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UNC, NC State scratch-offs for sale
RICHARD CRAVER Winston Salem Journal
The N.C. Lottery commission unveiled on Sept. 29, 2026,
scratch-off games involving UNC and N.C. State athletic
departments.
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY N.C. LOTTERY COMMISSION
The N.C. Education Lottery introduced Tuesday scratch-off games that may provide fans of the Tar Heels and Wolfpack with better odds of winning than their football teams, at least this weekend.
It is the first lottery game connected to UNC and N.C. State.
The Tar Heels and Wolfpack games cost $5 and offer two top prizes of $200,000 each.
The overall odds of winning a prize for each game are 1 in 4.16. The odds of winning the $200,000 top prize are 1 in 1.44 million.
Heels, Pack are underdogs this weekend
By comparison, as of noon Tuesday, FanDuel has the Tar Heels as a 21.5-point home underdog to No. 3 Notre Dame, while the Wolfpack are a 5.5-point home underdog vs. Atlantic Coast Conference rival Louisville.
"We are excited about the potential of these games, knowing that North Carolinians are extremely passionate about the UNC and N.C. State rivalry," said Randy Spielman, the lottery's chief product officer.
"We can't wait to see all the Tar Heel and Wolfpack faithful show off their school pride by trying their luck on these exciting new scratch-offs."
The combined total prize money between the two games exceeds $20 million. Each game features a second-chance promotion giving winners access to VIP experiences with their favorite teams.
Both games offer three different ticket designs that can serve as collectible souvenirs.
The rivalry part comes from the lottery tracking ticket sales.
The school with the most ticket entries between now and April 18 will have all participating players entered into an exclusive drawing. Standings are updated daily.
Sports wagering revenue
The Tar Heels and Wolfpack athletic departments have also been made eligible to receive revenue from the state's online sports wagering network.
As part of the 2025-27 state budget, N.C. State and UNC Chapel Hill athletic departments could participate for the first time in the tax revenue distribution that could reach up to $5.8 million each.
Legal sports wagering debuted in North Carolina in March 2024.
Grandfather Mountain's 2026 Fall color rambles will be
offered free with admission every day, weather permitting, from
Saturday, Oct. 3, to Sunday Oct. 11.
COURTESY OF GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION
Grandfather Mountain is home to a myriad of plant species and
hardwood trees, ranging from pumpkin-colored beech trees to
blood-ed sourwoods and rusty red oaks.
SKIP SICKLER, GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION
LINVILLE — With fall foliage soon to cover Grandfather Mountain in rich hues, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is set to begin its annual Fall Color Ramble. This series of guided nature walks will allow guests to experience the season's signature colors up close and in depth.
Fall Color Rambles will be offered daily, weather permitting, from Saturday, Oct. 3, through Sunday, Oct. 11. The short excursions begin at 1 p.m. outside the entrance of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, and they typically last 30 minutes. If it rains, the event may be moved to the indoor exhibit hall in the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery.
Fall Color Rambles are offered free with the price of admission and guests are encouraged to make plans to attend the program, according to a news release.
"I always look forward to this time of year," said John Caveny, vice president of conservation and education for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. "Fall colors are beautiful, but they're also essential to the trees' life cycle and to the environment. This is a great opportunity to see that up close."
Grandfather Mountain is home to a myriad of plant species and hardwood trees, ranging from pumpkin-colored beech trees to bloodred sourwoods and rusty red oaks. Along with the color-changing process, visitors can learn tree identification skills and information about the mountain's rich biodiversity.
"It's not just established trees that change their colors in the fall; keep an eye out for plants, too! Some of my favorite plants show their blooms in the fall," said Lauren Farrell, director of education for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. "For this year's rambles, we are especially excited to incorporate all the new sections of our Cobey Botanical Garden."
Although color changes can occur beyond October, the first two weeks of the month — when Grandfather traditionally reaches peak color — present a special opportunity to develop a new appreciation for the beauty and serenity of the natural world.
In addition to the programs offered inside the nature park in October, fresh fall color photos are posted daily on the mountain's website at www.grandfather.com/fall-color-gallery and social media (@grandfathermtn), including Facebook, X / Twitter and Instagram.
To learn more about the Fall Color Ramble series at Grandfather Mountain, visit www.grandfather.com/ fall-color-ramble.
It is strongly recommended that guests book tickets to the park online in advance of visiting during the busy fall season at www.grandfather.com/tickets. To learn more about visiting during the fall season, visit www.grandfather.com/fall.
The nonprofit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com.
Government-politics
Top StorySpotlight
McDowell commissioners appoint Maggie Frye as new register of deeds
Mike Conley
Updated
During a special meeting Thursday morning, the McDowell County
Board of Commissioners approved the recommendation from the
McDowell County Republican Party Executive Committee for Maggie
Frye as the new register of deeds. She also took the oath of
office.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
McDowell County Register of Deeds Maggie Frye (center) is shown
with her staff.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Maggie Frye was appointed by the McDowell County Board of
Commissioners to be the new register of deeds for McDowell
County.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
On Thursday, the McDowell County Board of Commissioners unanimously appointed Maggie Frye as the new register of deeds.
During a special meeting Thursday morning, the board approved the recommendation from the McDowell County Republican Party Executive Committee for Frye to complete the unexpired term of Register of Deeds Lydia Tilley Effler, whose retirement became effective Wednesday, Sept. 30, according to a news release from the county.
“Congratulations to Register of Deeds Maggie Frye,” said McDowell County Board of Commissioners Chairman Tony Brown. “We look forward to working with her as she continues to serve the residents of McDowell County. We also want to extend our sincere appreciation to retired Register of Deeds Lydia Effler for her many years of dedicated public service to McDowell County.”
Old Fort woman charged with possession, trafficking of meth
MIKE CONLEY
McCool
An Old Fort woman has been charged with possession and trafficking of methamphetamine.
On Sunday, McDowell County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a report about a possible assault with a firearm at the residence of 32-year-old Chandra Danielle McCool, of Old Fort, according to a news release.
Deputies spoke with McCool at her residence. McCool told the deputies that two subjects were previously standing near the wood line of her residence, according to the release.
Deputies were not able to locate the reported firearm. While speaking with McCool, the deputies noticed a large object stuffed in the front pocket of McCool's sweatshirt. When asked to remove the object McCool refused to cooperate. The deputies searched McCool and seized 50 grams of meth, according to the release.
McCool is charged with felony trafficking in methamphetamine, felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine and felony possession of methamphetamine. McCool was issued a secured bond of $100,000, according to the news release.
Marion woman charged with meth possession
MIKE CONLEY
Alsbrook
A Marion woman has been charged with possession of methamphetamine.
On Sept. 18, McDowell County Sheriff's Office deputies stopped a vehicle near Exit 83 on eastbound Interstate 40 for traffic violations. The driver was found operating the vehicle with no license or registration, the McDowell County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
Theresa Gayle Alsbrook, 34, of Marion, was a passenger in the car, the sheriff's office said.
A short time later, deputies located suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in Alsbrook's possession after K-9 Rambo alerted to the vehicle.
Deputy Andrew Smith arrested Alsbrook on charges of felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Alsbrook was issued a $10,000 secured bond, the sheriff's office said.
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