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Press photo/Mia Overton - A slide from the Town of Franklin audit presentation shows how the town’s general fund balance has grown over the past three years.

Press photo/Mia Overton - A slide from the Town of Franklin audit presentation shows how the town’s general fund balance has grown over the past three years.

Franklin sees fund balance grow by $1.8 million

Mia Overton
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
The Town of Franklin’s general fund balance grew to $12.7 million during the 2024-25 fiscal year, according to the audit report presented at the Jan. 5 Town Council meeting.  Lutchia Johnson of Martin Starnes & Associates said the town’s audit received an unmodified opinion.
Press photos/Shelby Powell - Macon County Sheriff candidates Brent Holbrooks and Bob Cook

Press photos/Shelby Powell - Macon County Sheriff candidates Brent Holbrooks and Bob Cook

Sheriff candidates speak at GOP forum

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Incumbent Sheriff Brent Holbrooks and primary challenger Bob Cook participated in a forum Saturday, answering questions from each other and from members of the public on law enforcement, leadership style and public relations.  The forum was organized by the Macon County GOP and held at 3 p.m.
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Flu rates on the rise in WNC

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Influenza has been on the rise in North Carolina with 39 flu-related deaths reported in the state, including at least one pediatric death, so far in the 2025-26 flu season.  According to data from the N.C.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Following a feasibility study of the former Angel Medical Center property of Riverview Street, the town has decided it would not be a good investment of taxpayer dollars and withdrew its offer to buy the property.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Following a feasibility study of the former Angel Medical Center property of Riverview Street, the town has decided it would not be a good investment of taxpayer dollars and withdrew its offer to buy the property.

Franklin withdraws offer for old hospital property

Mia Overton
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
The Franklin Town Council has pulled back its offer to buy the former Angel Medical Center property on Riverview Street. On Jan. 6 the council heard the results of the feasibility study the town authorized last January.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Members of the Franklin Town Council, the Noquisi Initiative and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians gather following the council’s approval Jan. 5 of a resolution authorizing the transfer of the Noquisiyi Mound to the EBCI.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Members of the Franklin Town Council, the Noquisi Initiative and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians gather following the council’s approval Jan. 5 of a resolution authorizing the transfer of the Noquisiyi Mound to the EBCI.

Noquisiyi Mound returns to Cherokee

Mia Overton
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
After 200 years, the Noquisiyi Mound is being returned to the Cherokee people. In what was referred to as a historic, meaningful moment, the Franklin Town Council unanimously approved a resolution on Jan.
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Macon County’s economic distress rankings improve

Shelby Powell
Monday, December 29, 2025
Many counties in Western North Carolina dropped in the state’s 2026 economic distress rankings after fallout from Helene left them in dire straits. Macon County showed progress, jumping from 73 to 81 and from Tier Two to Tier Three.  County tier designations, established each year by the N.C.
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Getting Macon County online in 2026

Shelby Powell
Monday, December 29, 2025
A number of broadband projects in place in Macon County are nearing completion and will provide Macon County residents better internet access in 2026, according to Jeff Lee, chair of the Macon County Broadband Committee.
Highlander photo/Josh Bryson - Emergency personnel searched the area from 3rd to 5th Street in Highlands following a second “swatting” threat.

Highlander photo/Josh Bryson - Emergency personnel searched the area from 3rd to 5th Street in Highlands following a second “swatting” threat.

Second ‘swatting’ threat closes downtown Highlands

News Staff
Monday, December 29, 2025
Josh Bryson - editor@highlandsnews.com For the second time in two weeks, a bomb threat prompted a lockdown that closed businesses in downtown Highlands.  Around 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 23, Macon County Dispatch received a bomb threat initially reported to involve the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation.
Photo/Bob Scott - Contractors on the Franklin High School construction site have poured concrete for multiple parts of the new campus facilities. Carroll Daniels Superintendent Joey Cain said the last two big pours came out to around 260 cubic yards of concrete with 9,800 cubic yards poured to date.

Photo/Bob Scott - Contractors on the Franklin High School construction site have poured concrete for multiple parts of the new campus facilities. Carroll Daniels Superintendent Joey Cain said the last two big pours came out to around 260 cubic yards of concrete with 9,800 cubic yards poured to date.

FHS progress ‘exciting to see’

Shelby Powell
Monday, December 29, 2025
Franklin High School construction wrapped up 2025 with big strides of progress for the new football stadium.  Director of Plant Operations Tracy Tallent said at the Dec.