North Carolina

Let cleanup begin: How North Carolina’s junk ended up in Douglas Lake during Helene

Published

1 year ago

November 13, 2024

Let cleanup begin: How North Carolina’s junk ended up in Douglas Lake during Helene

Debris torn from Western North Carolina and East Tennessee by flooding rivers largely dumped into one East Tennessee reservoir, and the cleanup of a hazardous debris field is taking the coordination of local, state and federal agencies.

Three rivers that swelled to deadly levels during Hurricane Helene on Sept. 27 – the French Broad, Nolichucky and Pigeon – start in North Carolina and empty into Douglas Lake. They transformed the waters of the popular recreation and fishing destination to brown muck and left a one-square-mile island of wreckage after the historic floods.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency warned residents to stay off the lake until further notice, as the debris could be dangerous or even deadly, though the agency did not provide a specific timeline for the cleanup. Two other state agencies issued a boating safety advisory and a water contact advisory in October.

Lined with vacation homes against a scenic mountain backdrop, Douglas Lake is mostly within Jefferson County, though it also touches Cocke, Hamblen and Sevier counties. In the days after the flooding, Douglas Dam released around 450,000 gallons of water a second and helped the Tennessee Valley Authority prevent $406 million in flood damage, though some downstream communities experienced flooding.

TEMA, which is leading the cleanup effort, hired TVA in early November to lead removal and disposal of the debris, TVA spokesperson Melissa Greene told Knox News. TVA owns and operates Douglas Dam, the hydroelectric facility that impounds the French Broad River to create the lake.

Multiple federal agencies help TEMA clean Douglas Lake

TVA installed a 4,000-foot floating boom across the lake upstream of Dandridge on Oct. 3 to catch debris and protect infrastructure downstream. The utility also added floating buoys and lights to warn boaters.

Photos and videos showed a debris field largely composed of splintered wood, though it appeared to contain household items and parts of buildings as well.

Federal agencies involved in the cleanup include the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, according to TEMA.

TEMA did not specify the exact roles of the federal agencies supporting the effort.

“We are committed to restoring normal conditions and protecting the well-being of the community throughout this process,” TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan said.

After setting up the agency relationships, the next step is removing the debris with equipment both on land and water, according to a TEMA webpage about the cleanup. The agencies will then set up temporary disposal sites, organize the debris and haul it away.

Daniel Dassow is a growth and development reporter focused on technology and energy. Phone 423-637-0878. Email daniel.dassow@knoxnews.com.

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North Carolina

55 new troopers graduate from North Carolina State Highway Patrol training

Published

7 hours ago

November 23, 2025

Press Room

55 new troopers graduate from North Carolina State Highway Patrol training

CARY, N.C. (WTVD) — The North Carolina State Highway Patrol celebrated the graduation of 55 new troopers.

The ceremony was held at Shepard’s Church in Cary. The 166th Basic Highway Patrol School graduates completed a rigorous 15-week training program covering firearms, vehicle operations, crash investigation, emergency response, physical fitness, de-escalation, and state law.

Chief Justice Paul Newby administered the oath of office, while Governor Josh Stein, the guest speaker, commended the graduates for their dedication to public service.

“It takes a special person to work in law enforcement,” Stein said. “I thank each of you for your commitment to protecting the public and will continue to advocate for the pay and respect law enforcement officers deserve.”

Colonel Freddy L. Johnson Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol, praised the graduates for their determination and character.

“Their willingness to earn the title of Trooper reflects their desire to serve the communities of this state,” he said.

The new troopers will begin their field training on December 10 at their assigned duty stations.

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North Carolina

Lincoln County man sentenced for 2023 murder of girlfriend’s mother

Published

1 day ago

November 22, 2025

Press Room

Lincoln County man sentenced for 2023 murder of girlfriend’s mother

LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A Lincoln County man was sentenced this week for the death of a 63-year-old woman in October of 2023.

Michael Steven Ricker has been charged with the death of Lesa Armstrong Rose, his girlfriend’s mother. He was also out on bond at the time for shooting and injuring her father.

He pled guilty to a charge of second-degree murder, amended from the original charge of first-degree murder.

Riker was sentenced to 397 to 489 months in the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections with 760 days credit for time served.

In related charges from Catawba County that will run concurrent with the Lincoln County charges are 84 to 113 months for discharging a firearm into an occupied property and 96 to 125 months for attempted first-degree murder.

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY

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North Carolina

NC woman detained while at work in Raleigh moved to Georgia facility to await hearing

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2025

Press Room

NC woman detained while at work in Raleigh moved to Georgia facility to await hearing

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A Wake County woman, detained by immigration officials earlier this week, will face a judge in Georgia next week.

Border Patrol agents detained Fatima Issela Velazquez-Antonio on Tuesday at a job site in Raleigh.

Her family says she has been held at a facility in Lumpkin, GA, and will face a judge on Tuesday to find out if she can be released on bond.

Gene Smith is the boyfriend of Velazquez-Antonio’s aunt. He says the family has been heartbroken since she was detained.

“The main question is, is she coming home? That’s the million-dollar question,” he said.

Smith says the 23-year-old came to the U.S. from Honduras as an unaccompanied minor at 14 and was granted asylum.

“She’s a good kid. She works hard. She loves her family. She loves her nieces and nephews without having kids of her own,” he said.

The Corinth Holders High School graduate came to the U.S. after losing her mom to cancer and her father to gang violence.

Fatima Issela Velazquez-Antonio

Ashley Lively is representing Velazquez-Antonio. Lively says Velazquez-Antonio has no criminal history aside from minor traffic violations and had no warrant out for her arrest prior to being detained.

Lively also says Velazquez-Antonio has a valid working permit, a social security number, and has not missed any prior interviews or hearings with the Department of Homeland Security.

“She had the right to remain in the United States while her case was being adjudicated. She did not have any sort of legal, permanent immigration status,” said Lively. “She had done everything right and was just waiting for her case to be adjudicated.”

Velazquez-Antonio’s case is now catching the attention of local elected leaders, including those in Washington, D.C.

Wendell Town Commissioner Deans Eatman posted on Facebook, saying in part, “Fatima deserves answers. Her family deserves answers.”

Rep. Deborah Ross is now looking into Velazquez-Antonio’s case.

A spokeswoman for her office told Eyewitness News, “Our office has been in touch with the lawyer representing Fatima Issela Velazquez-Antonio to better understand the case and if there is any support and assistance we can offer.”

“I’m deeply concerned by some of the reports I’ve seen about CBP detaining Wake County residents, including a teenager,” said Rep. Ross. “I will work with state and local partners to protect our residents from violations of their rights by federal immigration officers.”

Smith says the family just hopes to see her again soon.

“She cares about family and she loves the United States. She wants to stay and I hope that she will be allowed to,” he said.

Eyewitness News reached out to DHS for answers as to why Velazquez-Antonio was detained and what her current condition is.

DHS has not responded with details.