A new fire substation in Franklin years in the making is now operational. 

After lingering in limbo following initial construction, the state came through with funding to complete the project after Sen. Kevin Corbin and Rep. Karl Gillespie, both Macon County natives, were able to procure what was needed. 

The open burning of trash, metal, plastic and all other man-made materials not only harms the environment and poses a public health risk, it’s against state law.

Open burning is only allowed in limited circumstances and only for vegetative materials like leaves, limbs and yard debris. 

Anyone who’s been through the eastern part of Haywood County, even just driving toward Buncombe County on I-40 has likely seen — or smelled — the smoke. 

The Two Banks Development mulch fire in Canton is nothing new. But as communities surrounding TBD’s landfill continue to be impacted, it seems that neither the problem nor the solution are as simple — or risk-free — as they might’ve first appeared. 

The open burning of trash, metal, plastic and all other man-made materials not only harms the environment and poses a public health risk, it’s against state law. 

Limited resources and tricky topography already pose challenges. Now those problems have been exacerbated.

When Chris and Sara Evensen bought their home off Elk Mountain Scenic Highway in 2018, they felt like they’d hit the natural beauty jackpot: a nice home on two acres, ensconced in a gorgeous hardwood forest. 

The N.C. Forest Service has designated the fire danger for the state’s far western counties as high.

Like a three-pack-a-day smoker who blames their chronic cough on allergies, or a recent flu shot  —  everything but their addiction  —  President-elect Donald Trump continues to embrace an absurd and criminally irresponsible brand of denialism on the subject of climate change. 

It is very hard for me to continue listening to the ongoing issues of housing when I know we have codes to follow that are set forth by the international/North Carolina building, electrical, plumbing and fire safety codes. My general contracting company and electrical contracting company have worked with everyone to help with people affected to gain some type of normal life during and after the storm. 

The N.C. Forest Service has reinstated the requirement for open burning permits in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties. 

Back in the 1980s, when I was telling stories in the Cope Crest Conference Center in Tiger, Georgia, I heard about Eliott Wigginton, who was teaching English in the Rayburn County school system.