MSCO finds two dead in Buck Creek area
02/03/2012
MCSO and SBI are investigating the deaths of two individuals who lived in the Buck Creek area and who were found deceased in their home Thursday evening.
Also deceased was a family dog. All three had apparent gun shot wounds.
In a written statement, Sheriff Holland said, "From the onset of this investigation we believed that there was no need for concern for public safety... based on initial evidence found at the scene and interviews conducted with family members. All indications lead us to believe that this was a murder/suicide." Autopsies will be performed today. The identities of the victims will not be released until Monday.
The Sheriff’s Office is not making any additional comments at this time.
Officers foil attempted jail break
02/03/2012
Plans for a local convicted felon to escape a prison sentence have been foiled. 19 year old Nathan Shane Humphries and his mother, 51 year old Cindy Johnson Stiwinter both of Franklin, face felony charges after conspiring to have Humphries escape.
Macon County Sheriff Robbie Holland says the scheme got started after Humphries, who was incarnated in Macon County awaiting transfer to prison, injured himself at the Macon County Detention Center requiring a trip to the hospital.
After Humphries was treated and released, officers noticed his mother at the hospital; that’s when they took another way out, “The inmate immediately began to resist officers; when the officers tried to get the individual put in the patrol car, he resisted again and began yelling for his mother. Officers then forced him into the vehicle and one of the officers sped off with the prisoner,” Holland said.
The mother quickly told Deputies she was alerted by another prisoner that her son was shot, which Holland says was highly unlikely.
Officers then listened to recorded conversations between the two and conducted questioning and that’s when the escape plan was admitted, “One of things they had planned to do is have a backpack full of clothes and food and also with bolt cutters so he could remove his shackles and handcuffs. We located that backpack in her vehicle and seized that as evidence.”
Holland adds that one of the final recorded conversations revealed the mother telling Humphries, “Don’t shoot.” That led officers to believe this escape plan involved stealing a Deputy’s gun.
According to Sheriff Holland, Humphries was scheduled to begin serving a six to eight month sentence in the Department of Corrections on Wednesday for a larceny conviction.
“He didn’t know exactly when he would be transferred, but he knew it was in the coming days and he had to put his plan of action into effect,” adds Holland.
Humphries pled guilty in Macon County Superior Court to the larceny charge and the Sheriff’s Office believes he could have had additional contact with his mother then. For now, Humphries serve his sentence in prison and after that will come back to Macon County to face the escape charge.
Cindy Stiwinter was booked into the Macon County Detention Center on a $10,000 bond. She is expected in court later this month.
The Sheriff commended his officers for their watchfulness during this incident.
DSS obtains additional funds for energy assistance
02/03/2012
Macon County Department of Social Services has received an additional allocation of Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) and Low Income Energy Assistance (LIEAP) funding for this fiscal year. Households that are eligible must meet income guidelines.
Applications are being taken at this time Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The energy programs will provide payment to the vendors for eligible households. Funds are limited and no appointments will be made for the energy programs.
There may be other programs to help your family in a time of crisis. For additional information contact Macon County DSS.
The Department of Social Services is located at 1832 Lakeside Drive in Franklin.
Women's League to highlight Franklin's Venture Local
02/03/2012
Coming up Thursday, February 9, the Macon County League of Women Voters program will highlight a new organization in Franklin that’s trying spur the local economy. The group, known as Venture Local, has been directed to help local businesses and seek economic opportunities and resources for the Franklin area. They also aim to enhance the quality of life for local residents while drawing investment opportunities and activities.
The Franklin group was inspired by the Advantage West Venture Local conference, held in the fall that focused on developing entrepreneurship opportunities for the region.
Matt Bateman, one of the leaders of Venture Local, will talk about their future plans and how the community can become involved.
The presentation will take place at Tartan Hall beginning at 12:15 p.m. Lunch is available at noon by reservation. Call 371-0527 for more information.
Rep. Shuler announces he won't seek re-election
02/03/2012
The 2012 elections in western North Carolina just got a little more interesting. Heath Shuler says he’s not running to keep his seat in the House of Representatives.
The announcement came from Shuler on Thursday, just a couple of days after he denounced considerations for running for governor. The Representative says he just wants to spend more time with his family.
Shuler’s decision not to run again for Congress has created a buzz among the eight Republican candidates vying for the seat in District 11.
Currently, there is only one Democratic candidate left in the race, and that’s Asheville City leader Cecil Bothwell, who made a campaign appearance in Franklin Thursday night.
Shuler has served as the District 11 Representative since 2006.
LTLT makes significant land purchase in north Macon County
02/03/2012
A 130 acre farm in north Macon County that’s filled with natural and cultural resources has been purchased by Franklin-based conservation group Land Trust for the Little Tennessee.
The Lakey Creek Farm is located in the Oak Grove Community and consists of prime soils, pasture and forestland. The property has over 1,000 feet of Lakey Creek running through it and several smaller streams, as well as what is thought to be the oldest standing structure in that area of the county.
The property is less than one-quarter mile from the confluence of Lakey Creek and the Little Tennessee River. Lakey Creek is designated as Wild Trout water by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and the river is designated as Critical Habitat by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
The house and property lie in one of the most intact historic and natural landscapes in western North Carolina between the Cowee-West's Mill Historic District and the Needmore Game Lands.
One hurt in serious accident on 441 N
02/02/2012
A two car accident at the intersection of Rabbit Creek Road and 441 North leaves a driver in serious condition.
Details are limited at this time, but Franklin Fire and Rescue Chief Warren Cabe says crews were dispatched to the collision at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday after a Dodge Truck headed north on 441 struck the side of a Chevy Blazer that was pulling out into the roadway.
“This was a very severe accident,” Cabe said, “One vehicle struck another one in the driver’s side center door with severe damage to both vehicles. We did have to use our hydraulic tools to extricate one patient and the highway was temporarily closed while we landed a medical helicopter on scene.”
Macon EMS transported the victim to the helicopter where they were transported to Memorial Mission.
The Highway Patrol also responded to the accident.
No further information is available at this time.
December brings higher jobless rate to Macon
02/02/2012
December 2011 unemployment rates for North Carolina counties were released this week, and Macon County’s rose slightly.
From November to December the jobless rate jumped from 10.5 to 11. 3 percent and Dale West with Joblink in Franklin explains there’s no major layoffs to report in Macon County, but the rate may have climbed because of seasonal unemployment and a slower than normal building industry.
“The construction trade plays a major part in our unemployment rate at this point,” said West.
First-time jobless claims in Macon County in December 2011 were 339, that's down compared to December of 2010 when 459 intial claims were filed by Maconians.
Currently the Employment Security Office in Franklin has around 20 job postings.
Animal Planet star, trainer Victoria Stillwell coming to Franklin
02/02/2012
Macon County Animal Control and Homeless Pet Clubs are welcoming Animal Planet Star and Host of “It’s me or The Dog” VICTORIA STILWELL to Franklin NC. On February 23rd. Victoria is coming to support our “Save A Life” campaign and to deliver her message about spay/neuter, responsible pet ownership, animal rescue, training tips and pets as a means to reduce bullying. She will be meeting with all our friends, supporters, sponsors and Macon County students.
“Victoria is very impressed with the changes made at MCAC and their efforts in finding homes for adoptable pets. With the support of The Homeless Pets Club advocates in WNC many changes have happened at the shelter resulting in record breaking adoptions and no euthanasia. This will be touted as a model for the country. The community has stepped up and the rest of the country is taking notice” stated German Angel of the Homeless Pet Clubs.
Macon County will be in the national spotlight as a community that is committed to resolving pet abandonment issues, responsible spay/neuter practices and youth/community involvement in animal rescue. Victoria will be touring Macon County Animal Control and Macon County Humane Society and congratulate them on their efforts to promote Pet Clubs in this area. She will then address 700 students at Mountain View Intermediate School in Franklin. A second presentation will then follow at 3:30 at the school where the community will be invited to attend and meet Victoria in person and listen to her message. In addition she will be autographing our MCAC 2012 calendars. 100% of the profits from the calendars goes directly to pets in need (spay/neuter fees).
The Community Pet Clubs are oriented at getting students and businesses alike involved in being the voice for homeless pets in the community and participate in animal rescue. The benefits are multifarious as the program allows our youth and adults to share a common cause and demonstrate social responsibility while participating in saving a life.
To attend this event please contact Sachenka Angel at 828-788-5052 or petclubs@yahoo.com
MCAC 2012 calendars can be purchased at various locations. Please contact us for details.
Crews battle early morning house fire in Franklin
02/02/2012
Fire officials are investigating what caused an early morning fire in Franklin on Wednesday. Franklin Fire and Rescue was called out around 3:30 a.m. to a reported structure fire at 62 Spring Street.
Franklin Fire Chief Warren Cabe explains the home did sustain moderate damage, “Upon arrival we found the home filled with light to moderate smoke with active room and contents fire on the rear of the structure. Crews quickly made and interior attack, knocked the fire down and the fire was contained basically to the area of origin.”
Cabe says the lone occupant of the home was able to escape unharmed, “The structure was occupied and the resident advised he was awakened by the smoke detector. Franklin Police officers had arrived on scene just prior to our arrival and made sure the structure was evacuated.”
Franklin was assisted by Clarks Chapel and West Macon Fire Departments. They spent about two hours on scene.
County commission filing starts Feb. 13
02/02/2012
2012 promises to be an important election year here in Macon County with several positions up for vote.
Those wishing to file to run for the board of county commissioners can do so starting Monday, February 13 at noon and they’ll have until Wednesday February 29 at noon to file.
Three seats on the board of county commissioners will be up for election: one unexpired term in District 1, one seat in District 2 and also a seat in District 3. The filing fee is $97.
There will also be three seats on the Board of Education in Districts 1, 3, and 4 but that filing period begins June 11 and costs $5.00
On the voting end, absentee by mail voting starts March 19 and early voting will begin April 19. The North Carolina Primary Elections will be held on May 8.
For additional information or to file for election or register to vote contact the Board of Elections at the Macon County Courthouse.
Shuler: Not my time to run for Governor
02/01/2012
Western North Carolina Congressman Heath Shuler has dispelled any talk of him running for Governor.
In a statement to the media, Shuler said he’s honored to be in the discussions for Governor, but the time isn’t right for him to run.
Shuler, instead will focus on winning another term in Washington. He’ll have his work cut out for him with a long list of candidates vying for the District 11 seat.
Angel cites positive trends in 'State of the Hospital'
02/01/2012
Angel Medical Center officials released a statement this week concerning the state of the hospital which noted several positive trends.
Some of the recent accomplishments include re-accreditation from The Joint Commission, and dramatic increases in the number of local residents using outpatient services.
Other recent improvements of note for the hospital include facility expansion with the addition of Spine Clinic, the Wound Clinic, the Foot Clinic, Cardiac Rehab and the addition of in-house services for stereotactic biopsies, ERCPs, bone density exams, and digital mammography.
On the economic front, Bonnie Peggs with Angel says they’ve also taken a conservative approach to spending on things such as advertising to shore up funds to retain employees, “If we have to cut back, we’ll cut back on capital improvements or those kinds of things in order to make sure we can help the economy of our community by keeping all the staff employed here at the hospital.”
Peggs explains some they’re also looking forward to adding addition OB-GYN Doctors in the coming months, “That’s something we’ve really needed and we should have our first OB-GYN in early May, and the second will be here in the fall. That’s going to have a huge impact in our community.”
“Angel Medical Center is strong and we are getting stronger. We will continue our efforts to enhance services and maintain our high quality standards for the benefit of our community,” Marty Wadewitz, Angel’s interim CEO said.
Free tax help at Library
02/01/2012
Tax season is on the minds of many in North Carolina – and not everyone is up to the task without some expert help. Starting today (Monday), A-A-R-P's Tax Aide program begins statewide, with free preparation of income tax returns for people with low to moderate income. In North Carolina, almost 80-thousand people received help last year from Tax Aide's I-R-S-trained volunteers.
"There's a lot of people out there that need help with their taxes, the more complex they get, the worse it gets. You get a lot of good feelings from people that thank you and say, 'Oh boy! Now I can sleep, now that it's over with,” said Jim Spicer is Tax Aide's volunteer coordinator for the state.
The Tax Aide program has been around for more than 40 years. Last year, two-point-six million taxpayers used the service nationwide, with a 95-percent satisfaction rate. And despite its A-A-R-P connection, the program is not limited to seniors.
Spicer says the I-R-S supports the Tax Aide program because it reduces the number of hand written tax returns they receive as well as calculation errors.
"By the time we get through with them, they've been edited by the software and when they go in they go directly to the IRS computers, rather than have somebody key them in which makes other mistakes. "
Spicer says the volunteer, certified tax preparer will want to see your photo I-D and a copy of your Social Security card, as well as last year's tax return and any documentation needed for this year.
In the Franklin area, the Macon County Library will serve as the AARP Tax Aide location. Call 524-3600 to make an appointment.
Years long debate over Chattooga River decided by Forest Service
02/01/2012
The storied debate on boating, recreation, and fishing in the upper portion of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River was settled on Tuesday.
U.S. Forest Service officials announced their final decisions on the area which includes new opportunities for boating in the winter and early spring between Green Creek in North Carolina and Lick Log Creek in South Carolina. Current management, or no boating, will be maintained year round between Lick Log Creek and Hwy. 28, an area that includes the popular Nicholson Fields Reach, which includes a highly valued trout fishery.
“Boating will be allowed December 1 through April 30 each year on the main stream of the Chattooga, from the time flows reach 350 CFS and higher at the Burrell’s Ford gauge during daylight hours," said Paul Bradley with the US Forest Service.
The popular area for both anglers and whitewater rafters begins near Cashiers, NC and flows south near the border of Georgia and South Carolina. It’s one of the last remaining free-flowing streams in the southeast.
The agency’s decisions have been seven years in the making, during which time many individuals and organizations haven’t always seen eye-to-eye on how to manage the upper segment of the Chattooga WSR.
Before boaters can hit the water, there’s still some work to do, Bradley said. They’ll have to print boater permits, install permit boxes and finalize supervisor’s orders.
Bradley expects boaters will be able to enter the water by mid-March.
“Our decisions protect a variety of existing high-quality recreation experiences and offers new white-water boating opportunities with restrictions to minimize potential conflict,” said Bradley.
Duke gets final approval on 7 percent rate hike
01/31/2012
Mountain residents can expect increases in their electric rates starting early February.
On Friday, the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) gave final approval for Duke Energy Carolinas' proposed settlement in the company's request to increase electric rates for its North Carolina customers.
Duke Energy Carolinas will increase its electric rates in North Carolina by approximately $309 million, representing an average increase of 7.2 percent for most customers. The typical residential customer's bill (based on 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month) will increase by about $7.
Duke representatives say they’re pleased with the settlement and believe it balances the company’s need to recover investments made and the economic challenges that customers face.
The increase is also expected to help make the company more adherent to increasingly stringent environmental regulations and will replace aging power plants.
Additionally, Duke Energy has agreed to contribute $11 million of shareholder money to community non-profits to help low income residents in North Carolina with their energy-related costs.
Smoking assistance program to lose funding this spring
01/31/2012
For years the Quitline NC program has helped many smokers here in the mountains quit and lead a healthier life.
But there is some good and bad news regarding the Quitline. The good: there is about a million dollars in extra funds; the bad: it’s not going to last long.
Anna Houston-Staples works with Quitline NC says the additional, but limited funds will provide nicotine replacement therapy for smokers, ”Unless the General Assembly comes up with additional funding to carry us through, a lot of the programming will end or become greatly reduced starting in July. But, we have the funds now and that’s one reason why were so happy to offer this help for people really need and really want to quit.”
It’s estimated that the funding will be able to provide the nicotine replacement for some 10,000 smokers.
Quitline NC is a free program for North Carolina residents that provides tools to help you kick the habit for good, “The Quit Coach will help you set up a plan that’s individualized just for you to help you quit based on your addiction and your experience trying to quit in the past. During that process they will offer you the nicotine replacement therapy and decide which therapy is best for you,” said Houston-Staples.
For more info on the Quitline, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit their website: www.quitlinenc.com
Arrest Report
01/31/2012
A Cherokee woman has been charged with meth possession in Macon County. According to arrest reports filed by Deputies, Ursula Yvette Huskey, was arrested and charged with a felony count of possession of meth with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver. She was also charged with misdemeanor counts of giving fictitious information to an officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Officers reportedly found several needles in her possession as well as a bag of a crystal-like substance.
Huskey was booked into the Detention Center on January 27, under a $6,000 bond and is expected to appear in court on February 16.
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A 37 year old Franklin man was arrested by Sheriff’s Deputies on drug charges. Reports filed by officers indicate that Ronald Edward Swofford was arrested on January 27 and charged with a felony count of possession of meth as well as a misdemeanor charge of drug paraphernalia possession.
He was booked on a $5,000 bond and is expected to appear in court on February 16.
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Multiple counts of cyber stalking lands a Georgia man behind bars in Macon County. Arrest reports say 45 year old Mark Anthony Stavely, of Alto, GA, was charged with six misdemeanor counts of cyber stalking. Reports indicate that Stavely is a member of the Cornelia, GA Fire Department. He was booked on January 27, under a $500 bond.
Hospice RNs Credentialed
01/31/2012
Four nurses, Vicki Dalton, RN, Laura Doolittle, RN, Lyndie Cowan, RN, and Diane Stanley, RN, from Angel Home Health and Hospice recently completed a two-day ELNEC (End of Life Nursing Education Consortium) training course sponsored by The Charles George VA Medical Center. This specialty training specifically addresses the unique palliative care and end of life needs of veterans. Palliative care is interdisciplinary care for people with serious diseases, and focuses on working with patients and their families to manage complex symptoms, help them cope with the stress of illness, and improve their quality of life.
The ELNEC curriculum developed by the City of Hope, American Association Colleges of Nursing, and the Department of Veterans affairs includes the following training modules: Palliative Nursing Care at the End of Life; Pain Management; Symptom Management; Communication; Cultural Considerations; Ethical Issues; Final Hours; Loss, Grief & Bereavement.
ELNEC was developed in 2000 after extensive research documented that most nurses did not receive adequate end-of-life care preparation during their basic education. Initially funded by a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant, ELNEC began as part of a national curriculum in nursing schools to improve end-of-life care. To date over 12,750 nurses representing all 50 states and 65 countries have received ELNEC training.
For more information about Angel Home Health and Hospice call 828-369-4206.
Taxpayers can expect delays in IRS refunds
01/31/2012
If you filed your 1040 tax form early this year in hopes of getting an early refund, you may be waiting longer than you expected.
The IRS announced some refunds are being delayed by one week due to security upgrades on their systems to help fight what’s known as refund fraud.
The new system is aimed to prevent frauds that are stealing Social Security numbers and filing fake returns.
A typical refund takes up to ten days, but with the additional fraud screening, consumers may wait fourteen days before they get their refund.