The Franklin Press, Franklin, North Carolina

Press photo/Vickie Carpenter - Members of the VFW 7339 and American Legion Post 108 salute the colors during the Memorial Day ceremony on May 25, 2026. See more photos on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

Honoring fallen heroes

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

American Legion Post 108 presented the Memorial Day ceremony on May 25, 2026, at the Veterans Memorial Park in Franklin.Guest speaker was Mike Carpenter, son of Ken and Audry Carpenter of Franklin. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17 and served for nine years.

Local

Press photo/Shelby Powell - County Commissioner Gary Shields, a former FHS principal and longtime advocate for the new high school project, is one of the first to sign his name to the beam, next to board chair Josh Young.

Oberley, Painter get principal posts

News Staff

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

The Macon County Board of Education approved three school administration changes at its May 18...

Press photo/Shelby Powell - County commissioners listen to the budget presentation at the May 12 meeting.

Proposed budget cuts $7.6 million in department requests

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

The proposed 2026-27 Macon County budget keeps the tax rate at 27 cents per $100 valuation but...

Press photo/Shelby Powell - County Planning Director Joe Allen talks with county commissioners about options for repairs and renovations at Macon Early College.

County holds off on MEC construction

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

The Macon County Board of Commissioners voted May 12 to put off repairs to Macon Early College.

Regional

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Teams participating in the Smoky Mountain Relay stopped for a free breakfast hosted by Cowee School volunteers. Each member of this team was from the Southeast, with members from Bryson City, Chattanooga, Nashville, Sylva and Asheville.

Smoky Mountain Relay stops at Cowee School

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

More than 573 runners passed through Macon County April 24-25 as part of the annual Smoky Mountain...

Press graphic

Highlands PD investigation leads to homicide charge

News Staff

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Mitch Stone - reporter@highlandsnews.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Bobby Bradley speaks about the importance of reducing light pollution for both humans and animals.

How to preserve the night sky

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Macon County has the potential to protect some of the darkest skies on the east coast — here are...

Sports

New Vision gymnast Giovanna Williams shows off her vault gold medal at the USA Gymnastics Level 9 Eastern Championships in Savannah, Georgia, earlier this month. (Photo submitted)