It’s late morning and situated behind his desk in the back office of the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville is Steven Lloyd. Leaning back in his chair, Lloyd sighed at the question posed to him: what’s the current status of HART? 

Jesse-lee Dunlap works throughout the county in the Harm Reduction public health initiative. Their work is vital to preventing overdose in the Haywood County Detention Center and making sure that members of the community have their most basic needs met — this means connecting folks with food resources, seeking housing for unsheltered people, setting up appointments with medical providers, connecting people with job opportunities, etc.

Macon County Economic Development Commission (EDC) and Macon County Public Health (MCPH) are committed to helping the citizens of Macon County during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The number of coronavirus cases among Jackson County residents has jumped to 15, up from five April 24. 

Haywood County Public Health received notice April 27 that a sixth Haywood County resident has tested positive for the coronavirus, COVID-19. The individual is in isolation at home since the exposure to the virus.

Continued testing by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has resulted in confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Swain and Graham counties, the tribe’s Public Health and Human Services Department announced this weekend. These results mark the first positive cases in either county.

Roger Higgins is the maintenance foreman for the Town of Clyde. He is also the town’s safety officer and zoning administrator. His department is responsible for water and sewer services as well as street maintenance, yard waste removal, and town groundskeeping.

Students from Western Carolina University’s College of Engineering and Technology have checked out 3D printers from the university and are using them from home to help produce face shields for use by health care professionals during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the loss of jobs, income and health insurance coverage for millions. Some life changes, such as losing health insurance through your job, may qualify consumers for Special Enrollments Periods through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance marketplace at www.healthcare.gov, but the time to report that life change and sign up is limited — only 60 days. 

State transportation officials announced a public-private partnership that will use drones to deliver critical medical supplies and food during the COVID-19 response.