Local

Macon mourns Dorothy Crawford

Jake Browning
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Dorothy Crawford, Macon County’s beloved matriarch, died Monday, Dec. 21 at the age of 102, leaving behind a lifetime legacy of social and charitable work that helped shape the county and its leaders who considered her a mentor.
Press photo/Jake Browning - Students in Crystal Teem’s first-grade class at South Macon Elementary School wear their masks while they work on a Grinch-themed coloring project. From left: Liam Long, Austin Trivett and Rylan Armstrong.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Students in Crystal Teem’s first-grade class at South Macon Elementary School wear their masks while they work on a Grinch-themed coloring project. From left: Liam Long, Austin Trivett and Rylan Armstrong.

Schools endured COVID chaos

Jake Browning
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
In the spring of 2020, Macon County Schools had to shut down all in-person classes and learn how to educate children at home on the fly.
News

News

Town evaluates public gathering ordinance

Jake Browning
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
For those who feel that the Town of Franklin has been unclear about what is or is not a lawful gathering in the downtown area, the Town Council is taking steps to clarify the policy. At the council’s monthly meeting on Dec.
File photo - HCA plans to build a replacement hospital on a 12.89-acre lot at 14 One Center Court in Franklin.

File photo - HCA plans to build a replacement hospital on a 12.89-acre lot at 14 One Center Court in Franklin.

Hospital construction delayed

Lee Buchanan
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
HCA Healthcare has postponed construction of the replacement facility for Angel Medical Center until 2021. “Between state plan approval and the COVID-19 pandemic, groundbreaking on the new hospital is unfortunately delayed,” Angel CEO Karen Gorby said.
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Curfew effect minimal in Macon

Jake Browning
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
North Carolinians will end 2020 the same way they spent most of it – indoors.  On Dec. 8, Gov. Roy Cooper said the state would observe a modified stay-at-home order between Friday, Dec. 11 and Friday, Jan. 8. Under this order, all citizens are required to stay at home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
COVID update

COVID update

COVID plays havoc with schools

Jake Browning
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
COVID-19 cases have been spiking all over the state, and unfortunately, Macon County Schools have not been spared. Between the board of education’s last meeting on Nov. 16 and the meeting on Dec.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Smoky Mountain Toys for Tots regional coordinator Randy Hughes is pictured in the group’s current storage space ahead of the Christmas holiday. Toys for Tots is currently seeking a new space for the new year.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Smoky Mountain Toys for Tots regional coordinator Randy Hughes is pictured in the group’s current storage space ahead of the Christmas holiday. Toys for Tots is currently seeking a new space for the new year.

Toys for Tots looking for a home – again

Will Woolever
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Smoky Mountain Toys for Tots is looking for a home once again.
Press photo/Jake Browning - Ms. Lois' Restaurant has been able to get through the pandemic reasonably well due to their loyal customer base.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Ms. Lois' Restaurant has been able to get through the pandemic reasonably well due to their loyal customer base.

Restaurants struggling to keep up amid pandemic

Jake Browning
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
When Gov. Roy Cooper ordered restaurants to close their dining rooms in March, restaurateurs all over the state were sent into a tailspin. Their best efforts to maintain normal business operations weren’t always enough to keep them going.