“It was a great experience and it is a eye opener I loved it”
“Very knowledgeable and informative! Definitely recommend”
“Great training”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care provided excellent, diligent, responsive and”
“They helped me with getting a wheelchair! They didn't want anything but to help me”
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with.”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed,”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We”
“I contacted Shawn when my mother returned home from the hospital. There are so many”
“Watching your parents age is an emotional experience. My mother has suffered from emphysema since”
“My family’s experience has been wonderful with Always Best Care. They are an exceptional team of caregivers who really care about the well fare of their clients. They go above and beyond taking care of my parents and have been very professional and dependable. I would recommend ABC to anyone who needs a reliable and competent care team. Karen Lussi”
“Always going the extra mile making sure my father is being well taken care of.”
“Always best care is a family oriented agency . I am blessed in my heart to see the services being rendered to clients. Extra miles taken to make sure every client is well taken care, even in unpleasant weather conditions. The CEO and administrators were out in the snow last week picking up workers who were unsure of driving . I was glad to see this commitment, making sure families could sit back and relax. With no fear, I will recommend Always best to any family who needs awesome care for their love ones.”
“I am very grateful to work for Always Best Care since year 2019. All office staff are great people, very helpful and always treat everyone with love and respect. Definitively it is a bless to work for this agency.”
“Wonderful company!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services was exactly what our family needed during a challenging time with our father. It all began with a fall, followed by an ER visit, and soon after, my sister and I found ourselves flying to NC to care for him and plan the next steps. Kathryn from Always Best Care was an absolute lifesaver! She guided us seamlessly through the process of finding the perfect independent senior living community for our father. Her extensive industry knowledge helped us navigate the additional health services he required with ease. Kathryn went above and beyond, consistently checking in and patiently responding to countless texts and emails from us. Thanks to her support, our father is now thriving in a supportive environment and is healthier than ever. We can’t imagine how we would have managed this journey without Kathryn’s expertise and compassion. Truly an incredible experience!”
“Wow, the virtual reality dementia training is very eye opening. Gives you an idea of what someone living with dementia is like. This is such a horrible disease but this helps care givers understand the disease. Thanks so much!!”
“Enjoyed taking this virtual trip through the mind of a dementia.”
“This was a very good experience. It changed my mind on a lot of things . I didn’t know it was that bad for them and it’s very sad , I will always treat them all with care and love no matter what because there dealing with something that’s really hard to deal with .”
“I had a great experience”
“Great experience! I think everyone who cares for someone with dementia should have this experience.”
“This experience was great. It gave me a different perspective on dealing with dementia. I now know what to do differently when working with my residents. I think A all caregivers should experience this training.”
“It was a great experience and it is a eye opener I loved it”
“Very knowledgeable and informative! Definitely recommend”
“Great training”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care provided excellent, diligent, responsive and caring home health assistance to my mother who was recovering from an unexpected surgery. They were able to assist on incredibly short notice and made a difficult situation for our family much better. Each of their carers was exceptionally professional and attentive, especially Lori and Kylie who were incredible. I felt safe leaving my loved one in their care and appreciated that they went above and beyond to meet our needs. They provided regular updates to me and my family and made my mother feel so well attended, especially as she needed extra mobility and personal care help. I would absolutely not work with any other company, should we ever need home health assistance again. Highly recommend.”
“They helped me with getting a wheelchair! They didn't want anything but to help me gain my mobility! They are all super nice and very helpful! Give them your trust, they have mine. If I ever need home help, it'll be through them!”
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had to downsize due to an unexpected illness and Always Best Care (ABC) stepped in to make this possible. Kind, compassion, pleasant, friendly, joyful and talented professionals comprise those providing this service. I literally couldn’t have lived for at my assisted living since I had so many hospital visits each week. I didn’t want to go alone to these appointments and this freed my family from needless distress and worry about my wellbeing when they couldn’t be there. I highly recommend ABC since they are an essential component providing excellent and reliable support.”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in law transition into her new home after moving to Raleigh from Winston Salem. She has dialysis 3x a week and they have worked so hard to coordinate a schedule to make sure everything runs smoothly. Sherry continues to amaze me in how she is able to help figure out schedules and provide customer services in a kind and professional manner. We will continue to look to this wonderful service provider as her needs change and feel blessed to have them on site at Atri”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with. He was sincerely concerned about my mom and our family. He is an excellent listener and introduced me to Paige who is equally wonderful. Together they found a great place for my mother in a very short time. Paige was always available to speak on the phone and addressed my questions or concerns. I would recommend using this service for your loved one. Laura B of Raleigh”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed, and things changed constantly. My dad has a chance to live the rest of his life with dignity and my mom has a chance to live a fuller life because of the help we got from Kathryn and this team. They have a great network and valuable knowledge but what observed that makes them invaluable is that they care...and when you are on this situation I found that this is the quality that matters the most. Cannot thank them enough.”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We are very satisfied with his service and professionalism. He took his time and our requirements and found the perfect place. Highly recommend him and Always Best Care!”
“I contacted Shawn when my mother returned home from the hospital. There are so many options it was confusing for me! Shawn and his team sent me several places to review and then accompanied me to visit independent living facilities. I appreciate the resources and information provided. Shawn, thank you for being focused on our family's needs and sharing your expertise. Your compassion and patience is so very appreciated!”
“Watching your parents age is an emotional experience. My mother has suffered from emphysema since the early 2000s and was diagnosed with dementia in 2018. We've worked with many companies to provide care for her and companionship. Since 2020, as my mother has significantly declined, we've had to make the decision to move her into a facility. For the past three years, Always Best, and more specifically Nancy Newcomer, has provided consistent and quality care for our family. Nancy is always on time, caring, and reliable. We've experienced companies with high turnover and feel blessed to have had Nancy's support for three years. She doesn’t do this solely for a paycheck but also checks on my dad on her days off and genuinely cares. I'd highly recommend this company to help care for your aging loved ones.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Sandy Creek Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Nanas or visit Duke Homestead, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Durham, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Durham, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Durham, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Less than two months after OXB revealed an equity raise of 60 million pounds sterling ($81 million) as part a plan to expand its operations in the U.S., the U.K.-based cell and gene therapy manufacturer has purchased a viral vector plant in North Carolina from National Resilience.The CDMO, which was formerly known as Oxford Biomedica, will pay 3.4 million pounds ($4.5 million) for the commercial-scale facility, which is located in the Research Triangle Park area in Durham.The sale also comes four months after struggling Resilie...
Less than two months after OXB revealed an equity raise of 60 million pounds sterling ($81 million) as part a plan to expand its operations in the U.S., the U.K.-based cell and gene therapy manufacturer has purchased a viral vector plant in North Carolina from National Resilience.
The CDMO, which was formerly known as Oxford Biomedica, will pay 3.4 million pounds ($4.5 million) for the commercial-scale facility, which is located in the Research Triangle Park area in Durham.
The sale also comes four months after struggling Resilience unveiled a plan to consolidate by closing six of its 10 plants. Selling off its Durham site now leaves the streamlined CDMO with facilities in Toronto, Philadelphia and Cincinnati.
In January of this year, Resilience laid off 120 at the North Carolina facility, which it gained for $110 million as part of a 2021 partnership with gene therapy specialist bluebird bio. Bluebird has since sold itself and rebranded as Genetix Biotherapeutics.
The Research Triangle Park facility becomes the fifth in OXB’s network and its second in the U.S. The company’s site in Bedford, Massachusetts, will remain its adeno-associated virus “center of excellence,” OXB said, focusing on early-stage development activities, while the Durham plant will perform clinical and commercial production duties.
“This acquisition is a major milestone in OXB’s evolution as a global, innovation-led CDMO partner of choice,” Frank Mathias, OXB’s CEO, said in a release. “The FDA approved facility in North Carolina adds commercial-scale US manufacturing capabilities, accelerating OXB’s ability to meet growing demand from existing clients while supporting new business opportunities.”
With its location in the Research Triangle Park area, the facility provides “access to established industry networks” and brings a “skilled workforce,” OXB said, adding that it plans to hire additional staff to “bring it to its full commercial readiness.”
The site has two GMP suites for drug substance production, one for fill-finish duties and a fourth that's ready for an expansion, in addition to quality control labs and warehousing. OXB expects the plant to be operational by the first quarter of next year.
The cell and gene therapy pioneer, which was established in 1995 as a spinout from the University of Oxford, also has facilities in Lyon and Strasbourg in France. At its home base in Oxfordshire, England, the company operates out of five buildings spanning more than 180,000 square feet.
Resilience launched with an ambitious mission in November 2020 to broaden access to medicines and protect biopharma supply chains against disruption. The startup was propelled by an $800 million investment and a goal to become the “world's most advanced biopharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem.”
By the end of 2021, Resilience had drawn additional investment rounds of $625 million and $600 million, and, in 2023, the company secured a $410 million loan from the Department of Defense.
“It has become clear that our capacity expansion has outpaced industry demand,” Resilience CEO William Marth wrote in June in announcing the company’s streamlined setup.
RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State football (3-0, 1-0) will look to remain undefeated as the Wolfpack makes the short 22-mile trip to Durham to take on Duke, Saturday, Sept. 20th at 4 p.m., broadcast on ESPN 2.Although Duke leads the overall series, which dates back to 1924, the Wolfpack posts a 15-5 mark since 1990. Included in that time span is an 11-game winning streak by the Pack (1994-2008). This will mark just the fifth meeting between the Wolfpack and Blue Devils in Dave Doeren's 12 years as head coach, ...
RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State football (3-0, 1-0) will look to remain undefeated as the Wolfpack makes the short 22-mile trip to Durham to take on Duke, Saturday, Sept. 20th at 4 p.m., broadcast on ESPN 2.
Although Duke leads the overall series, which dates back to 1924, the Wolfpack posts a 15-5 mark since 1990. Included in that time span is an 11-game winning streak by the Pack (1994-2008). This will mark just the fifth meeting between the Wolfpack and Blue Devils in Dave Doeren's 12 years as head coach, but the fourth since 2020.
This season marks the first time in 26 years that NC State's first two conference games are on the road. In 1999, the Pack opened league play with games at Florida State and Wake Forest, dropping both contests. The Pack also had two road games to open ACC play in 1978, winning at Wake Forest and then falling at Maryland. You have to go back another decade - to 1968 - to find the previous time the Pack had opened the league with two road games. That year was also the last time NC State. Won two road league games to open conference play, defeating Wake Forest, 10-6, and UNC, 38-6. The Pack went on to win the ACC Championship that season.
NC State has been down at the half in each of its last two games (10 points vs. Virginia and seven vs. Wake Forest). The Pack came back to win both of those contests. It's the first time since 2014 that the Wolfpack won games in back-to-back weeks after being down at the half (17-3 to Georgia Southern and 21-18 to Old Dominion). In the playoff era, only three ACC teams have won back-to-back games after trailing by seven or more points at the break. Miami did it in 2024 vs. Virginia Tech and Cal and BC did it last year vs. Michigan State and Western Kentucky.
The ground game has led the Wolfpack, as Hollywood Smothers not only leads the ACC in rushing but also ranks sixth in the FBS and third in the P4. He has posted career-highs in rushing in three of his last four games. Smothers enters Saturday's game with 951 rushing yards in his brief NC State career. If he were to get close to his league-leading rushing average in the game at Duke would become the Wolfpack's 41st 100-yard career rusher. He currently ranks ninth in NC State history in career rushing yards per game with 67.9.
In terms of passing touchdowns, Bailey is the first Pack player to have at least five passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns through the Wolfpack's first three games of a season since Philip Rivers in 2002. He ranks 12th in ESPN's QBR for the season with an 85.0 mark.
Bailey currently ranks 24th in the FBS with a .708 completion percentage. He boasted a 90 QBR according to ESPN for the win over Virginia - the highest of his career and 10th-best in the nation last week (second highest vs. a P4 defense).
Three games into the season, NC State has turned the ball over just one time. That TO was a CJ Bailey interception late in the second quarter of the season opener, which means the Pack has gone 10 straight quarters with a miscue. That mark (one TO) leads the ACC and is tied for 10th nationally.
On the defensive side of the ball the win over Wake Forest marked the 55th time under Dave Doeren that the Wolfpack has held the opponent to less than 100 yards rushing. It was the second time in three games that the opponent failed to reach 100 yards rushing in 2025. ECU's 30 total rushing yards in the season opener tied as the 14th-lowest for a Pack opponent in the Doeren era. It was the lowest rushing total for an opponent since 2023. Wake Forest rushed for just 59 yards.
When 280-lb. defensive tackle Isaiah Shirley rumbled and stumbled 41 yards to the end zone after picking off a pass in the win at Wake Forest, it marked the first 'thick six' for the Pack since the 2020 season. Shirley was named the ACC's Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance in the victory.
Coming up at Bennett Place State Historic Site, an evening to reflect on a pivotal chapter in American history—the end of the Civil War and slavery in North Carolina—is the luminary program "The Promise of Peace: Slavery's End in North Carolina." According to a press release from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the free public event will take place on September 20 from 7-9:30 p.m. Each of the 1,324 luminaries set to adorn the site represents 250 individuals once enslaved in the state, co...
Coming up at Bennett Place State Historic Site, an evening to reflect on a pivotal chapter in American history—the end of the Civil War and slavery in North Carolina—is the luminary program "The Promise of Peace: Slavery's End in North Carolina." According to a press release from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the free public event will take place on September 20 from 7-9:30 p.m. Each of the 1,324 luminaries set to adorn the site represents 250 individuals once enslaved in the state, commemorating the 331,059 enslaved souls who bore witness to freedom's dawn with the war’s end.
Historians from across State Historic Sites will give testimonies dedicated to the enslaved people's journeys toward liberty during the program. Originally slated for April but delayed due to weather, the event has been rescheduled, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in the stories while musician Shana Tucker serenades the night with instrumental music. Offering more context, the event highlights how slavery's dissolution took shape, with enslaved persons seeking refuge with U.S. forces or negotiating with their enslavers to avoid separation from their families or forced labor. Although the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln was declared on Sept. 22, 1862, it wasn't until the Confederate surrender at Bennett Place and the military enforcement thereafter that the chains of slavery were truly shattered.
Know also the soil at Bennett Place, where General Sherman and General Johnston came to terms, sent shockwaves through the Confederate ranks, leading to the largest surrender of its time. Now, the reconstructed farmsteads serve as a testament to the lives of common Southern farmers, with the Bennett Place State Historic Site located at 4409 Bennett Memorial Rd., Durham, NC.
Under the purview of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the preservation and celebration of the state's art, history, and natural beauty are paramount. Possessing stewardship over an impressive array of venues, the department’s reach extends to historic sites, museums, parks, and more, including Bennett Place State Historic Site. Each site serves as a guardian of North Carolina's rich legacy, offering residents and visitors alike a chance to borrow wisdom from yesterday, carrying its weighty promise into our collective tomorrow. Donations are encouraged during the luminary event but are not required, with weather updates available on Bennett Place or North Carolina State Historic Sites’ social media and events website.
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- A federal grand jury has returned a ten-count indictment against a man and a woman for their alleged roles in a forced labor and money laundering operation.David Taylor, 53, was arrested in North Carolina and Michelle Brannon, 56, was arrested in Florida, according to the Department of Justice."Combating human trafficking is a top priority for the Department of Justice," said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division."We are commi...
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- A federal grand jury has returned a ten-count indictment against a man and a woman for their alleged roles in a forced labor and money laundering operation.
David Taylor, 53, was arrested in North Carolina and Michelle Brannon, 56, was arrested in Florida, according to the Department of Justice.
"Combating human trafficking is a top priority for the Department of Justice," said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.
"We are committed to relentlessly pursuing and ending this scourge and obtaining justice for the victims."
ABC11 News spoke with a neighbor in Durham who wanted to remain anonymous. One neighbor said she always had an uneasy feeling seeing people on in and out of the property.
Her gut said something was off. The neighbor also said at various times they were asked to visit the church, and one encounter in particular made her feel weirded out. During that meeting, she said Taylor's supposed religious vision was directed at her family.
"I actually was just a little scared about him telling us about our little brother to be careful because something might happen to him because he supposedly had a vision or something, because he was a pastor," she says. "But I always thought in my head that was weird."
She says while she always had an uneasy feeling, she never thought someone who's supposed to be a pastor could do something like he's accused of.
"I knew something was off because all those black trash bags were brought in and out," she says. "I guess all my suspicions were there."
The indictment alleges that Taylor and Brannon are the leaders of the Kingdom of God Global Church (KOGGC), formerly known as Joshua Media Ministries International (JMMI).
Their organization ran a call center that solicited donations for KOGGC/JMMI every day. Taylor established his first call center in Michigan and then operated call centers in other locations, including Florida, Texas, and Missouri.
Taylor and Brannon, according to the indictment, compelled their victims to work at their call centers. Taylor and Brannon controlled every aspect of their daily lives.
In addition, according to the indictment, Taylor and Brannon required victims to work in the call centers long hours without pay or perform other services for Taylor.
He set unattainable daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly monetary donation goals for victims working in the call centers and required victims to follow the orders he created without question.
KOGGC/JMMI received millions of dollars in donations each year through its call centers.
Taylor and Brannon used much of the money to purchase luxury properties, luxury vehicles, and sporting equipment such as a boat, jet skis, and ATVs, the indictment shows.
In total, Taylor received approximately $50 million in donations since 2014.
Taylor will appear before a judge today in Durham. Brannon will appear in a Florida court.
If convicted, the alleged crimes could result in a prison sentence of up to 60 years.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Weeks after a developer withdrew a project aimed at transforming Durham’s Hayti neighborhood, the City Council turned its attention to the freeway that divided the area decades ago.On Thursday, the Durham City Council reviewed a community-driven vision for the Durham Freeway corridor, also known as N.C. 147, which cuts through the center of the city. The Reimagine Durham Freeway study aims to address the lasting damage the road’s construction inflicted on Black neighborhoods in the 1970s.When the freeway was built, ...
Weeks after a developer withdrew a project aimed at transforming Durham’s Hayti neighborhood, the City Council turned its attention to the freeway that divided the area decades ago.
On Thursday, the Durham City Council reviewed a community-driven vision for the Durham Freeway corridor, also known as N.C. 147, which cuts through the center of the city. The Reimagine Durham Freeway study aims to address the lasting damage the road’s construction inflicted on Black neighborhoods in the 1970s.
When the freeway was built, neighborhoods near downtown, including Hayti, lost hundreds of Black-owned homes and thousands of businesses. Some neighborhoods, like Brookstown, were wiped out all together.
The study explores three options to reconnect communities displaced by the freeway’s construction and urban renewal: converting the freeway into an urban boulevard, capping it with land bridges, or modernizing it while reducing its footprint.
Launched in January 2024, the study is led by engineering and design firm WSP USA Inc. The team is also working with the N.C. Department of Transportation, which owns the roadway, to identify challenges along the corridor.
One of the three options will be selected by the end of the year, said Erin Convery, the city’s transportation planning manager. Any reconstruction on the freeway will take several years and require millions of dollars, but the council members say it’s a necessary step.
“I don’t want to wait years to restore and repair the Hayti community or reconnecting our communities in general,” Mayor Leo Williams said. “I think we have an amazing opportunity here, and I want us to think big.”
Evian Patterson, the city’s assistant transportation director, said before the freeway, there were dozens of connections between neighborhoods, businesses, schools and churches. Construction removed 34, leaving just 16.
“Community engagement has been a real foundation of this project,” Patterson said. “What we heard was that people’s biggest concerns were about safety and limited mobility options for physically crossing the freeway.”
IHere are the three options for a new, or removed, freeway:
Examples of a reconstructed freeway include Rochester, N.Y., where the city removed part of Interstate 490, also known as the Inner Loop East, built in the 1950s. The removed portion of the loop was replaced with a walkable boulevard, six reclaimed acres of land and over 500 new housing units and connections to neighborhoods.
Winston-Salem also reconstrued part of a corridor along Interstate 40 in 2020 to replace bridges, reconfigure interchanges and build wider sidewalks. The project was funded with state, local and private dollars, Convery said.
Councilmembers Carl Rist and Javiera Caballero wondered how the city would pay for revising the freeway. The city started considering the reimagined freeway during the Biden Administration when the study was funded by the federal government.
There was also a question about who would own the reclaimed land if the freeway were to be redone.
The Durham Freeway was funded by state bond referendums, but it was a federal project with significant federal money.
“It is deeply disappointing now for communities to really fix the thing that we didn’t necessarily fund, at least not fully,” Caballero said. “We’re going to get caught holding the bag.”
Rist asked if NCDOT would fund any of the plans. The state would most likely fund a freeway modernization, Convery said.
“The dollars aren’t there right now,” Rist said and asked how the community can move forward without the money to act anytime soon.
Convery said projects like reimagining the freeway take “a lot of time” and community engagement.
“We’re looking at 10- to 15-year timeframes from visioning to any sort of project implementation,” she said.
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