Brian Bockhahn News Today

HOLLISTER — The Medoc Mountain State Park staff and public celebrated the site’s 50th anniversary on Oct. 28 with afternoon activities heading into the night.

This wrinkled ol' pal, found across much of the U. S., may be in decline. A huge study in North Carolina plans to track box turtles for 100 years, to learn how to best protect them.

This wrinkled ol pal, found across much of the U. S., may be in decline. A huge study in North Carolina plans to track box turtles for 100 years, to learn how to best protect them.

This wrinkled ol' pal, found across much of the U. S., may be in decline. A huge study in North Carolina plans to track box turtles for 100 years, to learn how to best protect them.

This wrinkled ol pal, found across much of the U. S., may be in decline. A huge study in North Carolina plans to track box turtles for 100 years, to learn how to best protect them.

This wrinkled ol' pal, found across much of the U. S., may be in decline. A huge study in North Carolina plans to track box turtles for 100 years, to learn how to best protect them.

This wrinkled ol' pal, found across much of the U. S., may be in decline. A huge study in North Carolina plans to track box turtles for 100 years, to learn how to best protect them.

The tiny Linville Caverns spider blends in well with the surrounding rock. Photo by Brian Bockhahn North Carolina state legislators could soon vote on a bill that would make the Linville Caverns spider an official symbol of the state, accompanying the cardinal, the Frasier fir and the dogwood. N.C. Sen. Ralph Hise (R) is the primary sponsor for the bill, S.B. 195. He first introduced the bill in 2017 and reintroduced it March 2021. The bill awaits a vote in the Senate Committee on Rules and Op...