Local

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Mrs. Merritt’s fourth grade having fun on their first day back at Cartoogechaye Elementary School.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Mrs. Merritt’s fourth grade having fun on their first day back at Cartoogechaye Elementary School.

Back to School

News Staff
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Macon County students headed back to school on Monday, Aug. 25. “The first day of school was full of excitement and joy across Macon County schools.
Press photo/Mia Overton - The Town of Franklin is offering incentive grants so businesses can make improvements to their buildings. The first grant was awarded to Kitchen Sink for a new awning.

Press photo/Mia Overton - The Town of Franklin is offering incentive grants so businesses can make improvements to their buildings. The first grant was awarded to Kitchen Sink for a new awning.

Franklin offers incentive grants for downtown businesses

Mia Overton
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
The Franklin Town Council has set aside money to help local businesses and approved its first grant application on Aug. 4. The 2025-26 budget includes $60,000 for economic development. At its retreat in February, council members talked about ways it could offer incentives for downtown businesses.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Macon County Board of Education members at a budget work session on Aug. 12.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Macon County Board of Education members at a budget work session on Aug. 12.

Macon County school system faces budget shortfall

News Staff
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
With school starting next week, Macon County Schools faces a $1.7 million budget shortfall in local funding. The Board of Commissioners allocated an increase of $409,380 for the school system, bringing the total local 2025-26 operational budget to $9,816,628.
Press graphic

Press graphic

FHS, Highlands school lunches set at $4

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
After a year of free lunches for everyone, some Franklin High and Highlands School students will pay $4 for school lunches this year. Macon County Schools is encouraging more parents to complete the school meal applications to determine if students qualify for free or reduced lunches.
Press photo/Mia Overton - The Town of Franklin will make an offer of $910,000 on the old Angel Hospital site. The town has contracted with DFI to study the possibility of housing and/or retail space on the site.

Press photo/Mia Overton - The Town of Franklin will make an offer of $910,000 on the old Angel Hospital site. The town has contracted with DFI to study the possibility of housing and/or retail space on the site.

Town makes offer on old Angel site

Mia Overton
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
The Town of Franklin is starting negotiations to buy the old Angel Hospital site on Riverview Street. The Town Council met in a closed session Monday morning followed by a vote on a resolution to authorize the purchase of the 14-acre property.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Burningtown-Iotla Fire and Rescue Chief Kenneth McCaskill at the Aug. 12 Board of Commissioners meeting.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Burningtown-Iotla Fire and Rescue Chief Kenneth McCaskill at the Aug. 12 Board of Commissioners meeting.

Fire department remains on probation

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Burningtown-Iotla Fire and Rescue found itself again in the hot seat after Fire Marshal Jimmy Teem could not recommend the department be removed from probation.
Graphic submitted - A concept drawing of the Franklin Farm Hub along Lakeside Drive and the Little Tennessee River.

Graphic submitted - A concept drawing of the Franklin Farm Hub along Lakeside Drive and the Little Tennessee River.

Planting pathways for food access

Mia Overton
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
A new plan to connect people with local food is taking root along the Little Tennessee River.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Macon County Airport has a waitlist for hangar space.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Macon County Airport has a waitlist for hangar space.

Macon County Airport usage takes off

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Beyond being a hub for private planes, Macon County Airport leaders say the airport is a potent economic driver for the county. According to information from the N.C.
Source: Development Finance Initiative

Source: Development Finance Initiative

Old hospital site could be used for housing, retail

Mia Overton
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
As the Town of Franklin continues to consider options for the old hospital property, the Town Council heard a report on housing and retail space needs. HCA, the parent company of HCA-Mission and Angel Medical Center, still owns the former hospital property on Riverside Street.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Kathy Peek (left) and Dave Linn (right) joined town officials in the groundbreaking for the inclusive playground at the new park the town is building off First Street in East Franklin. “We look forward to seeing a lot of kids out here enjoying this wonderful park,” said Mayor Jack Horton. Town Council members and staff at the ceremonial groundbreaking included Vice Mayor Stacy Guffey, Town Manager Amie Owens, Mayor Jack Horton, and Town Council members Mike Lewis and Joe Collins.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Kathy Peek (left) and Dave Linn (right) joined town officials in the groundbreaking for the inclusive playground at the new park the town is building off First Street in East Franklin. “We look forward to seeing a lot of kids out here enjoying this wonderful park,” said Mayor Jack Horton. Town Council members and staff at the ceremonial groundbreaking included Vice Mayor Stacy Guffey, Town Manager Amie Owens, Mayor Jack Horton, and Town Council members Mike Lewis and Joe Collins.

Looking on the Sunnyside

Mia Overton
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Children of all abilities will soon be able to enjoy playing outside at one of the prettiest spots in Franklin. On Friday, Aug. 8, the Town of Franklin broke ground for an inclusive playground to be located at what is commonly called the Whitmire property and was historically known as Sunnyside.