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Macon County Commissioners

Coverage of the meetings of the Macon County Board of County Commissioners.

Franklin Town Board of Aldermen

Coverage of the meetings of the Franklin Town Board of Aldermen.

Macon County School Board

Coverage of the meetings of the Macon County School Board.

Monday, October 19, 2026

News and Weather Briefing for Monday, October 19, 2026

10/19/2026 05:05:00 AM 0 comments

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Back to School Safety Tips for the 2026-2027 School Year [Macon Media]

• Town of Franklin Asks Residents to Observe Voluntary Water Restrictions [Macon Media]

• Nine N.C. counties in exceptional drought as statewide drought continues [Macon Media]

WEATHER OUTLOOK

1. Dry conditions persist with increased fire weather concerns this afternoon.

2. Gradual warming in temperatures and continued dry conditions expected through the week.

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SPONSORSHIPS

WEATHER SPONSOR

The weather is being sponsored by the Caleb for NC Campaign. Caleb is running for the NC House in District 120. Read more about his campaign at https://calebbrownfornc120.com. DAY SPONSOR

This space available

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FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

.TODAY....Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Low relative humidity could lead to rapidly spreading fires. Northeast winds around 5 mph this morning, becoming light and variable.

.TONIGHT....Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 40s. Northeast winds around 5 mph.

.TUESDAY....Sunny. Highs around 70. North winds around 5 mph in the morning, becoming light and variable.

.TUESDAY NIGHT....Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 40s. Light and variable winds, becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.

.WEDNESDAY....Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Light and variable winds, becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT....Clear. Lows in the lower 40s.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Low relative humidity could result in fires getting out of control this afternoon, so please exercise care when burning outdoors.

SPACE WEATHER FORECAST

Hazardous space weather is not in the current forecast.

POLLEN REPORT

Pollen levels are expected to be in the low-medium range (4.0 out of 12) today with Ragweed, Chenopods, and Grasses being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low-medium range (3.2 out of 12.0)

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MACON CALENDAR

(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)

The many ways you can connect to Mountain Findings to arrange donation pick-ups, drop-off location, shopping hours, volunteering, and to learn more on our community grants programs and graduating seniors scholarships.
Facebook: @MountainFindings
Phone: 828-526-9929
Email: MountainFindings1@gmail.com
Webpage: MountainFindings.org
Location: 452 Spruce St, Highlands, NC

LIVE SATURDAY MIDDAY MUSIC CALENDAR FOR OCTOBER 2026

11a to 1p at Friends of the Greenway, Inc.
573 E Main St, Franklin, NC 28734
contact: frog28734@gmail.com; 828-369-8488

TBA

To find out more about the Greenway and our organization, our website is: littletennessee.org.

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WEATHER ALMANAC

Record Weather Events for this date in Macon County (1872-2025)

Highest Temperature 83°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1984
Lowest Temperature 21°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1948
Greatest Rainfall 3.20 inches in Highlands in 1916

Record weather events for October in Macon County

Highest Temperature 91°F in Franklin on Oct 5, 1954
Lowest Temperature 12°F in Highlands on Oct 30, 1910
Greatest Rainfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 4, 1964
Greatest Snowfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 20, 1913

Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of October

Highest Temperature 103°F in Wadesboro, Anson County on Oct 3, 2019
Lowest Temperature 8°F in Banner Elk, Avery County on Oct 21, 1952
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 12.53 in Lumberton, Robeson County on Oct 8, 2016
Greatest Snowfall 11.0 inches in Mount Mitchell, Yancey County on Oct 25, 1990

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WNC News

Meta data center neighbors reflect on 13-year noise fight | WLOS-TV (Asheville), NC

NOAA Releases Winter Weather Outlook | Farm Journal

• 7 Free or Cheap North Carolina Spots Where You See the Milky Way With Your Own Eyes [Unearth the Voyage]
• Reactions vary to Vice President JD Vance’s planned Hendersonville visit [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
• Western North Carolina voter's guide for 2026 midterm elections [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• Getting connected at Tech Time [The Franklin Press]
• Taxes, opioid settlement plans lead busy Macon County agenda [Macon Sense]
• How unfounded charges flipped one man's life upside down [ The Mountaineer ]

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NC News

Firefighters honor Andrew Brokes at funeral; tributes continue across Durham | WTVD-TV (Durham, NC)

• Republican Tillis expects GOP 'bloodbath' in midterm elections [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• Despite rain, No Kings protesters march to early voting sites across NC [Raleigh News & Observer]
• Purple Primer: Your Guide to the 2026 Elections in North Carolina [NC Local]

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National News

Is a blue wave coming, and how will Trump react? | Washington Week PBS

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir - Oct. 18, 2026 | ABC News

NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Full Episode - Oct. 18 | NBC News

America's Book Club Treasures with Elliot Ackerman & James Stavridis | C-SPAN

• Homan: Investigators have a ‘strong case’ against Omar [The Hill]
• Oregon father is the latest armed civilian to confront a gunman in a US mass shooting [AP News]
• What we know about the investigation into the Bend school shooting Yahoo News]

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World News

2,400 arrests in France's worst street violence for decades | BBC News

Why U.S. Shipbuilding Is Failing the American Merchant Marine | What's Going on With Shipping?

70% of Albertans support remaining in Canada ahead of referendum: Ipsos | Global News

• U.S. expresses 'understanding' of S. Korea's unease over USFK commander's remarks: source [Yonhap News Agency]
• Live: French minister admits police 'lost control' of protests as Macron rejects his offer to resign [France 24]
• Hungarian journalists feel the pressure lifting after Orbán’s defeat [AP News]

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Iran War News

Trump turns on Zelenskyy as Ukraine launches massive strikes on Russia | DW News

• Iran Update, October 18, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Iran war live: Riyadh airport hit again; Tehran says US reply ‘inadequate’ [AL Jazeera]
• Live Updates: Israel urged Qatar to continue funding Gaza as oil tanker hits mine in Strait of Hormuz [Jerusalem Post]

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Russo-Ukraine War

The Evolution of the Russian Military - Its Strengths and Shortfalls in 2026 (With Michael Kofman) | Perun

Ukrainian drones strike St. Petersburg in the largest-ever attack on the city | World News Tonight | TVP World

• Ukraine launches more than 1,000 drones at Russia as spat between Trump and Zelenskyy continues [AP News]
• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 18, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Trump defends Russian sanctions relief, lashes out at Zelenskyy [Al Jazeera]
• SpaceX throttled Starlink in Ukraine. Neither Trump nor Elon Musk wants to own the decision [Yahoo News]

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Financial News

This $4 Trillion Bet Will Trigger The Next Financial Crisis | Bravos Research

France PM Calls Crisis Meeting After Weekend Riots | Daybreak Europe 10/19/2026 | Bloomberg Television

• Official data show China is dumping more U.S. Treasury debt. But it may actually be a stealth buyer, with a big stash suspiciously piling up in Canada [Yahoo Finance]
• France hit by worst unrest in years as attempts to rein in government spending meet citizen ire [CNBC]

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Science News

First Ever Microblazar Found! Here's What This Means for Astronomy | Anton Petrov

• Japan prepares to launch sample return mission to Phobos [Astronomy Magazine]
• TWiV 1366: Clinical Update with Dr. Daniel Griffin [Microbe TV]
• TWiV 1367: Turning Off Hepatitis B Virus Without Cutting its DNA [Microbe TV]
• New Research Reveals How Long Stays in Space Affects the Human Genome [Universe Today]
• Physicists create a bizarre new quantum state called a fractional fermi sea [ScienceDaily]
• This Week's Sky at a Glance, October 16 – 25 [Sky & Telescope Magazine]

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Technology News

Let's Talk About Tesla's Rocket Car.... Even Though I'm Supposed to be On Vacation | Scott Manley

• OpenAI models hacked a crypto wallet and breached more websites [Ars Technica]
• Thousands of Artifacts Unearthed in Alaska Hint at an Even Older Human Presence in the Americas [Gizmodo]
• RIAA Flags Anna’s Archive and AI Voice Cloner to U.S. Government [Torrent Freaks]

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Interesting Videos

Largest Land Battle Before WWI Caused the First Russian Revolution | Kings and Generals

Forget Vienna: The Battle That ACTUALLY Broke the Ottomans - Párkány, 1683 HistoryMarche

The Collapse of the American Dream: How 20 Years of Renting Beat Buying | The Infographics Show

Unsettling Reasons The Universe May Be Beyond Understanding | Daniel Whiteson | Event Horizon

What's Coming Is Worse Than the Great Depression: Top Economist Explains | ProfSteveKeen

The NEW Tesla Roadster: My Honest Reaction | Marques Brownlee and Auto Focus

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CRYPTO & AI NEWS

Has the Q4 Equity Correction Finally Arrived? | Benjamin Cowen

The US Housing Market is BREAKING (few are ready) | Coin Bureau

• MapQuest Now Shows Drivers Where Flock Cameras Are Watching [Decrypt]
• Qubic freezes chain after attacker drains 1.4K wallets with weak seeds [Coin Telegraph]
• This Week in Crypto Law (October 18, 2026) [Bitcoin.com]

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Flock Cameras and Constitutional Rights

Flock Cameras Are Not Even the Worst Part of the System | TREX LABS

• Brickbat: Unlicensed Search [Reason Magazine]
• Police say Flock cameras help solve crimes, but critics call them an invasion of privacy [PBS News]

• Schmidt v. Norfolk [ACLU]

• Chatrie v. United States [SCOTUSblog]

• Under Surveillance: Constitutional Concerns Surrounding Flock Cameras [North Carolina Journal of Law & Technology]

• Research Report on Automatic License Plate Readers: Legal Status and Policy Recommendations for Law Enforcement Use [Brennan Cebnter for Justice]

This Flock Camera Leak is like Netflix For Stalkers | Benn Jordan and 404 Media

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Public Records Request for Macon County Flock Safety Cameras

As an independent citizen journalist covering local government in Macon County for over 16 years, I have submitted a public records request to the Macon County Sheriff’s Office for documents related to the Flock Safety automated license plate reader system. This request seeks contracts, board approvals, usage policies, camera locations, performance data, and related correspondence to promote full transparency and public accountability in how this surveillance technology is funded, deployed, and operated with taxpayer resources. By making these records available, we can separate facts from myths, address community concerns about privacy and effectiveness, and ensure informed civic dialogue about tools that impact public safety and individual rights in our rural mountain community.

from:		Bobby Coggins robertcogginsjr@gmail.com
to:		"mcsopio@maconnc.org" <mcsopio@maconnc.org>, rlofthouse@maconnc.org
cc:		wcabe@maconnc.org
date:		Jul 11, 2026, 2:13 AM
subject:		Public Records Request – Flock Safety Cameras / ALPR / License Plate Reader Contract & Related Documents – Macon County Sheriff’s Office
mailed-by:		gmail.com

Sheriff’s Office Public Records Custodian,

Pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. Chapter 132), I request the following records related to Flock Safety (or any automated license plate reader/ALPR system):

All contracts, agreements, amendments, proposals, invoices, payment records, and correspondence between Macon County Sheriff’s Office (or County) and Flock Safety (or Flock Group, Inc.), including any subscription, installation, maintenance, or data access terms.
Board of Commissioners agendas, minutes, resolutions, motions, or approvals authorizing the purchase, funding, or use of Flock cameras (including budget line items from FY 2023–2024 onward).
Policies, procedures, manuals, training materials, or guidelines for use of the Flock system by Sheriff’s Office personnel (including access controls, data retention, audit logs, and privacy protections).
Any usage statistics, reports, or summaries on camera performance, alerts generated, cases assisted, or data shared (redacted as necessary for law enforcement sensitivity).
Location list or map of all deployed Flock cameras in Macon County.
Any privacy impact assessments, legal opinions, or correspondence regarding compliance with NC law or data sharing.

Preferred format: Electronic copies (PDF/email) where possible. I am willing to pay reasonable costs; please notify me in advance if fees will exceed $50.

Please provide these records as soon as practicable. If any portion is denied, please provide a written explanation with the specific legal basis and contact information for appeal.

Thank you for your assistance. I can be reached at robertciogginsjr@gmail.com.

Sincerely, Bobby Coggins, Publisher Macon Media [robertciogginsjr@gmail.com]

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Support Macon Media

• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at Facebook Subscription
• Become a Patron: patreon.com/MaconMedia
• PayPal: paypal.me/MaconMedia

Published at 6:00am on Monday, October 19, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins

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October 2026 Macon County Commissioners Meeting

Macon Media was unable to be at the county commissioner meeting tonight and instead watched via the online stream from the county.

Executive Summary

The Board opened with announcements (including Town of Franklin support for the ¼-cent local option sales tax and a proposed December 7 special meeting for swearing-in). There were no public hearings. Two citizens spoke in favor of a countywide dark-sky / light-pollution ordinance, citing tourism and environmental benefits.

Key reports included the opioid settlement fund balance (~$2.7 million) and progress on a strategic plan funded by a Dogwood Health Foundation grant; a detailed public-education update from the Quarter-Cent Sales Tax Committee (projected $2.2–2.4 million annually, exemptions for groceries, prescriptions, etc.); confirmation that the Franklin High School project remains on time and on budget for an August opening; and clearance of federal cross-cutter reviews for the Carson Convenience Center, allowing construction to proceed.

The Board unanimously approved the 2027 Schedule of Values, final sale of surplus Lot 168 Watauga Vista ($1,600), notice to terminate/rework fire department contracts effective June 30, 2027, the Operation Green Light for Veterans resolution (November 4–11), and two additional surplus-lot upset-bid processes. It approved $37,000 (Option 2) for an East Franklin School feasibility study to support a future $42 million Needs-Based School Capital Fund grant. On the Bartram Academy / Peak building, Commissioner Antoine recused himself due to a direct financial conflict; the remaining members voted 4-0 to declare no county need for the building so it can be leased for Boys & Girls Club after-school and summer programs. The consent agenda passed 5-0. The Board then entered closed session and later adjourned.

Macon County Board of Commissioners (10-13-2026) | Macon County Government

Votes and Results

All recorded votes were unanimous among those voting. No “no” votes occurred.

Item	Motion / Action	Result	Notes / Abstentions
Approval of agenda	Breeden / Antoine	5-0	—
2027 Schedule of Values (reappraisal)	Antoine / Shields	5-0	—
Final approval – sale of Lot 168 Watauga Vista ($1,600)	Breeden / Shields	5-0	Chairman noted reluctance on price but liability relief
Notice of termination of fire department contracts (effective 6/30/2027)	Sherrill / Breeden	5-0	Starts 8-month notice process
Operation Green Light for Veterans resolution	Shields / Sherrill	5-0	—
Upset-bid process – Copeland Subdivision Lot 7 ($1,000 offer)	Antoine / Breeden	5-0	Buyer to reimburse publication costs; Board can still reject
Upset-bid process – Watauga Vista Lot 454 ($750 offer)	Breeden / Shields	5-0	Same conditions
East Franklin School feasibility study – Option 2 ($37,000 from contingency)	Breeden / Shields	5-0	Supports $42 M grant application
Recusal of Commissioner Antoine (Bartram / Boys & Girls Club item)	Sherrill / Shields	4-0	Antoine abstained/recused due to direct financial conflict of interest
Declaration of no county need for Bartram Academy building (allow lease for after-school/summer programs)	Breeden / Shields (after recusal)	4-0	Unanimous among remaining members; maintenance concerns raised but MOU places responsibility on Boys & Girls Club
Consent agenda	Breeden / Antoine	5-0	Includes one-year tax refund on unfinished basement
Enter closed session (real property negotiations + attorney-client)	Breeden / Shields	5-0	—
Adjourn	Antoine / Breeden	5-0	—

Narrative Summary

Opening and Announcements
Chairman called the meeting to order. Manager noted the Town of Franklin’s resolution supporting the ¼-cent local option sales tax and suggested a special December 7 meeting for swearing-in (to avoid back-to-back meetings on the 7th and 8th). Consensus favored the idea for formal action next month. Moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner Shields. No public hearings.

Public Comment

Ann Hungerford (Ellijay Township) advocated for a countywide dark-sky ordinance (3,000 K max, 100% downward shielding), citing economic benefits of astro-tourism, proximity to PARI and Mayland Earth to Sky Park, and existing protections in Highlands and Jackson County.
Sarah Johnson (Otto) supported the same for development projects, mentioned lightning-bug walks, and raised concerns about a planning-board vice-chair having signed an NDA on past data-center work.

Agenda Approval – Unanimous (5-0).

Reports and Presentations

Opioid Settlement: Fund balance $2,699,697 (including $346,411 collected this year + interest). Strategic-planning committee formed; Omni Institute contracted (paid by $300,000 Dogwood Health grant). Five initial members identified (Kara Smith, Perry Welch, Marcy Holland, Devin Holland, Leslie Jones). Plan required before spending funds.
Quarter-Cent Sales Tax Committee (Betsy Based / committee): Extensive education effort (website makingquarterpenny.com, slideshows, Facebook, community clubs, Rotary, early-voting booths). Projected $2.2–2.4 M/year; ~40% visitor-paid, 60% resident-paid. Does not apply to unprepared groceries, prescriptions, motor vehicles, utilities, manufactured homes, etc. Discussion focused on whether it effectively raises taxes on landowners versus pure property-tax alternative (~1.3 M per mil). Committee emphasized factual clarification only; not formal advocacy. Commissioners thanked the group.
Franklin High School Project (Carol Daniel Construction / Josh Cochran, Tyler Wiley + County Manager): Time-lapse shown. Still on time and on budget for August opening. Sequencing of moves (Ag/Horticulture to Bartram/Peak campus in January, etc.), intersection redesign at Panther Drive/Porter Street, and demolition of old campus planned for next summer. School Board Chair praised the partnership.
Carson Convenience Center: Federal cross-cutter reviews (Bald & Golden Eagle Act, NHPA, Clean Water Act, wetlands) completed. Construction ready to proceed; multi-use field option deferred to avoid archaeological delays.

Old Business / Action Items

2027 Schedule of Values adopted (5-0); four consecutive newspaper advertisements to follow.
Surplus Lot 168 Watauga Vista ($1,600) final sale approved (5-0).
Fire & Rescue contracts: 8-month notice of termination effective 6/30/2027 issued so new contracts can be negotiated (5-0).
Operation Green Light for Veterans resolution adopted (5-0); green lighting of county facilities and encouragement of private display Nov. 4–11, 2026.
Two additional surplus lots placed in upset-bid process (both 5-0), with buyer responsible for publication costs; Board retains right to reject final high bid.
Macon County Schools requested $37,000 (Option 2) for East Franklin feasibility study to position for $42 M Needs-Based School Capital Fund grant. Approved from contingency (5-0). Study will help check grant requirements and potentially relieve overcrowding at multiple elementary schools.

Bartram Academy / Peak Building
School system and Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau requested lease of the soon-to-be-vacant building for free K–12 after-school and summer programs (existing county programs would be dissolved and students prioritized). Commissioner Antoine recused himself (direct financial conflict). Remaining Board voted 4-0 to declare no county need for the building. Discussion noted that exterior/interior maintenance and improvements would fall to the Club under the MOU; major capital items (roof, HVAC) remain a longer-term concern but Club expressed willingness to pursue grants/fundraising.

Consent Agenda – Approved 5-0 (includes one-year refund of illegal tax on unfinished basement).

Closed Session and Adjournment
Motion to enter closed session for acquisition/negotiations of real property and attorney-client privileged matters passed 5-0. After closed session, motion to adjourn passed 5-0.

No additional appointments were made. The meeting concluded with the Board still in a position to finalize any closed-session outcomes at a later public meeting if required.

Franklin Town Council Appoints Sarah Bishop Interim Town Manager

10/13/2026 06:28:00 AM 2026 Franklin Town Council Meetings , franklin nc , Franklin Town Council , town manager 0 comments

Executive Summary

At a special called meeting of the Franklin Town Council on October 12, 2026, the council unanimously accepted Town Manager Amy Owens’ amicable separation after roughly five years in the role, recognized the resulting vacancy, and adopted a resolution appointing Sarah Bishop—currently the town’s finance officer and assistant town manager—as interim town manager. Town attorney John Henning reviewed the statutory requirements under North Carolina’s council-manager form of government and confirmed that Bishop is qualified to serve in the interim role (including holding both positions temporarily). The resolution grants her the same core authorities previously delegated to the manager, subject to existing fiscal-control limits. In brief discussion, the mayor praised Owens’ formalization of processes and strengthening of staff, acknowledged concerns about the timing of public information release while affirming that the process followed legal advice, and expressed optimism about the town’s direction going forward.

Franklin Town Council - Special Called Meeting (10-12-2026) | Macon Media

The Franklin Town Council convened a special called meeting on the evening of October 12, 2026. After calling the meeting to order, the council entertained and approved a motion to excuse Councilman Higdon, who was unable to attend because of work obligations. With no members of the public requesting to speak, the body turned to its sole item of business: the appointment of an interim town manager.

Town attorney John Henning provided the procedural and legal background. He explained that the town operates under the council-manager form of government adopted years earlier pursuant to North Carolina General Statute provisions. Under that framework, the council must appoint a qualified person to exercise the powers and duties of town manager whenever a vacancy exists. Henning characterized the separation of longtime manager Amy Owens (who had served approximately five years) as an amicable parting of the ways, consistent with the town’s earlier public statement. He noted that, while a sitting manager may designate an acting manager during temporary absences, a true vacancy triggers the council’s duty to name an interim.

The resolution before the council named Sarah Bishop, the current finance officer and assistant town manager, as interim town manager. Henning stated that she is fully qualified and may lawfully hold both the interim-manager and finance-officer positions simultaneously, though he observed that dual occupancy is not an ideal long-term arrangement and will likely warrant future attention. The resolution itself contains five sections: it makes the appointment effective immediately and continuing until a permanent manager is named or the resolution is amended; it delegates to the interim manager the same authorities previously granted the town manager (including entering contracts under $30,000, day-to-day property management and limited leasing or surplus-property disposal, adoption of certain non-ordinance policies required by law, tax releases or refunds under $100, review and release of closed-session minutes when appropriate, and grant applications with associated obligations within budget limits); it reaffirms compliance with the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act and Local Government Commission rules; and it clarifies that the delegated authority is additive to any other legal or policy authority.

After the resolution was read into the record, a motion was offered to accept Ms. Owens’ separation, recognize the vacancy, and adopt the resolution appointing Sarah Bishop. The motion received a second and was opened for discussion. The mayor spoke at length, describing the departure as amicable and on good terms. He credited Owens with systematically improving previously informal processes and agreements, formalizing operations, and assembling what he called the best staff the town has ever had—work that has laid groundwork for future progress. Addressing public comments about transparency, he stated that the council had followed sound legal advice on personnel matters (which cannot be fully disclosed), but that, in hindsight, the timing and manner of releasing public information could have been handled differently; he accepted responsibility for that aspect. He concluded that the overall process complied with the law, that the town regretted Owens’ departure, and that it looked forward to the work ahead.

With no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously. A subsequent motion to adjourn also passed, and the meeting ended. The entire special session was brief, focused, and conducted in open session, with the formal resolution and statutory framework supplying the operative decisions. The following is reconstructed from the audio with the NCGS reference cleaned up. A copy was not provided.

RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL FOR THE TOWN OF FRANKLIN
APPOINTING AN INTERIM TOWN MANAGER

WHEREAS, at its regular meeting of March 3, 2008, the Town Council duly adopted an ordinance pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 160A-101 to adopt the council-manager form of government; and

WHEREAS, there is currently a vacancy in the position of Town Manager for the Town of Franklin, upon which condition North Carolina General Statute 160A-150 provides that the Town Council “shall designate a qualified person to exercise the powers and perform the duties of manager until the vacancy is filled”; and

WHEREAS, the Town Council finds that Sarah Bishop, who currently serves as the Town Finance Officer and Assistant Town Manager, is qualified to perform the duties of Town Manager;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Franklin Town Council as follows:

Section 1. Sarah Bishop is hereby appointed to the position of Interim Town Manager until such time as a permanent Town Manager shall be named by the Town Council.

Section 2. As Interim Town Manager, Sarah Bishop is hereby granted such responsibilities and authorities as are assigned and delegated to the position of Town Manager pursuant to any and all applicable laws and policies. The Town Council delegates authority to the Interim Town Manager as follows:

A. Contracts. The Interim Town Manager is authorized to enter into contracts of less than thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) on behalf of the Town Council and with the effect of binding the Town for any budget purpose, including without limitation construction or maintenance, utility installation, or professional services.

B. Property Management. The Interim Town Manager shall oversee the day-to-day management and maintenance of Town-owned real and personal property. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Interim Town Manager is specifically authorized:

Pursuant to G.S. 160A-262(b), to lease or rent Town property that is not needed for current operations for terms of one year or less; and
Pursuant to G.S. Chapter 160A, Article 12, to declare Town-owned personal property surplus and dispose of it by sale or any other means in the Town Manager’s discretion, where any single item or group of similar items is worth less than thirty thousand dollars ($30,000).

C. Policies. The Interim Town Manager is hereby authorized to adopt such policies as are required by federal or state law and which are not required to be adopted as ordinances. By way of illustration, this shall include the Uniform Guidance policies required by federal regulation.

D. Tax Releases. The Interim Town Manager is authorized to release or refund taxes in the amount of less than one hundred dollars ($100) upon presentation of a valid defense pursuant to G.S. 105-381.

E. Closed Session Minutes. The Interim Town Manager shall review and approve closed session minutes of the Council in consultation with the Town Clerk and Town Attorney. When the purposes of the closed session will no longer be frustrated by the release of closed session minutes, the Interim Town Manager is authorized to add them to the Council’s public minutes.

F. Grant Applications. The Interim Town Manager is authorized to apply for grant funding from any source when the Interim Town Manager finds such funding to be in the best interest of the Town. The Interim Town Manager is further authorized to bind the Town to the performance of obligations required to secure such funding, including the payment of matching funds within budget limits.

Section 3. Any expenditure of Town funds in excess of budget amounts or requiring the Town to incur any financial obligation beyond the current budget year shall require specific authorization and/or appropriation by the Town Council. Otherwise, the Interim Town Manager shall report to the Town Council any acts taken pursuant to the authority granted herein at an appropriate time within the discretion of the Interim Town Manager, in no event later than the next regular Council meeting. The Interim Town Manager shall ensure the internal controls governing the management of funds remain in compliance with the requirements of the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act, rules and regulations promulgated by the Local Government Commission, and any other applicable laws and regulations.

Section 4. The authority delegated by this Resolution shall be in addition to, rather than in substitution of, any authority granted to the Interim Town Manager pursuant to applicable law, ordinances, or policies previously adopted by the Council.

Section 5. The appointment of the Interim Town Manager and the delegation of authority granted hereby shall be effective immediately and shall continue in effect until it is amended by the Town Council.

ADOPTED at this special meeting of the Town Council this 12th day of October, 2026.

Nikwasi: Stars, Council Fires, and the Nunehi — A Cherokee History at the Mound

10/12/2026 11:44:00 AM American History , EBCI , history , Indigenous Peoples Day , Nikwasi Mound 1 comment

On the morning of Indigenous Peoples Day, October 12, 2026, John deVille, director of the Macon County Historical Museum in Franklin, North Carolina, welcomed students from the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians to the site of the Nikwasi Mound. He framed the talk as a shared history meant to be carried home and discussed, emphasizing that understanding the past can strengthen connections among people today.

Using a handout with maps and images, deVille began with the Little Tennessee River and its place in the larger Mississippi River system that empties into the Gulf of Mexico at New Orleans. He noted that Cherokee towns and villages were typically located near water, essential for daily life, crops, and fishing. A map illustrated dozens of Cherokee communities across western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee roughly 275 years ago.

The central focus was the Nikwasi Mound itself, estimated by archaeologists to be about 1,000 years old. Drawings based on historical accounts showed the mound and town as substantially larger 275 years ago, topped by a large council house. These structures were typically rebuilt every 40–50 years, with a perpetual sacred fire maintained inside. Cherokee council houses were essentially octagonal: seven sides corresponding to the seven clans (Wolf, Long Hair, Bird, Paint, Deer, Wild Potato, and Blue) for seating, plus an eighth side serving as the doorway. Weapons and violence were forbidden inside; the space was for deliberation and unity. Ground-penetrating radar and comparisons to the excavated Coweta mound nearby indicate these are earthen constructions, later reworked by the Cherokee.

The name Nikwasi (or Nequassee, Noquisiyi, ᏃᏈᏏᏱ) relates to “star” or “star place,” reflecting Cherokee interest in celestial bodies, especially the sun. The council house doorway at nearby Coweta was oriented so the sun shone directly inside at the winter solstice (December 21, the longest night); at Watauga, roughly five miles north, it aligned with the summer solstice. These alignments celebrated the sun’s return, vital for growing corn, beans, and squash.

Much of the detailed knowledge of council-house practices and stories comes from Swimmer (1835–1899), a Cherokee who learned Sequoyah’s syllabary, trained as a doctor and priest, served in the Confederate army, and recorded extensive oral traditions. In the late 1880s, anthropologist James Mooney of the Smithsonian interviewed him at length; Swimmer shared Cherokee history, medicine, and stories in exchange for Irish and Celtic tales.

deVille also covered the Cherokee Path and Unicoi Trail used by Scots and Scots-Irish traders after the British establishment of Charleston (Charlestown). Trade centered on deerskins (“bucks”), which gave rise to the slang “buck” for a dollar; Cherokee received rifles, powder, shot, and metal goods in return. In 1730, Alexander Cumming gathered leading Cherokee, including Attakullakulla (Little Carpenter), at Nikwasi and took seven of them to England, leading to an early formal agreement between Great Britain and the Cherokee Nation. English forces burned the town in 1761 (using the council house as a hospital) and again about 250 years ago; the Cherokee rebuilt each time.

The talk concluded with stories of the Nunehi (or Nunnehi, Nûñnë'hï, ᏄᏁᎯ)—immortal, mostly invisible warriors who lived on mountaintops and inside mountains, including a secret council house within the Nikwasi Mound. Accounts include Nunehi women who danced with Cherokee men at Hiwassee before vanishing; a hunter named Yahoola (Yahula, ᏯᎱᎳ) who was sheltered through winter by them and became immortal; hundreds of Nunehi warriors emerging from the mound to repel an attacking tribe centuries ago and warning survivors not to return; and, at the time of the 1838 removal, Nunehi guiding some Cherokee to fast and enter a mountain portal, with a tradition that the Eastern Band descends from those who were hidden. During the Civil War, Union scouts reportedly saw large numbers of defenders at Franklin that were not present, attributed to the Nunehi. Most recently, after the town of Franklin acquired the mound in 1946 and returned it to the Eastern Band in February 2026, some said the Nunehi had again influenced events to protect the people.

deVille closed by noting that the Nunehi continue, in story and belief, to defend the Cherokee, and invited questions. The presentation blended archaeology, historical documents, oral tradition, and place-based storytelling at the mound itself.

News and Weather Briefing for Columbus Day, 2026

10/12/2026 04:24:00 AM 2026 Weather , Daily Weather Briefing 0 comments

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Back to School Safety Tips for the 2026-2027 School Year [Macon Media]

• Town of Franklin Asks Residents to Observe Voluntary Water Restrictions [Macon Media]

• Nine N.C. counties in exceptional drought as statewide drought continues [Macon Media]

WEATHER OUTLOOK

1. Dry weather with warm temperatures returns today and is expected through the workweek, then a strong cold front brings much cooler temperatures over the weekend.

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SPONSORSHIPS

FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

.TODAY....Patchy fog this morning. Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

.TONIGHT....Clear in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the lower 50s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.

.TUESDAY....Patchy fog in the morning. Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.

.TUESDAY NIGHT....Clear. Lows in the mid 50s. Light and variable winds, becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.

.WEDNESDAY....Sunny. Highs around 80. North winds around 5 mph in the morning, becoming light and variable.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT....Clear. Lows in the upper 50s.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER

Hazardous weather is not expected today or tonight.

SPACE WEATHER FORECAST

Hazardous space weather is not in the current forecast.

POLLEN REPORT

Pollen levels are expected to be in the medium range (5.1 out of 12) today with Ragweed, Chenopods, and Grasses being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low-medium range (4.6 out of 12.0)

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MACON CALENDAR

(send your event to editor@maconmedia.com)

WEATHER ALMANAC

Record Weather Events for this date in Macon County (1872-2025)

Highest Temperature 86°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2017
Lowest Temperature 25°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2000
Greatest Rainfall 3.44 inches in Highlands in 1927

Record weather events for October in Macon County

Highest Temperature 91°F in Franklin on Oct 5, 1954
Lowest Temperature 12°F in Highlands on Oct 30, 1910
Greatest Rainfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 4, 1964
Greatest Snowfall 1.0 inches in Highlands on Oct 20, 1913

Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of October

Highest Temperature 103°F in Wadesboro, Anson County on Oct 3, 2019
Lowest Temperature 8°F in Banner Elk, Avery County on Oct 21, 1952
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 12.53 in Lumberton, Robeson County on Oct 8, 2016
Greatest Snowfall 11.0 inches in Mount Mitchell, Yancey County on Oct 25, 1990

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WNC News

McDowell County's response to Isaias remnants | WLOS-TV (Asheville), NC

• Columbus Day, 2026 [Macon Media]
• October 2026 Franklin Town Council Meeting [Macon Media]
• Ken Bostic, former News 13 weather team member, dies at 80 [WLOS-TV Asheville, NC ]
• Smallmouth bass, russet darters back in portion of Swannanoa River. Why it matters [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• The outlaw bear that captured Asheville [Asheville Watchdog ]

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NC News

I-Team: Durham fire victims, families raise concerns about property conditions | WTVD-TV (Durham, NC)

• NC sues state’s biggest hospital chain, extends enrollment deadline for State Health Plan [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• We asked four candidates for NC’s Senate seat what they’d do if they win [Raleigh News & Observer]
• Purple Primer: Your Guide to the 2026 Elections in North Carolina [NC Local]

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National News

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir - Oct. 11, 2026 | ABC News

NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Full Episode - Oct. 11 | NBC News

Lectures in History Podcast: America 250: What Did the World Look Like in 1776? | C-SPAN

• Judge orders cancellation of Trump’s government-funded ads [The Hill]
• 3 GOP states go to US Supreme Court to challenge 3 Democratic-led states’ abortion ‘shield’ laws [AP News]
• ‘I just had the flu’: James Talarico shoots down conservative speculation about his absence from the trail Yahoo News]

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Iran War News

Inside the Hormuz Attacks: Separating Fact from Fiction| What's Going on With Shipping?

How Yemen's Houthis are fending off Saudi Arabia's massive military | DW News

• Iran Update, October 11, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Iran war live: Riyadh airport hit again; Tehran says US reply ‘inadequate’ [AL Jazeera]
• Live Updates: Iranian, Saudi FMs discuss Houthi tensions, IDF soldier lightly wounded in Lebanon [Jerusalem Post]

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Russo-Ukraine War

Trump's 'energy ceasefire' announcement catches Kyiv by surprise | DW News

CQ0sBu60tMcU | World News Tonight | TVP World

• Russia attacks Ukrainian power plant hours after Trump ‘ceasefire’ [UK Telegraph]
• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 11, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]
• Zelenskyy says Russia violated energy truce announced by Trump [Al Jazeera]
• Six senators call for Trump administration to ‘immediately reverse course’ on Russian diesel plan [AP News]

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Financial News

Hollywood's latest films cast tech leaders Musk, Altman and Zuckerberg in a dark light | CNBC Television

Trump Claims Russia-Ukraine Agree to ‘Energy’ Truce, Houthi Attacks on Saudi Airports Escalate | The Asia trade 10/12/2026 | Bloomberg Television

• Michael Dell defends Trump Accounts' shift to individual company stocks [Yahoo Finance]
• Why China is importing a record amount of gold — and what it means for prices [CNBC]

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Interesting Videos

why Yugoslavia Collapsed: The Road to War | Kings and Generals

If She Was Alive… Who Did They Bury? | Joe Scott

Electromagnetism as a Fifth Dimension (Kaluza-Klein) | Richard Behiel

Geoffrey Hinton: Why Digital Minds Might Beat Ours | StarTalk Plus

INSIDE a Nuclear Reactor Core - Smarter Every Day 317 | SmarterEveryDay

How Early America (almost) Became a Dictatorship | Repeating History

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