Local

Submitted photo. Otto fire chief Terry Rholetter (1401) was injured while fighting a wildfire Saturday with Macon County Fire Services. He is recovering in a burn center in Augusta, Georgia.

Submitted photo. Otto fire chief Terry Rholetter (1401) was injured while fighting a wildfire Saturday with Macon County Fire Services. He is recovering in a burn center in Augusta, Georgia.

Firefighter injured fighting wildfire

Mia Overton
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
A local firefighter is in a burn center recovering from injuries received while fighting a wildfire Saturday. Captain Terry Rholetter was among the firefighters from several agencies responding to a wildfire in the Mountainside Road and Big Ridge Road area on Highway 441 North, off Cowee Mountain.
Photo provided - Mainspring recently acquired the largest remaining unconserved wetland on the free-flowing Little Tennessee River. Located in Macon County and split by Highway 28, one side has a 22-acre wetland tract with 1,830 feet of river frontage, while across the road more than 24 acres of forested upland will remain intact.

Photo provided - Mainspring recently acquired the largest remaining unconserved wetland on the free-flowing Little Tennessee River. Located in Macon County and split by Highway 28, one side has a 22-acre wetland tract with 1,830 feet of river frontage, while across the road more than 24 acres of forested upland will remain intact.

Mainspring turns 25

Jake Browning
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Last month, Mainspring Conservation Trust acquired the Klatt Wetland, a 46-acre tract with 1,830 feet of river coverage off Highway 28.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Town Council members discuss the area under consideration for a lease to Root + Barrel.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Town Council members discuss the area under consideration for a lease to Root + Barrel.

Town Council proposes lease for Root + Barrel

Mia Overton
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
The Franklin Town Council agreed Monday night to draft a proposed lease that would give Root + Barrel access to the property between Town Hall and the restaurant to expand its outdoor dining area.
Press photo/Jake Browning County Finance Director Lori Carpenter addresses the Board of Commissioners as they begin the 2022-2023 budget process.

Press photo/Jake Browning County Finance Director Lori Carpenter addresses the Board of Commissioners as they begin the 2022-2023 budget process.

County Commissioners discuss 2022 budget priorities

Jake Browning
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
As the 2021-22 fiscal year winds down, the Macon County Board of Commissioners sat down to talk budget priorities in their continued session Thursday, Feb. 3.
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Beware of home rental scam

Mia Overton
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Imagine you’ve finally saved up enough money to put a deposit on a place to rent and paid the first and last month’s rent, which could easily run over $2,000, only to find out the person you gave your money to really doesn’t have a house to rent.
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Masks remain optional at schools

Jake Browning
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Despite surges in COVID-19 cases brought on by the Omicron variant, the Macon County Board of Education chose not to return to a mask mandate during the monthly meeting on Monday night. On Friday, Jan.
Photo/Metro - Home security systems and cameras can be a deterrent for thieves and alert homeowners of intruders.

Photo/Metro - Home security systems and cameras can be a deterrent for thieves and alert homeowners of intruders.

Burglary prevention tips

Jake Browning
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Dozens of Macon County households have been broken into this season and dozens more probably will before winter is over, but there are a few simple steps homeowners can take to keep their homes safe.