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Medicare Agent in Raleigh, NC
Trying to pick a health insurance plan can be a chore for anyone. For many people, just mentioning the word "open enrollment" sends shivers down the spine. It seems like there's always a nagging feeling that you're wasting money, choosing a plan with poor in-network care, or both. One would think that health insurance gets easier as you approach retirement age, but the truth is that picking an initial Medicare coverage plan can be daunting.
Unfortunately, the confusing process of signing up for Medicare causes many seniors to forego healthcare coverage altogether. After all, Medicare enrollment can involve several federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (or SSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (or CMS).
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, our passion is guiding seniors through the confusion of Medicare. That way, they can enjoy retirement with peace of mind knowing they are protected and ready for life after 65. We work with dozens of insurance companies, giving our clients the chance to choose a plan that best fits their lifestyle.
We choose to design our senior insurance plans with a focus on optimal benefits structure, lower costs, and personalized service. Some independent insurance agencies see their aging customers as nothing more than a financial transaction waiting to happen. In contrast, we treat each of our clients with respect and dignity as we help them navigate the confusing waters of Medicare. Combined with individualized service, we help older Americans make well-informed decisions about insurance. Whether you're in need of senior Medicare Supplement Plan insurance in Raleigh, NC or simply have questions about signing up for Medicare, our team is here to help.
- Helping Seniors Make Better-Informed Medicare Decisions
- What is Medicare?
- The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including
- Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Raleigh, NC
- Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
- Medicare Agent in Raleigh, NC
- How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
- Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
- Paying for Your Medicare Agent
- The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
What is Medicare?
If you're approaching the golden years of your life, it's important you understand what Medicare is if you don't already.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program reserved for people older than 65 who have worked full-time for at least ten years. The Medicare program is paid for by a combination of worker payroll tax, premiums paid by Medicare enrollees, and the U.S. government.
There are four parts of Medicare:
This type of Medicare is free for most U.S. citizens. Medicare Part A helps older adults pay for care in a nursing facility, hospital visits, and some forms of in-home senior care.
This tier costs around $100 per month. It covers different outpatient services like lab tests, preventative care, doctor's visits, mental health care, clinical trials, and some forms of surgery.
This type of Medicare is most often called Medicare Advantage. This tier of Medicare allows seniors to choose health plans provided by insurance companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Individuals who use Medicare Advantage commonly use Medicare supplement plan insurance to help pay for health care costs that Original Medicare won't cover, like coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments.
Sometimes called "PDPs," these plans add drug coverage to standard Medicare, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS), some Medicare Cost Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans (MSA).
The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including:
- What kind of care you need, and how often it is needed.
- The type of Medicare coverage you choose.
- Whether there are alternative insurance policies that will help fill gaps in your coverage
- Whether a doctor agrees to charge you the same amount that Medicare will cover for a medical service
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, we offer a number of health insurance solutions for seniors. Two of our most used services include Medicare Advantage plan insurance and Medicare supplement plan insurance.
Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Raleigh, NC
Sometimes called Medigap, the purpose of Medicare Supplement Insurance is to help fill in "gaps" that might not be covered by Original Medicare. You can think of a Medigap policy as a supplement for your Original Medicare benefits.
Private companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services sell this type of insurance right here in South Carolina. While Original Medicare will pay for much of the cost associated with health care services you need, it may not cover all of your expenses. Generally, Medigap policies do not cover costs stemming from eyeglasses, private-duty nurses, dental care, hearing aids, or long-term care.
Depending on the Medicare Supplement Plan that you choose, it may cover out-of-the-country medical services when you travel abroad. Assuming you have Original Medicare coverage, your policy will cover its share of Medicare-approved health care costs. Once your Original Medicare coverage reaches its limit, your Medigap policy will pay its share of the fees.
Our Medigap policies are drafted to meet your specific needs, and can help cover remaining health care costs such as:
Deductibles
Copayments
Coinsurance
Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
To dispel some confusion, you should know that a Medigap policy is not the same as a Medicare Advantage Plan. The latter helps you receive Medicare benefits, while the former supplements the benefits you obtain through your Original Medicare plan. As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
- To qualify for a Medigap policy, you must first have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
- Payments on your Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan will be made to the private insurance company that you choose, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. These payments are made every month and are paid in addition to the monthly payment you make for Medicare Part B.
- If you are the holder of a Medicare Advantage Plan, it is illegal for an insurance company to sell you a senior Medicare Supplement Policy. If you plan on switching back to an Original Medicare plan, you may be able to purchase a Medigap policy.
- If you have health problems as you age, your standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed to be renewable. So long as you pay your monthly premium, your insurance provider cannot cancel your policy.
- Medigap policies only cover one person. If you have a spouse or family member that would like coverage, they must purchase a separate policy.
- You may only buy a Senior Medicare Supplement Plan from an insurance agent that is licensed to sell them in your state. Senior Medicare Insurance Services has been licensed to sell Medigap policies in South Carolina for years. We have helped countless seniors get the Medicare coverage they need and continue to do so to this day.
- In the past, Medigap policies were able to cover costs related to prescription drugs. As of January 1st, 2006, prescription drug coverage is not available on Medicare Supplement Plans. The best way to get coverage for your prescription drugs is to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, often called Part D. Contact our office today to learn more about paying premiums on Medigap and Medicare plans.
For many people, the best time to buy senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Raleigh, NC is during the 7 months Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period starts the day you turn 65 years old, so long as you hold Medical Insurance (Medicare Part B). Generally, during the enrollment period, you get more policy choices and better pricing. Once the enrollment period is over, you may not be able to purchase a Medigap policy. Contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services today to determine if you qualify for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.
Medicare Agent in Raleigh, NC
A Medicare Advantage Plan is a kind of Medicare health coverage designed to provide seniors with all their Part A and Part B Medicare benefits. Many Medicare Advantage Plans will often include coverage of the following:
- Preferred Provider Organizations
- Special Needs Plans
- Private Fee-for-Service
- Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans
- Health Maintenance Organizations
In addition, most Medicare Advantage Plans give seniors coverage for their prescription drug needs. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan through Senior Medicare Insurance Services, your Medicare benefits are covered through your plan and will not be paid for by traditional Medicare.
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
Sometimes called "MA Plans" or "Part C," Medicare Advantage Plans are considered an "all in one" solution to Original Medicare. Senior Medicare Advantage Plans are only offered by private companies that are approved, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Seniors who enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan are still on Medicare. However, these individuals enjoy bundled plans that give seniors the benefits of hospital insurance (Medicare Part A), medical insurance (Medicare Part B), and sometimes drug coverage (Part D).
Medicare Advantage Plans are very popular because they cover all Medicare services and make life a little easier for seniors who have trouble understanding the nuances of Medicare.
When you contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services to choose your Medicare Advantage Plan, ask your agent about Medicare prescription drug coverage. Unless you already have drug coverage (Part D), you should seriously consider Part D coverage to help reduce costs associated with prescription drugs. You may also want to consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan to help fill gaps in coverage that Original Medicare will not cover.
Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
Medicare works by paying a set amount of money to the companies that offer Medicare Agent in Raleigh, NC. That money is used to pay for the care services that you need. Because Medicare Advantage Plans are different, you should expect out-of-pocket costs to vary depending on the plan you choose.
Different plans have different rules for how you receive services, such as:
If you must go to facilities, suppliers, or doctors that belong to your Advantage Plan for non-urgent and non-emergency care.-
Whether you must get a referral to see a specialized doctor
Companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans must follow strict rules, which are set by Medicare and can change every year.
Paying for Your Medicare Agent
How much you pay for your Medicare Advantage Plan varies and depends on a few different factors. In most cases, if you need a kind of medical service, you will need to rely on the doctors and providers in your plan's service area and network to pay the lowest amounts. In some cases, if you choose to use a service outside of your plan's network of coverage, you may have to pay out-of-pocket.
We encourage you to contact our office today to learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans, how they work, what your options are, and how often you will have to pay out-of-pocket, if at all.
The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
Since our company was founded, we have led the insurance industry by providing our clients with the most valuable, helpful insurance solutions available. We are fully committed to our current and prospective clients by:
Choosing to focus on personalized, one-on-one service. When you work with our team, know that we will always design your health insurance plan with your best interests in mind.-
Listening to your specific needs. -
Responding to all inquiries and questions promptly and with a friendly attitude. -
Providing you with the best customer service in the senior health insurance industry, whether you have questions or are ready to move forward with a Medicare plan.
Our mission is to help give seniors the best Medicare assistance available so that they may understand the Medicare process and make an informed health coverage decision. We have the knowledge, skills, and experience to assist anyone interested in Medicare. Our personal goal is to become a lifetime resource for our clients and give them greater confidence in choosing their insurance plans.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 82 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
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Latest News in Raleigh, NC
30 years later: The night Hurricane Fran changed North Carolina
Wes Hohensteinhttps://www.cbs17.com/news/north-carolina-news/30-years-later-the-night-hurricane-fran-changed-north-carolina/
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Thirty years ago this Saturday, Hurricane Fran roared ashore and began a destructive journey that would change the landscape of North Carolina from the coast to the capital in Raleigh and beyond.Fran made landfall around 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, 1996, just three days after Labor Day. The eye crossed the Cape Fear area in Brunswick County near Bald Head Island and Southport as a powerful Category 3 hurricane with 115 mph sustained winds.Along the coast, Fran brought devastating wind and storm sur...
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Thirty years ago this Saturday, Hurricane Fran roared ashore and began a destructive journey that would change the landscape of North Carolina from the coast to the capital in Raleigh and beyond.
Fran made landfall around 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, 1996, just three days after Labor Day. The eye crossed the Cape Fear area in Brunswick County near Bald Head Island and Southport as a powerful Category 3 hurricane with 115 mph sustained winds.
Along the coast, Fran brought devastating wind and storm surge. Beaches still recovering from Hurricane Bertha, which struck North Carolina in the Wilmington area just two months earlier, were battered again.
Homes were damaged or destroyed, piers were ripped apart and entire coastal communities were left facing a massive cleanup.
Hurricane Fran then moved toward the Triangle. The center passed through Wake County overnight, with Raleigh-Durham International Airport recording a 79 mph wind gust. Fayetteville also recorded a 79 mph gust. RDU measured 8.80 inches of rain.
By sunrise Friday, Raleigh looked like a different city.
Thousands upon thousands of trees had fallen. Some snapped; others were ripped from rain-soaked ground by their roots. Trees crashed through homes, blocked streets and pulled down power lines.
Almost all of Wake County lost electricity and nearly all of Raleigh’s traffic signals were reportedly out Friday morning.
Wake County’s population in 1996 was only about 549,000. Today, more than 1.25 million people call Wake County home, more than twice as many people as when Fran smashed directly through the county.
For many North Carolinians, the days after Fran became almost as memorable as the storm itself.
With power unavailable for days, and in some neighborhoods more than a week, refrigerators warmed, food spoiled and air conditioning disappeared just as September temperatures climbed back into the 90s.
The scope of the damage to the electrical grid was staggering. About 4,000 power poles were snapped across North Carolina and roughly 1,000 miles of electrical distribution lines were down. At some point, 1.7 million North Carolina electric customers lost power.
Ice suddenly became one of the hottest commodities in town.
Residents stood in long lines at stores that managed to open, hoping to find a few bags before supplies disappeared. Some families fired up backyard grills and cooked whatever meat was thawing in their freezers.
There was one unexpected consequence of the massive blackout: darkness.
One Raleigh-area resident later recalled seeing the Milky Way from her own backyard for the first time because so much of the region had lost power. Another resident remembered the remarkable number of stars suddenly visible over a city that was normally illuminated at night.
Chainsaws became the soundtrack of September. Enormous piles of limbs and tree trunks appeared along streets and at temporary debris sites around the Triangle. In neighborhoods filled with snapped pine trees, the air carried the unmistakable scent of fresh pine, like Christmas in the middle of a hot North Carolina September.
Chainsaw accidents, falls, cuts, bites and stings, encounters with displaced snakes and other cleanup-related injuries became another concern as thousands of people ventured outside to clear trees and repair damage. Downed power lines and generators added still more dangers to a landscape already filled with hazards.
The numbers remain staggering. Wake County alone suffered more than $900 million in residential and commercial property damage. Statewide, the damage to homes, businesses, agriculture, forests and infrastructure ran into the billions.
For a generation of North Carolinians, Hurricane Fran became the storm against which every hurricane since has been measured as one of North Carolina’s defining natural disasters — much like Hurricane Hugo was viewed in the Charlotte area.
The destruction was significant enough that its name was retired after the 1996 hurricane season. Fran will never again appear on an Atlantic hurricane list, with the name Fay taking its place when the list rotated again in 2002.
Fay is still on the names list and is back in the 2026 rotation as the sixth named storm this hurricane season.
Late pick-six pulls No. 4 Millbrook past No. 21 Wake Forest football
J. Mike Blakehttps://www.highschoolot.com/news/football/wake-forest-cougars-at-millbrook-wildcats-football-game-2026-coverage/
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Darius Smith saw the ball hanging in the air. He caught it, and saw nothing but green grass in front of him.What the thousands of fans saw was the defensive play that decided the game.Smith's pick-six with 10:10 left in the fourth quarter was the winning play in a 14-7 victory by No. 3 Millbrook over an upset-minded No. 21 Wake Forest on Friday in the Alpaca Peruvian Chicken Game of the Week.It was a needed play from the Wildcats defense that was in unfamiliar territory in the first quarter....
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Darius Smith saw the ball hanging in the air. He caught it, and saw nothing but green grass in front of him.
What the thousands of fans saw was the defensive play that decided the game.
Smith's pick-six with 10:10 left in the fourth quarter was the winning play in a 14-7 victory by No. 3 Millbrook over an upset-minded No. 21 Wake Forest on Friday in the Alpaca Peruvian Chicken Game of the Week.
It was a needed play from the Wildcats defense that was in unfamiliar territory in the first quarter.
Wake Forest (1-2) scored the first points of any Millbrook opponent all year long with a 17-yard pass from Landen Perry, who found Micah Olu -- an Eastern Michigan recruit at running back who had split out wide on the series -- slanting to the end zone.
That evened the score from earlier in the quarter, when Millbrook marched down the field on the opening drive and scored on a 20-yard pass from Bryson Gray to Antonio Robertson.
Neither team scored in the second quarter as Wake Forest's defensive line bowed up against the Millbrook run game, including a 4th-and-1 stop in their own territory. Meanwhile, Millbrook's defense frustrated any deep passing attempts by Wake Forest.
Millbrook (3-0) brought blitz after blitz in the fourth quarter, none bigger than the one that forced an early throw that Smith picked off to get the win.
Wake Forest was held to just 106 yards of total offense, but Millbrook had just 163 yards.
Box Score
| 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | F | |
| Wake Forest | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Millbrook | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
Scoring Plays
Stats
Outside Raleigh Is North Carolina's Renowned Retirement Escape With Lake Fun, Colorful Parks, And Scenic Trails
Karla Demeryhttps://www.islands.com/2248285/chatham-county-north-carolina-outside-raleigh-retirement-escape-lake-fun-colorful-parks-scenic-trails/
It's no surprise that in retirement, people who have spent a large portion of their lives in the city often crave the slower, more peaceful lifestyle of the South. The numbers show it. According to a 2026 HireAHelper study, seven out of 10 states with the most new residents aged 65 and older were southern states. North Carolina ranked number five on the list, with 17,231 inbound moves.Among the cities in the Tar Heel State, Raleigh, located in Wake County, is one of the most popular. Travelers of retirement age are attracted to the ca...
It's no surprise that in retirement, people who have spent a large portion of their lives in the city often crave the slower, more peaceful lifestyle of the South. The numbers show it. According to a 2026 HireAHelper study, seven out of 10 states with the most new residents aged 65 and older were southern states. North Carolina ranked number five on the list, with 17,231 inbound moves.
Among the cities in the Tar Heel State, Raleigh, located in Wake County, is one of the most popular. Travelers of retirement age are attracted to the capital's walkable downtown, museums, and diverse food scene. More laid-back places like Dix Park also offer a break from the city's busier areas. However, there's another county that takes the cake as a retirement escape — and that's Chatham County.
Just under an hour from Raleigh, Chatham County is relatively rural, but it's also one of the fastest-growing counties in the state when it comes to seniors. About 28% of its population is 65 or over, according to the United States Census Bureau. Its appeal extends beyond the residents' ages, though. Jordan Lake and several other parks are located within the county, giving travelers access to scenic trails and opportunities for activities on the water.
Spend a day on the water at Jordan Lake
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, located about 30 miles from Raleigh — North Carolina's "city in a park" — is a popular destination for water activities. It has four beaches open to the public: Ebenezer Church, Seaforth, Parkers Creek, and White Oak Recreation Area. Seaforth and Ebenezer Church beaches are convenient options for a low-key day along the shore, as they both have swimming areas and dedicated areas for picnics. Though there is a seasonal $10 parking fee ($5 for seniors 62 and up) for both beaches, one Google reviewer wrote that Seaforth Beach is "a wonderful place to relax on the sand and enjoy some refreshing water." Parkers Creek offers visitors beach and camping access, while access to White Oak is more limited, only open "for day-use during peak season when not reserved," according to the website.
Swimming is only one way to enjoy the recreation paradise that is Jordan Lake. Retired travelers looking for another lower-impact activity on the water can try paddling, canoeing, or kayaking. Those bringing their own equipment can put in at several locations, including Farrington Point Boat Ramp about 8 miles north of Seaforth Beach. This site has a dedicated launch for smaller, non-motorized watercraft, according to previous visitors. If you don't have the necessary gear, you can head to Crosswinds Boating Center to rent single or tandem kayaks and paddleboards. While one Google reviewer described the rental process as "a little confusing if you're new," several others said that it's easy to get help from staff members. And if you're interested in checking out another artificial lake park outside Raleigh, Harris Lake County Park is a must-visit.
Explore Chatham County's parks and trails
Jordan Lake isn't the only place in Chatham County to get a taste of the outdoors. The 1,357-acre Lower Haw River State Natural Area sits roughly between Fearrington Village and Pittsboro, following the Haw River until it flows into Jordan Lake. Travelers will find dense greenery along the riverbanks that turns gold, orange, and red in autumn. When the air becomes crisper, visitors to the Lower Haw River State Natural Area can explore its network of rugged trails without North Carolina's signature high summer humidity. Though they're not officially maintained by the state of North Carolina, hikers generally find that they're easy and enjoyable.
For a more developed park and trail experience, retirees should head to Rock Ridge Park in Pittsboro. It's got a loop trail that goes for just over 2 miles and also follows an 18-hole disc golf course. Visitors say the park is well worth the visit, but several mentioned that there's only one porta-potty.
If hiking a trail with more expanded restroom facilities is important to you, one honorable mention is the American Tobacco Trail. Though it's not technically a park, it's a paved nature trail system that stretches over 22 miles, around 4.6 miles of it within Chatham County. Both trailheads within Chatham County — New Hill Olive Chapel Road and White Oak Church Road — offer ample parking and waterless restroom facilities. From there, visitors can walk or even enjoy the trail on horseback. Retirees may also find the trail easier to traverse on an electric bicycle, though it's important to remain a safe distance from others.
New mining rules could limit NC review of forests, mine locations
Lily Careyhttps://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article317116548.html
North Carolina may stop reviewing how forests are cleared to make way for mines, and stop requiring mines to reveal their exact location in order to get an operating permit.Those proposals are included in a series of new changes to North Carolina’s mining rules. The rules were proposed in August by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Mining Commission and approved by the state’s Rules Review Commission.Because more than 10 people wrote letters opposing the changes, they’ll have to be reviewed ...
North Carolina may stop reviewing how forests are cleared to make way for mines, and stop requiring mines to reveal their exact location in order to get an operating permit.
Those proposals are included in a series of new changes to North Carolina’s mining rules. The rules were proposed in August by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Mining Commission and approved by the state’s Rules Review Commission.
Because more than 10 people wrote letters opposing the changes, they’ll have to be reviewed by the state legislature next year before moving forward.
The rule changes also eliminate guidelines on how to consider a potential mine’s impacts on local wildlife; slightly limit public comments on new mining applications; and change the type of buffer that must surround a mine.
The new rules are intended to clarify parts of North Carolina’s state code that the mining commission felt were repetitive or unclear.
The rules have faced pushback from the public — and from DEQ’s Wildlife Resources Commission, which relies on information about the exact location of potential mines in order to review their environmental impact.
Jean Spooner, the head of the Umstead Coalition at William B. Umstead State Park, told The N&O she believes that the Rules Review Commission “may have misunderstood the full ramifications” of the new rules. The state park that’s at the center of a years-long legal battle.
However, Rules Review Commission member John Hahn said at an Aug. 27 meeting that the commission doesn’t have the authority to reject the new rules based on the concerns raised by the public.
The commission’s job is to approve or deny new rules based only on whether they clarify existing laws, Hahn said.
“The opponents of the rules basically have policy disagreements with the mining commission, and it’s not within our mandate to decide whether their policy position is better or worse … I mean, that’s just outside our mandate,” Hahn said. “So I don’t think we can do anything but let these rules go forward.”
What’s in the new rules
In North Carolina’s mining rules, timber harvesting used to be included in the definition of mining.
If a developer wants to cut down a forested area in order to mine the ground beneath it, that has typically been considered part of the mining process, and has to be considered as part of the application for a mining permit.
The new rules would remove timber harvesting and silviculture, or tree management, from the definition of mining. So DEQ can’t consider a company’s plans to clear forests as part of its plans to mine a natural area.
A state law passed this year also removed timber harvesting from the definition of mining in the state’s Mining Act. However, that law included an exemption for undisturbed land, meaning that untouched forests would still be considered as part of the mining process.
The mining commission’s rule change, however, doesn’t include an exemption for undisturbed land.
“Clearing a forest is not an insignificant event,” said Paul Scrutton, a public commenter at an Aug. 27 Rules Review meeting. “It removes wildlife habitat. It changes drainage and erosion characteristics. … Once a large forested area has been clear-cut, the surrounding community is dealing with a very different landscape.”
Other changes in the new rules include:
‘Unacceptable ambiguity’
Over the past two months, the DEQ’s Wildlife Resource Commission has also urged the Rules Review Commission to reject the new mining rules, arguing that they create “unacceptable ambiguity.”
“While the Legislature has recognized the importance of mining to the economic well-being of North Carolina it also recognized the importance of minimizing the effects of mining on the environment,” Wildlife Resource Commission director M. Kyle Briggs wrote in a letter last month.
When companies apply for mining permits in North Carolina, the Wildlife Resource Commission helps review those applications, weighing in on how a potential new mine would impact the environment.
The new changes would repeal an N.C. rule that allowed a permit application to be denied “when the operation will have an unduly adverse effect on wildlife or fisheries,” including when the Wildlife Resource Commission raises a concern about an application.
The mining commission said that rule was redundant, and was already covered by an existing state law. Wildlife Resources staff, though, argued that this rule helps interpret existing laws.
The Wildlife Resources Commission’s input, Briggs wrote, is “essential in determining whether to grant or deny a permit.”
This story is available free to all readers thanks to financial support from the Hartfield Foundation and Green South Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work. If you would like to help support local journalism, please consider a digital subscription, which you can get here.
International youth soccer tournament opens in Raleigh amid Labor Day heat
Jon Dowdinghttps://abc11.com/post/international-youth-soccer-tournament-opens-raleigh-amid-labor-day-heat/19791096/
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- An international youth soccer tournament kicked off Friday in Raleigh, bringing together more than 160 teams from six continents as players, coaches and organizers adapted to potentially dangerous heat during Labor Day weekend.The IberCup x ECNL International Soccer Tournament is being held in Raleigh for the first time and features boy's teams made up of 10- and 11-year-old players."It features 160+, ten- and 11-year-old kids, boy's teams, spanning across six continents," said Bryan Bachelder,...
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- An international youth soccer tournament kicked off Friday in Raleigh, bringing together more than 160 teams from six continents as players, coaches and organizers adapted to potentially dangerous heat during Labor Day weekend.
The IberCup x ECNL International Soccer Tournament is being held in Raleigh for the first time and features boy's teams made up of 10- and 11-year-old players.
"It features 160+, ten- and 11-year-old kids, boy's teams, spanning across six continents," said Bryan Bachelder, NCFC youth director of administration.
Players said the heat has already affected how games are being played.
"It was really hot. And we made a ton of substitutions. Like, every 5 or 6 minutes," said Warren Jordan of the NCFC Pre-Academy North Team.
Jordan said he would prefer playing on a different surface because of the temperatures generated by the field.
"I'd much rather be on grass because this turf generates a lot more heat," he said.
Tournament organizers said adjustments are being made to help keep participants safe in the extreme conditions.
"That involves delays. That involves pushing games into later time slots as the sun goes down, as we need to," said Bachelder.
Coaches said they have shortened playing stretches and increased substitutions to limit players' exposure to the heat.
"In a normal game when we're playing soccer games, players are playing up to 30, 40 minutes at a time straight. I think out here, we've been kind of going for 5 or 6 minutes. So, it's been an adjustment," said Cory Elenio, coach of the NCFC Pre-Academy North team.
Elenio said players are also being encouraged to focus on hydration and recovery away from the field.
"They played two games Friday. When they go home, it's all about hydration. It's about rest. It's about eating properly," he said.
Despite the challenging conditions, players said they are excited for the opportunity to compete against teams from around the world.
"I'm really happy right now. It's a great environment. I like to see how I'm playing against teams from other states and stuff like that," Jordan said.
The tournament concludes Monday, with the championship game scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.
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