Local

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.
Expanding Pre-K options was a topic of discussion at the Nov. 15 School Board meeting.

Expanding Pre-K options was a topic of discussion at the Nov. 15 School Board meeting.

Infrastructure key to Pre-K future

Jake Browning
Monday, November 22, 2021
Pre-K is a highly valued feature in Macon County Schools, but if the school system is going to make it available to everyone who wants it, they’re going to need more room. Macon County Schools currently hosts five Pre-K classrooms.
Graphic – State Budget

Graphic – State Budget

Macon gets $3.3 million in state budget

Mia Overton
Monday, November 22, 2021
For the first time since 2018, the state Senate, House of Representatives and governor have come to an agreement on a budget. Gov. Roy Cooper signed the $25.9 million budget on Nov. 18. The governor has vetoed previous budgets each year since taking office in 2017.
Press photo/Braulio Fonseca - The cornucopia displayed at Drake Software represents a bountiful harvest.

Press photo/Braulio Fonseca - The cornucopia displayed at Drake Software represents a bountiful harvest.

Students share Thanksgiving traditions, gratitude

News Staff
Monday, November 22, 2021
The bare plywood floor was cold. The only thing between myself and the coarse wooden floor was a pillow. Despite the cold, the air was warm with laughter and voices talking. Hours before, I wondered what Thanksgiving without turkey or ham was. Would a tradition be broken this year?