Did you know you can possibly avoid OSHA (Occupational Safety Health Administration) penalties and fines by simply requesting a voluntary inspection? OSHA identifies workplace hazards, analyzes safety and health management systems to optimize occupational and health safety, as well as reduce workplace injuries and illness.

Recently Interventional Pain Services of Western North Carolina (IPSWNC) completed a voluntary inspection. The practice found the inspection to be helpful by giving useful suggestions to ensure patient and staff safety.

The fundraising drive continues for Relay for Life of Highlands with the second annual Highlands Falls PAR 5K run. The run will take place September 10 at the Highlands Falls Country Club and will begin at 8am.

The course will run along the 3.1 miles along the country club golf course. David Linn, with Bringing It To Life! Productions, said the route will run along the cart path and, he adds, “there are some hills and I know a lot of people will be complaining about the hills so I will tell every walker and runner, ‘You thought these hills were bad, try battling cancer!’”

Each year, scores of children throughout the region are removed from their homes and taken into custody by the Department of Social Services (DSS) if it is deemed by the courts that they have either been abused or neglected. It is then up to the courts to decide where such children end up.

Each month, dozens of children in Macon, Jackson and Swain Counties are put into DSS custody.

On Saturday, Aug. 27, Helen Carpenter accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of her husband, the late Senator Bob Carpenter. N.C. Senator Jim Davis (at right) presented the award.

The plaque presented described the late senator as “a true patriot, a dedicated public servant, and an exemplary Republican.”

The award was presented at the Macon County Republican Party general meeting held at the community building in Highlands.

The guest speaker was Mike Hightower, a major Republican fundraiser and campaign strategist from Florida.