$25K Blue Ridge Treasure Hunt Underway

A $25,350 treasure hunt organized by a Charlotte coin maker is officially underway in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Organizers filled a mason jar with gold coins and hid it near a public hiking trail, with the search area starting at a 420-mile-wide circle and shrinking daily until it’s just 1-foot wide on day 21. As of Saturday, the search area was down to 270 miles.

Countdown Treasure, the organization running the hunt, is offering premium access at $20 and $50 levels to drone images and community forums, enabling the prize to grow by $10 per signup. Each day, drone photos showing a bird’s-eye view of the treasure’s location will expand to offer more landscape detail.

Organizers hope to raise $20,000 for Hurricane Helene relief from the proceeds and are encouraging participants to support local businesses. Sign up here to participate.

Tillis Urges Probe of Cherokee Marijuana Sales

During a Senate hearing on Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) is urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) for allegedly marketing marijuana to children and illegally transporting it off their reservation. Bondi responded that her team will investigate the issue.

Tillis expressed concerns about online app sales violating federal and state laws, and highlighted EBCI ads displaying products with flavorings named “Halloween Specials,” “Pumpkin Spice,” and “Space Rockets.”

Previously, Tillis and Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) questioned the EBCI’s dispensary operations, citing potential breaches of the Controlled Substances Act.

Cherokee Principal Chief Michell Hicks defended his tribe’s legal cannabis operations and emphasized its lawful practices, sovereignty, and commitment to cultural integrity. He also suggested that Tillis’ accusations are motivated by his support for the Lumbee Tribe, which the EBCI argues should not be federally recognized.

$11K Worth of Pokémon Cards Stolen

Thieves broke into three card shops in Raleigh and Garner between Oct. 2 and 4 and stole a total of around $11,000 worth of Pokémon cards.

Surveillance video captured a thief smashing the glass door at Crunch Time Sports Cards in Raleigh on Oct. 2, then going directly toward a glass case and making off with $6,000 worth of cards inside of it.

Two days later, a thief broke into Hidden Block Games in Raleigh and New World Toys and Collectibles in Garner, stealing around $2,000 worth of Pokémon cards from Hidden Block Games and about $3,000 worth from New World Toys and Collectibles.

Store owners hope that when and if the thief attempts to sell the cards, it will lead to an arrest.

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➤ Statewide: Effective Monday, all 100 North Carolina counties will have access to eCourts records and services. This latest push expands the program to Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Davidson, Davie, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, McDowell, Rowan, and Rutherford counties. (More)

➤ Johnston County: A 4.7-mile stretch of U.S. 70 should be ready to become I-42 in late November. Final construction tasks include stabilizing drainage ditches and unveiling 70 mph speed limit signs pending Federal Highway Administration approval. (More)

➤ Durham County: Durham Public Schools and Alliance Health launched PULSE, a mental health program for students and families funded by a $1.5 million grant. Crisis support starts district-wide immediately, with full implementation expanding by spring 2026. (More)

➤ Winston-Salem: A judge set a $1.05 million bond Friday for North Carolina lawmaker Cecil Brockman, 41, who faces child sex crime charges after meeting a teenage victim on a dating app and possessing illicit videos. The judge also barred Brockman from contacting the victim. (More)

➤ Charlotte: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools employee Cheryl Harris Gates, 43, was arrested Friday and charged with attempted murder for allegedly poisoning her ex. Gates is also accused of harassment, stalking, and property damage. (More)

➤ Harnett County: Animal Edventure Sanctuary in Coats, a 26-acre establishment home to 200 exotic animals previously neglected by their owners, is up for sale for $2 million to buyers interested in maintaining the sanctuary’s purpose. (More)

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➤ NC State trailed No. 16 Notre Dame just 10-7 at halftime, but the Fighting Irish scored 26 unanswered points after the break for a 36-7 win. (Recap)

➤ Deshawn Purdie threw four touchdowns, and Wake Forest forced two turnovers in a 39-14 win over Oregon State. (Recap)

➤ JJ Kohl threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-20 road win over Georgia State, and Appalachian State improved to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in Sun Belt play. (Box Score)

➤ The Carolina Panthers will face the Dallas Cowboys today at 1 p.m. Panthers running back Rico Dowdle, who rushed for 206 yards last Sunday, will have a chance to run wild again against his former team, which currently has the NFL’s 32nd-ranked defense. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NBA | NCAAF | NHL | PGA | LPGA | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ The Grandfather Mountain community is mourning the loss of Nova, a 12-year-old river otter who died on Oct. 1 from complications during a dental procedure. Donations made in her memory will support the park’s resident animals. (Watch Video)

➤ BirdCast tracked a record-breaking migration of over 1.25 billion birds across the U.S., including 17.8 million in Buncombe County, flying south-southwest across Western North Carolina Wednesday night, likely triggered by northern frosts. (More)

➤ Triad-based Clemmons Middle School created a domino game with 2,915 boxes of cereal, pasta, cake mixes, and crackers that started in the media center, went down the hall, and ended in the gym as part of a food drive for the Clemmons Food Pantry. (Watch Video)

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Would you build a beach house in the Outer Banks if you had the funds?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Depends on the location

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you keep jumper cables in your car?

1. Yes: 39%
2. No: 33%
3. Not sure: 28%

What does the “Raleigh Call” refer to, in connection with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy?

Show me the answer