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 the historic North Carolina Executive Mansion 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 Raleigh, 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.
“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”
“Other Navigation through the process of finding a Memory Care Facility for my husband. The Owner.”
“Phenomenal services providing peace of mind during difficult times when your elderly loved ones need”
“I could not be happier with this service. I schedule care in 15 minute or”
“I Love Always Best Care, we have an amazing team and I am lucky to”
“I am a past client of this provider Staff helped guide and navigate options for my”
“I am a past client of this provider ABC caregivers took care of my 93 yr”
“ABC caregivers took care of my 93 yr old father from when he came out”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by”
“We recently had to move my Dad from one senior care center to another. It”
“Oh my goodness! I was at the very bottom of my rope with no where”
“I started with Always Best Care in October of 2018 and they have been fabulous”
“I’ve been employed by Always Best Care Senior Services as a caregiver for almost four”
“This is a great place to work . The management team goes beyond there duties.They”
“A good company that cares for both employees and clients.”
“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.”
“Other Navigation through the process of finding a Memory Care Facility for my husband. The Owner. Met with my daughter and me. We included my husband. Right away we could hear see and feel this man's compassionate heart. He cared for his own aging family members and can relate. He personally called to check in with us despite the fact that we needed a facility and not home care. Taking it one step further he went on tours with us and we discussed pros and cons without his bias of one over another. Once our loved one was placed this gentleman continued advising at our initiation of calls. He never failed to call back. Highly recommend this man.”
“Phenomenal services providing peace of mind during difficult times when your elderly loved ones need you the most. Highly recommend!”
“I could not be happier with this service. I schedule care in 15 minute or 30 minute visits for 6 visits a day. They make sure that my 96 year old mother takes her meds, walks to meals, they deliver her meals when she is too tired to walk, they water her plants, bathe her, they will help in anyway to provide the best care. Shawn Cothran, the owner, made a personal visit to her room to make sure she had all that she needs. The caregivers; Vera, Jackie, Toni, Elizabeth and many others could not be better. I highly recommend this service.”
“I Love Always Best Care, we have an amazing team and I am lucky to be surrounded by such caring hearts.”
“I am a past client of this provider Staff helped guide and navigate options for my mother. We found a new home for her and the extra attention she is now receiving has given both the family and her comfort and peace of mind. It is a challenging transition and the help was invaluable. Many thanks!”
“I am a past client of this provider ABC caregivers took care of my 93 yr old father from when he came out of the hospital until he passed away 8 months later. The nurse was very fast and efficient and met us at his residence when we arrived from the hospital. Many caregivers were so sweet and careful with him and were helpful to my mother as well. He would be happy to see their smiling faces. They were also very accommodating for schedule and other changes. I would highly recommend them!”
“ABC caregivers took care of my 93 yr old father from when he came out of the hospital until he passed away 8 months later. The nurse was very fast and efficient and met us at his residence when we arrived from the hospital. Many caregivers were so sweet and careful with him and were helpful to my mother as well. He would be happy to see their smiling faces. They were also very accommodating for schedule and other changes. I would highly recommend them!”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by far the best place I've worked our boss and staff are everything.????????????????????????????????????????????????????”
“We recently had to move my Dad from one senior care center to another. It was wonderful to have Paige from Always Best Care make all the appointments and show us different options. She knew all the ins & outs, positives & negatives and was such a huge help in finding him a new place to live! I highly recommend this service to anyone in need of finding a place for their loved one.”
“Oh my goodness! I was at the very bottom of my rope with no where to turn. Almost overnight, my mom went from being totally independent to needing assisted living, and I didn't know where or how to even start. The hospital was breathing down my neck to get her out of there, and I had nowhere to take her. I couldn't provide the care she needed at home. Then a friend sent me a copy of Shawn Cothran's business card. She said he could help. Shawn called me when I was at my lowest point. He offered me hope with the possibility of placement the same day or next for my mom. By that afternoon, we had signed a contract and placed a bed in mom's new home. The next day, she moved in to a very nice, beautiful and caring community. I will be forever grateful to Always Best Care Senior Services and Shawn!!”
“I started with Always Best Care in October of 2018 and they have been fabulous with their flexibility. I have been able to make my own schedule to accommodate other things in my life.”
“I’ve been employed by Always Best Care Senior Services as a caregiver for almost four years. I’ve been impressed by their professional, ethical and caring work environment, as well as the continuing training and support given to employees. As a caregiver it has been a rewarding experience to lovingly provide for the physical and emotional needs of our clients.”
“This is a great place to work . The management team goes beyond there duties.They care a lot about their clients and their workers . If you are looking for a good place to work with flexible schedule I would recommend you ABC care .”
“A good company that cares for both employees and clients.”
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 Pullen 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 The Capital Grille or visit Mordecai House, 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 Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, 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.
N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren addressed former N.C. State quarterback Grayson McCall’s sudden retirement from football for the first time publicly Monday, during his weekly availability prior to Saturday’s game against Stanford.Doeren said he and the Wolfpack’s staff allowed McCall to handle things on his own time and own way.“I said, ‘You do whatever you need to do. We&r...
N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren addressed former N.C. State quarterback Grayson McCall’s sudden retirement from football for the first time publicly Monday, during his weekly availability prior to Saturday’s game against Stanford.
Doeren said he and the Wolfpack’s staff allowed McCall to handle things on his own time and own way.
“I said, ‘You do whatever you need to do. We’re here to support you,’ and that’s really it,” Doeren said. “I’m like, ‘When you’re ready to announce the next steps, let’s have a conversation. We knew where this thing was going, and I wanted him to do it his way.
“He’s earned every opportunity in the sport. He’s a great teammate, he’s a tremendous young guy to coach, and he’s got a bright future as a coach, if that’s what he chooses to do.”
McCall suffered two concussions during his four-game Wolfpack career. He left the Louisiana Tech game on Sept. 14 before halftime after his head hit the turf and missed the next two games.
He returned to the lineup on Oct. 5 against Wake Forest, and was hit on the first offensive drive of the game. While rushing the ball, McCall collided with multiple Demon Deacons defenders. He lost his helmet and mouth guard, briefly losing consciousness. Medical staff took McCall to the hospital, from which he was released later that night.
The following week, Doeren did not originally rule McCall out for the season and said he supported McCall, his family and the medical staff as it evaluated the quarterback.
Doeren said Monday, however, it was clear from the beginning McCall likely would not return after the Wake Forest game.
“We kind of knew after the game,” Doeren said. “If he had another one that that was probably it. It was pretty quick. It was more of a matter of the steps he wanted to take and when he was ready to make it a public thing.
“It’s a big step to make that announcement and have to say those words — even though you know that it’s probably happening — out loud and to do it the way that he did. I thought it was really well done. There’s a lot of things, as you can imagine, being talked about before they become public.”
McCall announced his retirement on Oct. 23, two and a half weeks after his final play, after spending time with his family. Doeren said it’s difficult when a player’s career ends, but the graduate student has relied on his faith through the process.
“Unfortunately, my dream has been cut just short. As you all know, I have battled injuries my whole career, but this is one that I cannot come back from,” McCall said in a statement. “I have done everything I can to continue, but this is where the good Lord has called me to serve in a different space. Brain specialists, my family and I have come to the conclusion that it is in my best interest to hang the cleats up.”
McCall’s final season at Coastal Carolina in 2023 ended because of a similar injury. He made helmet-to-helmet contact with an Arkansas State defender and landed on the ground. Paramedics transported him to a nearby hospital and he was diagnosed with a concussion. Due to the NCAA’s concussion protocol, McCall did not play the rest of the season.
The graduate student transferred to NC State after spending five years at Coastal Carolina.
McCall entered the program as a highly-anticipated transfer. At Coastal, he became the only player to earn Sun Belt Player of the Year three times and left the program holding school records in total touchdowns (106), touchdown passes (88) and passing yards (10,005).
He appeared in four games at N.C. State, contributing 518 passing yards and three touchdowns.
McCall finished his career with 11,653 yards of total offense, 91 passing touchdowns and 18 rushing touchdowns.
He will remain an active member of the team, participating in team meetings, attending practices and traveling. True freshman CJ Bailey will remain the starter, with Lex Thomas serving as his backup.
“He’s still a captain. He’s still leading,” Doeren said. “He’s helping CJ and Lex at meetings. At practice today, he was fantastic. He’s out there giving them advice, talking about what he sees. And he loves the game of football, he loves the brotherhood of football. He’s going to be really good, if that’s the path.”
Attendance at the 2024 N.C. State Fair nearly reached 1 million.This year, 998,926 people came to the annual 11-day event — perhaps for the new foods and drinks such as deep-fried ribs and pickle Dr Pepper, perhaps for the ...
Attendance at the 2024 N.C. State Fair nearly reached 1 million.
This year, 998,926 people came to the annual 11-day event — perhaps for the new foods and drinks such as deep-fried ribs and pickle Dr Pepper, perhaps for the tractor pull or the 210-foot slide.
After reaching a post-pandemic high of 960,172 in 2022, attendance at the 2023 fair dropped to 926,425.
Attendance for the first seven days of this year’s fair surpassed last year’s numbers. This year, nearly 10,000 more people came to the fair, compared to the 68,441 who attended Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.
“This was a great fair that was blessed with 11 beautiful days of weather and the attendance reflected that. But seeing people enjoying themselves, laughing with family and friends and making memories together is the true measure of success,” N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said in a news release.
Weekends often draw in more crowds than the weekdays, and the trend held true this year. More than 100,000 people visited the fair each Saturday and Sunday.
Tuesday, Oct. 22, which was Senior Day (when people ages 65 and older get free admission), set an attendance record, with 85,738 fairgoers.
Total attendance at the N.C. State Fair hasn’t exceeded 1 million since 2017.
While attendance came closer to pre-pandemic levels in 2022, fewer people showed up to the fair in 2023.
It is the sixth-highest attendance record in the fair’s 156-year history, according to the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services.
This story was originally published October 28, 2024, 4:57 PM.
A new Lego store is opening soon in downtown Raleigh, but its owner plans for the store to be more than just a place to buy bricks.“We’re trying to make this an experience more than it is just a Lego store,” said Pranav Harish, who owns the new Bricks & Minifigs franchise.Like other Bricks & Minifigs locations — ...
A new Lego store is opening soon in downtown Raleigh, but its owner plans for the store to be more than just a place to buy bricks.
“We’re trying to make this an experience more than it is just a Lego store,” said Pranav Harish, who owns the new Bricks & Minifigs franchise.
Like other Bricks & Minifigs locations — such as the ones in Cary, North Raleigh or Durham — the shop will sell new, retired and used Lego products.
But Harish, a Lego collector with a special interest in rare and unique pieces, wants customers to be able to see Lego products they’ve never seen before.
“We don’t want to be gatekeepers for very high-end items,” Harish said. “Most of them just sit in people’s private collections all day, and they have no hope of being shown to the public, aside from, like, quick snippets of videos here and there that you might see on certain influencers’ pages.”
Through relationships with other collectors, cultivated as Harish bought and sold Legos, he plans to display one-of-a-kind Lego products in store.
“We want to show people the cool stories that go behind each of the individual pieces and what made them what they are,” he said. Harish hasn’t yet announced which specific pieces he will exhibit.
Bricks & Minifigs is renovating the 2,400-square-foot space at 206 Fayetteville St. in downtown Raleigh.
A grand opening date has not been shared, but the store is expected to open this holiday season.
Details about the event are still under wraps, but Bricks & Minifigs will give away $5,000 worth of Lego items from Harish’s collection.
“I just wanted to give those away and try to see, almost like ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,’ just, you know, who can randomly take away something that could potentially add a lot of value to their life?” he said.
The territory for Harish’s franchise is South Raleigh, but he was only looking for potential storefronts in downtown Raleigh, he said. He wanted to be close to the convention center, where events such as GalaxyCon occur.
In addition to opening the retail store, Harish is working to set up a nonprofit, Peace by Piece, which will give away Lego items to the community.
“Growing up in an impoverished community, I remember Lego used to help me out a lot, to stay out of trouble and be able to focus on something that was better for my life,” Harish said.
He had limited access to Lego as a child, but his desire for the items never wavered. After years working in the hospitality industry, he had the disposable income to purchase the sets he couldn’t afford earlier.
Harish began amassing Lego pieces, and his collection grew so large that he knew he needed to pare down or open a museum.
He wanted to share his collection with the public but needed to generate revenue. Operating a Bricks & Minifigs franchise provided brand recognition and the flexibility to make the store unique.
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October 25, 2024 1:54 PM
This story was originally published October 28, 2024, 3:13 PM.
READ MOREHurricane Helene swept across the Southeast, causing major flooding and destruction throughout North Carolina. Here is ongoing coverage from The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer about Hurricane Helene and the aftermath, particularly in Western North Carolina.Expand AllAfter Helene shut down much of the power grid in Western North Carolina, solar panels provided a lifeline to dozens of communities.That showed the value of alternative energy systems like solar with battery storage that can...
Hurricane Helene swept across the Southeast, causing major flooding and destruction throughout North Carolina. Here is ongoing coverage from The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer about Hurricane Helene and the aftermath, particularly in Western North Carolina.
After Helene shut down much of the power grid in Western North Carolina, solar panels provided a lifeline to dozens of communities.
That showed the value of alternative energy systems like solar with battery storage that can generate electricity independent of the power grid, said Dave Hollister, president and CEO of Weaverville-based Sundance Power Systems.
During times of disaster, Hollister said, “the reality is that more than ever it becomes a valuable commodity.”
Sundance was one of the local organizations that worked with the Footprint Project, a New Orleans-based nonprofit, to bring more than 45 portable solar arrays and battery systems to the region.
And Duke Energy’s microgrid in Hot Springs faced its first true test, one company officials say it passed with flying colors.
At the peak, more than 1.5 million North Carolina customers didn’t have power after Helene, with trees toppled onto power lines and flooding damaging vital infrastructure like substations.
Solar energy paired with battery storage gave some people a respite from the outages and the means to charge cell phones, take hot showers, and refrigerate insulin.
Will Heegard, the Footprint Project’s founder and operations director, said solar is a necessary alternative to the diesel-powered generators that tradtionally spring up throughout disaster zones.
“The longer that we live through these type of extreme or major disaster power outage events the more clear it is in general that relying on single source fossil fuel when the grid goes down is not the definition of resilience,” Heegard said.
Setting up a reliable fuel supply for generators was a problem in the Mitchell County community of Poplar when Al Miller visited it days after Helene hit.
Miller had retired earlier this year from his role as director of disaster ministries for the N.C. Conference of the United Methodist Church, planning to build an addition on his home in the mountains.
After Helene struck, Miller took on the new role of director of disaster ministries for Helene for the Western N.C. Conference of the United Methodist Church.
At the NC Conference, Miller had worked with the Footprint Project to help secure funding for a solar-powered disaster response trailer that can help responders set up a command center or power a shelter location.
The trailer was used in the response to the Moore County power grid attacks after someone fired at two substations, leaving the county in the dark for days.
“Our society’s become so dependent upon our cell phone or battery powered tools or flashlights or whatever,” Miller said. “When the power goes, you can’t charge, you can’t do anything and this gives a lot of people a sense of relief that this thing’s there and it can help.”
When Miller learned that Heegard and the Footprint Project were working in Western North Carolina, he urged them to go to Poplar.
There, with the help of the Western NC Conference, the Footprint Project set up two systems. One, with 18 panels spread across a field and a Tesla battery, helped power a community center. The other helped power a well pump to that community center.
“They were amazed when the generators went off and the lights were still on. Fuel is such a precious resource up there,” Miller said.
The power returned to Poplar last week, Heegard said, and the Footprint Project pulled its solar panels and batteries away, for use in another disaster area.
The Footprint Project also has larger kits with batteries that can be moved with forklifts that can power trailers or mobile field offices or, in at least one instance in Western North Carolina, a fire station.
As of Thursday, the Footprint Project had 47 solar arrays spread across the region. The solar panels, which have typically been donated to the group, are laid down in a field and paired with a battery.
“Oftentimes when we’re dropping them off it’s the first time anyone in that community has seen a solar panel that’s not on a roof 30 to 40 feet away. Most people in the world have never stood and touched and moved around a commercial solar panel,” Heegard said.
Microgrids are self-contained electrical networks that can generate power locally. In 2023, Duke Energy finished building one that pair a solar array and lithium-based battery storage facility to serve as the backup power source for Hot Springs, a Madison County town of about 550 people .
That microgrid was designed to provide 4 to 6 hours of power at up to 1 megawatt per hour, but Duke was able to stretch the duration to fully power part of Hot Springs day and night.
Due to heavy damage to buildings in Hot Springs and energy conservation efforts, the town’s energy demand was limited to 400 kilowatt hours during the day and 250 kilowatt hours at night, Bill Norton, a Duke spokesman, said in an email.
Noron classified the migrogrid’s performance as “very strong,” able to power the town’s downtown area including critical facilities like the fire department and a gas station starting on October 2 until the grid was restored October 8.
Norton continued, “The Hot Springs microgrid is a prototype facility designed to advance our knowledge of microgrid capabilities, and the project’s performance during Helene demonstrates that microgrids can improve resiliency under the right circumstances.”
Duke built the microgrid in Hot Springs because the town’s primary power line runs 10 miles through the Pisgah National Forest and had long experienced reliability challenges. Company officials said the microgrid was a cost-effective solution to building a second transmission line or substation.
Microgrids are an option for backup power in remote locations, Norton said, but he warned that they’re not perfect.
“They are not a silver bullet — if we had extensive cloud cover in the following days, or solar panel damage like we experienced in Florida, power would still be compromised. But in the right setting, it is a strong tool in the toolbox of reliability and resiliency solutions,” Norton wrote.
State officials have already expressed interest in more solar-fueled energy back up sources in this state’s mountains in years to come.
Gov. Roy Cooper’s Helene funding proposal suggested that North Carolina should ask the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Financing Program for $1 billlion to set up a program that would help fund microgrids near key communications infrastructure like cell phone towers.
The goal, the administration wrote in a damage and needs assessment released last week, would be to keep the infrastructure powered if the grid went down.
Heegard, a paramedic by training, started to think about the potential for solar power in disaster zones during a stint in Guinea responding to the ebola virus outbreak with the International Medical Corps. Heegard’s assignment was to power five refrigerators at health clinics to store blood samples so health officials could monitor spread of the virus.
Initially, the grant came with diesel-powered generators and would also involve figuring out how to supply diesel fuel for them for a year.
That supply chain was of particular concern to Heegard, who asked if the program could instead use five refrigerators powered by solar panels. While more expensive, he said, they offered a longer-term solution for the clinics than paying for diesel for a year.
After returning to the states and working on an ambulance again, Heegard couldn’t stop thinking about what he saw as a clear opportunity.
“I was wondering why we weren’t doing it in our own backyard and started tinkering with solar and batteries in my backyard and we just started throwing them at local disasters,” Heegard said.
Heegard also noticed a kind of bitter irony that people were burning fossil fuels in the response to disasters that are often made more severe by climate change, which is primarily caused by burning such fuel.
“Right now, all of the response is gas generators being hauled in by gas trucks with gas fuel supply chains to deliver bottled water, which is a fossil fuel industry, to support FEMA trailers that are inefficiently designed and poorly built,” Heegard said.
Heegard said he is hoping for a different future, where portable microgrids can be spread across a state, used to limit fossil fuel consumption when power usage is highest but available for rapid deployment to the places they are most needed in the event of a disaster or a prolonged power outage.
To reach that point, the technology would also need to be standardized, with similar plugs available and ways to track how the systems are performing.
Right now, Heegard said, the Footprint Project has little more than an Apple AirTag to track where its systems are used and text messages with community members to check how they’re performing. And many emergency management officials are unaware of what the solar panel systems are capable of or how they compare with the more familiar generators.
“There’s just so much work to be done to make it easy for an emergency manager to use these tools well,” Heegard said.
This story was produced with financial support from the Hartfield Foundation and Green South Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work. If you would like to help support local journalism, please consider signing up for a digital subscription, which you can do here.
This story was originally published October 28, 2024, 6:30 AM.
October 29, 2024 1:51 PM
October 29, 2024 6:00 AM
The News & Observer
Adam Wagner covers climate change and other environmental issues in North Carolina. His work is produced with financial support from the Hartfield Foundation and Green South Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. Wagner’s previous work at The News & Observer included coverage of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and North Carolina’s recovery from recent hurricanes. He previously worked at the Wilmington StarNews.
N.C. State’s primary goal during the bye week was to recover from the first eight weeks of the season. Its second goal was to take the momentum from its win on the road at Cal and turn it into a second straight victory.“It’s really good that we have this bye week, because a lot of us, we need some rest, but our bodies has been beaten up for the past couple of weeks,” freshman quarterback CJ Bailey said. “We need this time off for our mental health and our physical health. And, for the next couple of weeks...
N.C. State’s primary goal during the bye week was to recover from the first eight weeks of the season. Its second goal was to take the momentum from its win on the road at Cal and turn it into a second straight victory.
“It’s really good that we have this bye week, because a lot of us, we need some rest, but our bodies has been beaten up for the past couple of weeks,” freshman quarterback CJ Bailey said. “We need this time off for our mental health and our physical health. And, for the next couple of weeks we’re to go win some games and be undefeated for the rest of the season. That’s the plan, that’s the goal. We’re going to do that.”
Bailey, who has looked more confident in recent weeks, will lead N.C. State’s offense for the remainder of the season after Coastal Carolina transfer Grayson McCall medically retired on Oct. 23. McCall suffered two concussions this season and has a history of head injuries.
Bailey and his teammates have the opportunity on Saturday to take another step in reaching their goal and show what it looks like after a week of rest and game prep.
The Pack is coming off a 24-23 win over the Golden Bears on Oct. 19, the team’s first ACC victory of the season. It isn’t satisfied, but it’s nice to no longer be winless in the league.
October 20, 2024 6:00 AM
“Winning is hard, so being able to come out here, this long trip and secure a win is very great,” defensive end Davin Vann said after the game. “I don’t know if I’d say (we) let go of a sigh of relief. We still have four games left that we’re trying to win out. That’s kind of trying to stay locked in on that.”
N.C. State (4-4) needs two wins in the final four games to become bowl eligible. A victory Saturday would put that goal into reach, but it must get past a scrappy Stanford team.
The Cardinal (2-6) lost its fifth straight game on Saturday, 27-24, to Wake Forest when Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels threw an interception to seal the Demon Deacons’ victory. The victory was similar to that of N.C. State’s loss against the in-state rival.
Stanford, led by second-year head coach Troy Taylor, is statistically one of the worst teams in the FBS. However, the team traveled to New York and upset Syracuse, 26-24, on Sept. 20 with a go-ahead field goal as the clock expired.
The Cardinal has it’s lost five straight games, but it’ll enter Carter-Finley Stadium with something to prove. The Wolfpack can’t afford to overlook a desperate opponent.
N.C. State’s offensive line, and additional blockers, has struggled at times to open the run game and provide pass protection.
In the Wolfpack’s comeback win at Cal, Bailey was sacked a season-high six times. Part of that was Bailey’s indecisiveness in the backfield, but there were a few times when he lacked help from the guys upfront. The team also finished with 29 rushing yards and one first down from run plays.
That’s been the case most of the season. N.C. State has allowed 17 opponent sacks (2.13) and ranks No. 120 in rushing yards per game (106.4).
On the other side, Stanford’s defensive front does not typically win the line of scrimmage. It averages two sacks on opposing quarterbacks per game and allows nearly 128 rushing yards per game.
The Cardinal’s defense struggles with stopping teams through the air, as well. With the size and experience of the Wolfpack on the line, it has a chance to control the game up front for a well-rounded performance on offense.
The Wolfpack opened as a 10-point favorite over the new ACC opponent, with the over-under set at 49.5 points, according to Circa Sports.
Teams: NC State Wolfpack (4-4, 1-3 ACC) vs Stanford Cardinal (2-6, 1-4)
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh
Date: Saturday, Nov. 2
Time: Noon
TV: ACC Network
Stream: fubo TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV Stream, Sling TV
Series history: This is the first meeting between the two programs.
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