News Briefs

Fatal wreckA fatal wreck on Murphy Road lead to the death of motorcyclist Michael Usher of Hiwassee and charges against a Gold Hill woman. The incident occurred on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at approximately 4:33 p.m. According to a draft report from the N.C. Highway Patrol, a Toyota driven by Lacie Hunt, 22 of Gold Hill, was traveling east on US 64 near West Old Murphy Rd. Michael Usher, 64 of Hiawassee, was traveling west on 64 on his motorcycle. Hunt crossed the centerline and struck the motorcycle. Usher, the motorcycle, and Hunt's vehicle were thrown north onto the shoulder. The Highway Patrol charged Hunt with misdemeanor death by vehicle and driving left of center. She was released on $2,500 unsecured bond and has a hearing scheduled for Sept. 3 at the Macon County Courthouse. Board appointmentsThe Macon County Board of Commissioners reappointed Matt Corbin and Garrett Higdon to the Consolidated Human Services Agency Board. Scam alert Franklin Police Department says there is a scam with someone calling people and claiming to be a Town of Franklin employee calling about their property taxes. The Town of Franklin will only correspond with property owners via U.S. Mail or a phone call from Town Hall, and will not request personal information or payment via a phone call. If you have any questions about your property taxes, call Town Hall at 828-524-2516. Free food distribution The next free MANNA Food Bank Community Market will be Monday, Aug. 24, at the Macon County Fairgrounds, located at 1436 Georgia Rd. The drive-thru food distribution begins at 1:30 p.m. Organizers ask that you not arrive before 1 p.m. and remember to clear space in your vehicle for food boxes. Blood drive The Otto Community Development will host an emergency blood drive with the American Red Cross on Sept. 1 from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Otto Community Building, 60 Firehouse Rd. Blood supplies are critically low with less than a day's supply of O+, the most common blood type. Signup on the Donor App, online at redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code "Otto" or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Walk-ins are welcome but donors with appointments are honored first. Litter Sweep The Town of Franklin is partnering with N.C. Department of Transportation for a Fall Litter Sweep on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 8 a.m. to noon. To volunteer, meet at Town Hall. The town will provide safety vests, trash bags, gloves and litter grabbers. Those who participate in the town's Adopt-a-Street program are encouraged to perform a clean-up on their sponsored street that day. Correction Caleb Brown is a teacher with Macon County Schools, the article "Candidates meet for Nantahala forum" in the Aug. 12 edition incorrectly stated he was a former teacher. During the forum Brown stated $1.6 billion public tax dollars have been spent on private school vouchers since the programs inception in 2014, not $16 billion dollars as reported. The Press apologizes for the errors.

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