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 Newark Makerhoods at the KruegerScott 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 Newark, 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.
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“Looking for a placement is always difficult for a family. Contacting Sandy to help was the best option. She was familiar with all assisted living/memory care facilities around town and was quick to respond to the family with tours. She delivered FL2 forms to physician's and made the transition an easy process. I recommend Sandy 100 % for any family needing a smaller community for their elderly family member.”
“I have been working for ABC for two years now, and I am very grateful for my position. The staff are acceptable, the clients are lovely, and the environments are professional. I highly recommend PCAs and CNAs to apply.”
“Such a wonderful place to work! Caregivers that genuinely care with office support that go above and beyond for staff/clients. Highly recommend for employment and senior in-home care support.”
“I bn with this company for Abt a year and I love working for them . They work with you,they care about ur personal life/ problems, really good at matching you with good clients..”
“I cannot say enough good things about this company and the caregivers they provided after my mom's recent accident and stay in a rehab facility. The staff were constantly in communication with us keeping us abreast of any little or big updates. Their attitudes were always helpful and they seemed to genuinely care. The caregivers they sent to sit with and take care of mom were EXCELLENT. I'm not sure how many different caregivers she had over the few weeks of her stay but there wasn't a single one that wasn't kind and extremely helpful. It took a tremendous load off of everyone in our family knowing that she was being well cared for when we couldn't be there. Thank you to Brandi, Joanne, Gina, and anyone I'm missing for everything you all did for us from the beginning of the process all the way to my mom's release today. Hopefully, we won't need your services again, but if we do, I know who I will be calling!”
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“Sandy is very knowledgeable of assisted living options in the Winston Salem area. She helped with a family member’s search with care and consideration. We highly recommend.”
“I highly recommend Sandy Bowen with Always Best Care. I called her with a very tight timeframe to find a suitable memory care facility for my family member. She asked a lot of questions about my loved one to try and get to know her as much as possible. She worked very fast and lined up several appointments for us to tour places within a matter of days. She explained the process to me every step of the way and made sure we stayed on track. She attended the appointments with me and asked questions that I would never think to ask. I can’t thank her enough.”
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“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
“During an unexpected hospital stay, Joanne provided much needed assistance. She provided excellent care and supportive advocacy. It made dealing with the discomfort more bearable and gave me a safeguard to decipher the complicated choices to resolve health issues. I highly recommend this service.”
“If you are looking for attentive, quality home care look no further than Joanne and her team. A passion for excellence is driven for from this team. Family oriented and willing to work with all families.”
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 Weequahic 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 Fornos of Spain or visit New Jersey Historical Society, 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 Newark, 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 Newark, 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 Newark, 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.
Tonya Smith-Jackson, provost at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, will be the next chancellor of Rutgers University's Newark campus.The Rutgers board of governors and outgoing President Jonathan Holloway announced Smith-Jackson's appointment May 29. She will replace interim Chancellor Jeffrey...
Tonya Smith-Jackson, provost at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, will be the next chancellor of Rutgers University's Newark campus.
The Rutgers board of governors and outgoing President Jonathan Holloway announced Smith-Jackson's appointment May 29. She will replace interim Chancellor Jeffrey Robinson starting Aug. 1, on a renewable, five-year contract.
Smith-Jackson, a human factors engineer, has a doctorate in psychology and ergonomics and a master's in psychology and industrial engineering, the university said. She has served at NC A&T since 2013, climbing the ranks to provost and executive vice chancellor after serving as chair of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.
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She also directed a cybersecurity center, the Human Factors Analytics Lab and the laboratory for Cyber-Human Analytics Research for the Internet of Things. As senior vice provost, she helped create three centers of excellence in cybersecurity, product design and manufacturing, and entrepreneurship and innovation.
NC A&T is North Carolina's largest historically Black university.
Despite working "with dozens and dozens of search committees" over his career, Holloway had "yet to come across a sense of unanimity" of the level he found in selecting Smith-Jackson for the chancellor's position, he said.
"You are coming into this community with a wave of enthusiasm," Holloway said. "You've got a strong wind behind your back." Holloway and incoming Rutgers President William F. Tate IV were present at the virtual board of governors meeting May 29.
Smith-Jackson was a first-generation and low-income college student, she said in comments to the board. The Rutgers-Newark campus spoke to her immediately, she said.
"Where have you been all my life?” she said, referring to how she connected with Rutgers-Newark's ethos of providing access to all students and being an anchor institution, a term that refers to an organization's commitment to serve its city and community.
She would foster research on the campus, regardless of the current uncertainty in higher education, she said, alluding to President Donald Trump's funding cuts to universities and research organizations.
Smith-Jackson's predecessor, two-term Chancellor Nancy Cantor, stepped down in the summer of 2024 after a surprise announcement from Holloway in 2023 saying he would not renew her contract — a move that invited criticism from many in Newark, including Mayor Ras Baraka.
SUNBURY ? Newark Catholic's softball team put extra emphasis on hitting as it prepared for its Division VII district final against top-seeded Lancaster Fisher.But even the most optimistic among the Green Wave couldn't have predicted what happened May 23 at Big Walnut.Addi Gerber had a three-run, first-inning homer for second-seeded NC, and the Green Wave never stopped, pounding out 19 hits in a five-inning 13-1 win for its second regional berth in the last three years. Gerber's home run over the center field fence followed lead...
SUNBURY ? Newark Catholic's softball team put extra emphasis on hitting as it prepared for its Division VII district final against top-seeded Lancaster Fisher.
But even the most optimistic among the Green Wave couldn't have predicted what happened May 23 at Big Walnut.
Addi Gerber had a three-run, first-inning homer for second-seeded NC, and the Green Wave never stopped, pounding out 19 hits in a five-inning 13-1 win for its second regional berth in the last three years. Gerber's home run over the center field fence followed leadoff singles by Brooklyn Kurtz and Joanna Bailey.
"That was amazing," winning pitcher Veronica Bailey said. "It started a fire under us. It was great."
Coach Logan Depriest said NC, a deceptive 11-15 against bigger schools in the rugged Licking County League, will go as far as its hitting can take it. The Green Wave faces second-ranked Symmes Valley (26-2) at 5 p.m. May 28 at Groveport.
"We drilled, drilled, drilled on hitting, and went out and put on an absolute master class," Depriest said. "It was phenomenal to see. Once we got that ball rolling, we've shown what we can do against teams in our division."
NC blitzed its three district opponents by a combined 34-1, the one run coming in the first inning against Fisher (17-6) when Veronica Bailey struggled with her control, walking in a run. But that didn't faze the Green Wave, who by the end of the second inning were up 6-1 on RBI doubles by Kurtz and Joanna Bailey and Veronica Bailey's run-scoring single.
"It was timing, definitely. Just wait on the ball, watch inside and finish your swing," said Joanna Bailey, who went 4 for 4 with two doubles and two singles and two RBIs.
Observed twin sister Veronica: "Be patient, see your pitch and hit it."
The lead ballooned to 10-0 in the third as Aly Rothweiler perfectly executed the safety squeeze, Joanna Bailey had an RBI hit and Veronica ripped a two-run single off the first baseman's glove. Then in the fifth, Emma Lohri blooped an RBI single to right, and Joanna Snider smacked a two-run double to deep right center.
After her early struggles, Veronica Bailey settled down, finishing with a two-hitter with five strikeouts and just two more walks the rest of the way.
"I just had to regroup after that first inning," she said. "I was overthrowing it. We always talk about 'aim small, miss small.' It was focus and knowing I had my defense behind me."
Depriest said she had great command, something they continue to work on, and homed in after a tight strike zone and a couple of illegal pitch calls got into her head a little bit.
"Her recognition was really good and she locked in, trusted her pitches and trusted that we had her back," Joanna Bailey said.
Seven NC players had multiple hits, including Joanna Bailey's four, three each by Snider and Jahni Whitney, and two apiece from Kurtz, Gerber, Veronica Bailey and Lohri.
"Joanna's coming off a shoulder injury, and she's basically swinging with one and a half shoulders," Veronica Bailey said of her sister. "She's worked so hard with strengthening exercises."
The Green Wave won't be totally unfamiliar with Symmes Valley.
"I lived in Ironton for quite a while. I know (coach) Odie (Estep) and his program," Depriest said. "I have a lot of good friends who played for Symmes Valley. It will be a lot of family there."
NC will be looking to advance further than the 2023 team, which lost to Portsmouth Notre Dame in the 2023 regional semifinals.
"My freshman year we won district, last year we had a little slip up, and now we're back," Joanna Bailey said. "I'm so proud of my team. I know our record is not great, but it's not how you start, it's how you finish."
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UTICA — This season has offered plenty of lessons in resilience for both Utica and Newark Catholic softball. On April 24, those teams put into practice what they had learned.Junior Emily Meyers’ sharp single up the middle followed sophomore Baleigh Torrens’ two-out triple in the bottom of the seventh inning to give host Utica a 16-15 thrilling victory against NC in Licking County League-Cardinal Division play. Utica (6-9, 4-5) led twice by six, and NC (4-9, 2-7) led by two before Utica retook a 15-13 lead going into ...
UTICA — This season has offered plenty of lessons in resilience for both Utica and Newark Catholic softball. On April 24, those teams put into practice what they had learned.
Junior Emily Meyers’ sharp single up the middle followed sophomore Baleigh Torrens’ two-out triple in the bottom of the seventh inning to give host Utica a 16-15 thrilling victory against NC in Licking County League-Cardinal Division play. Utica (6-9, 4-5) led twice by six, and NC (4-9, 2-7) led by two before Utica retook a 15-13 lead going into the top of the seventh.
“It finally feels like a push off after such a bad start,” Meyers said. “We are finally getting in a groove and getting it going. We are really succeeding now.”
Utica had high hopes after returning a chunk of the core that took it to a Division III district final last May. However, inconsistencies in all three phases have led to five losses by three runs or fewer.
It took everyone. All nine players in the lineup contributed to a 17-hit attack in a galvanizing win. Torrens lined a ball deep down the right-field line to turn the lineup over to Meyers.
“My team definitely keeps me up in those times,” Torrens said. “I think that’s why I had a good hit. I believed in my team, and I believed in myself.”
Meyers followed with her team-best fourth hit.
“(Torrens) is a very smart girl, but she doesn’t understand how much confidence we have in her,” Utica coach Dean McKee said. “She is a great kid. I am glad she pulled that off.”
NC graduated four multi-year starters from last season’s lineup and has been without junior standout Joanna Bailey because of injury. A difficult schedule has done the Green Wave no favors, with five losses coming to teams that have been ranked in the top 10 of the state coaches poll.
The Green Wave refused to fold after allowing a nine-run first inning. Junior Veronica Bailey and senior Addison Gerber hit early home runs, and senior Emma Lohri later added two clutch RBI hits as part of an 18-hit attack.
“Our hitting looked absolutely phenomenal,” NC coach Logan Depriest said. “It was something special to see. It gives the girls a little more reassurance that we can hit and we can compete.”
Veronica Bailey’s three-run home run in the top of the first gave NC a quick 3-0 lead, but Utica answered with freshman Kenzie Fletcher hitting a two-run home run and junior Avery Rine knocking a two-run single in the first inning.
It was 11-5 when back-to-back two-run doubles for sophomores Jahni Whitney and Avery Sullivan highlighted a five-run fourth inning for NC. Lohri’s RBI single gave NC the lead at 12-11 in the top of the fifth, but a triple for senior Cheyenne Smith and doubles for juniors Kaitlin Evans and Makenna Wilson with two outs allowed Utica to tie the game at 13 in the bottom of the fifth before a storm delay.
An outfield error and a wild pitch allowed Utica to take a 15-13 lead in the bottom of the sixth. NC, however, answered one more time as Sullivan, junior MacKenzie Gebhart and Lohri delivered three consecutive hits in the top of the seventh before Torrens and Meyers combined for their heroics in the bottom half of the frame.
Lohri’s four hits for NC matched Meyers’ output. Sophomore catcher Brooklyn Kurtz Merricks, who has been thrust into the cleanup spot this season, added three hits for the Green Wave.
“Execution is the key word. We have to be on our toes and expecting the ball every single time,” Depriest said. “Go back and do the little things, but they showed great resilience. When we put everything together, this train will get rolling.”
Evans was a perfect 3 for 3 with two walks for Utica, which had nine extra-base hits. Sophomore Kiersten Hull scored four times, and senior Bethany Glancy added an RBI triple.
Utica likely has dug too deep of a hole to contend for a Cardinal championship, trailing co-leaders Lakewood and Heath by three games, but it will have a say in who ultimately finishes on top. In addition to playing the second round of Cardinal play, Utica has yet to face Licking Valley and Mount Vernon, two of the three co-leaders in the Buckeye.
“I love it,” said Meyers, of her game winner that could mark a pivotal point in the 2025 season. “That’s my favorite position to be in. I would rather be in that position than us be up by 10. It’s just the excitement of softball. It’s the thrill of it.”
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North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Provost Dr. Tonya Smith-Jackson has been appointed chancellor of Rutgers University–Newark, marking a significant leadership transition for the public research university.Smith-Jackson, a human factors engineer who has served as provost and executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at NC A&T since 2013, will assume her new role on August 1. Her appointment was approved unanimously by the Rutgers Board of Governors and announced jointly by current President Dr. J...
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Provost Dr. Tonya Smith-Jackson has been appointed chancellor of Rutgers University–Newark, marking a significant leadership transition for the public research university.
Smith-Jackson, a human factors engineer who has served as provost and executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at NC A&T since 2013, will assume her new role on August 1. Her appointment was approved unanimously by the Rutgers Board of Governors and announced jointly by current President Dr. Jonathan Holloway and President-designate Dr. William F. Tate IV.
“Tonya Smith-Jackson is a person of principles and values who has dedicated her professional life to making transformative changes in higher education,” Holloway said in announcing the appointment.
At NC A&T, the nation's largest historically Black college and university, Smith-Jackson has overseen remarkable growth and innovation. Under her leadership, the university has launched three new doctoral programs and created the state's first bachelor's degree program in artificial intelligence. She has also presided over dramatic increases in both research staff and graduate assistants.
Her tenure at NC A&T has been marked by the establishment of three new Centers of Excellence focused on cybersecurity, product design and manufacturing, and entrepreneurship and innovation. Smith-Jackson also led the university's successful recognition as an anchor institution by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.
Prior to her current role, Smith-Jackson chaired NC A&T's Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and directed multiple research initiatives, including a cybersecurity center, the Human Factors Analytics Lab, and the laboratory for Cyber-Human Analytics Research for the Internet of Things.
Smith-Jackson brings a unique blend of academic, corporate, and government experience to her new role. She holds a doctorate in psychology/ergonomics and an interdisciplinary Master of Science degree in psychology and industrial engineering.
Before joining NC A&T, she spent 14 years at Virginia Tech, advancing from assistant professor to full professor of industrial and systems engineering. Her professional experience also includes engineering roles at IBM and Ericsson Mobile Communications, as well as a year-long appointment as program director in the National Science Foundation's Cyber-Human Systems Program from 2018-2019.
Smith-Jackson said that her approach to higher education leadership is deeply rooted in personal experience and family values.
“Inspired by my parents’ belief in education as a pathway to liberation, meaning and purpose, I've dedicated my life to helping others obtain college degrees and upward mobility,” she said.
President-designate Tate said that Smith-Jackson's background positions her well for the role.
“As an engineer with contributions to human factors research, she brings a systems-oriented, people-centered approach well suited to leading an urban university,” Tate said. “I look forward to partnering with her to expand opportunity pathways, advance impactful research and promote economic development for the region and the state.”
Thursday, June 19, 2025New York City and Philadelphia are bracing for impact. So are Raleigh, North Carolina, Baltimore, and Albany—as a dangerous wave of new US air travel chaos looms over the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Major storm systems are surging eastward, and with them comes the terrifying possibility that chaos may once again erupt inside critical US airports including JFK, Newark, Dulles, and LaGuardia. The skies are growing darker, and the updates are growing more urgent by the minute.Travelers across the U.S....
Thursday, June 19, 2025
New York City and Philadelphia are bracing for impact. So are Raleigh, North Carolina, Baltimore, and Albany—as a dangerous wave of new US air travel chaos looms over the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Major storm systems are surging eastward, and with them comes the terrifying possibility that chaos may once again erupt inside critical US airports including JFK, Newark, Dulles, and LaGuardia. The skies are growing darker, and the updates are growing more urgent by the minute.
Travelers across the U.S., Europe, and Canada—this is your wake-up call. This is not an isolated storm. This is a high-impact, fast-moving, multi-state event with the power to cripple air networks and leave thousands stranded. Meanwhile, those in New York City and Philadelphia are already reporting heavy rainfall, thunderclaps, and swelling traffic delays.
At the same time, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Baltimore are experiencing intensifying weather alerts, while Albany watches the radar with rising tension. The possibility of cascading cancellations at JFK, Newark, Dulles, and LaGuardia grows by the hour. This is not just a travel advisory—it’s a developing threat.
Now, every American, European, and Canadian tourist must reconsider their travel choices, monitor airline alerts, and prepare for sudden detours. The storm is not done. The disruption is not over. And the next 24 hours could define the start—or the sudden stop—of your journey. What’s coming next could be the biggest travel shock of the summer. Are you ready? Keep reading.
Severe thunderstorms have begun to slam Northeast travel corridors with a vengeance, unleashing 70 MPH winds, abrupt flight cancellations, and widespread disruptions that continue to grow more dangerous through Thursday night. From major hubs in D.C. to New York City, an intense system of violent storms is striking with relentless force. As the skies darken, travel chaos erupts, grounding planes, flooding highways, and throwing millions of travel plans into disarray.
These severe thunderstorms are not passing showers—they are a full-scale weather assault on the busiest air and road corridors in the nation. Meanwhile, flights vanish from departure boards and traffic grinds to a halt. From D.C. to New York City, the impacts are paralyzing. Flight cancellations rise by the hour, while wind gusts tear through cityscapes. This is not just weather—this is a crisis unfolding in real time. What comes next could reshape Northeast travel for days.
A dangerous line of severe thunderstorms is wreaking havoc across the Northeast travel corridor, from North Carolina to New England, leaving travelers stranded, flights delayed, and highways choked with weather-related traffic snarls. As the storms continue to sweep through major metro areas, the impact on both domestic and international air travel is growing by the hour.
From Washington, D.C. to New York City, and stretching north to Albany, powerful gusts up to 70 mph are hammering infrastructure and canceling itineraries. And the worst may still be ahead.
Air Travel in Turmoil Across the Northeast
Airports in the I-95 corridor, including major hubs like JFK, Newark, Philadelphia, Dulles, and LaGuardia, are experiencing rolling ground stops and cascading flight delays. Travelers are facing mounting cancellations as aircraft and crew are knocked off schedule, stranding thousands in terminals with little warning.
Flights once on time are now pushed back hours. Some have been scrubbed entirely.
As thunderheads surge toward city airports, crews are grounding aircraft amid concerns over hail, wind shear, and lightning strikes. The ripple effects are already stretching far beyond the East Coast. Connecting flights in Chicago, Atlanta, and even Dallas are experiencing backlogs as planes fail to arrive or depart on time.
Hotels See Sudden Spike in Bookings Amid Flight Woes
With passengers grounded indefinitely, hotels near major airports are seeing a sharp rise in emergency overnight stays. In cities like Philadelphia and Baltimore, occupancy rates have surged overnight, fueled by stranded travelers needing a place to sleep.
Travelers are scrambling for last-minute rooms, pushing rates higher and tightening availability. Some properties are already fully booked, forcing tourists and business travelers to hunt for accommodation miles outside city limits.
Meanwhile, local transportation networks, including shuttles and rideshares, are overwhelmed by demand. Delays are feeding into every corner of the travel system.
Highway Disruptions Worsen as Storms March East
The travel mess isn’t limited to the skies. On the ground, Interstate 95—the spine of the eastern U.S. transport network—is facing severe traffic congestion, flooded lanes, and even downed trees.
Winds have ripped through already saturated landscapes, toppling limbs and knocking out traffic signals. In urban areas like Newark, Wilmington, and Trenton, flash flooding has turned streets into rivers. Visibility is vanishing in minutes as blinding rainstorms engulf cityscapes.
Motorists are being urged to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. Roads known for flooding during even light rainfall are now underwater. Emergency response teams are active in several regions, preparing for possible rescues and extended road closures.
Isolated Tornadoes and Hail Complicate Crisis
Adding to the chaos, meteorologists are warning of isolated tornadoes spinning up across New York, Vermont, and parts of New England. Tornado watches have already been issued for wide swaths of upstate New York and Quebec, raising fears of sudden, localized destruction in already vulnerable areas.
Reports of hail and lightning strikes are also increasing, stretching utility crews thin as they respond to downed power lines and damaged transformers.
Power outages are rapidly climbing. Trees weakened by saturated soil are crashing into neighborhoods, and the force of the wind is peeling back roofing materials and damaging structures. The full toll may not be known until the storms pass overnight.
Travel Experts Sound Alarm Over Weekend Ripple Effects
The Northeast is a linchpin in the U.S. aviation network. When flights falter here, the entire system feels the shockwave. This storm system is no exception.
Disruptions that began Thursday are likely to bleed into Friday and the weekend, as airlines scramble to reposition aircraft and reassign crews. That means more travelers could see their summer travel plans disrupted—especially those heading out for early vacations or important business events.
With triple-digit heat and humidity forecasted for the weekend, meteorologists say this clash of weather systems could trigger more severe storms, especially on the outer edge of the incoming heat dome. Travel troubles may only be beginning.
Tourism Sector Faces Immediate and Lingering Impacts
The tourism economy is bracing for blowback. As travelers cancel plans or face costly delays, cities dependent on summer visitors may see dips in revenue. Museums, event venues, and guided tours are reporting no-shows. Local businesses near tourist hotspots—from D.C. to Boston—are adjusting operations, unsure whether foot traffic will rebound this weekend.
Meanwhile, regional airports that serve as alternatives—like Harrisburg, Manchester, and Westchester—are seeing an influx of diverted flights, straining smaller terminals and causing confusion among passengers unfamiliar with these hubs.
Tour operators and hospitality businesses are already adjusting forecasts. Some may offer flexible rebooking policies, but others—especially smaller venues—may struggle to absorb the losses.
What Travelers Should Do Now
For those currently traveling or with upcoming plans in the region, preparation is essential. Travelers should:
As the Northeast braces for more turbulent skies, those on the move must remain alert, flexible, and patient.
The Bigger Picture: A Wake-Up Call for Travel Resilience
This storm is more than just a weather event—it’s a reminder of the fragility of travel infrastructure in the face of extreme climate patterns. As weather volatility increases, the travel industry must adapt faster.
Airlines, hotels, and transit authorities are facing growing pressure to develop more resilient systems, real-time communication tools, and emergency protocols to handle events just like this.
For now, the Northeast corridor remains in the grip of nature’s fury—and travelers must navigate the storm, one decision at a time.
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