On Thursday, February 16,the Jackson County Sheriff's Office responded to a fire at Smoky Mountain High School, and after investigating the incident, arrested 16-year-old student, Cody Perry, around 8:30 p.m. the same day. 

According to a reports from the Sheriff's Office, the fire was located in the men's restroom on the second floor of the school's "C" building. 

After reviewing the school's surveillance video and interviewing several students and school staff, the Sheriff’s Office was able to obtain enough information to arrest Perry. 

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After going to the Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen last week, the owners and employees of several towing companies united in force at February’s regularly scheduled meeting of the Macon County Board of Commissioners to lodge the same formal complaint with county officials that they did a week prior at with the town, regarding the wrecker service rotation used to respond to traffic accidents throughout Franklin.

“Tonight we would like to bring to your attention the ongoing situation regarding how towing companies are dispatched when there is an accident throughout the county,” said Lloyd Cox, Owner of Ambassador Auto in Franklin. Cox was one of two men who addressed commissioners on behalf of the majority of towing companies operating in Franklin.

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Jackson County Commissioners are working on the final stages to begin construction of phase one (a 1.5 mile tract) of a Greenway for county residents. The Greenway is planned to be a piece of land that stretches along the Tuckaseegee River in Cullowhee and will be available for pedestrians and bicyclists. If funding allows, construction of phase one of the Tuckasegee River Greenway could be completed as early as late fall.

According to Jackson County Planning Director Gerald Green, the initial Greenway master plans were prepared by Equinox Environmental working in conjunction with the County Recreation and Parks Department and the Greenway Committee. After soliciting bids for the project, the detailed construction plans were prepared by the local company, Stillwell Engineering.

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Macon County’s REACH office stepping up to fill void after closing

Up until last week, REACH of Jackson County served victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in the county for 33 years, and offered 10 distinct services to clients; including emergency shelter for victims, HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) approved transitional housing for up to three years, counseling and legal advocacy, and assistance with work readiness and life skills. Citing financial difficulties, the organization was forced to close its doors. Jackson County victims are now being directed to the Macon County REACH Office.

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