News

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill A recovery crew prepares to transport the helicopter that crashed March 9 on Middle Burningtown Road. (Note: The rotors were removed from the helicopter to prepare it for transportation.) Two representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Charlotte office were on site Friday investigating, according to Macon County Emergency Services. The cause of the crash remains under investigation and a representative from Erlanger Health System said it could be “some time” before

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill A recovery crew prepares to transport the helicopter that crashed March 9 on Middle Burningtown Road. (Note: The rotors were removed from the helicopter to prepare it for transportation.) Two representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Charlotte office were on site Friday investigating, according to Macon County Emergency Services. The cause of the crash remains under investigation and a representative from Erlanger Health System said it could be “some time” before

Medical helicopter crashes

The first of multiple calls reporting a possible helicopter crash started coming into the Macon County 911 Center shortly after 7 p.m. Thursday. At 7:02 p.m. a woman called 911 and said her children had been outside and came running inside saying “Mama a helicopter just crashed.
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Compromise met on Medicaid expansion

A deal between Republican majority leaders in the North Carolina General Assembly will fast-track a Medicaid expansion bill that local representatives say will help many under-insured people in rural North Carolina.
Photo/Cherokee Scout
 - Macon County is considering adopting an ordinance to regulate the noise generated by crypto mines should one want to locate here. Pictured is the crypto mine off Harshaw Road near Murphy. 

Photo/Cherokee Scout
 - Macon County is considering adopting an ordinance to regulate the noise generated by crypto mines should one want to locate here. Pictured is the crypto mine off Harshaw Road near Murphy. 

County aims to regulate noise from crypto mining

Following up on national media reports of the noise caused by cryptocurrency mining operations in Cherokee County, Macon County is coming up with ordinances to regulate the noise. Commissioner Josh Young requested the discussion be put on the agenda just prior to adoption of the agenda at the Feb.
Press file photo - Several citizens spoke at the Franklin Town Council meeting on March 6 asking that the town consider using the former Angel Medical Center building as a recovery center.

Press file photo - Several citizens spoke at the Franklin Town Council meeting on March 6 asking that the town consider using the former Angel Medical Center building as a recovery center.

No Wrong Door advocates for addiction recovery center

The Franklin Town Council meeting on Monday included people sharing their personal stories of dealing with substance abuse, mental health issues and surviving a suicide attempt as part of a discussion about possible uses for the old Angel Medical Center.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Some storm damage along Pine Drive in Holly Springs Estates, as seen on Monday, March 6. According to Carol Grise, heavy winds hit the trees behind her house around 4 p.m. on Friday, uprooting several large trees, which fell on the power and phone lines for all the residents of Pine Drive and the 200 block of Holly Springs Estates Road. No houses were damaged by the sudden burst of winds.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Some storm damage along Pine Drive in Holly Springs Estates, as seen on Monday, March 6. According to Carol Grise, heavy winds hit the trees behind her house around 4 p.m. on Friday, uprooting several large trees, which fell on the power and phone lines for all the residents of Pine Drive and the 200 block of Holly Springs Estates Road. No houses were damaged by the sudden burst of winds.

Storm downs trees, power lines

The storm that moved through Macon County on Friday brought high winds, rain and some lightning. The wind, with gusts of more than 20 mph, toppled trees and downed power lines. The weather also made for hazardous driving conditions. Between noon and 10 p.m.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall looks at a 1950s menu on display at the Motor Company Grill during a Monday tour of small businesses in downtown Franklin. Marshall also visited The Kitchen Sink and Outdoor 76 during her visit.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall looks at a 1950s menu on display at the Motor Company Grill during a Monday tour of small businesses in downtown Franklin. Marshall also visited The Kitchen Sink and Outdoor 76 during her visit.

Secretary of State Marshall visits local businesses

Three locally owned businesses in downtown Franklin got a visit from North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall on a rainy Monday afternoon.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Donna Jones and eight-year-old Hunter Duncan cast their votes for what they would like to see at the Whitmire property. The town held three public drop-in meetings on Feb. 23 to gather public input on a recreation plan being developed. An online survey will be available through Friday.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Donna Jones and eight-year-old Hunter Duncan cast their votes for what they would like to see at the Whitmire property. The town held three public drop-in meetings on Feb. 23 to gather public input on a recreation plan being developed. An online survey will be available through Friday.

Public gives input on Whitmire recreation plan

The Town of Franklin held three public drop-in meetings last week to gather ideas for the recreation plan being developed for the Whitmire property.
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Property owners appeal revaluation

More than 350 revaluation appeals have been filed with the Macon County Tax Office as a growing number of property owners aim to contest the newly assessed value of their land. During the Feb.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Schools Superintendent Chris Baldwin announced at the Feb. 27 Board of Education meeting that he will be retiring on Sept. 1. He is pictured talking about the school system’s budget at the February school board retreat.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Schools Superintendent Chris Baldwin announced at the Feb. 27 Board of Education meeting that he will be retiring on Sept. 1. He is pictured talking about the school system’s budget at the February school board retreat.

MCS Superintendent Baldwin to retire

After a 33-year career going from teacher at Highlands to principal and the last 10 as Macon County School superintendent, Dr. Chris Baldwin announced that Sept. 1, six months from today, will be his retirement date. The announcement came at the end of the superintendent’s report during the Feb.
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Shooting death civil case ends in mistrial

A hung jury resulted in a mistrial for the civil case against a former Macon County deputy who shot and killed a Franklin man in his home. The lawsuit will continue as the family of Scott Knibbs seeks what they feel is some form of justice.