Spooky season peaks tonight, North Carolina.

And in a state with as many ghost stories as ours, we’ve published plenty of spooky content. Look for more of that below.

But first, check out our recent guide to haunted hotels in the state.

These places tend to play up their spectral reputations so local ghost-hunters will come a-booking. Like “The Harvey” in New Bern (pictured below).

Cardinal & Pine contributor Ryan Pitkin wrote that visitors have seen a woman in period clothing traipsing about. They’ve also seen silverware moving on its own and flickering lights.

The Harvey in New Bern might have gotten a recent reboot, but this historic eastern NC destination has a history of spooky stuff. (Heron Hospitality)

Happy Halloween, and happy Friday, NC. Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter: 

Cardinal & Pine reader Tonia Hines shared this Carolina Beach photo of her pup, Waffles Syrup Hines.

First-rate name, Tonia!

Lil Frankenstein in Pittsboro, NC. (Lee Snider/Shutterstock)

The mysterious “Helen’s Bridge” is reportedly haunted by a distraught mother. (Zen Sutherland/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Cardinal & Pine contributor Sam Cohen has a frightening new guide to the scariest sites in Asheville.

Included among these Asheville destinations is “Helen’s Bridge” near Zealandia Mansion. According to local legend, the bridge is haunted by a distraught mother who may or may not be able to stop your car’s engine.

You can access Helene’s Bridge through the second bridge of Windswept Drive.

For this and other scary spots around Asheville, click below.

More spooky NC:

1. Gov. Josh Stein announces $18 million in food assistance as SNAP shutdown looms. Gov. Josh Stein’s office

“These announcements come as food banks prepare for an influx of need following the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s decision to suspend the distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November.”

2. Meet the UNC street drug scientist awarded a ‘genius’ grant for his lifesaving work. NC Health News

“Nabarun Dasgupta’s research is reshaping how public health tracks street drugs — and empowering communities to protect themselves.”

3. Some Head Start programs in North Carolina poised to shut down as federal funds dry up. NC Newsline

“Federal funding for Head Start programs is disbursed annually to local nonprofits at the start of each month. An estimated 140 nationwide were due to receive their year’s funding in October or November. Those programs provide child care to about 65,000 students across the country.”

(Ryan McGurl/Shutterstock)

We got some great guesses from last week’s edition, but it was Bonnie Earnhardt who correctly identified McAdenville. 

This week, in keeping with the theme, we’ve brought you a historic graveyard. Get this right and you have a PhD in North Carolina. 

Reach 200,000+ North Carolinians who care about their communities! Sponsor Cardinal & Pine’s Dec. 6 Special Edition, “How to Get Involved and Give Back this Holiday Season.” Book by Nov. 21, 2025, and save 20% off your placement.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Billy Ball. I’m an NC native and journalist. I tend to lean left on opinion, but I lean no way on facts. Today’s edition includes stories from Ryan Pitkin and Sam Cohen. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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