The Assemblies of God churches across North Carolina have been collecting brand new shoes to distribute to parents to help with the expense of back-to-school clothing.

Anyone with school-age children in need of new shoes is welcome to come the Macon County Fairgrounds August 20 from 9am to 12pm where the shoes will be distributed.

There will be entertainment for the kids, including a clown.

The concept for this drive originated in VA.

The Highlands Fire Department has been serving the Highlands community since 1953. The department celebrated the special occasion with an open house on Saturday, Aug. 6. There were free fire truck rides, a free hot dog lunch and a dunking pool for the kids.

The fire trucks with all of the department’s equipment were also out on display. The firemen were also on hand to answer questions about the department and safety issues.

Robbie Forrester has been with the Highlands Fire Department for 16 years. He said that celebrations like the one held Saturday are good ways to raise awareness of the department.

Read more...

Ashleigh Moore Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Emily DeForrest.

DeForrest, a 2011 graduate of Macon Early College and Southwestern Community College, receives a check from Tina Marie Smith, mother of Ashleigh Moore.

Also pictured are Patrick Moore, Sean Moore and Wendy Moore.

Ashleigh was a student at MEC who passed away in the spring of 2010 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Lowell and Betty Wolfe of Lynchburg, Va. formerly of Franklin, N.C., will be celebrating their 65th Wedding Anniversary on Sept. by taking a lunch cruise on the Virginia Dare Paddle Boat around Smith Mountain Lake in Moneta, Va.

Their son, Greg and wife, Sue will be hosting the cruise for the family.

The former Betty Sarver married Lowell Wolfe in 1946 at the Church of the Brethren in Battle Creek, Mich. where they met at the age of 7.

In 1976 they moved to Florida and lived in Osprey, Sarasota, and Bradenton until 2002, when they moved to Franklin.