Page 8 - Gem Mining News Today

Daniel “Danny” Steven Lucas will spend a minimum of almost 19 years in prison for operating a substantial opiate and marijuana operation in Macon Coun...

SCC launches Heritage Arts Endowed Fund Jeff Marley. Over the past decade at Southwestern Community College, serving as Heritage Arts Department Chair has become much more than a fun job for Jeff Marley — it’s a passion. Marley’s desire to see the program continue to flourish is the main reason he recently took steps to create the Heritage Arts Endowed Fund through the SCC Foundation. The scholarship will be used to financially support visiting artists, equipment, travel and ...

Defer to sheriff on need for jail To the Editor:  There has been a bit of discussion and controversy over the proposal for Haywood County to spend in the neighborhood of $15 million to build a new jail. One of the arguments is that there are other needs that could be addressed for that amount of money. The problem is that some of the arguments don’t address the issue for the need of a new detention facility. Some groups and individuals have correctly pointed out that mental health ...

NAACP task force to mentor teachers on equity work NAACP chapters in Jackson and Haywood counties have created a joint task force to help mentor public school teachers who want to learn about racial equity work. The project is possible thanks to a $25,000 grant awarded to the Jackson County branch of the NAACP.  This pilot program grew out of a one-day workshop for Haywood County teachers in November 2019 and a community-based workshop in Jackson County in December 2019 that focused ...

Macon Leaders Encourage Vaccine Registration The supply of COVID-19 vaccine from N.C. DHHS to Macon County remains limited at this time and a waitlist was established in late January. Currently, only individuals in Group 1 (Health Care Workers with in- person Patient Contact) and Group 2 (Individuals age 65 and over) are eligible to receive the vaccine at this time according to the NC DHHS schedule. However, Macon County leaders urge residents to register to receive the vaccine regard...

On Tuesday, Feb. 9,  Haywood County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped a vehicle on North Canton Road around 4 p.m. A search of the vehicle p...

Join the Backyard Bird Count The Great Backyard Bird Count will return this year, with experienced and novice birders alike encouraged to spend at least 15 minutes birdwatching between Feb. 12 and Feb. 15. Apps like Merlin Bird ID and eBird help participants identify the birds they see and can be used to submit results. The Great Backyard Bird Count has been going on since 1998, encouraging participants to count birds for as little as 15 minutes or for as long as they wish over one or...

Haywood County Health and Human Services has received notice of three more COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total number now to 84. Two of these deaths a...

Several parking areas in DuPont State Recreational Forest will be closed the next few months due to N.C. Forest Service maintenance and repair project...

Volunteers are wanted to help track nature’s calendar in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with virtual training sessions planned for 6:30 to 8...