Young leadership steps up to rejuvenate Macon County Democratic Party

During its annual convention on Saturday, the Macon County Democratic Party voted to elect Corey Duvall as its next chairman. At just 21 years old, Duvall stands as the county's youngest chairman in recent history, and the second youngest Democratic chairman in the state. “My initial reaction was that of surprise,” said Duvall. “But I also knew that I could not back down from this. Macon County deserves to have a bright future, and I know that I am willing to work hard so that we have strong leaders such as Ronnie Beale on our county board of commissioners.”

Great Smoky Mountains Parkway reopens after January landslide

Just 90 days after a devastating landslide erupted in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson, North Carolina Congressman Mark Meadows, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Principal Chief Michell Hicks, and Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) Construction Operations Engineer Emmett Melton reopened the road to traffic, finishing the project 30 days ahead of schedule. On January 16, torrential rainfall caused a landslide to wash away a portion of U.S. 441 near Newfound Gap Road, taking away thru-access from Cherokee to Tennessee.

County, town offers letters of support for grant funding.

The addition of a new child care facility in Macon County is one step closer to reality since Franklin Town Manager Warren Cabe issued a letter of approval on behalf of the town in support of the Macon Child Care and Educational Center (MCEC). The letter was issued on March 18 to the Rural Economic Development Center in Raleigh. MCEC is currently in the process of securing a grant from the Building Reuse and Restoration Program that would allow them to proceed with their plan to open the childcare facility. The center was also required to get a letter from the county commissioners expressing the same sentiment.

It has been brought to the attention of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office of a scam taking advantage of local church organizations’ generosity. The scam involves one or more con-artists making an appearance and/or calling and trying to elicit money.

The story used is that a family’s vehicle has broken down or has been involved in an accident on their way home, usually out of state. To make the story more convincing, names and numbers of law enforcement, a tow truck company, or a mechanic may be provided.