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County braces for SNAP lapse

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
As states battle a U.S. Department of Agriculture directive to pause SNAP funding during the government shutdown, residents brace for the impact of losing approximately $600,000 per month in funding from the program.  N.C.
Press photo/Mia Overton - A black-ribboned wreath hangs in the Franklin Town Council board room in memory of former council member Joyce Handley, who passed away Nov. 1. Mayor Jack Horton started the Nov. 3 meeting with a moment of silence honoring Handley.

Press photo/Mia Overton - A black-ribboned wreath hangs in the Franklin Town Council board room in memory of former council member Joyce Handley, who passed away Nov. 1. Mayor Jack Horton started the Nov. 3 meeting with a moment of silence honoring Handley.

Handley cast votes to benefit Franklin

Mia Overton
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
The Franklin Town Council started its Nov. 3 meeting with a moment of silence in memory of former Council member Joyce Handley who passed away on Nov. 1 at age 84.  Handley served two terms on the town council, then known as the Board of Aldermen, from December 2007-December 2015.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Architect Emily Kite (left) and interior designer Trent Webb gave a presentation Oct. 29 on ongoing decisions on materials to be used for the new Franklin High School.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Architect Emily Kite (left) and interior designer Trent Webb gave a presentation Oct. 29 on ongoing decisions on materials to be used for the new Franklin High School.

Builders through 32% of contingency fund

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Nearly a third of contingency funds for the new Franklin High School have been spent already, according to County Manager Warren Cabe. LS3P Architect Emily Kite presented a virtual walkthrough on Oct.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Board of Health chair Garrett Higdon, Public Health Director Kathy McGaha, County Manager Warren Cabe and county attorney Eric Ridenour review proposed policy changes at the Oct. 28 health board meeting.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Board of Health chair Garrett Higdon, Public Health Director Kathy McGaha, County Manager Warren Cabe and county attorney Eric Ridenour review proposed policy changes at the Oct. 28 health board meeting.

Health board recommends consolidation

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
The Macon County Board of Health voted last week to consolidate with another agency, move up the health director’s retirement by two months and appoint the county human resources director as interim health director.  The votes took place after a closed session on Oct.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - FHS aviation teacher Scott Hanna (left) discusses the high school’s aviation program while State Superintendent Mo Green tries out a flight simulator.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - FHS aviation teacher Scott Hanna (left) discusses the high school’s aviation program while State Superintendent Mo Green tries out a flight simulator.

State superintendent visits Macon County

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
The state school superintendent joined Macon County commissioners, school board members, school staff and N.C. Sen.  Kevin Corbin for a tour of classrooms and campuses in Macon County.
Press photos/Shelby Powell - Brent Martin of the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy talks about the Franklin tree (in foreground) during a tree planting ceremony on Oct. 22.

Press photos/Shelby Powell - Brent Martin of the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy talks about the Franklin tree (in foreground) during a tree planting ceremony on Oct. 22.

Extinct Franklin tree planted downtown

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
The Franklin tree is extinct in the wild. All living trees are cultivated from descendants of specimens collected by William Bartram in Georgia in the 1700s. Last week, one was planted in Franklin.
SNAP graphic

SNAP graphic

SNAP benefits set to expire

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
The U.S. Department of Agriculture posted a notice to its website saying it would not draw on contingency funds to extend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits as the now month-long government shutdown continues.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Superintendent Josh Lynch and Macon County Schools Finance Officer Alayna Ledford speak to commissioners about the school’s budget shortfall.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Superintendent Josh Lynch and Macon County Schools Finance Officer Alayna Ledford speak to commissioners about the school’s budget shortfall.

Boards discuss school budget shortfall

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
The Macon County Board of Education held a joint meeting with the Board of Commissioners last week to discuss how the county’s budget left the system with a $1.7 million budget shortfall but stopped short of making a formal request for more money.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Meg Kremer presents a proposal from Pawsitive Shelter Volunteers about the organization taking over operation of the Macon County animal shelter.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Meg Kremer presents a proposal from Pawsitive Shelter Volunteers about the organization taking over operation of the Macon County animal shelter.

Pawsitive nonprofit proposes animal shelter takeover

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Pawsitive Shelter Volunteers, a Franklin nonprofit, has proposed to take over the management of the Macon County Animal Shelter from the Health Department through a contract with the county.  Meg Kremer, representing Pawsitive Shelter Volunteers, presented the proposal at the Oct.