The Read all of the Macon County MACON COUNTY NEWSOnline •Free Weekly• & Shopping Guide themaconcountynewsonline.com June 17, 2021 • 24 Pages Volume 39 Number 5 FREE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER www.themaconcountynews.com IN THIS ISSUE Page 2 Franklin man arrested after physical altercation This weekend Franklin will be celebrating Scottish/Cherokee Heritage with Scottish music, a shortbread cookie contest, lectures, Cherokee storytellers, a fun run and more. Among the performers will be the John Mohr MacKintosh Pipes and Drums (pictured). For a complete schedule of Saturday’s activities in downtown Franklin, see page 7. Photo by Ellen Randall COVID stabilizes in N.C; call center to close Page 6 On June 18, Macon County will be closing the COVID made available by the Macon County Board of Commis- Call Center. The Macon County COVID Call Center opened sioners, in addition to realignment of existing Macon County January 16 to handle the high volume of calls in response to employees, and Macon County citizens who volunteered Local artist bring a bit of color to downtown the launch of public vaccination efforts for COVID-19. their time to help their community. With the closing of the call center, members of the public Integral to the opening of the vaccine call center was who wish to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or need to be County Manager Derek Roland. Roland was able to mobi- tested for COVID-19 are encouraged to call the Macon lize various county agencies, to assure the success of the call County Health Department directly at (828)349-2081, and center. schedule an appointment for either testing or vaccination. “The success we had at the call center would not have Kathy McGaha, Macon County Health Director, said of been possible without Mr. Phil Drake and his willingness to the closing, “We are so donate his facility, staff thankful for the commu- “... the hard work of all those employess and equipment. In addi- nity members who stepped tion, the hard work and up to help our community and volunteers at the call center ... re- dedication of Sheriff and make the vaccine call Robert Holland, Tammy center possible. This is not sulted in Macon County having one of the Keezer and all those em- the end of our push to have highest per capita vaccination rates in the ployees and volunteers at Macon County residents the call center, whether it vaccinated against this state.” – Derek Roland, county manager be disseminating infor- deadly virus, but we are mation or registering in- Page 12 beginning to incorporate our COVID-19 response with the dividuals for vaccines, directly resulted in Macon County Fawns get second chance in Macon County important work we do every day.” having one of the highest per capita vaccination rates in the With the support from Drake Enterprises, Macon County state. As a Macon County citizen, I will never be able to 828.369.6767 PRST STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID was able to launch a dedicated call center that could handle thank these individuals enough for the excellent job they www.themaconcountynews.com PERMIT 22 the demand for vaccines. The call center was also able to [email protected] GOODER PUBLISHING CORP. hire temporary positions to staff the call center with funds See COVID page 2 FRANKLIN, NC 28734-3401 2 THe MACON COuNTy NeWS & SHOPPINg guIDe VOLUME 39 NUMBER 5 THuRSDAy, JuNe 17, 2021 Franklin man behind bars for attempting to steal Police Chief’s vehicle While attempting to ad- dress a public disturbance, Franklin Police Chief Bill Harrell found himself in a violent altercation Friday, June 11, near Macon Plaza off Highlands Road. According to Harrell, based on his 27-plus years of experience in law en- forcement, he observed a male without a shirt dis- playing traits conducive to being under the influence. “He was flailing around and approaching some passing motorists, includ- ing those attempting to enter the Plaza parking lot,” Photos by Betsey Gooder said Harrell. “When I saw this, I activated my emer- I took several police officers and a couple of civilians to apprehend a 25-year-old Franklin man who attempted to steal Police Chief Bill Harrell’s vehicle. gency lights to draw his at- tention away from others.” was able to overpower him, gaining control sponsible for preventing the incident from Office arrived on scene. After turning on his emergency lights, of Harrell’s police vehicle. escalating further. “Several brave citizens that will be rec- Harrell said he observed the male, later “As we struggled for possession of my “This could have ended much worse if he ognized at the appropriate time and place, identified as 25-year-old Jesse Machuca, vehicle, to which he gained entry, I engaged had gotten control of the vehicle, but be- stepped up and assisted until more officers become increasingly agitated. Harrell ex- the emergency brake while he was trying to cause of the fast thinking and actions taken from FPD and MCSO arrived,” said Har- ited his vehicle in an attempt to calm the in- drive away and we then continued to strug- by citizens and law enforcement together, rell. dividual down, at which point Machuca, gle,” said Harrell. this was prevented,” said Harrell. “Thank The offender was charged with one who is six feet tall and weighs 250 lbs., According to Harrell, at that point, the you to all those who acted selflessly, plac- felony count of attempted larceny, one rushed Harrell who is 5’8’’, 200 lbs., and actions of citizens nearby were directly re- ing the safety of others above their own, felony count of breaking or entering a and to those who have reached out to check motor vehicle, misdemeanor disorderly on everyone involved.” conduct, four counts of resisting public of- Citizens who witnessed Harrell strug- ficer, one count of assault of a government gling with Machuca acted quickly to aid officer, and one count of injury to personal Harrell in subduing Machuca until addi- property. He was booked into the Macon tional officers from the Franklin Police De- County Detention Facility under a partment and the Macon County Sheriff’s $200,000 bond. a.m. to 5 p.m. Due to the stabilization of the COVID-19 sit- COVID UPDATE uation in Macon County and North Carolina, Continued from page 1 MCPH’s Daily COVID-19 updates to news outlets will be transitioning to a weekly update have done. As Macon County manager, it is an beginning June 18 and subsequent Fridays. honor to work alongside these individuals each As of Tuesday, June 15, five active positive and every day.” cases were listed in the update, with four cases The last day the Vaccine Call Center will be pending, 3,183 recovered, and 41 deaths. active will be Friday, June 18, at 4 p.m. Those Nearly 10,000 tests have been conducted by the who wish to schedule an appointment after that health department and more than 20,000 coun- time are asked to call Macon County Public tywide. Public health has administered 12,575 Health at (828)349-2081. The Health Depart- vaccines with a current inventory of 1,214 ment is open Monday through Friday from 8 doses. SINCE 1978 Mon., Tue., Thu., Fri. 8am-5pm Wed. & Sat. 8am - Noon 537 W. Main Street • Franklin, NC 828-524-8911 • maconrentalco.com THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2021 VOLUME 39 NUMBER 5 THE MACON COUNTY NEWS & SHOPPING GUIDE 3 CHEROKEE/SCOTTISH HERITAGE CELEBRATION Saturday, June 19, 2021 Downtown Franklin at the Gazebo on the Square Heritage Demonstrators throughout the day: Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub Cherokee Artisans: Freeman Owle and Mary Thompson 12:30 pm Music – Rainbow’s End (Celtic Music by Dave, Maria Kathryn Sellers and the Scottish Traditions 18th Century Demonstrators and Katharine) Blacksmith, David Burress: Sponsored by Folk Heritage Association of 1:30 pm Music – John Mohr MacKintosh Pipes & Drums Macon County Outdoor 76: Rock House Lodge 10:00 am Cherokee/Scottish Heritage Celebration Opening 11:00 am Lecture – Charlie Rhodarmer: 18th Century Ceremony Highland Dress 10:30 am Music – John Mohr MacKintosh Pipes & Drums 11:45 am Lecture – Freeman Owle: Cherokee Storyteller (Clock Tower/Garden) 12:30 pm Lecture – Mary Polanski and Marty Greeble: The 11:00 am Music – Rainbow’s End (Celtic Music by Dave, Maria Women’s History Trail – Stories of Rebecca Na-Ha, Salley, and Katharine) and Timoxena, written by Barbara McRae 1:15 pm Music – Thunder Muggs (Scottish and Re-enactor Monologue : “Salley - The Sexton's Tale” performed by Camp Tunes) Stan Polanski Kitchen Sink, Inc. on Main Town Hall Entrance: Re-enactment Camps 12:00 pm Shortbread Contest with Big First & Second Place Prizes 11:30 am Music – Thunder Muggs (Scottish and Re-enactor and Free Samples Camp Tunes) Call (828)524-2956 with any questions or to register by Friday, June 18 at 5pm. 12:00 pm Music – John Mohr MacKintosh Pipes & Drums Between 10am–11am, please bring your entry on a disposable tray with your All Day Roving Fiddler, Richard Tichich name & phone number attached to The Kitchen Sink. If you are willing to share your recipe, please bring a copy for us to post on Facebook. Free samples All Day Reenactment Camp: The Breacan Clann available after contest judging. All kinds of Scottish Shortbreads are welcome. Cherokee/Scottish Heritage Celebration is a Scottish Tartans Museum and Heritage Center Event. Great shopping and exhibits available throughout the day at The Scottish Tartans Museum and Heritage Center, 86 East Main Street, Franklin, NC (828) 524-7472 www.scottishtartansmuseum.org Happy Father’s Day! Many Thanks to our Sponsors! Franklin Chamber of Commerce/TDC, Gooder Grafix, UPS Store of Franklin, NC, Walmart Supercenter – Franklin, NC, Kitchen Sink, Inc., Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center, Suminski Family Books, Bringing It To Life! Productions, The Moberg Group, Doodlebugs, Élite Serv- ices, Carla L Haire CPA, PA, Deer Springs RV Park, John Hamlin State Farm, Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub, BLOOM Personalized Parties & Event Planning, Folk Heritage Association of Macon County, Franklin Main Street Merchants, Outdoor 76, The Attic 4 THe MACON COuNTY NeWS & SHOPPING GuIde VOLUME 39 NUMBER 5 THuRSdAY, JuNe 17, 2021 Possible widening of Hwy.