Local

Press file photo – Ruby Drop

Press file photo – Ruby Drop

Ringing in 2022

News Staff
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
The eighth annual Ruby Drop will be held Friday, Dec. 31 in downtown Franklin. Festivities will begin at 9 p.m. with the Ruby Drop as the clock strikes midnight and we ring in 2022. Free carriage rides will be a new addition to this year’s event.
Photo submitted - Busted pipes flooded sections of the AARC shelter, depleting much of their renovation fund. The shelter is closed due to a parvo outbreak.

Photo submitted - Busted pipes flooded sections of the AARC shelter, depleting much of their renovation fund. The shelter is closed due to a parvo outbreak.

AARC stresses parvo prevention

Jake Browning
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
It hasn’t been a very happy holiday season at Appalachian Animal Rescue, but there’s something that local pet owners can do to help.
Photo submitted

Photo submitted

Animals relocated north for adoption

Jake Browning
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
Macon County animal shelters try their best to find a safe home for every animal they take in, but sometimes, those homes aren’t in Macon County. Sometimes a dog or cat makes it all the way up the east coast before they find their forever home.
The Macon County Housing Department installed a ramp to accommodate the homeowner’s accessibility needs; the top photo shows the home’s entrance prior to the ramp’s construction. The Healthy Homes initiative will fund home repairs for low-income families. The county’s housing department, Macon Program for Progress and the Highlands Rotary Club received grants totaling $145,000 to make home improvements.

The Macon County Housing Department installed a ramp to accommodate the homeowner’s accessibility needs; the top photo shows the home’s entrance prior to the ramp’s construction. The Healthy Homes initiative will fund home repairs for low-income families. The county’s housing department, Macon Program for Progress and the Highlands Rotary Club received grants totaling $145,000 to make home improvements.

Making Homes Healthy

Mia Overton
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
Two local nonprofits and the Macon County Housing Department have received a combined $145,000 to make home repairs for low-income homeowners. The county housing department and Macon Program for Progress each received $50,000, and the Highlands Rotary Club received $45,000.
Public Health Director Kathy McGaha and Director of Nursing Jennifer Garrett discuss the current COVID situation during the Dec. 16 Board of Health meeting.

Public Health Director Kathy McGaha and Director of Nursing Jennifer Garrett discuss the current COVID situation during the Dec. 16 Board of Health meeting.

Public Health cautiously optimistic on COVID outlook

Jake Browning
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
This month marks two years that the world has had to deal with COVID-19, and while the worst appears to be over, public health experts are warning citizens not to let their guard down just yet. When the Macon County Board of Health met Dec.
A recent change in policy will allow Macon County students to play at schools other than the one where they are enrolled. This would allow students such as those at Macon Early College and Union Academy that do not have athletic teams to play sports at another county school.

A recent change in policy will allow Macon County students to play at schools other than the one where they are enrolled. This would allow students such as those at Macon Early College and Union Academy that do not have athletic teams to play sports at another county school.

Policy update opens field for student athletes

Jake Browning
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Students in Macon County Schools can now participate in sports at schools other than their own following a decision by the Macon County Board of Education on Dec. 13.
Press photo/Jake Browning - Mainspring is working with artist Scott Allred on a plan to paint murals on the old Duncan Oil tanks.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Mainspring is working with artist Scott Allred on a plan to paint murals on the old Duncan Oil tanks.

Mainspring planning 2022 beautification projects

Jake Browning
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Mainspring Conservation Trust’s mission is to preserve and celebrate Macon County’s oldest environmental resources, and they have a few big ideas about how to do that in 2022.
Macon Early College guidance counselor Kathy Breedlove (left) accepts an award from Macon County School superintendent Chris Baldwin for MEC’s 100% graduation rate.

Macon Early College guidance counselor Kathy Breedlove (left) accepts an award from Macon County School superintendent Chris Baldwin for MEC’s 100% graduation rate.

MEC achieves 100% graduation rate

Jake Browning
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
For the first time in several months, the Macon County Board of Education got the chance to celebrate the accomplishments of their staff during their regular monthly meeting.
Press photo/Jake Browning - K9 Ava with handler Larry Pickens, assistant chief at Cowee Volunteer Fire and Rescue.

Press photo/Jake Browning - K9 Ava with handler Larry Pickens, assistant chief at Cowee Volunteer Fire and Rescue.

Cowee adds K9 search and rescue

Jake Browning
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Cowee Volunteer Fire and Rescue is now the home of Macon County’s first K9 search and rescue unit. While local police forces use K9s for a variety of purposes, Fire Chief Dustin Pendergrass says that until recently, the nearest K9s trained in “air scent” search and rescue were in South Caro-lina.
Adam Kimsey (left), who previously served on the town council, was appointed Monday to fill the two years remaining on Jack Horton’s term after Horton was elected mayor in November. Kimsey will take office in January.

Adam Kimsey (left), who previously served on the town council, was appointed Monday to fill the two years remaining on Jack Horton’s term after Horton was elected mayor in November. Kimsey will take office in January.

Kimsey named to Town Council

Mia Overton
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
The Franklin Town Council met in called session Monday afternoon to discuss who would fill a two-year term on the board, a vacancy created after Vice Mayor Jack Horton was elected as mayor in the November election. Horton was in the second year of his four-year term on the board.