1 week ago

    Cooper Visits Haywood To Talk Medicaid Expansion

    North Carolina entered Medicaid expansion in December, and already 384,000 individuals have registered for coverage. In Haywood County, 1,946 residents…
    1 week ago

    Spring Booze It & Lose It Campaign

    As the arrival of St. Patrick’s Day draws near, the Booze It & Lose It initiative takes on the task…
    1 week ago

    Sports Betting Now Legal In NC

    Starting at noon on Monday, March 11, 2024, North Carolina made history by allowing online sports betting for the first…
    1 week ago

    JCPS Will Install Over 100 New Cameras

    Jackson County Schools will enhance security by installing over 100 new surveillance cameras across the district, thanks to a $278,410…
    1 week ago

    Jamison And Woody Advance in JCPS Board Race

    Wes Jamison, the incumbent, and newcomer Gayle Woody emerged victorious in the Jackson County Board of Education race. During this…
    2 weeks ago

    Murphy Woman Faces Double Murder Charges

    A Murphy woman, Genevieve Ellen Springer, 44, is facing first-degree murder charges in connection with the tragic death of her…
    2 weeks ago

    Milsaps Charged with Multiple Felonies

    Jason Dean Milsaps, aged 40 and residing in Whittier, finds himself entangled in a web of charges following a meticulous…
    2 weeks ago

    Severe Weather Preparedness Week

    March 3-9 marks Severe Weather Preparedness Week in North Carolina, and Governor Roy Cooper, in collaboration with North Carolina Emergency…

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    • News

      Cooper Visits Haywood To Talk Medicaid Expansion

      North Carolina entered Medicaid expansion in December, and already 384,000 individuals have registered for coverage. In Haywood County, 1,946 residents embraced Medicaid expansion in the initial two months. Despite surpassing the projected sign-up numbers in the first three months, the challenge remains to encourage more enrollments. Governor Roy Cooper stressed the importance of enrollment, citing the need for healthcare coverage in the wealthiest country. He acknowledged the obstacle of raising awareness about Medicaid expansion and highlighted the Affordable Care Act’s opportunity to bridge the gap for those earning too little for subsidies yet too much for Medicaid. Contrary to the initial projection, over half the expected sign-ups have already occurred within the initial three months. Cooper emphasized the financial benefits, preventing the loss of $521 million in monthly tax payments to Washington and securing a $1.6 billion signing bonus for mental health services. Medicaid expansion aims to lower premiums for private insurance beneficiaries, utilizing federal funds to keep costs low. The allocated funds are already making a difference in prescriptions and dental claims, with positive impacts on provider networks. In Haywood County, enrollment data shows a notable pattern, with the majority in the 30-39 age group (26.8%), followed by 40-49-year-olds…

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    • News

      Spring Booze It & Lose It Campaign

      As the arrival of St. Patrick’s Day draws near, the Booze It & Lose It initiative takes on the task of enlightening the public about the perils associated with impaired driving. From March 11 to March 17, law enforcement officials across the state will intensify saturation patrols and establish driver checkpoints to ensure the removal of impaired drivers from the roads. The imminent St. Patrick’s Day campaign introduces fresh advertising and a new logo, stemming from a triumphant yearlong pilot project in western North Carolina. This project tested enhancements to the 27-year-old Booze It & Lose It initiative, paving the way for positive changes.

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    • News

      Sports Betting Now Legal In NC

      Starting at noon on Monday, March 11, 2024, North Carolina made history by allowing online sports betting for the first time. Governor Roy Cooper sees this legalization as a significant boost to the state’s economy and sports industry growth. House Bill 347, signed in June 2023, empowers the North Carolina State Lottery Commission to regulate sports wagering, issuing licenses, and collecting fees. Two options exist for placing bets: in-person at designated places or online via registered accounts, with operators ensuring age verification (minimum age 21). Sports wagers, covering professional and college sports, electronic sports, and approved events, are now open. Noteworthy operators include FanDuel, BETMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics, ESPN BET, Underdog Sports, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Beyond economic benefits, the legislation allocates funds to the Department of Health and Human Services for gambling addiction education and treatment programs. Governor Cooper urges responsible betting, providing assistance at morethanagame.nc.gov, 1-877-718-5543, or by texting “morethanagamenc” to 53342.

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    • News

      JCPS Will Install Over 100 New Cameras

      Jackson County Schools will enhance security by installing over 100 new surveillance cameras across the district, thanks to a $278,410 grant from the Center for Safer Schools. The grant will allocate $45,000 for crisis intervention services, nearly $10,000 for safety training, and the remainder for purchasing security cameras. Deputy Superintendent Jake Buchanan expressed excitement, stating that the funds will replace and update older cameras and introduce new units in strategic locations determined through annual safety walk-throughs with various stakeholders. The increased grant amount reflects a larger budget allocation of $35 million by the North Carolina General Assembly for school safety grants through the Center for Safer Schools. Jackson County Schools joins others in utilizing these funds to improve safety measures. The district has a history of investing in security, with past initiatives including single points of entry, securing classroom doors, and implementing electronic locks and a digital radio system. Deputy Superintendent Buchanan sought approval from the school board to spend up to $223,557 on security cameras through the grant, which was unanimously approved.

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    • News

      Jamison And Woody Advance in JCPS Board Race

      Wes Jamison, the incumbent, and newcomer Gayle Woody emerged victorious in the Jackson County Board of Education race. During this election cycle, four candidates contended for two seats on the school board—Chairman Elizabeth Cooper, who opted not to seek reelection, and Wes Jamison, who sought reelection. With results from all 13 precincts now available, Gayle Woody secured a substantial victory over her opponent Rainy Brake in district one. Woody captured 61.5% of the vote, totaling 4,569 votes, while Brake received 37.59%, amounting to 2,777 votes. Woody, a retired teacher with nearly 25 years of experience in Jackson County Schools, previously served a term as a county commissioner. She actively volunteers at United Christian Ministries, serves on the Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care Center Board, and is involved with the Arts Council. Both Woody and her husband have ties to Jackson County Schools, and their two children received their education in the system. In district three, incumbent Wes Jamison triumphed over challenger Clint Irons. Jamison secured 56.91% of the vote, totaling 4,150 votes, while Irons received 42.64%, amounting to 3,109 votes. Having grown up in Jackson County, attending Scotts Creek Elementary School, and graduating from Smoky Mountain High School, Jamison pursued structural…

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    • News

      Murphy Woman Faces Double Murder Charges

      A Murphy woman, Genevieve Ellen Springer, 44, is facing first-degree murder charges in connection with the tragic death of her twin 4-year-old sons, as announced by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office on the evening of March 3. Springer was apprehended by authorities around 3:46 p.m. on the same day and has been denied the option for bail. The incident unfolded when a father in Cherokee County, responding to a 911 call, arrived at 75 Gooseberry Road in Murphy on March 2 to exercise custody of his twin sons. The father discovered the lifeless bodies of his 4-year-old boys upon reaching the residence, prompting the sheriff’s office and Cherokee County Emergency Services to respond. A comprehensive investigation was initiated, involving detectives from the sheriff’s office, agents from the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, and assistant district attorneys under the purview of District Attorney Ashley Welch. Springer, identified as the mother of the deceased twins, was initially hospitalized in North Georgia. Subsequently, she was charged with two counts of first-degree murder by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Following her release from the hospital on March 2, she was arrested in Union County, Georgia, and transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center on…

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    • News

      Milsaps Charged with Multiple Felonies

      Jason Dean Milsaps, aged 40 and residing in Whittier, finds himself entangled in a web of charges following a meticulous home check conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. This legal entanglement includes three felony counts related to the possession with intent to sell a Schedule II controlled substance, two felonies tied to possessing firearms as a felon, and additional charges, such as maintaining a space for controlled substance distribution. Probation and parole sought assistance from the sheriff’s office for a home check at Milsaps’ residence on February 17, as reported on the JCSO’s Facebook page. The subsequent search of Milsaps’ residence, a 5th wheel camper, uncovered a concerning array of substances and weaponry. Among the discovered items were methamphetamine, fentanyl, and methadone, leading to charges of possessing a Schedule II controlled substance. Additionally, THC gummies were found, resulting in a felony Schedule VI marijuana-related charge. Further complicating Milsaps’ legal situation, he was alleged to be in possession of two 8 mg buprenorphine tablets, resulting in a simple possession charge for a Schedule III substance. The presence of digital scales and plastic baggies contributed to additional paraphernalia charges. It’s noteworthy that Milsaps, already serving a 24-month probation sentence for previous…

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