Regional

Press photo/Braulio Fonseca - Breast cancer survivor Gwen Stanfield signs the pink fire hydrant on Main Street.

Press photo/Braulio Fonseca - Breast cancer survivor Gwen Stanfield signs the pink fire hydrant on Main Street.

Breast cancer survivors recognized with pink hydrant

Jake Browning
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Franklin Fire and Rescue is acknowledging National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by participating in the #pinkhydrantchallenge. The challenge, utilized by fire departments all over the country, has participants paint fire hydrants bright pink to match the color of the advocacy effort.
Press graphic

Press graphic

New laws protect patient visitation rights

Jake Browning
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
A pair of bills passed by the North Carolina General Assembly and signed by Gov. Roy Cooper last month will ensure nursing home residents and hospital patients greater access to visits from family members and clergy.

MPP seeks diaper donations for families in need

Mia Overton
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Macon Program for Progress will collect diapers and baby wipes as part of “National Diaper Need Awareness Week” Sept. 27-Oct. 3. Tasmen Bissell, program monitor for MPP Head Start, said the goal of the new “Project Love” is to establish a diaper bank that will assist families in need.
Photo submitted - N.C. Wildlife and Friends of Nantahala Lake are partnering to re-establish a population of Kokanee salmon in the lake. The project calls for releasing at least 30,000 salmon in the lake each year over a five-year period.

Photo submitted - N.C. Wildlife and Friends of Nantahala Lake are partnering to re-establish a population of Kokanee salmon in the lake. The project calls for releasing at least 30,000 salmon in the lake each year over a five-year period.

Reeling in salmon on Nantahala Lake

Mia Overton
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Most people don’t think of reeling in salmon when fishing the waters of Macon County. But, anglers on Nantahala Lake can hook these cold-water fish, thanks to a joint effort by North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the Friends of Nantahala Lake.
HCA Lawsuit

HCA Lawsuit

Lawsuit filed against HCA/Mission Health

News Staff
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Six residents from Buncombe, Haywood and Burke counties filed a class-action, antitrust suit against HCA Healthcare and Mission Health last week, citing the defendants’ “improper conduct has harmed consumers through higher health insurance premiums, copays, deductibles and coinsurance payments.
Budget

Budget

Senate & House budget includes big money for Macon County

News Staff
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
The North Carolina House of Representatives voted to pass the state spending package last week, and while negotiations are set to continue in conference meetings this week, Western North Carolina is set to receive millions of dollars for crucial projects.
Press photos/Jake Browning - This weather station at the Macon County Public Library is one of many in the region that provide data for the Local Yokel Weather Service.

Press photos/Jake Browning - This weather station at the Macon County Public Library is one of many in the region that provide data for the Local Yokel Weather Service.

Local Yokel parts clouds on recent weather trends

News Staff
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
Anyone who’s ever turned on the weather channel to plan their weekend knows that predicting the weather is a delicate task. It’s gotten even more complicated in recent years, with extreme weather phenomena becoming more commonplace.
Press photo/Mia Overton - The federal government’s American Rescue Plan includes $7.2 billion that could be allocated to state and local governments to reimburse libraries and schools for providing free broadband access to students’ homes. Computer labs such as this one at Macon County Public Library provide a much-needed service for people who do not have computers or internet access at home.

Press photo/Mia Overton - The federal government’s American Rescue Plan includes $7.2 billion that could be allocated to state and local governments to reimburse libraries and schools for providing free broadband access to students’ homes. Computer labs such as this one at Macon County Public Library provide a much-needed service for people who do not have computers or internet access at home.

State House passes GREAT Broadband Expansion Act

Mia Overton
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Mia Overton moverton@thefranklinpress.com The state House of Representatives unanimously passed on May 26 House Bill 947, which would provide $750 million in federal funding to expand high-speed broadband internet access in all 100 counties of North Carolina.