Umstead Park Slated to Open Fran-Ravaged Section

It's been almost nine months, but the closed signs are slowly coming down at Umstead Park.

For the first time since Hurricane Fran paid her destructive visit, the Crabtree Creek section of the state park will open on Monday. The Reedy Creek portion off I-40 opened in April.

There's more good news for North Carolina's state parks system. It's one of four finalists for a national gold medal as the country's best. The winner will be announced in October.