Local

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 leaves out more than $7 million in asks from county departments.

Press photo/Mia Overton - The Town of Franklin will hold two days of public workshops on May 28 and 29 to get input on future improvements for the Main Street area.

Help shape Main Street’s future

Mia Overton

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

The Town of Franklin is asking for the public’s ideas for improving the Main Street area.The town has embarked on a “Main Street Transformation” project with the hopes of making some changes that will coincide with the state repaving the road in 2028.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Macon Early College student Kaden Marr accepts his diploma from principal Caleb Parham. Marr earned an Associate in Arts and a Criminal Justice Technology Certificate and will attend Western Carolina University. See more MEC graduation photos on Page A3 and on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

MEC grads reflect on accomplishments

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

In the school’s traditional blue caps and gowns, a handful of Macon Early College students walked the stage Sunday to mark their commencement and move on to the next stages of their lives.

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 Relay from Brevard to Bryson City.

Press photo/Mia Overton - “It’s pretty phenomenal what our town has,” said Lisa Leatherman, Duke Energy district manager, about the Little Tennessee River Greenway at the May 4 Town Council meeting.

Town looks at Greenway extensions

Mia Overton

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

The Franklin Town Council will hold a public hearing at its June 1 meeting on an agreement with Duke Energy that would give the town access to property for an extension of the Little Tennessee Greenway.Duke Energy owns 9.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - From left: Stephanie Laseter, Hilary Wilkes, Jim Breedlove, Melissa Evans and Diedre Breeden discuss its expected ask for local funding, to be delivered to Macon County Commissioners ahead of a Thursday, May 21, county work session.

Schools to request $14 million for budget

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Due in part to unfunded mandates from the state, Macon County Schools anticipates needing at least $14.2 million to keep the schools running, according to MCS Finance Director Alayna Ledford.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Lisa Walker speaks at the Macon County Planning Board meeting.

District or at-large voting for county commissioners?

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Members of the Macon County Planning Board met last week to discuss creating voting districts with fairer representation in county government.The May 7 meeting began with the swearing in of new member Larry Lackey.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - People gathered for National Day of Prayer on May 7 in downtown Franklin.

National Day of Prayer

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

The National Day of Prayer ceremony on May 7 in downtown Franklin brought together worshipers from different congregations, as leaders from different churches, local chaplains and faith leaders offered prayers for leaders at every level of government, healthcare workers, educators and religious...

Press photo

Council approves new insurance group

Mia Overton

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

The Franklin Town Council voted May 4 to join the N.C. Health Insurance Pool in order to reduce expenses.The NCHIP is made up of towns and county governments and has about 17,000 people in the pool, according to Town Manager Amie Owens. Macon, Jackson and Swain counties participate in the pool.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Members of the Economic Development Commission met April 29 at the Macon County Courthouse Annex to elect new officers and discuss business.

EDC considers hiring new director

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

The Macon County Economic Development Commission met on April 29 to elect new officers and discuss the prospect of hiring a new EDC director. The meeting began with the election of new officers. John Hamlin of State Farm Insurance was elected chair and Brett Rogers of Duotech Services Inc.