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.

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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The Franklin Board of Aldermen met Saturday morning for their annual retreat at Town Hall. The retreat's purpose is to allow the town board and other town officials the opportunity to discuss plans for the future of Franklin. Franklin's new town manager, Warren Cabe was on hand to guide the discussion and to give updates on where the governing board stands at the moment and his observations of some of the town's infrastructure. No action was taken at the meeting, but recommendations of policies and ordinances were made for the upcoming year.

Rabun County Sheriff Frank Andrews reports that on April 3rd, 2013, the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office began investigating an allegation of Disabled Person Abuse.

On April 3rd, 2013 Mountain City Police responded to the Raco Sports Bar in reference to a possible assault.  Rabun County EMS also responded to the location.

Upon arrival officers observed a 21 year old disabled adult, who is known as Ashley Hamilton of Clayton, Ga., with extensive injuries to her head and face.   Rabun County Sheriff’s Office Investigators responded to the location and began investigating the allegations that Ashley had been assaulted.  Ashley Hamilton was not able to provide investigators with any details as to what contributed to her injuries.

With the April 15 deadline approaching to make a final decision on purchasing the old Parker Meadows property to develop a Recreation Complex, Macon County commissioners found themselves split on how to proceed.

As clarified by commissioners, the board has already voted to enter into a purchase agreement to move forward with acquiring the property. To finalize the purchase agreement, commissioners must complete the due diligence period, which will determine if the property can be used for its intended purpose, in this case, a recreational complex.