Western North Carolina continued to be deluged by rain Wednesday afternoon. Record rainfall has caused rivers and streams to bulge beyond their banks and overflow into roadways.

Macon County Schools called for a two-hour delay Wednesday morning to allow time for the rain to taper off and travel conditions to be safer.

“Our transportation guys went out this morning around 4:30 a.m. [Wednesday] and came back with a report that the rain was really heavy in Otto,” explained Interim Superintendent Dr. Jim Duncan.

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Newsmakers and Top Headlines of the Year - Part Three

September

Town refinances loan

As reported by The Macon County News (MCN) on Sept. 6, the Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen voted to approve the refinancing of town loans in the amount of $4,350,000 by Sun- Trust Equipment Finance & Leasing Corp at its Sept. 3 meeting. According to Town Manager Sam Greenwood, refinancing the town's loan saved taxpayers $360,000 over the term of the leasing contract.

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Highlands School slated for $1.5 million renovation.

Despite looming budget cuts and uncertainty of what mandates will be handed down from the state level, members of the Macon County Board of Commissioners and Board of Education met Tuesday night to discuss the county's commitment to the students in the community.

The Joint Facilities Review Committee, which is comprised of commissioners Ronnie Beale and Kevin Corbin and Board of Education members Stephanie McCall and Tommy Cabe, along with other stake-holders from both entities, is designed to promote open communication and cooperation between the two boards.

Continuing rain has delayed completion of the move.

The recent rainfall hitting Western North Carolina has put a damper on the Sylva Police Department's plan to move into its new location on Main Street in Sylva. Originally, the police station had hoped to begin moving into its new location, which is the former site of Jackson County's Library, on Monday, but record rainfall has delayed plans and according to Sylva's Chief of Police, Davis Woodard, the move will hopefully be completed by this weekend.

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