Win Last Minute Jonas Brothers’ Tickets!
Live the dream with Jonas Brothers at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh on Wednesday, October 29th. Win free tickets with Matt Murphy’s 7:10 a.m. Carpool Games and just after 3 p.m. with MJ’s Question Of The Day
Furry Friday: Meet Candy Apple!
Hi there! I am Candy Apple! I am 1.5 years old, which makes me a very playful, teenage, Sagittarius, doggo. I have a lot to offer a new family: I am medium energy, playful, loving, loyal, and smart. I sleep through the night, go potty outside when asked, bark or run around when I need to go, and am very good at playing with and taking corrections from other dogs and people. My favorite things are snuggling with my foster mom, sharing my foster family’s stuffies with my foster siblings, playing catch with tennis balls in the yard or dog park, going for a nice walk or run, and playing chase with my foster brother, Watson (a 5 year old retriever mix). I am a mix of breeds, but I 100% slay at being cute. I mostly want to snuggle or play, but if I can’t, I will sleep next to your chair and wait, mostly patiently, for you. My foster family thinks at least one of my ancestors was a herding dog, so I would love to find a home with older kids and/or adults (no small children or small animals) who are patient with me if I am feeling bossy. And I love school–I’ve learned basic obedience and beginner agility! Come visit me, and I’ll do my best to be very demure, very mindful, and very considerate. I am a sweetheart-hope to see you soon!
About Candy Apple:
Breed: Hound
Sex: Female
Age: 1 year, 11 months
Weight: 37 pounds
Spayed/Neutered: Yes
Location: Shelter
Date In Shelter: 9/08/2024
Powered by The Aluminum Company of North Carolina!
Your number one choice for windows, doors, gutters, and exterior home remodeling. Visit them at aluminumcompany.com for a free estimate.
Come See Us at the NC State Fair!
Enjoy the North Carolina State Fair from Thursday, October 16th, through Sunday, October 26th! While you’re there, be sure to stop by the Pulse FM State Fair Studio powered by Thompson Buick GMC. Take a selfie with a star, visit our pop-up station swag store, and spin the Curtis Media and Thompson Buick GMC prize wheel – where everyone is a winner! You’ll find us on the grounds of Dorton Arena – just across from the new, two-story State Fair Midway Event Center that is currently under construction. The Pulse FM State Fair Studio is powered by Thompson Buick GMC, family-owned since 1956, and conveniently located inside Raleigh’s Beltline at 2600 Wake Forest Road.
We look forward to seeing you at the N.C. State Fair! Because there’s no time like Fair time!
Ironweed: The resilient perennial transforming North Carolina landscapes
By MIKE RALEY WPTF Weekend Gardener
We all want resilient plants for our landscape. Frankly we want something that is cost effective. A plant which fulfills that description and expectation is “Ironweed” (Vernonia noveboracensis). This seems to be the most common variety grown in North Carolina. Anne Clapp used to say: “A weed is a plant you don’t want in your yard,” but you definitely will want Ironweed! It is a popular and hardy herbaceous perennial that you’ll find in a lot of landscapes in North Carolina. Herbaceous means it does not have a woody stem and dies back to the ground after it flowers. By the way, “Ironweed” was named for the English botanist William Vernon who traveled extensively in the late 1600’s and early 1700’s.
Several native flowers I have written about in past articles are members of the largest plant family, the “Aster” family due to their flower structure which is made up of many small flowers or a cluster that appear to be a single bloom. Ironwood is another plant that belongs in this family. “Ironweed” is known to have tough sturdy stems which comes in handy for a flower that grows to a height of 6 to 8 feet.
“Ironweed” is found all over the “Tar Heel” state growing under various environmental conditions. They can grow in most any type of soil from sandy to clay to loamy. Loamy means it’s a perfect soil mix with all the nutrients and just the right pH which is on the acid side. Wherever you plant “Ironweed,” it will truly grow best in well-drained yet moist to wet soil. It just doesn’t want to sit in water all the time. I mean, who does! It prefers full sun to part shade for ideal growth. Ironweed actually grows along roadsides, near streams in pastures throughout the United States and Canada. However, it will look great in your yard because of the extraordinary flowers, clusters of deep purple. There are some striking specimens on my daily walking route where a neighbor has created a nature habitat that virtually covers most of the property surrounding their house. “Ironweed” blooms seem to last and last, at least through mid- summer into mid-fall. While it has an aggressive growth habit that can easily be controlled by dead-heading the flowers, “Ironweed” is not considered to be an invasive plant.
More and more people are planting pollinator gardens and “Ironweed” fits in there. Its flowers produce abundant nectar for bees of all kinds, butterflies and hummingbirds. Some varieties act as a host plant for some species of butterflies and the stems can support bees for nesting habitats. Cut these plants at the end of the growing season. Migrating birds enjoy a stop for a meal of “Ironweed” seeds produced at the end of the growing season.
In addition to Veronica noveboracensis there are a few other varieties to consider. “Veronica gigabytes” (larger flower heads than the standard for central North Carolina and usually found in the mountains), “Veronica angustifolia” also known as “Sandhills Ironweed,” “Vernonia glaucoma,” “Veronica lettermannii” and “Vernonia fasciculata.”
This is one sturdy plant that does not seem to be afflicted by insect or disease problems.
The Ironweed was selected as the 2004 NC Wildflower of the Year, which is a program managed by my friends at the North Carolina Botanical Gardens. I would say that is quite an endorsement. I’m sold!
Furry Friday: Meet Sunflower!
Sunflower is a sweet and thoughtful girl who’s still finding her confidence in a big, busy world. She may be shy at first, preferring to quietly observe rather than dive into the spotlight. However, her gentle spirit shines through when she feels safe and cared for.
In doggie playgroup, Sunflower tends to steer clear of rowdy play and prefers a calm space. She’s a bit more sensitive and can get easily overwhelmed—she’s a little more “tippable” than most dogs. Recently, she got into a tussle; although she didn’t start it, she was clearly ready to stand her ground when pushed.
Sunflower is food motivated, which helps build trust and shows she’s open to learning and growing in the right environment. She needs a patient, understanding home where she can blossom at her own pace, with people who respect her boundaries and help her feel secure. During walks in unfamiliar areas, she “checks in” with her handler and—with encouragement—she keeps pace.
Sunflower recently went on an outing with a volunteer. Here is what the volunteer had to say: “Sunflower was a dream in the car, though she was at first a little unsure about getting in the car. Once in the car she was quiet, just taking in the sites. We took her disc golfing, and she was a great companion. We were worried she would get too excited with the disc and want to chase them and she would be hard to control. However, that worry quickly went away. She showed interest while my husband was throwing, but did not try to take off after the disc. Instead, she waited and just walked with us, sticking close to me.”
If you’re looking for a quiet, kind-hearted companion who will reward your patience with gentle love and loyalty, Sunflower might just be the perfect match. Come meet her and discover the quiet strength behind her soft glow.
Sunflower is up to date on vaccinations, flea/tick, and heartworm prevention, is microchipped, and will be spayed prior to going home. If you have dogs or cats, we recommend slow introductions over time. If you have children in your home, we recommend supervision between animals and children at all times.
About Sunflower:
Breed: Medium Terrier Cross
Sex: Female
Age: 2 years, 4 months
Weight: 54 pounds
Spayed/Neutered: Unknown
Location: Shelter
Date In Shelter: 6/03/2025
Not Good with Children
If you’re interested in learning more about Sunflower, please reach out to Wake County Animal Shelter’s volunteer matchmakers at [email protected] with the subject line “Sunflower 260686.”
Powered by The Aluminum Company of North Carolina!
Your number one choice for windows, doors, gutters, and exterior home remodeling. Visit them at aluminumcompany.com for a free estimate.
Furry Friday: Meet Lucy!
Lucy is a lovely female Lab mix who came into the shelter as a stray alongside her buddy Ricky, a 7-year-old Lab mix. Calm and easy to leash, Lucy walks right by the other dogs without reacting and has a gentle, low-energy nature that makes her a joy to be around. She is considered a gold star dog due to her sweet nature and ease to handle. She is happy to take treats with the softest, sweetest manners and is a truly delightful dog, loving, gentle, loves to lay in your lap and ready to bring warmth to any home.
Lucy is up to date on vaccinations, flea/tick, and heartworm prevention, is microchipped, and is spayed. If you have dogs or cats, we recommend slow introductions over time. If you have children in your home, we recommend supervision between animals and children at all times.
About Lucy:
Breed: Labrador Mix
Sex: Female
Age: 10 years, 2 months
Weight: 42.5 pounds
Spayed/Neutered: Yes
Location: Shelter
Date In Shelter: 8/02/2025
If you’re interested in learning more about Lucy, please reach out to Wake County Animal Shelter’s volunteer matchmakers at [email protected] with the subject line “Lucy 262504.”
Powered by The Aluminum Company of North Carolina!
Your number one choice for windows, doors, gutters, and exterior home remodeling. Visit them at aluminumcompany.com for a free estimate.
Furry Friday: Meet Marcy!
Meet Marcy, the dog who likes to play it cool, but also has a secret inner alpha ready to take charge! In her first doggie playgroup session, she was respectful and lowkey with her male play partner, primarily observing all the action. She was interested in playing, but definitely not into the rowdy antics. While she can play with some males just fine, she’d probably be too alpha to pair with another female. If you’ve got a confident, friendly male dog who likes a bit of gentle play, Marcy could be the perfect fit. She’s got that “I do what I want” energy, but once she decides you’re in her circle, she’ll be a loyal, loving companion. Just be ready for a dog who knows exactly who’s boss—spoiler: it’s her.
At 3 years old, she is just the right age to have settled into her sweet personality, while still being young at heart. She has moderate energy and is easy to walk once she’s outside, though she does get excited and jumps around when it’s time to go out—she just can’t wait for her adventure!
Marcy knows “sit” and takes treats ever so gently, showing off her polite side. She handles herself well walking past barking dogs, with only a moderate reaction. However, this sweet angel does have a strong prey drive, so keep an eye out for squirrels, rabbits, and probably cats too—they’re just a little too tempting for her to resist!
One volunteer lovingly called her a “sweet angel” and she really is. She’s even been known to lean in to be carried despite her big size, just wanting to be close and loved.
Marcy is up to date on vaccinations, flea/tick, and heartworm prevention, is microchipped, and will be spayed prior to going home. If you have dogs or cats, we recommend slow introductions over time. If you have children in your home, we recommend supervision between animals and children at all times.
About Marcy:
Breed: American Staffordshire Terrier
Sex: Female
Age: 3 years, 5 months
Weight: 69.5 pounds
Spayed/Neutered: Unknown
Location: Shelter
Date In Shelter: 4/07/2025
If you’re interested in learning more about Marcy, please reach out to Wake County Animal Shelter’s volunteer matchmakers at [email protected] with the subject line “Marcy 258943.”
Powered by The Aluminum Company of North Carolina!
Your number one choice for windows, doors, gutters, and exterior home remodeling. Visit them at aluminumcompany.com for a free estimate.
One year later, western North Carolina still recovers from Hurricane Helene
SPRUCE PINE, N.C. (NCN News) — It has been one year since the worst storm to ever hit North Carolina devastated the western part of the state.
Hurricane Helene was not even on the list of storms to worry about at first. It made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region on Sept. 27 as a Category 2 hurricane before beginning a long trek inland. By the time it reached the Appalachian Mountains, it was a tropical storm still packing high winds and heavy rain.
Western North Carolina had already seen significant rainfall before Helene arrived, setting the stage for catastrophic flooding. Meteorologists predicted once-in-a-thousand-year flooding, and they were right. Some weather stations from Mount Mitchell to Asheville recorded more than 30 inches of rain, in addition to days of rainfall leading up to the storm.
On Sept. 25, forecasters placed the region under tropical storm warnings. Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency. Mount Mitchell State Park and others closed, and the Blue Ridge Parkway shut down. Hundreds of roads were impassable, and more than 2,000 landslides were reported in North Carolina.
In a rare, coordinated release, the National Hurricane Center and NOAA warned of the inland flood threat and asked media outlets to emphasize the risk. Helene’s impact was every bit as intense as predicted.
The South Toe Township of Yancey County received 31 inches of rain. Mount Mitchell recorded wind gusts over 100 mph in a part of the state that rarely sees such conditions. Sixty-three stream and river gauges logged record water levels. The South Toe River in Yancey County and the Ivy River in Buncombe County each broke their previous flood records by nearly nine feet.
In Mitchell County, the smallest county in the state, the normally calm Toe River rose 35 feet, overflowing its banks and flooding homes and businesses in small towns like Spruce Pine. Luther Stroup, who owns Stroup Hobby Shop, recalled watching the river rise to within inches of his shop and home. He said the community went without power, sewer, phones or water for 22 days.
Areas in the Black Mountains were especially devastated. Black Mountain police reported neighborhoods in Montreat and Swannanoa “destroyed including homes on fire, along with numerous fatalities.” The village of Chimney Rock was also largely swept away in the floodwaters.
Across the region, more than 400 roads closed and more than 200 rescues were carried out. In total, 108 people died and hundreds more were injured in North Carolina.
A year later: Recovery
Recovery has been uneven. Ninety-six percent of small business owners across western North Carolina reported Helene hurt them, hitting during peak tourist season and leading to widespread event cancellations. Even mining and computer parts manufacturing in Spruce Pine were disrupted, causing global supply concerns.
Sharon Decker, senior advisor of the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina, said the community stepped up when it was needed most. Neighbors and churches delivered food, water and supplies to people who had lost everything. The storm also forced the region to confront its aging infrastructure and to begin planning for future disasters.
Gov. Josh Stein said six out of seven businesses have not returned to pre-Helene revenues. Still, Decker noted restaurants, tourist attractions and farms are coming back, and leaders hope tourists will return as well.
Decker praised bipartisan efforts to secure funding for repairs to businesses, homes, roads and infrastructure. Stein has pushed for additional state and federal support. But recovery is expected to be a long-term process.
Officials are also coordinating with schools, nonprofits and community groups to build volunteer and resource databases to be better prepared next time.
Decker said her hope is that the sense of community sparked by Helene’s devastation — people going above and beyond to help one another — remains even after recovery is complete.
“We’re better as a nation and state when there are disasters,” Decker said. “And as a state, we’ll be more prepared in the future for storms like Helene.”
Russian sage: Not from Russia, but perfect for NC gardens
By MIKE RALEY WPTF Weekend Gardener
I planted some Russian Sage (Salvia yangii) decades ago. Alas, I can’t remember when it faded into oblivion. It is really not native to Russia and hails from Central Asia, ie, Afghanistan, Tibet. The name derives from the genus of the plant which is “perovskia” and it was named for the Russian General V.A. Perovski in the 1800’s. I don’t know why, I suppose he was some sort of wise person or “sage”.
I do love the color contrast between the silvery-green foliage and the bluish-lavender flowers, so I am inspired to plant a new batch of this perennial. You see, on my daily walk as I take note of my neighbor’s landscapes, I attempt to assess the variety of plants with the seasonal progress and changes of each. My friend Charlie has a lovely yard of zoysia interspersed with interesting flowers, shrubs and trees. He has a group of Russian Sage planted in full sun near the sidewalk. This summer on my late afternoon walks I was struck by the sight of sleeping bumble bees. I know they take naps and sleep overnight. I, however, had never paid attention to them clinging to a plant in small colonies. I’ve always heard they can be stroked gently, but I’ve just never dared to attempt it. I don’t want to disturb them. They work hard everyday and deserve their rest. At any rate, the sage and bumble bee combination paints quite a picture. Now I must try my luck once again.
Russian Sage requires full sun, (at least 6 hours) to thrive and to give you the full effect of its foliage and flower color which can be subtle from a distance and striking up close. However, planted in mass, this plant can be remarkable. It likes well drained soil which will prevent root rot. Except for this malady, there really nothing else in the way of disease or insect problems with this plant. It is even deer resistant.
Many people plant Russian Sage in the spring when there is abundant inventory at their favorite garden center. Fall is a great time too, when you can often find perennials on sale. Plant your Russian Sage by using a sharp shovel. Anne Clapp and Rufus always recommend that. Dig a hole that is at least twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Place your shrub in the hole, gently spreading out the roots, and then backfill to ground level or slightly above and water well. To get your plant off to a good start, incorporate some organic matter in the soil, and cover the root zone with a layer of mulch to help keep the soil cool and moist even though the Russian Sage thrives in the hot weather.
There are a bunch of varieties of Russian Sage from which to choose. Among the favorite cultivars that can be grown successfully in the Tar Heel state are: “Blue Spire”, “ Little Spire”, “Denim ‘N Lace” “Rocket Man”, “Blue Haze”, ”Blue Spire” and “Crazy Blue”.
The North Carolina Extension Gardener Toolbox available online is an extraordinary resource and can supply you with all the information you may need on the Russian Sage or any other plant you can imagine. All of the Cooperative Extension Service folks on the Weekend Gardener swear by this catalog of knowledge. So, to summarize, Russian Sage
is an exceptional, sun loving plant for North Carolina that is named after a Russian general, but is not native to Russia, and bumblebees love this plant for a nap or a long sleep. Go find one for your yard!
Sweet autumn clematis charms, but NC experts say avoid it
By MIKE RALEY WPTF Weekend Gardener
I must say that I have rarely written an article about a plant I like but I don’t recommend for WPTF Weekend Gardener listeners. Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis teriflira) or Japanese Clematis is an exception. Sweet Autumn Clematis is actually in the Buttercup family. It does not act like one however. It is a master at spreading and surviving once its roots are established. It is very invasive and NC State doesn’t recommend that you plant this vine. The North Carolina Invasive Plant Council feels the same way. I don’t even know where you can buy this plant now. It is purported to be poisonous too. That being said, when I see it blooming in my yard and especially along the roadside in late August into September, I know fall is on the way and I love fall and winter.
The folks at NC State describe it as a weedy, twining vine. You can easily dig some up and attach it to a sturdy fence or trellis and it is a snap to pull out of the ground if you want to control it. This vine can spread 20 to 30 feet per year. In the wild it can cling to anything and will then block out any sunlight to other plants.
I do love Sweet Autumn Clematis because my mother adored it. It reminds me of her and my Nashville home. So Melissa and I started a cutting from Nashville on our mailbox post here in Wake County decades ago when we were not as schooled in gardening as we profess to be now. It quickly took over the mailbox and about five feet in three directions. Plus, now it’s not getting as much sun as it used to. So, we pulled it up and tried to control it along. We are not getting proper use out of it on the ground, nevertheless, I am not getting rid of it.
If you want the best looking Sweet Autumn Clematis in your neighborhood, find a sunny spot for your support structure. It will grow well in part shade, at least afternoon shade. The Sweet Autumn Clematis could probably use 2 or 3 inches of hardwood mulch to keep the roots cool. Plant it where there is good drainage too. As we always say, dig a hole twice as wide as your root ball and probably even with the ground surface, keeping in mind it will grow anyway.
If you don’t pull it up you need to prune it after flowering and cutting it hard in late fall will help prevent it from spreading seeds. Again, I do trim it every year.
I have never seen any disease problems with my Sweet Autumn Clematis. NC State horticulturists say aphids, powdery mildew may affect this plant. I’ve never heard of deer messing with it. Anne Clapp used to say deer will eat anything when they’re hungry.
Of course, it is up to you as to whether you want to deal with the Sweet Autumn Clematis. It’s a keepsake for me and I like the fragrance of the flowers, However it can obviously be a liability. So, you make your choice as you are riding through a rural area in September and marveling at the beauty of this vine. Just don’t stop by the side of the road and get out for an inspection. It may swallow you up before you can blink!