Carpenter survives milestone

The Macon County News would like to recognize and congratulate Vickie Carpenter for her 10 years of service to the newspaper.

Vickie started working for the newspaper in August 2001 as a part-time sports photographer. “I have always loved photography and was happy to have the opportunity to cover the sports in Franklin,” said Vickie.

According to Vickie, one of the coolest things she has been able to do while working for MCN, came in 2001 when she was able to follow Franklin High’s baseball team all the way to Raleigh for the State Championship. “I was able to be on the field taking pictures during the game. It was really neat!” she shared.

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No new candidates challenge incumbents in Franklin elections

Four out of the six Town of Franklin aldermen up for election this year will be running as unopposed incumbents for their positions in November, along with the Mayor. The other positions are staggered and will be up for grabs in two years.

“Basically, there is nobody in town who will run against them,” chuckled Town Manager Sam Greenwood on Monday. “And because of state law they have to run in an election.”

Incumbent Aldermen Bob Scott, Farrell Jamison and Joyce Handley all filed for re-election on Friday. Mayor Joyce Handley all filed for re-election on Friday. Mayor Joe Collins is also scheduled to run unopposed this year.

Highlands has been searching for a full time Planning Director since October 2010, when Planning Director Joe Cooley abruptly resigned under pressure. Shortly following Cooley's resignation, Mark Maxwell was named to Interim Town Planner, but was terminated in July.

David Allen Clabo, who has worked for the private and public sector in Georgia and Virginia, was one of three finalists to be considered for the position.

Along with the responsibility of the new position, Clabo will receive $55,000 annually, a three-month rent stipend, and all of the standard benefits that are offered to the Town of Highlands employees.

The following reported scam information was received by the Macon County Sheriff’s Office last week from Wal-Mart to alert citizens throughout the county to not comply with what is asked of a “task coordinator.”

“We are looking for qualified evaluators to help us check out our new services. These are the important aspect of your evaluation.

“A Check/Money order of between 800 - 2850 dollars will be mailed out to you. The funds have been calculated to cover both aspects of this survey. You will be allocated 150 dollars for the Wal-Mart Shopping Section.

Julie H. Spiro, executive director of the Jackson County Chamber & Tourism Authority is alerting its members of a possible scam. The chamber has received several calls from members concerning a company called Skyline Publishing calling chamber members and area businesses and trying to sell ads in a Jackson County Visitor Guide or for the Fly Fishing Trail.

Spiro advised that the company is not affiliated in any way with the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and Travel & Tourism Authority. The chamber produces its own county visitor guide, and relocation guide and does not use the company out of Jacksonville, Fla.

The Board of Commissioners recognized two citizens of Macon County for their outstanding work in recieving state awards in their respective fields.

After Commission Chairman Brian McClellan called the meeting to order saying, “We are always glad to see a full house and the interest that citizens of our county take in the conducting of the business in our county,” he took time to recognize Jane Kimsey of the Department of Social Services. Kimsey received the Director of the Year award in North Carolina. According to McClellan, directors in all 100 counties in the state are considered before a winner is selected. “This award, which is a highly prestigious award, is very well deserved,” said McClellan.

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A woman was seriously injured after being swept over a short waterfall on Tuesday.

Stephanie Cookston, 18, of Franklin, was with three friends on the Highlands side of 'Bust Your Butt' Falls in a pool off the side of the Cullasaja River. Cookston approached a swift running current of the river near the edge of a short fall and was swept over.

Within minutes, more than 15 responders from Highlands Fire Department, Cullasaja Gorge Fire and Rescue, U.S. Forest Service and Macon County Sheriff's Office were on scene.

Macon County authorities are still searching for an unknown man who reportedly sexually assaulted a female at her Rose Creek Cove Road home on the evening of August 1.

According to Macon County Sheriff Robert Holland there has been an overwhelming response from the community concerning the incident. “There has been a tremendous response from residents and that is what it is going to take to catch this individual,” he said on Monday. “Officers are continuing to get information and are following up with the investigation, which is ongoing.”

Deputies with the Macon County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) arrested a Franklin man on multiple charges related to child pornography.

After receiving information from a concerned citizen, officers arrested John Kennedy, 47, of Shady Cove Lane, following the execution of two separate search warrants last Friday. Kennedy was employed by the Green & Clean Laundromat in Holly Springs Plaza.

Initially, MCSO detectives searched Kennedy's residence during an identity theft investigation. During a search for his identification, the suspect “admitted that there was child pornography in the residence,” according to search warrants from August 5.

Brian Andreu, 52, of Franklin, was involved in a single vehicle accident on Prentiss Bridge Road last Thursday.

Andreu was driving a 1994 Chevrolet Camaro when he crossed the center line and ran off the left side of the road and under a parked trailer.

The trailer, which is owned by Wayne Moss with Norton Creek Farm, received substantial damage.