Politics

Proposed revisions to Macon County’s flood damage prevention, soil erosion and sedimentation control, and water supply watershed protection ordinances have resulted in a flood of input from the public, many of whom cite the deadly Peeks Creek disaster of 2004 as a reason to keep strict restrictions in place.

Thanks to a partnership between the Macon County Economic Development Commission and the Career and Technical Education department, Macon County high school students can look forward to the opportunity for paid internships next school year. “We’re here tonight about an exciting program, not only for our school system, our students,...

Come out Cartoogechaye School in Jackson County for a rabies vaccination clinic. State law requires all dogs, cats and ferrets over the age of 4 to be vaccinated. Shots for all dogs and cats will be $10 apiece. Cash only. The event will run from 1-3 p.m. on May 25.

Macon County Commissioners already decided that the quarter-cent sales tax referendum would be back on the ballot this November, but at its May 14 meeting, the board expanded the opportunities for how that money can be spent if voters approve the measure. “Sales tax is the fairest tax there is,...

The Town of Sylva, Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce are proud to present the 15th season of the annual “Concerts on the Creek” music series. Classic rock group TLQ+2 will hit the stage at 7 p.m. Friday, May 24, at Bridge...

The Rabun County Schools finance department recently received the Award of Distinction for Excellent Financial Reporting from the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts. This award of distinction is presented to organizations that go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles, submit quality financial statements and supporting documentation in a timely manner, whose annual financial report is given an unmodified audit opinion and is free of any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses, and comply with all Transparency in Government requirements. Congratulations to Rabun County Schools finance department and school bookkeepers for their excellent work.

North Carolina Environmental Management Commission/NPDES Unit. Notice of Intent to Issue a NPDES Wastewater Permit NC0023281, Tapoco Lodge & Village WWTP, and NC0032808, Morningstar of Jackson WWTP. The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission proposes to issue a NPDES wastewater discharge permit to the person(s) listed below. Tapoco Partners, LLC [14981...

This week, the Rabun County Water and Sewer Authority (RCWSA) heard the April 2024 report from General Manager Brendan Thompson. “The April 2024 ending balance on the RCWSA Operating Bank Account is $154,567.57. April 2024 Water System Total Billings were $395,126.09. April 2024 Wastewater System Total Billings were $236,006.76. April 2024 Water and Wastewater Total Billings were $631,132.85. April 2024 Accounts/Receivable (A/R’s) were $164,936.43 as of 4-30-24. For the South Water System, Lake Rabun WTP pumped to distribution system volume for March 2024 was 26,174,000 gallons. Pumped to distribution system volume for April 2024 was 27,539,000 gallons; an increase of 1,365,000 gallons or 5.2% from March 2024 to April 2024. Customers’ April 2024 meter readings were done April 23, 2024. Bills were sent out May 3, 2024. One new connection for the month of April 2024. Brittni Parks Curtis. Unaccounted for water volume for the month of April 2024 was 11.13%. For the North Water System Status, Little Tennessee WTP pumped to the distribution system for March 2024 was 19,518,000 gallons. Pumped to distribution system volume for April 2024 was 18,921,000 gallons; a decrease of 597,000 gallons or -3.1% from March 2024 to April 2024. Please note that the RCWSA’s Standard Operating Procedures has water from the LTWTP being brought to the Mountain City’s Distribution System and that Multitrade has shut down operations permanently. Meter Reading and Bills sent; same times as the South Water System. No new connections for the month of April 2024. Unaccounted for water volume for the month of April 2024 was 57.11%. Total Water System Unaccounted-For volume percentage for the month of April 2024 was 29.85%. At the Rabun County Water Reclamation Facilities and Collection Systems, regular preventive maintenance on motors and machinery and we are constructing a Distribution and Collections Storage Facility at Stekoa Creek WRF. One new connection for the month of April 2024. Sam Rumsey.” In addition, fire hydrant maintenance and valve exercising is ongoing system-wide.

Sheri Biggs story in the service isn't like most. While taking care of veterans in a long term care setting, she decided she wanted to serve her country on another level. After fulfilling her duties as a nurse for more than 30 years, she decided to enlist into the Air Force.

The City of Sky Valley is seeking a full-time public works employee who will be involved in all aspects of public works activities to include- roads, water, and trash. The successful candidate must be able to work in all types of weather to include heat, cold, rain, and snow. Occasional after-hours work is required as needed to repair water lines, remove downed trees, and snow plowing etc. The city offers competitive pay and benefits. If you are a hard worker, enjoy a variety of work, and want to be a part of a great organization; contact Jerry Shope, Public Works Director at 706-490-8019 or [email protected]. A CDL is a plus and the position is open until filled.

Neither Jackson County nor Swain County commissions have agreed to approve the changes Macon County proposed to the Fontana Regional Library agreement, citing legal and logistical concerns. Next steps in the novel and increasingly complicated process might involve a more collaborative meeting. “There’s no doubt that there’s going to be...

Shannon Swimmer received a master’s degree in human resource management from Western Carolina University in 2007. After several years working in tribal law, Swimmer has returned to WCU in a new capacity, as director of the Cherokee Center. Prior to being hired at WCU, Swimmer earned her juris doctor...

Two Oconee fire departments will hold important community meetings. Corinth-Shiloh’s first of three public information meetings about its planned special tax district referendum takes place at 5:30 tomorrow evening at the fire station on the Old Seneca-Clemson Highway. Mountain Rest Volunteer Fire Department invites all community members for open house from 11 to 3 on Saturday, when they’ll prepare 1,000 hot dog plates. Mountain Rest is recruiting volunteers. They urge community residents to consider becoming a volunteer fire fighter or First Responder to become part of a tradition in the mountain hamlet and a good way to be part of the community.

There’s no better expression of oneself than the creation of … something. A spirited story of memories. A metal bracelet forged by fire. A hand-woven basket of sweetgrass. A black and white photograph cementing time. A wooden bread bowl dented by decades of wear. And, when one finds a community of like-minded artists, the world becomes smaller.

Let’s line the highways with waving flags and shouting, paying tribute to the military personnel serving in the United States Armed Forces on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 10am! The convoy will start in Dillard at the Piggly Wiggly heading south to Goats on the Roof, right at Goats on the Roof to the traffic light at the four corners in Tiger, then right going north on 441 to Clayton, down to the Pavilions behind the Rabun County Library. For further information please call 706-782-4812.

CHEROKEE, N.C. (WLOS) — The former attorney for the Cherokee County Department of Social Services was found guilty of over a dozen charges related to out-of-court agreements that resulted in the illegal removal of children from their parents' custody. According to the North Carolina attorney general's office, a Macon...

JACKSON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — A lot goes into making a tornado determination. The National Weather Service (NWS) team surveyed damage in Jackson County Friday, later determining an EF-1 had blown through the area. In determining whether a tornado hit an area or not, meteorologists with the National Weather...

Written By: Johanna Fein, Highlands Chamber of Commerce/ Visit Highlands, NC | Issue: Whats News. Ceremony, Refreshments, Self-Guided Tours and Outdoor Activities on Tap. The Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau is proud to announce the opening of its newest location in Highlands, NC. To mark this important occasion, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, May 21, at 5pm. The event is open to the public and will be held at 171 Hospital Drive, Highlands.

Rabun County School System has an opportunity via grant funds from the Georgia Department of Education to create a School Based Health Center. The School Based Health Center would have medical providers such as doctors, nurse practitioners, medical assistants, and licensed clinical social workers who will be available to see and treat students and staff during the school day. The School Based Health Center would be for urgent/immediate care and would not replace the primary care physician and would potentially be located at the Rabun County Board of Education. Rabun County Schools hope in starting a School Based Health Center at the Board of Education will be to have immediate care for any student or staff member in need and to provide quality and convenient health services for the students and staff of Rabun County Schools. All students, siblings under the age of 5, and all Rabun County Schools staff members would be eligible to use the clinic and payment will work similarly to any other urgent care/immediate care clinic. Rabun County Schools hope is to keep students and staff healthy and minimize the amount of time students have to miss school and parents/guardians have to miss work. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey to assist in obtaining more information to understand the needs of our community, students, and staff. You can find the survey here: SBHC Survey (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScj5hAWbnZKuo5fhnL_PWvGrIYyOV_CDh0Y4TtKPhsRNEjwhw/viewform)