[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6804684,"mediaKeyId","5565797-9be105a1595039a4376b0c1c867b1ed6","parentId",5565797,"title","Macon County delays suspension of Burnetown volunteer fire department, keeps unit on extended probation","audioSeconds",5144,"startMs",5864885,"endMs",11009239,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565797-9be105a1595039a4376b0c1c867b1ed6&start=5864&end=11009","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565797-9be105a1595039a4376b0c1c867b1ed6/thumbnail_5864885.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6804684/Macon-County/North-Carolina/Macon-County-delays-suspension-of-Burnetown-volunteer-fire-department-keeps-unit-on-extended-probation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6804684-bddf79b01461a4853e99406db4d0c679/orig.mp4?Expires=1770733016&Signature=NbaUsf9Sz0--ap5sd3Y~sBsn6Y98Q7gQt2ooOnGeVJwrvdXp540S-gcYGXEb-uPgj0hbxfDgm21LFiNBUdg1CO~pAuR8OPBHjMoKtoxYrySSzLpjTHzS~dfMkj3YgP6cshi0RrcZvQeLmphgRnPOu4OOeVHjjShxgZCbiah6jUUr3VleZkPhUZ0~QDSs3nugeEbt61OCCRZszyOW6YPvljuBmPLFLIwuDi7~i23UeYsmZTFwUa-DtwD0k2SQLymL7I1H7LY7DH4y55iXsCpNL0a5oO2wBIs4hHgbW6AET-GdKDwDZYHLxELD6xgLc~P4xdh1vMwmJmW1mBG1wk9Xrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Macon County","date","2025-08-13T02:24:28.04Z","article","The Macon County Board of Commissioners heard an extended update on the Burnetown volunteer fire department on Aug. 1, including county inspection findings that flagged incomplete training records, missing background checks for some new members and inconsistent roster reporting to the state. County fire services staff said the department’s inspection counts fluctuated — inspectors reported 16 eligible firefighters at one check while the department’s roster reflected more — and that not all members' training and state roster entries were up to date.

County fire staffer Jimmy Ting, who led the update, said inspectors found gaps that affect eligibility for state benefits and safe response: “They could not produce the state roster and there were members not eligible for state benefits,” Ting said during the presentation. Ting and other staff also described a planned scene‑setup drill that could not be completed because a medical call drew off personnel; staff argued the drill would have demonstrated whether the department could operate independently.

Burnetown’s leadership acknowledged progress and defended recent recruitment and training efforts. The department’s chief said the unit had added new members and worked to update reports and training records after the inspection. “We’ve been training real hard and recruited real hard during the past two and a half months,” the chief told the commissioners, noting new members were nearing required training hours.

Commissioners pressed on response reliability and communications. Members and volunteers described missed paged calls related to coverage and noted that parts of the district have intermittent cellular service. County staff said a temporary paging tower and other technical measures are being tested to reduce missed pages.

A motion from a commissioner to suspend Burnetown’s contract was seconded but failed on the board floor (recorded outcome: motion failed, board tally recorded 2–3). Rather than terminate the contract, commissioners directed staff and the department to continue on probation, asked for monthly written updates that document roster numbers, drill completions and corrected reporting, and discussed options such as a phased merger or contract transition if the department cannot sustain minimum requirements. Several commissioners emphasized they were not seeking to remove volunteer stations but must ensure coverage and resident safety. The board advised staff to work with adjacent departments about automatic second‑page protocols and mutual‑aid arrangements to ensure there is no gap in coverage while probation continues.

Next steps: the board asked for monthly progress reports and for staff to return with a suggested checklist the department must meet to come off probation, including evidence of completed drills and corrected reporting to state rosters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Macon County Commissioners Meeting 8-12-2025","oneSentenceSummary","After a lengthy inspection update and heated public comment, the board declined to suspend the Burnetown Fire Department’s contract and instead extended probation with a requirement for monthly progress reports and drill evidence.","taxTitle","Macon County, North Carolina","taxId",54261,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6804669,"LBJ Job Corps outlines apprenticeship, academic and wildland firefighting programs that serve Macon County",1043,1676710,2720114,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565797-9be105a1595039a4376b0c1c867b1ed6&start=1676&end=2720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565797-9be105a1595039a4376b0c1c867b1ed6/thumbnail_1676710.jpg","/articles/6804669/Macon-County/North-Carolina/LBJ-Job-Corps-outlines-apprenticeship-academic-and-wildland-firefighting-programs-that-serve-Macon-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6804669-2c25fe1dfbe78cb561561d11a41878aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770733016&Signature=nfOgqXSCN15x5MU5EY-RUhYTIahoafRwmLBoVwGbYXCgy0g3bZ2QsZ2N8ASZbPjYvVSqcUiCh5fLMCAdlac9k4kYE672JihGD5KgrxHwbKCuOnSkHUl2AMOWFbVTGQYxLGAEbYES6mcVCxt2AG6oVbwq87n7ylKy7DD4fPmBcR9h3lI9upX1T8h7CKyJAvKc4YIYiNxB3x~c7APZFFOzTs1uXMLTVm2xX0F30gZH7iH0MJz1buLXQ7K7AQ3xIPn~Gh0okjGAYNWqSgbsg5wzxud85wOLfJ2FXza8o5LUrgh-cfdMrVnOX3rHXqTk2~paSAKsFyJZmqm2-I0FnLpe-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from LBJ Job Corps briefed the Macon County Board of Commissioners on the center’s operations, training and community partnerships. Vicki Sutton, academic manager, and Keith Bowers, business liaison, described Job Corps as a free residential vocational program that serves students ages 16–24 and provides trades training, high‑school‑equivalency classes, driver’s education and transition services.

Sutton said the center partners with Macon County Schools for a high‑school diploma program and with Southwestern Community College for trade instruction; in the previous program year 43 students earned high‑school equivalency credentials and several students graduated into local jobs. Bowers outlined career transition and work‑based learning services, including NCWorks profile preparation, resume writing and an 18‑month post‑graduation placement support program.

Representatives emphasized community projects completed by Job Corps students locally — painting a Veterans Memorial eagle, building split‑rail fencing for a local school, moving athletic equipment between school facilities, and donating more than 2,100 volunteer hours in the last program year. Bowers said Job Corps centers produce backcountry gates for the U.S. Forest Service at substantially lower cost than commercial procurement — a quoted $3,500 taxpayer saving per gate — and outlined an apprenticeship with Lander Tubular Products.

Commissioners thanked the presenters and encouraged community members to tour the center. No formal action was required; the presentation served as informational outreach tied to Job Corps’ local economic and workforce contributions.","LBJ Job Corps representatives described residential vocational training programs that serve 16–24 year olds, partnerships with Southwestern Community College and Macon County Schools, placement services and community service contributions in Macon County.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6804674,"Commissioners vote to put expanded alcohol sales (malt beverage and unfortified wine) on 2026 ballot",479,11901561,12381115,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565797-9be105a1595039a4376b0c1c867b1ed6&start=11901&end=12381","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565797-9be105a1595039a4376b0c1c867b1ed6/thumbnail_11901561.jpg","/articles/6804674/Macon-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-vote-to-put-expanded-alcohol-sales-malt-beverage-and-unfortified-wine-on-2026-ballot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6804674-90a858d349c6d6bc02a68eb3ace77d42/orig.mp4?Expires=1770733016&Signature=Ts3aJc0vehfWVnGpX~0pBFmt~rwH0M-9bOxzYc0xWbBEDwB3sufnUNrU1ss~~S76z9WBULz0mP5U-p4O2AwMwKFawS7zBhHvIW3VHANNRzG77zK63Sk-a6sh3PgiBL4tAgyD6pAaXriNNl88ddZwt~4qrY1paTOIeGqOyy6pLL3Lcd5cgyIAOS-ILYzjK2ZyKAOwecTO-3axSKEgDC8JcJJxSZz6YMujOEBtQkNrDzISGEoYCrNpEpQ7oG00b6sSmvrh6QFSwfxu2Wt3D57j0mkjpbcY34Vf1-9aDEU6lO05wFg0kmS5ujcV-q-vdJggyWrV-mF9pYtCc7rrQb8OZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Macon County commissioners voted unanimously to place a referendum on the Nov. 2026 general election ballot asking residents whether to permit expanded sales of malt beverages and unfortified wine both for on‑premise (restaurants/clubs) and off‑premise (retail) sales.

County staff explained statutory constraints and options. Malt beverages and unfortified wine may be authorized by local referendum under state law; enabling liquor by the drink (distilled spirits) is more complex and would generally require an ABC store and, in Macon’s case, negotiation or a local bill to account for existing ABC operations in towns such as Franklin and Highlands. County staff noted examples from other counties where joint ABC boards or negotiated revenue splits between town and county were used when both jurisdictions had interests.

Commissioner Bridal moved to adopt a resolution placing the on‑ and off‑premise question for malt beverages and unfortified wine on the Nov. 2026 general election ballot; Commissioner Shields seconded and the motion passed 5–0.

What this means: the referendum will allow county voters to approve or reject expanded local retail and restaurant sales of beer and unfortified wine. If voters approve and local businesses pursue new licenses, county staff will follow statutory ballot language and implementation steps when the county board certifies the referendum following election results.

Next steps: staff will finalize the resolution language consistent with state statute, submit the resolution for ballot placement, and return process details as required by the election timeline.","The board approved a resolution to place a referendum on the Nov. 2026 general election ballot asking voters whether to allow on‑ and off‑premise sales of malt beverages and unfortified wine; liquor by the drink would require separate legislative action to permit a local ABC operation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6804679,"Commissioners approve 1‑year lease for Nanahala community club, give library key access",2447,3408900,5856520,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565797-9be105a1595039a4376b0c1c867b1ed6&start=3408&end=5856","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565797-9be105a1595039a4376b0c1c867b1ed6/thumbnail_3408900.jpg","/articles/6804679/Macon-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-approve-1year-lease-for-Nanahala-community-club-give-library-key-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6804679-59e82d175582dbe96e7014628b9c6c83/orig.mp4?Expires=1770733016&Signature=DYbktDGLGIqmujsvKbNZLMZ5nlkr~zEUhaPU2DWL5NfpNJZpk9EQetMyaONqhOfTlkuE3-hOPfMZ5XpnkGSvGYhQtdGi4YWiqRnuaEOeLvPQM-SZL4YK8U5OEa3AFV9BgNMbbnl5E1wf-vtjIpVVk6Uhw~mg8NgD-NZNtmMENpz8KgVJxX8E4rr7PieULOWQF-RNpam4mOL2zAMSKDCA8DrwuF3py6Q~j-ZFCcd-KTfTs~F1iXQkNcn3DyP019dkrPm13UwEL9ZNgo7kWcapESSu97uqp8~594LBd5OF7d7Wx6FrXd-HAoTaCMynY8~WWHHVmzMjH36d513u~d69kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Macon County Board of Commissioners voted to grant a one‑year meeting‑room lease to the Nanahala Community Development Club and to provide the Nanahala library with key access for scheduled programs, resolving months of disagreement over access, scheduling, and whether bingo operations required a longer lease for licensing.

Staff and community members canvassed three options for the building’s north half — a per‑day lease, the county’s standard one‑year lease, or the community club’s proposed full‑premises lease. Library representatives voiced concern that they have to call club members to unlock the space for scheduled programs and asked for reliable access for recurring activities such as exercise classes. The community club described multiple educational and community offerings it already runs and said it intends to expand programming; the club also explained fundraising plans for facility upkeep.

Commissioners debated legal constraints around bingo licensing, fee structures and whether rental income should be treated as donations when the club does not hold title. Commissioner Breeden initially proposed a motion that was withdrawn; the board ultimately adopted a motion to enter into a one‑year meeting‑room lease (meeting‑room lease from county templates) with language ensuring library key access for scheduled programs, a reduced fee schedule, and clawback provisions allowing the county to terminate the lease for nonperformance.

The board’s direction emphasized that the building remain primarily available to Nanahala residents and that schedules be maintained via the Google calendar currently in use. Commissioners also asked staff to include explicit expectations about cleanliness and scheduling in the lease and to revisit the arrangement if conflicts persist. The motion was seconded and passed with a 4–1 recorded vote.

Next steps: staff will finalize the one‑year meeting‑room lease language to include the agreed fee schedule, provisioning of a library key for scheduled programs, and clawback/termination language; county staff will monitor use and return to the board if problems arise.","After weeks of debate about keys, scheduling and bingo licensing, the board approved a one‑year meeting‑room lease for the Nanahala Community Development Club with library key access and clawback provisions; the vote was recorded 4–1 in favor.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Macon County delays suspension of Burnetown volunteer fire department, keeps unit on extended probation

LBJ Job Corps outlines apprenticeship, academic and wildland firefighting programs that serve Macon County

Commissioners vote to put expanded alcohol sales (malt beverage and unfortified wine) on 2026 ballot

Commissioners approve 1‑year lease for Nanahala community club, give library key access