News

Press photo/Jake Browning County Finance Director Lori Carpenter addresses the Board of Commissioners as they begin the 2022-2023 budget process.

Press photo/Jake Browning County Finance Director Lori Carpenter addresses the Board of Commissioners as they begin the 2022-2023 budget process.

County Commissioners discuss 2022 budget priorities

Jake Browning
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
As the 2021-22 fiscal year winds down, the Macon County Board of Commissioners sat down to talk budget priorities in their continued session Thursday, Feb. 3.
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Beware of home rental scam

Mia Overton
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Imagine you’ve finally saved up enough money to put a deposit on a place to rent and paid the first and last month’s rent, which could easily run over $2,000, only to find out the person you gave your money to really doesn’t have a house to rent.
Press photo/Eric Braham- Specialist Ryan Nizolek and Staff Sgt. Hampton with the National Guard help distribute free N95 masks at the Macon County Health Department. Masks may be picked up in the drive-thru COVID testing lane in front of the jail on Lakeside Drive. To avoid wait times, do not go to pick up masks on Wednesdays when they are giving vaccines. To request a mask pick-up time, call 828-349-2081.

Press photo/Eric Braham- Specialist Ryan Nizolek and Staff Sgt. Hampton with the National Guard help distribute free N95 masks at the Macon County Health Department. Masks may be picked up in the drive-thru COVID testing lane in front of the jail on Lakeside Drive. To avoid wait times, do not go to pick up masks on Wednesdays when they are giving vaccines. To request a mask pick-up time, call 828-349-2081.

Omicron variant causes surge in Macon County

Jake Browning
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Two years in and the COVID-19 pandemic still shows no signs of stopping, as the Omicron variant of the virus is taking case totals to new heights in Macon County and the rest of the United States. On Jan.
Press photo/Jake Browning - A view of the new Angel Medical Center under construction on One Center Court, off Sylva Road.

Press photo/Jake Browning - A view of the new Angel Medical Center under construction on One Center Court, off Sylva Road.

Hospital on track for fall opening

Jake Browning
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Mission Health and HCA Healthcare invited media members to the future site of Angel Medical Center last weekend to show off progress on the new hospital. The $68 million, 82,500-square foot facility has been under construction at One Center Court off US 441 since May 2021.
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Masks remain optional at schools

Jake Browning
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Despite surges in COVID-19 cases brought on by the Omicron variant, the Macon County Board of Education chose not to return to a mask mandate during the monthly meeting on Monday night. On Friday, Jan.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Franklin Town Council members and staff gathered for a retreat Friday evening and Saturday to set priorities for the coming year.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Franklin Town Council members and staff gathered for a retreat Friday evening and Saturday to set priorities for the coming year.

Town Council identifies priorities

Mia Overton
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
The Franklin Town Council held its annual retreat last weekend to help identify priorities in the coming year. The weekend began Friday evening with a dinner at Cat Creek Lodge.
Photo/Bill Lea Bill - Lea, a wildlife photographer and retired Forest Service employee opposes opening bear sanctuaries to hunting. Wildlife officials say regulated hunting is needed to help control the bear population and reduce the number of human-bear interactions.

Photo/Bill Lea Bill - Lea, a wildlife photographer and retired Forest Service employee opposes opening bear sanctuaries to hunting. Wildlife officials say regulated hunting is needed to help control the bear population and reduce the number of human-bear interactions.

Hunting proposed in bear sanctuaries

Mia Overton
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is accepting public input on a proposal that would permit hunting in three bear sanctuaries, including the Standing Indian sanctuary in Macon County. Pisgah and Panthertown-Bonas Defeat are the other sanctuaries included in the proposal.