The Franklin Press, Franklin, North Carolina

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Franklin High School graduate Samuel Roots accepts his diploma from Principal Blair King during the commencement ceremony June 5 at WCU. Roots wears a braided cord symbolizing his achievements in project management. See more photos on page on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

FHS graduate: ‘We all made it.’

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

The newest slate of Franklin High School seniors completed the last milestone of their high school journeys Friday with a commencement ceremony held at the Western Carolina University Activity Center in Cullowhee.

Local

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Kim Terrell, from the Macon County Cooperative Extension, leads a balance class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m. at the Crawford Senior Center.

Senior Center needs outlined

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

The Macon County Senior Center has needed a new location for years, dealing with inadequate space...

Press file photo - The Franklin Town Council is considering a temporary moratorium on data center development and will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 6.

Franklin to consider data center moratorium

Mia Overton

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

The Franklin Town Council voted last week to hold a public hearing next month to get input on a...

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Carmen Waite, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau, pitches a partnership between the club and Macon County Schools to use the Bartram Academy building for a new location.

Boys & Girls Club eyes Bartram building

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

The Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau is looking to expand into Franklin and is eying the...

Regional

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Mark Masters of Masters Architecture proposed four options to build a new Highlands soccer field, ranging in cost from $1 million to $3.4 million to build an Astroturf soccer field on site at Highlands School or at Zachary Park.

School Board hears Highlands soccer field options

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Masters Architecture, an Asheville firm working with Macon County Schools to help replace East...

Highlander photo/Mitch Stone - FRL Board Chair Bill McGaha and Cynthia Womble discuss whether Swain County should receive a higher percentage of net surplus funds due to the free rent it has provided for FRL headquarters.

FRL discusses surplus funds, budget, property distribution

News Staff

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Mitch Stone - reporter@highlandsnews.com

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.