Catching up on the lighter side: News you missed from across the world and across the county
Photo curtesy of Guillaume Didelet on Unsplash
Carolyn Christopher, Staff Writer
International News
On November 8, the bells of the Notre Dame Cathedral rang out across the city of Paris, France, for the first time in four years.
In 2019, the eight-century-old cathedral sustained significant damage due to a large fire. Over the last four years significant funds have been raised to restore the once great structure to its previous glory.
The restoration is estimated to be completed by December of this year. The returning sound of the eight historic bells was enjoyed by many, reminding them of their hopes and efforts to make history by restoring it.
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A 37,000-year-old saber-tooth kitten has been found in the Russian Tundra and researched by scientists. On November 14, 2024, scientists revealed their findings of the pristinely mummified kitten.
The kitten was found in 2020 on the Badyarikha River. Studies estimate it to have been about three weeks old. The kitten was almost perfectly preserved in the snow and ice, presenting scientists with a unique and rare opportunity for research.
“For the first time in the history of paleontology, the appearance of an extinct mammal that has no analogues in the modern fauna has been studied,” said researchers at Nature.com.
Saber-tooth tigers have been extinct for 12,000 years. The kitten has presented an opportunity for scientists to not only study the species but one that lived long before their extinction.
National News
Lowe’s Home Improvement has started a recovery fund to aid small businesses in Western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The fund equates to a sum of $2.5 million, which will be granted to small businesses for their recovery and disaster-relief efforts.
“Beginning November 18 through November 22, small businesses in disaster-declared communities in Western North Carolina will be eligible to apply for grants to meet urgent needs, such as payroll, rent or replacing equipment or tools,” writes Lowe’s.
Lowe’s is set to host events and distribute meals to families during Thanksgiving week. Their plans will also aid that of first responders, local non-profits and disaster relief efforts across North Carolina.
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Four Los Angeles residents have been charged with insurance fraud after an alleged bear attack on the resident’s vehicles. After further investigation, the attack was found not to be one from a bear, but of the residents in a life-sized bear costume, destroying their own property.
The residents planned to gain money from their insurance company by claiming a bear attack took place on their vehicle. They entered their cars in a bear costume, marring the inside of the cars with “claw” marks, and exited the cars.
When questioned, the residents went so far as to reveal footage of the alleged attacks. After detectives reviewed the footage with a biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the “bear” was deemed a very obvious human in a bear costume. A search warrant was executed, leading detectives to discover a full-body bear suit, complete with claws, in one of the suspects’ houses.
The case is currently under review. The final decision determining the resident’s prosecution has not been made.
South Carolina News
More than a week following the loss of 43 monkeys in South Carolina, police and residents of Horry Country are now on the lookout for two wandering emus.
The emus, Thelma and Louise, are the pets of Artie Morace, 71. The animals escaped without much of a fight, despite Morace’s attempts and the emus having knocked him to the ground. Morace is uninjured though disheveled over his missing pets. He assures the authorities and the public the birds are harmless.
“The Horry County Police Department has acknowledged reports of sightings of the emus and echoed Morace’s message, saying that the birds are not dangerous to the community,” wrote WMBF News.
Morace hopes that between himself and the community, the two emus will be lured home soon and reunited with his third emu, who has remained with him since the escape of the other two.
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Two of the 43 escaped monkeys from Alpha Genesis research facility were reported enjoying their freedom before capture by eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. As of November 14, eight monkeys remain uncaptured and roaming near Yemassee, South Carolina.
The monkeys initially escaped due to a cage left open by an employee. Residents were encouraged to use caution by locking their doors and windows. Alpha Genesis assured the public that the escapees did not pose infectious threat as they did not carry any diseases.
Authorities and employees of Alpha Genesis continue to search for the remaining monkeys, who have been spotted playing in trees and calling to one another.
Local News
On November 12, Greenville Country announced their plans for continued restoration efforts of the area caused by Hurricane Helene. Between November 28 and December 9, efforts will be put on hold to allow crews a rest.
Following December 9, residents may have large stumps and debris readied and picked up. Any remaining debris not initially set out for pick-up will be left to the resident’s responsibility once their street is declared finished by the contractors.
“So far crews have picked up over 6,000 curbsides, totaling more than 325,000 cubic yards of vegetative waste. They have also ground-up 88,000 cubic yards of debris into mulch,” writes Jeremy Wynder with Spectrum News.
Efforts continue throughout Greenville Country to restore homes and property to what they were before Hurrican Helene.
