Here’s a check of the latest from WataugaOnline.com for Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
Two Vilas Residents Sentenced in Watauga County Child Abuse Case
James Braswell, 30, of Vilas, pleaded guilty Aug. 10 at the Watauga County Courthouse to first-degree statutory rape, indecent liberties with a child and three counts of felony child abuse, following a Watauga County Sheriff’s Office investigation that began after a June 2025 report from Watauga County DSS. Superior Court Judge Theodore W. McEntire imposed consecutive sentences totaling roughly 22 years, five months to 33 years, six months in prison. An incest charge and two additional statutory sex offense charges were dismissed under the plea agreement. The following day, Kayla Miller, 30, also of Vilas, pleaded guilty to three counts of felony child abuse. She received credit for time served and was placed on active probation; if that probation is revoked, underlying consecutive sentences of 13 to 25 months on each count would apply. The Sheriff’s Office says it continues working with Watauga County DSS, the Children’s Advocacy Center and the District Attorney’s Office.
Boone Native Anderson Castle Makes Colts’ Practice Squad
Anderson Castle, the Boone native and Watauga High School graduate, has made the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad for the 2026 season. The Colts signed 15 players to their practice squad Monday, including Castle at running back, as the team finalized its roster ahead of the regular-season opener against Baltimore on Sept. 13. Castle entered training camp as an undrafted free agent behind starter Jonathan Taylor, and backed up a strong preseason by leading the Colts in rushing in back-to-back games — 47 yards on nine carries against New England on Aug. 13, followed by 41 yards on eight carries against Atlanta on Aug. 22. Castle starred at Watauga High School as a dual-threat quarterback and running back, helping the Pioneers to a 36-6 record over three varsity seasons. Practice squad players can be elevated to the active roster during the season, giving Castle a continued path to see the field as the Colts’ season gets underway.
Watauga County Among Recipients in $69 Million Western NC Affordable Housing Announcement
Watauga County is among 10 western North Carolina counties selected to receive a share of $69 million in state affordable housing funding, Gov. Josh Stein’s office announced. The funding, awarded through the state’s Rental Production Program for Disaster Recovery, will support 10 projects expected to create 828 new affordable rental units across Ashe, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cleveland, Haywood, Henderson, Rutherford, Transylvania and Watauga counties. The program combines Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds with the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, and is designed to keep the new units affordable for at least 30 years. The version of the release provided to media did not include project-level detail identifying the specific Watauga County development or developer; WataugaOnline will update this story if that information becomes available. Recipients must fully commit non-administrative funds and submit required documentation by Oct. 30, 2030, with all program activities completed by Jan. 28, 2031.
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— WataugaOnline