Regional

Congressional district map approved by the General Assembly, Feb. 17, 2022.

Congressional district map approved by the General Assembly, Feb. 17, 2022.

General Assembly approves new district maps

Mia Overton
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
The General Assembly approved new district maps on Thursday, Feb. 17, meeting the deadline set by the state Supreme Court and possibly moving the 2022 election process forward.
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.
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.
Press graphic

Press graphic

CDC reduces quarantine guidelines

Jake Browning
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control are now recommending that people who test positive for COVID-19 quarantine for five days, a reduction from their previous 10-day guideline. The CDC update was issued on Dec. 27.
Clint Kendall, CEO of Angel Medical Center, spoke at the Dec. 14 County Commission meeting.

Clint Kendall, CEO of Angel Medical Center, spoke at the Dec. 14 County Commission meeting.

Hospital CEO: Antibodies available, vaccines preferable

Jake Browning
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Angel Medical Center CEO Clint Kendall says he’s doing his best to get monoclonal antibodies to everyone who needs them, but the best thing to do about COVID-19 is still to get vaccinated.
Angel Medical Center

Angel Medical Center

Angel CEO rebuilding community connections

(not verified)
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Christopher Lugo The Highlander editor@highlandsnews.com   With Angel Medical Center in full-on construction mode, new CEO Clint Kendall updated the Macon County Economic Development Commission on how they want to operate with the community.
Sen. Kevin Corbin

Sen. Kevin Corbin

Corbin not running for US Congress

Mia Overton
Monday, November 22, 2021
Sen. Kevin Corbin announced Monday morning he would not make a bid for U.S. Congress and will file to run for re-election serving State Senate District 50. In the recent redistricting of the state, Macon County became part of a new 14th U.S. Congressional district.
Election-News-Numbers

Election-News-Numbers

Election News Update

Mia Overton
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
With three seats up for grabs in the Franklin Town Council race, it was a close race for the top vote-getters in the Nov. 2 election. The election was certified on Tuesday, Nov.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Lodging taxes collections continue to increase

Mia Overton
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Going into the fall leaf season, the Franklin Tourism Development Authority continues to see an increase in hotel tax collections. During the first two months of the new 2021-2022 fiscal year (July and August), the TDA received $34,652.45 in hotel tax collections.