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.

Officers with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of investigation executed a search warrant for the residence located at 3941 Pine Creek Road, Cullowhee, N.C.

As a result of the search, Claude Gregory Coggins, 50, was charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, trafficking methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell and deliver Schedule II controlled substance, maintaining a dwelling to keep controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia, assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer and resist, obstruct or delay a public officer.

Finding volunteers to serve on the Franklin Tourism Development Authority (TDA) board has been an ongoing problem for the board, but after Monday night's meeting, the TDA is a little closer to filling the nine member board.

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A large portion of the Town of Franklin's annual retreat Saturday morning involved Franklin's Main Street and possible changes that could affect the corridor itself along with festivals and the organizations that stage them.

The board quickly shot down the possibility of an ordinance to quell panhandlers in the city limits.

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