Local

News

Monitor keeping eye on HCA

News Staff

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

By Ryan Hanchett editor@highlandsnews.com Representatives from Gibbins Advisors, the independent monitor appointed to oversee the terms of the sale of Mission Health to Hospital Corporation of America in 2019, offered up a two-year progress report on Wednesday.

CareNet and Macon New Beginnings will now share the same office space at 130 Bidwell Street.

Macon New Beginnings finds home, partnership at CareNet Complex

Jake Browning

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

If you’re hungry or homeless or both in Macon County, you can now find help under one roof. Beginning this week CareNet is now housing the Macon New Beginnings program. Macon New Beginnings has moved their administrative operations to the CareNet office on Bidwell Street.

Press photo/Jake Browning FPD Lieutenant Devin Holland updated Franklin Town Council members on roadside trash pick up efforts.

Trash, Whitmire property lead town talks

Jake Browning

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Franklin’s Town Council brought up a lot of concerns during their strategic planning meeting and the board members are determined to do something about them. One concern that every town official shares is litter.

Press photo/ Jake Browning - Franklin Mayor Bob Scott reads a proclamation honoring former town council member and vice-mayor Barbara McRae.

Horton to serve as vice-mayor

Jake Browning

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Franklin’s Town Council hasn’t appointed a new member to replace Barbara McRae – and it’s possible that they won’t, given the municipal election that’s supposed to be held in a few more months – but they took steps to make up for her loss during their meeting on Monday night.

Vaccinated

Jake Browning

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

This week, Macon County residents will have more access to COVID-19 vaccines than before thanks to an additional vaccine shipment.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Amy Burton took advantage of the computer class at the library to brush up on her skills using Windows 10.

Not tech savvy? This class is for you

Jake Browning

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

The Macon County Public Library and Southwestern Community College teamed up last month to help some of the area’s less tech-savvy citizens get more comfortable behind a computer screen.

Press photo/Jake Browning - The smaller dish will intercept signals relayed point-to-point style from areas with strong broadband to the LBJ Job Corps, increasing the quality of internet at the center.

LBJ Job Corps to upgrade internet

Jake Browning

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

The Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps should have much better Internet access by next month, and if it works out, the rest of the county could follow suit. Most of Macon County suffers from poor Internet connectivity due to a lack of infrastructure.

Whitmire property: Ideas, no plans

News Staff

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

The Franklin Town Council held their annual strategic planning meeting earlier this month, and just like in years past, the Whitmire Property was the star of the show. The town purchased the Whitmire Property in 2004 for $1.575 million and it has gone unused ever since.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Center director Arthur Phalo said LBJ Center staff did not miss a beat when the center closed due to COVID-19, but he is happy to be welcoming students back to the Macon campus.

LBJ Job Corps students are returning to campus

Jake Browning

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

COVID-19 pushed them out of the campus, but students and staff at the Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps Center never stopped working. When the virus shut down schools and businesses last March, the staff at the Job Corps didn’t panic.

Eric Ridenour selected as county attorney

Jake Browning

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Sylva-based private attorney Eric Ridenour has been chosen to serve as Macon County’s next county attorney. Former county attorney Chester Jones retired last October and was succeeded in the interim by Swain County attorney Kim Carpenter.