Local

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Macon County Board of Health meeting on Sept. 24 included several public comments about understaffing at the Macon County Animal Shelter.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Macon County Board of Health meeting on Sept. 24 included several public comments about understaffing at the Macon County Animal Shelter.

Board of Health hears concerns over Macon County Animal Shelter

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Volunteers and supporters filled the meeting room for the Sept. 24 Macon County Board of Health meeting. They want the board to ease the strain caused by understaffing and undersized facilities at the Macon County Animal Shelter.
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Locals criticize emergency management plan

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Criticism over the emergency management plan at the Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting led to an audience member ejected for verbally lashing out after a commissioner chided their public comment. During public comment at the Oct.
Press photos/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Emergency Services Director Warren Cabe sitting in the crowd during the announcement of his hiring as interim county manager during the Macon County Commissioners Oct. 8 meeting.

Press photos/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Emergency Services Director Warren Cabe sitting in the crowd during the announcement of his hiring as interim county manager during the Macon County Commissioners Oct. 8 meeting.

Cabe named interim county manager

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
After celebrating the outgoing county manager, the Macon County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted on Oct. 8 to hire Emergency Services Director Warren Cabe as the interim county manager. “It is humbling, flattering.
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Early voting starts Thursday in NC

News Staff
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Voting for the 2024 General Election kicks off in North Carolina this Thursday, Oct. 17, with one-stop early voting. Early voting hours are 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday through Nov. 1, and from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Commissioner Josh Young (standing) speaks at the Oct. 3 Macon County Planning Board meeting.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Commissioner Josh Young (standing) speaks at the Oct. 3 Macon County Planning Board meeting.

Macon County Planning Board recommends change to allow RV parks

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Despite a recommendation from the Water Quality Advisory Committee against it, the Macon County Planning Board voted 4-3 to recommend amending the Macon County Watershed Protection Ordinance to allow RV parks to be built along Franklin’s and Highlands’ drinking supply watersheds.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Following Hurricane Helene, Macon County Emergency Services Director Warren Cabe says two residential structures are now uninhabitable, 24 will require extensive repairs, 28 will require some repair and three others need some minor repairs. Assessments are ongoing.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Following Hurricane Helene, Macon County Emergency Services Director Warren Cabe says two residential structures are now uninhabitable, 24 will require extensive repairs, 28 will require some repair and three others need some minor repairs. Assessments are ongoing.

Macon County officials look to long-term Helene impacts

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
With more than a week passed since Hurricane Helene hammered Western North Carolina, local officials are stressing that while there are a lot of people and supplies right now, there will be a continued need for support in the coming weeks, months and even years.
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Mother charged with murdering child

News Staff
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
The Macon County Sheriff’s Office found a dead child in a home and their mother is facing felonious murder charges. Around 5:15 p.m. Sunday, the MCSO was dispatched to 22 Peaceful Valley Trail for a death investigation of a seven-year-old child.
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Planning Board to meet Oct. 3

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
The Macon County Planning Board will hold its first meeting in five months to discuss two controversial ordinances dealing with floodplains and watersheds. The meeting will take place Thursday, Oct. 3, starting at 5 p.m. in the meeting room of the Macon County Health Department.
Photo submitted - Charles James “Jim” Lau

Photo submitted - Charles James “Jim” Lau

Sheriff deputy dies in flooding

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
A Macon County Sheriff’s Office courthouse security deputy died in flooding on Fulton Road following Hurricane Helene’s hit to Macon County. Charles James “Jim” Lau, 75, died Saturday, Sept. 28, after his truck was swept into the Cullasaja River the day before.
Photo/Bob Scott - People wait outside Wells Fargo. Many banks and businesses were offline the first part of the week and could only process cash transactions. As service is restored people will once again be able to use their debit and credit cards.

Photo/Bob Scott - People wait outside Wells Fargo. Many banks and businesses were offline the first part of the week and could only process cash transactions. As service is restored people will once again be able to use their debit and credit cards.

Storm recovery resources

News Staff
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
As of Tuesday, Oct. 1.   Internet access Internet access was restored for part of the county by Monday evening. For those still without internet service, free public WiFi is available at the following locations: • Town of Franklin – throughout the Main Street area.