Local

Eddie Leatherwood picks up breakfast at The Normandie on a rainy Monday morning. Servers are Valinda Daves and Shelly Conner (not pictured).

Eddie Leatherwood picks up breakfast at The Normandie on a rainy Monday morning. Servers are Valinda Daves and Shelly Conner (not pictured).

Macon restaurants scrambling for business

Andy Scheidler
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
The neon “open” light is still on, yet nobody is sitting inside eating.  This visual is now commonplace in Franklin after Gov. Roy Cooper mandated restaurants and bars across the state close to dine-in customers. However, to-go orders, curbside pickup and delivery options are still allowed.
Schools closed

Schools closed

Schools closed till May 15

Jake Browning
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
School’s not out for the summer yet, but it’s getting pretty close. When the Macon County Board of Education had its meeting on March 23, N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper had just issued a new executive order that extended school closings until May 15.
Press photo/Jake Browning - Volunteers at Franklin High School load breakfasts and lunches onto a bus to deliver to local students.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Volunteers at Franklin High School load breakfasts and lunches onto a bus to deliver to local students.

Coping with Coronavirus

Jake Browning
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Carol Anne Elliott drives a school bus every weekday morning. She enjoys spending time with the children of Macon County before dropping them off at school to get in a full day of learning.
Siler Bald

Siler Bald

Find your own trail magic

Andy Scheidler
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Andy Scheidler sports@thefranklinpress.com While many businesses might be shut down, nature is still wide open.  We’re lucky to call the mountains home, which feature ample opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.
Press photo/Jake Browning Even after moving the meeting to a courtroom, the commissioners barely had enough room for everyone attending their meeting on March 10.

Press photo/Jake Browning Even after moving the meeting to a courtroom, the commissioners barely had enough room for everyone attending their meeting on March 10.

County stops short on Second Amendment resolution

Jake Browning
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
The Macon County Board of Commissioners voted against a resolution proclaiming the county a Second Amendment Sanctuary and instead passed a resolution written by the county attorney at its March 10 meeting.

Man charged in shooting death of Franklin woman

Lee Buchanan
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
A Franklin man is in jail charged with voluntary manslaughter following the March 13 shooting death of a woman at a home on Oak Hill Road. Robert Massung Jr. is in the Macon County Detention Center under a $200,000 bond, accused in the shooting death of Kathleen Dills, 47, of Franklin.
NEWS

NEWS

Schools close

News Staff
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
With the coronavirus expected to spread in Western North Carolina, Macon County has seen a rash of event cancellations and closings, including public schools. On Saturday, March 13, Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order forbidding public gatherings of more than 100 people.
COVID-19

COVID-19

Coronavirus hits Macon

Lee Buchanan
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
A man now in isolation in Macon County has tested positive for the COVID-19 disease caused by the coronavirus as local health officials ramp up testing and put more precautions in place. Gov. Roy Cooper and members of the Coronavirus Task Force were expected to hold a media briefing at 2 p.m.