Guilford County animal services wants shelter pets to find a holiday home. GCAS is marking progress in a rocky road dating back years. In October, it celebrated two years in the new 30,000-square-foot building on Guilford College Road. This is where six dog adoption areas and two cat adoption areas can accommodate up to 550 animals. The outdoor play yards and grassy agility areas are a stark contrast to the old facility on Wendover Avenue, which had structural issues and tight space forcing regular overcrowding. The move was the launch of a new era in a new space and with new leadership under director Jorge Ortega. GCAS has a wide variety of dogs, cats and other critters, like rabbits and guinea pigs, up for adoption. Adopters must be 18 with a valid government-issued ID. The shelter does not put ‘holds’ or ‘reserves’ on pets. Adoptable animals come with spaying or neutering. Dog adoption fees are $50, cats are $25, kittens and puppies six months and younger are $75, senior dogs are $25, senior cats are $10 and rabbits/guinea pigs are $10. For the month of December, GCAS is partnering with Bissell Foundations for the ‘Empty the Shelter’ campaign, reducing adoption fees and including a special “home for the holidays” ornament with each adoption.
Hiker found safe after going missing in Big Bend National Park A hiker who had been missing for over a week in Big Bend National Park has been found safe, according to authorities. Christy Perry, 25, had been missing since November 9, when she did not show up to her camping reservation at the Texas National Park, according to the National Park Service. “Perry is under medical care and being transported to a hospital in Odessa”, Officials said. Perry’s last known location before she went missing was the beginning of the park’s Lost Mine Trail. Her vehicle was located at the trailhead, according to the NPS. Search teams made up of NPS employees, U.S. Border Patrol, Texas Game Wardens with two K-9 teams and Los Diablos fire crew were combing through the surrounding canyons and ridges. U.S. Customs and Border Protection also conducted an aerial search by helicopter, according to the NPS.
Hamas chief indicates that deal on Gaza truce and hostage release close. The leader of Hamas said on Tuesday that a truce agreement with Israel was close, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hoped for good news soon about hostages. The most optimistic signals so far of a deal to pause fighting and free captives. Hamas officials were “close to reaching a truce agreement” with Israel and the group has delivered its response to Qatari mediators, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said. Netanyahu said: “We are making progress. I don’t think it’s worth saying too much at this moment, but I hope there will be good news soon”, according to remarks released by the Israeli prime minister’s office. Netanyahu would convene his war cabinet from 1600 GMT “in light of developments in the matter of the release of our hostages”, his office said, followed by meetings of his wider security cabinet and the full cabinet. A Hamas official told Al Jazeera TV that negotiations were centered on how long the truce would last, arrangements for delivery of aid into Gaza and details of the exchange of captives. Both sides would free women and children, and details would be announced by Qatar, which is mediating in the negotiations, said the official, Issat el Reshiq.
