NC General Assembly Legislative Calendar Tuesday, April 26, 2016

.  The state legislature [link] will convene today, the NC Senate [link] at 9:15 am and the NC House [link] at 10:00 am. I have posted the calendar of scheduled legislative activity along with links to where you can listen online to our state legislators as they go about their tasks. The calendar link in the Senate and House section lead to a list of bills that are on the calendar to be considered today. The PDF file includes...

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Two Minor Quakes Shake Near WNC Today

Two minor earthquakes have struck with a 60 mile radius of Franklin, NC. The one to the west of us was a 2.6 and the one to the east of us was a 2.5. Quakes of this magnitude range usually strike within this area at least 12 to 20 times a year. Please follow the links to the event pages for more information: Buncombe County, NC Quake Monroe County, TN Quak...

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Letter to the Editor No Negative Connotation in Resignation of Mayor from Board

Letter to the editor in response to the Macon County News & Shopping Guide article Thursday, April 21, 2016 “Mayor resigns from ATCC board”: No negative connotation in Resignation. As a founding member of the Franklin Appalachian Trail Community Council I offer for readers the following information: Facts: 1. Franklin Mayor Bob Scott was one of four people that promoted Franklin to seek designation as an Appalachian Trail Community. 2....

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NC General Assembly Legislative Calendar Monday, April 25, 2016

**1:15 pm** Members of the Democratic Caucus are holding a press conference in the State Legislature addressing their concerns with HB 2 that was passed during the second special session of the NC General Assembly. Macon Media published coverage of HB2. .  The state legislature [link] will reconvene today at 7 pm when the NC Senate [link] and the NC House [link] are scheduled to begin the short session. This session generally...

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Macon County Weather Briefing Wednesday, April 20, 2016

OVERVIEW A cold front will push through the region this morning from the north (this is called a backdoor cold front) causing the highs to moderate. Another cold front is expected to arrive from the west, increasing rain chances on Thursday and Friday, possibly lasting into Saturday afternoon. Another area of high pressure should settle in the region for a spell, allowing things to dry out again next week. TODAY Partly sunny with...

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Macon Commissioners Approve Relay Race Route During Special Meeting

The Macon County Commissioners held a special meeting this afternoon to approve the running of the Smoky Mountain Relay Race through Macon County. Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve the route. Commissioner Tate was absent. A copy of the approval letter is below: Sourwood Running, LLC Attention: James C. Brendle, Registered Agent 2812 Old Stage Road Central Point, OR 97502 Dear Jim: It is Macon County’s understanding that Sourwood...

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Cook to Release Second Novel

PRESS RELEASE Franklin, NC—Tyler Cook, Franklin native and Western Carolina University alumnus, will release his second novel, ‘Aluria’, at a special release party on May 7 at 11 a.m. at the Macon County Public Library.  “Aluria is by far my favorite book I’ve written to date,” said Cook.  “I brought out my best creativity, and I think the readers will agree.” In order to save his teenage crush, Jason Conner allows...

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Macon County Weather Briefing Monday, April 18, 2016

OVERVIEW A dry high pressure will dominate the local weather pattern through midweek, with temperatures warming to above normal levels. A cold front will slip down from the north on Wednesday, bringing cooler conditions with it. Rain chances will increase later in the week. LOCAL GOVERNMENT The Franklin Town Board of Aldermen will be holding a previously scheduled budget work session at 5:30 pm today in the lower level of town hall. Macon...

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Franklin Town Board Plans Budget Work Session Later Today

Franklin Aldermen and Staff will hold a budget work session later today in the board room on the lower level. The public is welcome to attend and observe the process that takes place at about this time every year. The work session is scheduled to start at 5:30 pm. If any documents are made available to the press, then Macon Media will try to digitize those public documents and publish those online in the interest of transparency. You can...

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Macon County Weather Briefing Sunday, April 17, 2016

OVERVIEW Dry high pressure will dominate the local weather pattern through midweek, with temperatures warming to above normal levels. A cold front will slip down from the north on Wednesday, bringing cooler conditions with it. Rain chances will increase later in the week. TODAY Sunny with highs near the mid 70s and calm winds rising to come from the south in the afternoon. HAZARDS No Hazardous Weather Expected. Relative Humidityvalues...

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Macon County Weather Briefing Friday, April 15, 2016

OVERVIEW A stationary front should remain to our south through Friday. A strong high pressure will build across the region through Saturday, persisting into early next week. It will allow warmer air to flow into the county until a weak cold front dips down from the north late Tuesday, bringing cooler temperatures in its wake. TODAY Mostly sunny with highs near the mid 60s and winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Relative Humidity...

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Macon County Commissioners Plan Special Meeting for Monday, April 18th

The Macon County Commissioners will be holding a special meeting on Monday, April 18, 2016 at 5 pm to approve the running of the Smoky Mountain Relay Race through Macon County. Live coverage can be seen on Livestream. A copy of the draft approval letter is below: Sourwood Running, LLC Attention: James C. Brendle, Registered Agent 2812 Old Stage Road Central Point, OR 97502 Dear Jim: It is Macon County’s understanding that Sourwood...

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School Board hires Execptional Children's Director, Macon County Schools, and an Assistant Principal for South Macon Elementary School

The Macon County Board of Education held a work session on policy items yesterday afternoon. Macon Media was unable to cover the meeting due to a scheduling conflict. Here is a press release from the school system on action board members took after a closed session to discuss personnel matters: Following our work session to discuss our board policy manual, the board entered into executive session pursuant to: ·         143-318.11.(a)(5) To...

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Macon TRACS is having a Pancake Fundraiser on April 16th

FUNDRAISER ANNOUNCEMENT Macon TRACS (Therapeutic Riding for Adults' and Children's Success) Fundraisng Pancake Breakfast at Fatz Cafe' in Franklin Saturday, April 16th 7 am to 10 am Adult $7.00 Children $4.00 Macon TRACS, Inc. is a local 501-c-3 non profit providing Equine Assisted Activities and Therapy to special needs individuals in our community. Visit their website to find out more about their activities. [LIN...

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PRSS RELEASE Results are In! Fontana Regional Library Survey Sheds Light on Community Priorities and Library Use

In advance of National Library Week, which was celebrated earlier this month, Fontana Regional Library conducted a survey of library users and non-users, asking them to name their top priorities for the community’s future. Library staff surveyed 1,001 people in Jackson, Macon and Swain Counties and learned that there are 5 important areas on people’s minds: education, employment and the economy, health and mental health, diversity, and...

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Macon County Commissioners Regular April 2016 Meeting

The Macon County Commissioners will be meeting tonight at 6 pm in the Commissioners Boardroom on the Third Floor of the Macon County Courthouse. The public agenda and the press packet are posted below.  VIDEO MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APRIL 12, 2016 AGENDA Call to order and welcome by Chairman Corbin Announcements NCACC Update Video Moment of Silence Pledge of Allegiance Public Hearing(s) - NONE Public...

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Weather Briefing for Macon County Tuesday, April 12, 2016

OVERVIEW A cold front is expected to cross the region today, taking the increased rain chances with it to our east and south. Our area should remain dry the rest of the week. TODAY  Patchy fog before 9 am, mostly cloudy with calm winds rising to come from the north by mid morning and rain expected before 2 pm, ending sometime in the late afternoon. Highs near the mid 60s. Rainfall amounts expected to be between a quarter and half...

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