The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles began issuing driver licenses for immigrants brought to the U.S. as children as of Monday March, 25. The federal program that qualifies applicants, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, grants work permits that are valid for a limited period, usually for not more than two years.

Statute requires all temporary licenses to bear a distinguishing mark on the face. This design will allow for ease of implementation as we continue to work toward a next generation secure license for all North Carolina drivers.

League of Women Voters dissect proposed voter ID legislation

According to T.J. Leavell, a Voter I.D. bill will likely become law in North Carolina and will affect more than the four voters who attempted to cast fraudulent ballots last November. The League of Women Voters (LWV) hosted a Q & A forum last Thursday, Mar. 14 at their monthly meeting. The event focused on legislation that has been gaining ground in the last few years around the country, requiring voters to not only register to vote, but to have a photo identification card that matches the address on the registration form.

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Last Saturday, the Macon County Republican Party held their annual Convention at the Macon County Community Facilities Building in Franklin. Many Macon County notables were in attendance as well as guest speaker, United States Congressman Mark Meadows who represents the 11th District of North Carolina.

Before the guest speaker took to the podium, N.C. Senator Jim Davis (R-50) gave an energized update of what the North Carolina General Assembly has been working to accomplish in the new session. The first update he touched on was the state's rejection of the Medicaid expansion that accompanied “Obamacare” or the Affordable Healthcare Act which was greeted with applause.

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Attempt to save Franklin’s LBJ Job Corps Center

The Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps (LBJ) has been a vital resource to Macon County for decades. Since 2006, students at LBJ have contributed nearly $2 million in renovations and improvements to countless projects in the county.

From cleaning up trash at Franklin High School after football games to constructing railings at Macon County's Veteran's Park, to planting trees and landscape at schools all over the district, LBJ has partnered with the county to use the vocational training taught at the facility to improve the community.

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