July 10, 2026
Highlander photo - Unused classroom equipment and supplies sit in Highlands School's new Pre-K room. The Macon County Board of Commissioners did not fund the Pre-K teacher position for the 2026-27 school year.
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
In closing out the fiscal year on June 30, the Macon County Board of Education discussed its next hurdle: a $2.4 million local funding shortfall for the new year.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - The Town of Franklin celebrated Independence Day with the annual parade along Main Street on Saturday morning. See more photos in the July 8 edition of The Franklin Press and on our Facebook page.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Cory Spychalski of The Grove Hostel writes out a draft visioning statement for Franklin identifying its recreation, arts and culture as a draw for the town.
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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.
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.
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.
Knox Strum (foreground) and David Hernandez swim a close race in the boys 11-12 100-yard individual medley at the Macon County Rec Park July 2. (Press photo/Will Woolever)
Conference Field Event MVP Kamden Reis competes in the long jump during the Mountain Eight Outdoor Championships at North Henderson April 30. (Press file photo)
Overall female winner Chelsea Ellwood of Cullowhee nears the finish line in the Braveheart 5K. (Photo/Bob Scott)
