Local

Stores closing, converting; hemp plans on hold

Nothing in the business world stays the same for long, a fact supported by recent news in Macon County. The Peebles department store will close soon and reopen next year as a Gordmans discount store. Macon Appliance is closing after more than 80 years in business.

Voting underway in Macon

Franklin residents have begun casting their votes in the 2019 municipal elections to fill three seats on Franklin Town Council and elect a mayor. Early one-stop voting begins today, Oct. 16 and continues through Friday, Nov. 1. Barbara McRae is challenging incumbent Bob Scott for mayor.

East Franklin principal resigns

East Franklin Elementary School principal Landon Holland will be leaving his position at the end of the month. Macon County Schools Superintendent Chris Baldwin announced the resignation at a special called session of the Macon County Board of Education on Tuesday.

Parts of Macon in severe drought

Severe drought has emerged in parts in Western North Carolina, including Macon County after months of record heat and below-average rainfall, according to a federal drought map released Thursday.  Nine counties are listed as being in a severe drought.

Big changes coming for Medicaid recipients

Macon County residents will start seeing major changes to the way they receive Medicaid later this year. Due to legislation that was passed by the General Assembly in 2015, Medicaid will no longer work through a fee-for-service distribution model.

Pop-up food banks aiming to fill gap

The Macon Program for Progress and MANNA Food Bank teamed up for another pop-up food bank on Monday and, just like before, they had no trouble giving away all the food they brought in.