Here’s a check of the latest from WataugaOnline.com for Friday, September 18, 2026.
Rescue Crews Respond to Anaphylaxis Emergency on Rock Jock Trail in Linville Gorge
Multiple rescue agencies responded Monday to the south end of Rock Jock Trail in Linville Gorge after a juvenile hiker suffered an anaphylactic reaction to yellow jacket stings. According to Linville-Central Rescue Squad, the hiking group did everything right: they administered the patient’s EpiPen and Benadryl, called 911, and gave rescuers an exact location. Linville-Central responded on a mutual aid call to assist Burke County EM and Burke Rescue. A Burke County hasty team hiked 1.1 rugged miles with roughly 873 feet of elevation change to reach the patient, carrying ALS medication, oxygen, and gear. Volunteers from Linville-Central hiked in a rescue litter and wheel in case the patient wasn’t able to hike out after treatment. Advanced life support care stabilized the patient, who was able to hike out in a harness with rescuer assistance and was transported by Burke County EMS to a hospital for further care. Linville-Central Rescue Squad logged 15 volunteer hours on the mission and thanked Burke Rescue, Burke EMS, Oak Hill Fire & Rescue, McDowell County Rescue Squad, Ashford-North Cove VFD, and Longtown VFD for their help. The squad, an all-volunteer, donor-supported nonprofit, used the incident to highlight wilderness safety heading into peak yellow jacket season, which typically peaks in September and October. Officials recommend hikers know the signs of anaphylaxis — hives, swelling, trouble breathing, throat tightness, and dizziness — carry an EpiPen with a backup if allergic, and call or text 911 immediately in an emergency, even after using an EpiPen, while sharing an exact location as quickly as possible.
Marion Woman Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding FEMA After Hurricane Helene
Chief U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced Peggy Lee Cantrell, 41, of Marion, to three years in prison followed by four years of supervised release for defrauding FEMA following Hurricane Helene, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Cantrell was also ordered to pay restitution of $30,631.59 to FEMA. “In the wake of Hurricane Helene, disaster relief was essential for rebuilding our community. Every dollar of that money should have gone to those that needed it. Instead, Cantrell stole that taxpayer money — and committed her fraud while she was in jail,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. According to court records, Cantrell filed a FEMA application in February 2025 claiming a dwelling at 193 Beaver Creek Road in Marion was destroyed by Helene, first claiming she rented the property, then amending her application to claim she owned it. In reality, Cantrell never lived at, rented, or owned any residence at that location, and no dwelling existed there when the storm hit. At the time Helene struck Western North Carolina, Cantrell was an inmate with the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections. In a handwritten letter to FEMA, Cantrell falsely claimed she had purchased the dwelling for $8,500 and lived there for 25 years, and that her personal documents “got washed away.” FEMA paid her false claim in March 2025, wiring her $30,631.59. Cantrell pleaded guilty in October 2025 and is currently in federal custody after her bond was revoked for drug use. The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and FEMA’s Fraud Investigations and Inspections Division, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Gast.
Drought Monitor Update: Watauga, Ashe Remain in Moderate Drought as Conditions Worsen Statewide
North Carolina’s drought worsened across the board this week, reversing the improvement trend that had been building since late May. Five counties that had reached drought-free status slipped back to Abnormally Dry (D0), and conditions deteriorated across multiple classifications. In the High Country, Avery County slipped from drought-free back to Abnormally Dry (D0) after reaching drought-free status just two weeks ago. Caldwell County remains at D0. Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, and Wilkes counties remain in Moderate Drought (D1). Extreme Drought (D3) ticked up from 7 to 8 counties as Stokes County worsened from D2. Severe Drought (D2) expanded from 20 to 23 counties, with Wake County (Raleigh) among those moving from D1 to D2. Drought-free counties dropped from 17 to 12. Buncombe County (Asheville), Madison, Mitchell, and Yancey also returned to D0 after previously exiting drought. The weekly update, put out by the North Carolina Drought Management Council, shows 88 counties experiencing some level of drought or abnormally dry conditions — up from 83 two weeks ago. Drought categories are based on streamflow, groundwater levels, the amount of water stored in reservoirs, soil moisture, the time of year, and other relevant factors for assessing the extent and severity of dry conditions. Residents are strongly encouraged to continue water conservation efforts and stay informed about local drought conditions.
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Check the current Hazardous Weather Outlook, live weather radar, and forecast for Watauga, Ashe, and Alleghany counties on our Weather page. Forecast courtesy of the National Weather Service.
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— WataugaOnline