This story was originally posted on February 19, 2020, and was updated on February 20, 2020.
Search underway for hiker missing on Appalachian Trail
UPDATE: Dawson County authorities found the body of Eddie Noonkester around 2:30 pm on February 19th. The cause of death remains unknown though his body has been transported to the state crime lab for further investigation.
K-9 teams are searching around the clock for missing hiker Eddie Noonkester who was first reported missing on Monday afternoon. Noonkester began a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail last Friday and has not been seen since.
Authorities believe Noonkester may have become disoriented on the trail and may be suffering from a medical emergency in Dawson County, GA, CBS46 reports. It’s also possible that Noonkester wandered off the trail and is now lost in the surrounding national forest. Authorities are asking anyone who sees Noonkester to call 911.
North Carolina board to meet Feb. 24 to discuss PFOA/PFOS and hexavalent chromium recommendations
The NC state Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board will meet on Feb. 24 in Raleigh to discuss PFOA/PFOS and hexavalent chromium recommendations, says a DEQ press release. The meeting will also include a public forum. The meeting will be held in the Archdale Building in Raleigh at 10 a.m.
The Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board includes 16 experts in toxicology, public health, ecology, engineering and other related fields. Their expertise assists the state departments of Environmental Quality and Health and Human Services by recommending reviews and evaluations of contaminants, acting as consultants on DEQ’s determinations to regulate contaminants, and helping the agencies identify contaminants of concern and which should be studied further.
Six-year-old attacked by mountain lion while hiking, saved by adult who punched it in the stomach
A six-year-old girl hiking with a group of adults and other children in Rancho San Antonio County Park in Santa Clara County, CA is recovering after she was attacked by a mountain lion Sunday morning. The child was saved after one of the adults she was hiking with punched the animal in the ribs while the rest of the group made noise to scare the cat away.
A park ranger administered first aid to the child who is said to have minor injuries. The park is closed while the California Department of Fish and Wildlife search for the animal.
Read the story here: https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/17/us/mountain-lion-california-attack-trnd/index.html
