Press photo/Shelby Powell - Patience Eicher receives her diploma from Bartram Academy principal Nikki Oberley. See more photos on Page A6 and on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Patience Eicher receives her diploma from Bartram Academy principal Nikki Oberley. See more photos on Page A6 and on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

Bartram seniors cross the stage

Guests, friends and family, crowded into Discover Church Friday, May 29, to celebrate the 37 graduates from Bartram Academy.Prior to the ceremony, Hayden Perez said he was nervous about his role in the ceremony welcoming guests. He plans to work in construction after graduation.
Drawing courtesy of Macon County - A new plan for the pickleball courts will establish 20 courts with green and blue pavement, two shade structures and an artificial turf zone for recreation and events with restrooms at the north end. A paved parking area is planned on the east side of the complex. The courts will take the place of the old softball field at the Rec Park, below Wendy's and across the creek from the community building.

Drawing courtesy of Macon County - A new plan for the pickleball courts will establish 20 courts with green and blue pavement, two shade structures and an artificial turf zone for recreation and events with restrooms at the north end. A paved parking area is planned on the east side of the complex. The courts will take the place of the old softball field at the Rec Park, below Wendy's and across the creek from the community building.

Pickleball project gets summer start date

The new pickleball courts, a long-awaited project coming to the Macon County Rec Park, finally has...
Press photo/Mia Overton - The Franklin Town Council and staff members discussed capital improvement projects during the May 18 budget work session.

Press photo/Mia Overton - The Franklin Town Council and staff members discussed capital improvement projects during the May 18 budget work session.

Council paves way for road projects

The Town of Franklin is looking at a $13,069,672 budget going into the 2026-27 fiscal year that...
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Glenda Cook from Cullasaja Gorge Fire and Rescue requests a fire tax increase for the volunteer fire department.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Glenda Cook from Cullasaja Gorge Fire and Rescue requests a fire tax increase for the volunteer fire department.

Commissioners hear fire tax, library requests

The Macon County Board of Commissioners met Thursday, May 21, to hear from county fire departments...
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.

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

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.

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

More than 573 runners passed through Macon County April 24-25 as part of the annual Smoky Mountain...
From left, Chad Engel, a Tuscola Mountaineer, Jonas Phillips and Ken Modlin compete in the 110-meter hurdles at the Mountain Eight Conference Championships at North Henderson April 30. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

From left, Chad Engel, a Tuscola Mountaineer, Jonas Phillips and Ken Modlin compete in the 110-meter hurdles at the Mountain Eight Conference Championships at North Henderson April 30. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Track extends top-5 streak at state

Panther track and field are among the state’s top teams once again.
Fourth-year student Rachel Green scores one of her three goals in an exhibition match versus Franklin High School's JV team April 23. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Fourth-year student Rachel Green scores one of her three goals in an exhibition match versus Franklin High School's JV team April 23. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

MEC athletes, officials recount inaugural year

It’s been a whirlwind year for Macon Early College athletics.
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