Local

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill New stoplights on poles are about to be unveiled at multiple Georgia Road intersections near the U.S. 64 interchange as part of the soon-to-be-complete construction work on the 1.113-mile stretch of road.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill New stoplights on poles are about to be unveiled at multiple Georgia Road intersections near the U.S. 64 interchange as part of the soon-to-be-complete construction work on the 1.113-mile stretch of road.

Georgia Road construction slowing down

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Newly installed overhead signs and new traffic lanes means the four-year widening project along Highway 441/Georgia Road is nearing completion. “We anticipate being complete April 31, 2023,” N.C. Department of Transportation Spokesperson David Uchiyama said last week.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill The unused X-ray and scanning station at the second-floor public entrance to the Macon County Courthouse.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill The unused X-ray and scanning station at the second-floor public entrance to the Macon County Courthouse.

Courthouse scanners not always used

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Despite a security budget that increased four-fold over the last eight years, X-ray and scanning stations at the Macon County Courthouse’s public entry points are only staffed on a limited basis.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill Abigail Hardison is the new director of the Macon County Public Library.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill Abigail Hardison is the new director of the Macon County Public Library.

Library welcomes new director

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
For the first time in 30 years, Macon County has a new head librarian as Abigail Hardison takes over for the retiring Karen Wallace. “It’s very exciting to me because this is a truly gorgeous facility to work in,” Hardison said after the December library board meeting.
Photo/Nantahala Fire Dept. The county will accept proposals to establish broadband in Nantahala. The expansion must include all county facilities including the fire department, EMS base, library and community center and the recreation center.

Photo/Nantahala Fire Dept. The county will accept proposals to establish broadband in Nantahala. The expansion must include all county facilities including the fire department, EMS base, library and community center and the recreation center.

County to accept proposals for Nantahala broadband

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
At its Jan. 10 meeting, the Macon County Board of Commissioners unanimously agreed to request proposals to establish broadband in the Nantahala community. County Manager Derek Roland said this project is similar to the South Macon fiber optic project.
Source/Macon County Tax Office At the Jan. 10 Board of Commissioners meeting, Tax Administrator Abby Braswell shared this showing the taxable properties in each township.

Source/Macon County Tax Office At the Jan. 10 Board of Commissioners meeting, Tax Administrator Abby Braswell shared this showing the taxable properties in each township.

Property value increases average of 58%

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
The value of taxable properties in Macon County has increased by an average of 58.58% since the last revaluation four years ago, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s property taxes are going up that much.
Source/Macon County Schools Macon County Schools issued this statement on Jan. 13 concerning an incident at Iotla Valley Elementary School.

Source/Macon County Schools Macon County Schools issued this statement on Jan. 13 concerning an incident at Iotla Valley Elementary School.

MCSO investigates Iotla Valley incident

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
A classroom incident involving a now-former substitute teacher at Iotla Valley Elementary School and a student is being investigated by the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. Dr. Chris Baldwin, superintendent of Macon County Schools, confirmed the incident in question allegedly occurred on Dec.
Photo submitted A pipe in the REACH shelter’s sprinkler system burst causing the ceiling to collapse and flood the entire shelter. The computer lab (pictured) and adjoining rooms sustained ceiling and wall damage.

Photo submitted A pipe in the REACH shelter’s sprinkler system burst causing the ceiling to collapse and flood the entire shelter. The computer lab (pictured) and adjoining rooms sustained ceiling and wall damage.

Burst pipe floods REACH shelter

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
A burst pipe on Christmas Eve has left the REACH shelter without a permanent home for several months as staff search for a temporary rental home.
Sheriff's office logo

Sheriff's office logo

Ongoing dispute leads to death

News Staff
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
The Macon County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a Franklin man on Jan. 1. Deputies were dispatched at about 12 p.m. to a residence in the Walnut Creek area following a 911 call that had been placed in reference to a dispute that was ongoing, according to the MCSO.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill The Macon County Public Library Board of Trustees at their Dec. 20 meeting.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill The Macon County Public Library Board of Trustees at their Dec. 20 meeting.

Library board reviews complaint policy

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
After listening to concerns about LGTB-focused book displays, the Macon County Public Library is developing an “intellectual freedom in libraries” process that would address how members can object to materials or displays.
Photo submitted - MMS students finalizing the details on their latest mural, which pays homage to Dolores Huerta, an activist for migrant farm workers in the 20th century.

Photo submitted - MMS students finalizing the details on their latest mural, which pays homage to Dolores Huerta, an activist for migrant farm workers in the 20th century.

Student art adds color to MMS

News Staff
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
For the first time in nearly a decade, students at Macon Middle School are back in the art room. When the program was cut in 2012, fellow educators and community supporters formed “ARTS for MCS,” a movement dedicated to the preservation of visual and fine arts education.