Macon County

In far western North Carolina, some counties only recently permitted alcohol sales, so allowing open containers in public places has been controversial for local governments. Franklin joins Sylva in allowing a new social district downtown in spring 2024.

Rep. Karl E. Gillespie (R-Macon) was elected to House Majority Whip in the North Carolina House of Representatives on August 16. He is in his second term representing the 120th House District, which includes Cherokee, Clay, Graham, and Macon Counties.

Jackson County Commissioners heard the 10-year review of the Fontana Regional Library Agreement, signed in December 2022 by Jackson, Swain and Macon Counties to work together as part of a regional library system.

For the first time, stakeholders in the Fontana Regional Library system are negotiating the terms of the agreement. Calls to reconsider the tri-county agreement with the nonprofit system began in 2023. This summer county managers from Macon, Jackson and Swain counties began the negotiations.

HCA Healthcare, which owns and operates Mission Health System, reports that a patient list including their personal information has been made available on an online forum. Seven facilities in the region were impacted.

Macon County now owns the 11-acre property including the historic Lyman C. Higdon home.In late spring, Macon County Commissioners announced a contract to purchase a $1.35 million property but said they did not have a specific plan for its use. In June, commissioners committed to the school plan.

During a special board meeting, Fontana Regional Library board of trustees voted not to remove two books from circulation that had been officially requested for reconsideration. One book – “Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships and Being a Human” – was moved to the adult section of the library.

Late last month, in a closed session, Macon County Commissioners entered a contract to spend $1.35 million to purchase a local estate, raising questions for some local residents about the intended purpose of the purchase and the circumstances around the contract.

Tensions build tension between the Fontana Regional Library System and the Macon County Board of Commissioners over the current collections policy.

More than 50 people angry about inclusion of LGBTQ+ books on library shelves were turned away from public comment at Fontana Regional Library.