News

Press photo/Andy Scheidler - It’s strawberry picking time for Deal Farms, which began plucking the ripe berries this week on farm ground located in the Cullasaja community. Caroline and Braxton Deal walk the rows Tuesday morning with the rest of their family. Farmers are hoping more people will continue eating locally-grown produce.

Press photo/Andy Scheidler - It’s strawberry picking time for Deal Farms, which began plucking the ripe berries this week on farm ground located in the Cullasaja community. Caroline and Braxton Deal walk the rows Tuesday morning with the rest of their family. Farmers are hoping more people will continue eating locally-grown produce.

Farmers adapt to coronavirus impacts

Andy Scheidler
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Joe Deal, along with his wife, sons and daughters, plucked fresh strawberries Tuesday morning after a brief rain shower subsided.  Each took a row, plucking the good berries and placing them in baskets, while discarding the bad ones.  Demand for the berries could be high, or it could be low.
Press graphic

Press graphic

COVID-19 cases hold at two, but health officials urge caution

Lee Buchanan
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Macon County is holding steady in the coronavirus pandemic, with two confirmed cases and one death from COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus. As of Tuesday, April 21, Macon County Public Health reported two confirmed COVID-19 cases among county residents, one of whom died.
Photo submitted - Kathy McGaha takes over as director of Macon County Public Health on April 29.

Photo submitted - Kathy McGaha takes over as director of Macon County Public Health on April 29.

McGaha takes reins as health director at challenging time

Lee Buchanan
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Kathy McGaha, who has been named Macon County’s new director of public health, is taking over a department where she has worked for 23 years in a wide variety of roles.
Press photo/Jake Browning - This mudslide near Chavez Road was one of eight caused by the estimated 5 inches of rain that swamped the county.

Press photo/Jake Browning - This mudslide near Chavez Road was one of eight caused by the estimated 5 inches of rain that swamped the county.

Heavy rain triggers flooding, mudslides

Lee Buchanan
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Emergency officials are still assessing the damage after torrential rainfall swamped Macon County in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 12, triggering mudslides and flooding that forced the evacuation of 19 people.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Macon has second case of COVID-19

Lee Buchanan
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
A second Macon County resident has tested positive for COVID-19. Macon County Public Health, which received notice of the positive test on April 8, said the patient is between the ages of 25-49 with underlying health conditions and is in isolation in a health care facility.
Liam Graham rings up Steve Wilcox’s purchase at Appalachian ACE Hardware from the other side of a sneeze guard.

Liam Graham rings up Steve Wilcox’s purchase at Appalachian ACE Hardware from the other side of a sneeze guard.

Retailers make space for social distancing

Jake Browning
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Many retailers have had to close their doors in accordance with new regulations concerning coronavirus, and those who are still open find that they’re doing business in completely new ways.
Photo submitted - Kenneth Wayne Underwood, left, defense attorney Andy Kite and assistant district attorney John Hindsman Jr. are shown in Macon County Superior Court on Monday, April 13.

Photo submitted - Kenneth Wayne Underwood, left, defense attorney Andy Kite and assistant district attorney John Hindsman Jr. are shown in Macon County Superior Court on Monday, April 13.

Otto man headed to prison for trafficking

News Staff
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
An Otto man was sentenced to about 20 years in prison on Monday, April 13 after pleading guilty to trafficking in methamphetamine in an operation that was flowing drugs from Atlanta into Macon County.  Kenneth Wayne Underwood, 51, pleaded guilty to trafficking in methamphetamine.
Press photo/Jake Browning - Max Falcon and Megan Nicholson wear masks to protect themselves on a shopping trip to Sav-Mor.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Max Falcon and Megan Nicholson wear masks to protect themselves on a shopping trip to Sav-Mor.

Macon has first Covid-19 death

Lee Buchanan
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
A Macon County resident who was recently diagnosed with COVID-19 has died, according to Macon County Public Health.  The person, whose name is not being release to protect the family’s privacy, was the first county resident diagnosed with COVID-19.
Photo submitted - Daniel Rogers, left, and Lee Cloer work the computers during a live-streamed service at Holly Springs Baptist Church. On stage, from left, are Matt Corbin, Kelly Corbin, Kathi Graham and Katie LaFlamm.

Photo submitted - Daniel Rogers, left, and Lee Cloer work the computers during a live-streamed service at Holly Springs Baptist Church. On stage, from left, are Matt Corbin, Kelly Corbin, Kathi Graham and Katie LaFlamm.

With Easter at hand, churches finding new ways to reach the faithful

Jake Browning
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
With new guidelines restricting public gatherings to 10 people, Macon County worshippers have been unable gather at church for services – including Good Friday and Easter Sunday – but that isn’t stopping churches from reaching out.