Latest news with #Southeast
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hike The Blue Ridge Mountains And Sip On Some Of The Best Wine In The South In This Virginia County
While Charlottesville, Virginia, has long been on the radar of travelers from across the Southeast and, perhaps, the entire country, its neighbor to the southwest is still yet-to-be-discovered by those outside the region. Nelson County is where Charlottesville gets its outdoorsy reputation and its incredible Blue Ridge Mountain views. Nestled in the mountains, Nelson County doesn't encompass any major cities or even larger towns. Instead, it's known for its hiking, craft beer, vineyards, and, of course, the amazing vistas that earned its reputation for being the "sunrise side of the Blue Ridge." Want to plan a trip to this idyllic Virginia county where you can get away from the hustle and bustle? Here's everything you need to know about where to stay, what to do, and where to eat and drink in Nelson County. If you're already planning on visiting the vineyards, why not stay at one? Particularly if it means staying with mountain views and luxuriously decorated historic accomodations. The Farmhouse at Veritas is located on the property of Veritas Vineyards and Winery, but not only is it known for its wine, but also its gourmet dining program. There's a delicious multi-course breakfast each morning and the option to book their four-course, prix-fixe dinner Tuesday through Saturday. 72 Saddleback Farm, Afton, VA 22920 The six rooms at Orchard House Bed and Breakfast are both comfortable and luxuriously decorated, balancing farmhouse charm with an upscale boutique stay. The inn offers incredible views and, if you visit in the heat of summer, there's a saltwater pool ready for you to cool off. 9749 Thomas Nelson Hwy, Lovingston, VA 22949 For a pet-friendly stay and laid-back weekend escape, Rockwell Ridge Inn will put you right where you need to be to access hiking, breweries, and all the beauty of Nelson County. The inn has accommodations for both smaller groups and larger gatherings, all of which have the same modern rustic meets minimalist style. 1562 Afton Mountain Rd, Afton, VA 22920 Explore the outdoors with a side of spookiness. The Blue Ridge Tunnel is nearly a mile long, and, while it was built as a railroad tunnel sometime around 1850, it's now a destination for hikers and bikers. This long, dark tunnel requires a flashlight to navigate. 483 Three Notched Mountain Hwy, Waynesboro VA 22980 If you plan your trip ahead of time, try to coordinate it with a Starry Nights evening at Veritas Vineyards & Winery. This beloved summer tradition includes music in the vineyard, under the spectacular night sky. Depending on your ticket, you can bring a picnic or indulge in a seated three-course meal. 151 Veritas Lane, Afton, Virginia 22920 Crabtree Falls gets its name from not one, but five, cascading waterfalls that are found along this mountain trail. This stunning three-mile hike includes multiple overlooks where you can take in the natural beauty of Nelson County. 11581 Crabtree Falls Highway, Montebello, VA 24464 While Wintergreen Resort is a four-season resort—you can go golfing or hiking in the warmer months—it's truly known for its skiing and snowboarding. This is where you can get your snowy fix, even in the South. 39 Mountain Inn Loop, Nellysford, VA 22958 If your idea of a good country getaway requires a stop by an antique mall, then add the Blue Moon Antique Mall and Bookstore to your list. This large space includes thousands of books, along with antiques ranging from dishware to furniture. 8230 Thomas Nelson Hwy, Lovingston, VA 22949 Lots of breweries serve food but few have built a following like Blue Mountain Brewery. This farm brewery grows their own hops, brews some of the state's favorite craft beer, and they have an extensive menu that includes everything you could want while enjoying a cold one. From pretzels to fried pickle dip to pizzas with local meat (including an extensive selection of gluten-free!), you could spend an entire afternoon hanging out here. 9519 Critzer Shop Rd, Afton, VA 22920 Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards calls itself a culinary vineyard, and that might be the only way to truly describe the level of both food and wine they're serving. Sit on their back veranda looking out over the mountains and enjoy fresh flavors like tomatillo and cucumber gazpacho or burrata and grilled asparagus salad. 5022 Plank Rd, North Garden, VA 22959 No trip to Virginia is complete without pulled pork barbecue, and The Blue Ridge Pig is one of the best places to get it. They're smoking meats up on top of a mountain, and, on a nice day, there's no better place to sit outside and indulge in a classic barbecue plate. 2198 Rockfish Valley Hwy, Nellysford, VA 22958 The restaurant at The Farmhouse at Veritas is open to diners and guests alike, and the four-course meal is one of the most elegant in Nelson County. Taking cues from local flavors and in-season produce, you can expect to find inventive dishes like smashed cucumbers, fromage frais, fried garlic, salmon roe, tarragon, and passion fruit vinaigrette or prime filet mignon, asparagus, red potato hash, and black pepper bordelaise. 72 Saddleback Farm, Afton, VA 22920 With a range from turtle brownies to lavender blueberry cheesecake, Sweet Bliss Bakery is a beloved spot for all things sweet in Nelson County. You can grab desserts-to-go or start off with a sandwich then save your sweets for last. 2789 Rockfish Valley Hwy, Nellysford, VA 22958 There are enough craft breweries, cideries, and distilleries throughout Nelson County to fill up not only an entire weekend, but perhaps an entire week. You can bop around either the Nelson 151 or Nelson 29 craft beverage trails, both named for their main thoroughfares. Make sure to hit Three Notch'd Brewing Company, Hazy Mountain Brewery, Blue Toad Hard Cider, Virginia Distillery Company, and Silverback Distillery. and A portion of the Monticello Wine Trail runs through Nelson County and, while Veritas Vineyards & Winery and Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards have already been mentioned, there are nearly a dozen vineyards worth visiting (maybe make this a long weekend...). Afton Mountain Vineyards, Cardinal Point Winery, Flying Fox Vineyards, and Lovingston Winery are just a few of the locations that blend classic Virginia varietals with the absolutely jawdropping backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Read the original article on Southern Living
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tennessee baseball receives two transfer commitments
Tennessee baseball received two transfer commitments on Sunday. Henry Ford announced his commitment to the Vols after entering the NCAA transfer portal. He played in 111 games for the Cavaliers from 2024-25. Advertisement Ford was one of four Cavaliers to start all 50 games, 34 in right field and 16 at first base, during the 2025 season. In 2024 as a freshman, he appeared in 61 games, including 61 starts, primarily at first base. Ford recorded a .348 batting average, 28 home runs, 115 RBIs, 102 runs, 160 hits, 22 doubles, two triples, 50 walks, seven stolen bases and was hit by six pitches from 2024-25. More: Transfer catcher commits to Tennessee baseball Bowling Green transfer DJ Newman also committed to the Vols on Sunday. "I want to thank my teammates and coaches for a great three years at BGSU, but now it's time for the next chapter," he announced. "Let's get to work." Advertisement The 6-foot, 189-pound pitcher and outfielder appeared in 101 games, including 89 starts, from 2023-25 at Bowling Green. He also appeared in 27 contests (15 starts) as a pitcher. Newman (7-4) totaled 91 strikeouts and a 3.60 ERA in 85.0 innings. He recorded 15 home runs, 64 RBIs, 101 runs, 20 doubles, five triples, 55 walks, 28 stolen bases and a .388 batting average. More: Three Vols projected in 2025 MLB mock draft first round Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Two transfers commit to Tennessee baseball
CNN
10 hours ago
- Politics
- CNN
5 things to know for June 27: US-Iran, Trump threatens media, Planned Parenthood, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, Minnesota shooting
5 Things The Middle East Donald Trump Health care policyFacebookTweetLink Follow If you live in the Southeast, you may have seen or heard something unusual on Thursday. A daytime fireball that was possibly dropped by a meteor was clearly visible in the sky — and it created a sonic boom. Here's what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day. The Pentagon released new details about the US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities last weekend, including how the military prepared for the mission, the crews who carried out the raid and how Iran tried to fortify one of the sites in advance of the bombing. However, Thursday's briefing did not provide new intelligence supporting President Donald Trump's assertion that the strikes 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear program. Both Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth referred questions about that to the intelligence agencies. Until all of the intel is gathered, the full extent of damage at the facilities remains unclear. A lawyer representing President Trump has sent letters to CNN and The New York Times threatening legal action over their reporting on the US attack on Iran. Attorney Alejandro Brito alleged that the stories published on June 24 describing an early US intelligence assessment of the strikes were false and defamatory. Both media outlets rejected that claim. Trump has insisted that Iran's nuclear enrichment sites were 'completely and totally obliterated,' but the preliminary assessment from the Pentagon's intelligence arm suggested the bombings did not destroy the core components of Iran's nuclear program. Administration officials confirmed the existence of the intel and Trump said that anyone who leaked it to the press 'should be prosecuted.' The president also described both media outlets as 'fake news' and called for one of the three CNN reporters who broke the story to be fired. CNN replied: 'We stand 100% behind Natasha Bertrand's journalism and specifically her and her colleagues' reporting' about the assessment. The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked Planned Parenthood from suing South Carolina over the state's decision to pull its Medicaid funding because the organization also provides abortions. At issue was an executive order signed by Gov. Henry McMaster in 2018 that pulled Medicaid funding from the state's two Planned Parenthood clinics because he claimed it would amount to a taxpayer subsidy for abortion. That order also blocked Medicaid patients from receiving other services at Planned Parenthood, including contraception, breast exams and testing for sexually transmitted diseases. The high court's decision could prompt other red states to target Planned Parenthood and make it harder for Medicaid beneficiaries to choose their doctor. Today is the final day of the term and the Supreme Court is expected to hand down six rulings, including those dealing with Trump's birthright citizenship order, a challenge from religious parents who want to opt their children out of reading LGBTQ books in school and a First Amendment suit over a Texas law that requires people to verify their age before accessing porn online. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, jailed in the country's notorious CECOT prison and returned to the US months later, is currently being detained in Tennessee. During a court hearing on Thursday, a Justice Department lawyer told the judge that the Trump administration plans to send Abrego Garcia to a 'third country' but wouldn't specify a timeline for the deportation. While the administration's original deportation of Abrego Garcia violated a 2019 order from an immigration judge that said he could not be deported to his home country due to fears that he would face gang violence, that order did not preclude his deportation to another country. The wife of the man accused of shooting two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses on June 14 said she was 'absolutely shocked, heartbroken and completely blindsided' by the attack. Vance Boelter is accused of killing Melissa Hortman, a member of the Minnesota House, and her husband, Mark, as well as injuring John Hoffman, a member of the Minnesota Senate, and his wife in a separate shooting. Boelter is facing numerous state and federal charges, including murder, firearms offenses and stalking. In a statement through her lawyer, Jenny Boelter offered her 'deepest sympathies' to the victims' families, and said her family had fully cooperated with authorities. The Hortmans will lie in state at the Minnesota Capitol today. Get '5 Things' in your inbox If your day doesn't start until you're up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to your new favorite morning fix. Sign up here for the '5 Things' longer 'Made in the USA'?Trump Mobile, the wireless service provider and phone company launched this month by the Trump Organization, has changed the language describing the origins of the T1 8002 phone on its website. 'It's a sad day for us'A foreshadowed death on 'The Simpsons' has freaked out fans of the animated family. B&E at Brad's placeA Los Angeles home owned by movie star Brad Pitt was reportedly burglarized this week. Pitt was away on a promotional tour for his new film, 'F1: The Movie,' during the incident. Star-filled nuptialsSeveral A-list celebrities, including Oprah and Mick Jagger, have traveled to Venice for the lavish Bezos wedding this weekend. From 'Dune' to 007Oscar-winning director Denis Villeneuve has been tapped to helm the next movie in the James Bond franchise. 'This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor,' he said. Journalist Bill Moyers dies at 91The former press secretary to President Lyndon B. Johnson spent five decades on the air working as a journalist, political commentator and champion of public media. Walter Cronkite once described Moyers as 'the conscience' of the country. Which team won the NBA championship this week?A. Indiana PacersB. Oklahoma City ThunderC. New York KnicksD. Minnesota Timberwolves Take me to the quiz! 41,000+That's how many retirement-age Americans died from falls in 2023. More than half of those deaths were people 85 and older, the CDC reported. 'This is not a luxury. I do not have my daughter enrolled on Medicaid so we can have fancy things. I have my daughter enrolled in Medicaid so we can keep her alive and keep her at home, which I think is the best option for her.' — Missouri parent Courtney Leader, on the GOP's proposed cuts to Medicaid. Check your local forecast here>>> So much natural beauty!See why this place was named CNN's best town to visit for 2025. 5 Things AM is edited by CNN's Andrew Torgan.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
What is a fireball, and how often does rare event occur? See known SC meteorites
The American Meteor Society received over 160 reports in the Southeast − including South Carolina and Georgia − of a fiery object streaking through the skies on June 26. The object, identified later on as a fireball, "exploded 27 miles above West Forest, Georgia, unleashing an energy of about 20 tons of TNT," according to CBS News. Bill Cooke, a lead at NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office, confirmed the fireball, observed before 12:30 p.m., was 3 feet in diameter, weighing more than a ton. No injuries have been reported due to the fireball, although a home in Henry County, Georgia, was struck by debris suspected to be related to the meteor. Here's the difference between a fireball and meteor. Per FossilEra, a meteor is often called a "shooting star" or "falling star" since they appear as a streak of light, produced when a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere and vaporizes due to the intense heat caused by friction with air. A meteor is a visible atmospheric phenomenon that results from the meteor's swift entry and disintegration, meaning it is not a physical object. A fireball is a meteor that is significantly brighter than normal meteors, outshining planet Venus. Ground-level rumbles known as sonic booms occur when a fireball explodes, according to EBSCO. Only a small number of meteors that enter the Earth's atmosphere are classified as fireballs. Each day, several thousand meteors of fireball magnitude occur in the Earth's atmosphere, and the majority of them are difficult to observe since they take place over the oceans and uninhabited regions, with many masked by daylight, per the American Meteor Society. Fireballs that occur at night have less of a chance of being seen because there aren't as many people outside to notice them. "Additionally, the brighter the fireball, the more rare is the event. As a general thumb rule, there are only about 1/3 as many fireballs present for each successfully brighter magnitude class, following an exponential decrease." said the American Meteor Society. "Experienced observers can expect to see only about 1 fireball of magnitude -6 or better for every 200 hours of meteor observing, while a fireball magnitude -4 can be expected about once every 20 hours or so." Meteorites are fragments of space rocks like asteroids or comets that survive passing through Earth's atmosphere, landing on the surface. Before entering the atmosphere, they are called meteoroids, and can vary in size from tiny dust grains to large asteroids. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources listed the following records regarding meteorite occurrence within the state on their website: 1843: Achondrite, Bishopville 1844: Octahedrite, Ruff's Mountain, Newberry County 1849: Ataxite, Chesterville 1857: Octahedrite, Laurens County 1880: Octahedrite, Lexington County 1933: Chondrite, Cherokee Springs The Greenville News reached out to NASA for a comment for this story, but did not receive a response. Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@ This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Fireball and meteor: The difference, how to tell them apart
The Independent
21 hours ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Heat waves bring dangerous and deadly lightning strikes. Here's how to avoid getting struck
Amid the nation's first heat wave of the summer season, lightning killed one honeymooner enjoying the beach in Florida and injured 20 others cooling off on a South Carolina lake. More than 30 people have been injured by such strikes during the course of the past two weeks, according to AccuWeather. Some 20 people are killed by lightning each year in the U.S., and hundreds more are injured. Most of those deaths occur in July and usually over the weekend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes, with the Southeast most at risk. Those who survive strikes can suffer lifelong neurological damage, such as forgetfulness and memory issues, depression, irritability, and personality changes. The result of the build-up and discharge of static electricity in the atmosphere, a strike can heat the air it passes through to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit: a measurement that's five times hotter than the surface of the sun. 'Lightning is a serious summertime safety risk that can injure or tragically kill people who are outdoors,' AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter warned. With warmer temperatures comes an increased risk of storms that can lead to lightning strikes, and potentially related wildfires. A hotter atmosphere can hold more of the moisture needed for storm formation. So, how do you keep yourself and your loved ones safe this summer? Be weather aware Monitoring the weather is the best way to stay safe! This is especially the case if you're planning any outdoor activities. Lightning can strike up to 30 miles away from a storm, particularly from anvil clouds that are the flat top of a thunderstorm. Whereas, 'cauliflower-looking' cumulonimbus clouds signal a maturing thunderstorm. But, dangerous lightning can happen in any thunderstorm, not just severe thunderstorms. That was the case in South Carolina. 'Conditions went from quiet and calm to a small thunderstorm with multiple lightning strikes within a matter of minutes,' AccuWeather chief on-air meteorologist Bernie Rayno explained. 'As quickly as this storm developed, it weakened and passed by. This was a very small thunderstorm, but it packed a lot of lightning.' If you're outside There is no safe place outside when thunderstorms are in the area. If you can hear thunder, you are likely in the range of the storm. Too many people wait too long to get to safety when thunderstorms are approaching. People should have a lightning safety plan, including where to go and how long it will take to get there. Avoid open fields, and hills or ridge tops. Also, stay away from tall, isolated trees and other tall objects. If you are in a group, spread out to avoid the current traveling between group members. When lightning strikes the ground, the energy radiates outward. Stay away from water, wet items, and any metal objects. Water and metal are excellent conductors of electricity. Fishing and swimming are some of the deadliest activities for lightning-related deaths. Lastly, don't do the 'lightning crouch', the old recommendation to bend over and curl up into a ball on your toes. The National Lightning Safety Council now says that it only prolongs the risk of being struck. When you're indoors Being inside may not protect you from associated dangers. When lightning strikes a home or building, it often follows the wiring or plumbing, so stay away from anything plugged into an outlet and sinks, showers, and tubs. Cell phones and cordless phones are safe, but do not touch TVs or computers. Lightning generates electric surges that can damage electronic equipment even a distance away from an actual strike. Make sure to stay away from windows or doors. The metal components could provide a pathway for the lightning to enter the home. Lightning can also travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring. 'Stay indoors for 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder or flash of lightning, to allow the threat to pass before returning outdoors,' Porter added.
