Local

Press photo/Jake Browning - Molly and Randy Phillips have undertaken the renovation of the Ramsey house, one of the oldest houses in Macon County.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Molly and Randy Phillips have undertaken the renovation of the Ramsey house, one of the oldest houses in Macon County.

Ramsey house renovation

One of Macon County’s oldest homes is under new ownership, and those new owners are determined to maintain it as a testament to the area’s agricultural history. The farmhouse at 424 Iotla Church Road is thought to have been built between 1870 and 1890, making it as much as 151 years old.
Press photo/Jake Browning - Exceptional students from Macon County Schools got to participate in a series of livestock shows at the Macon County Fair on Thursday morning. This was something of a rebuilding year for the fair coming through the pandemic, so having lots of youth participation was a bright spot for organizers.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Exceptional students from Macon County Schools got to participate in a series of livestock shows at the Macon County Fair on Thursday morning. This was something of a rebuilding year for the fair coming through the pandemic, so having lots of youth participation was a bright spot for organizers.

Fun at the Fair

Last week was the long-awaited return of the Macon County Fair, and organizers were encouraged by the results. As with most events in 2020, the Macon County Fair had to be modified last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mask Mandate

Mask Mandate

School Board votes to keep mask mandate 4-1

The Macon County Board of Education heard a lot of backlash about face coverings during the monthly meeting on Monday night, but in the end, their support for requiring them actually grew stronger.
Press photos/Mia Overton - Volunteers with Appalachian Animal Rescue Center work on their booth at the Macon County Fair on Monday morning.

Press photos/Mia Overton - Volunteers with Appalachian Animal Rescue Center work on their booth at the Macon County Fair on Monday morning.

‘Here We Grow Again’

The Macon County Fair opens today (Sept. 22) with the theme “Here we grow again.
Press photo/Jake Browning - Local veterans received a variety of services and a free lunch during the Veteran Stand Down event on Sept. 16.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Local veterans received a variety of services and a free lunch during the Veteran Stand Down event on Sept. 16.

Veteran Stand Down returns to Franklin

After taking last year off due to COVID-19, the Smoky Mountain Veteran Stand Down returned to the Robert C. Carpenter Community Building on Sept. 16.
EMS

EMS

EMS under massive strain during COVID-19

It should come as no surprise, but working in emergency medical services during a global pandemic is quite an undertaking. Macon County EMS Director Warren Cabe wrote a letter to Highlands-Cashiers Hospital CEO Tom Neal last month that was publicly presented at Highlands’ called town meeting Aug.
Press photo/Jake Browning - Angel Medical Center’s new CEO Clint Kendall will oversee the opening of the new hospital, which is scheduled to begin accepting patients in Fall 2022.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Angel Medical Center’s new CEO Clint Kendall will oversee the opening of the new hospital, which is scheduled to begin accepting patients in Fall 2022.

New Angel CEO prioritizes outreach

Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) acquired Mission Health and Angel Medical Center over three years ago. In the time since, there have been concerns about lost personnel and declining services. Many have lost confidence in HCA, but new CEO Clint Kendall intends to earn people’s trust back.
Covid

Covid

24 inmates test positive at county jail

The Macon County Sheriff’s Office has suspended inmate visitation until further notice due to the increase in COVID exposure at the detention center, where 24 inmates tested positive for COVID-19 last week.