Local

Press photo/Shelby Powell - County Manager Warren Cabe speaks at the Eggs and Issues business forum on Aug. 1 at the Chamber of Commerce.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - County Manager Warren Cabe speaks at the Eggs and Issues business forum on Aug. 1 at the Chamber of Commerce.

Cabe reports on state of the county

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
County Manager Warren Cabe presented a “State of the County” report for the Eggs and Issues business forum presented by the Franklin Chamber of Commerce. Cabe highlighted the 2025-26 county budget and ongoing and future county projects.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - REACH staff, directors and forensic nursing experts discussed REACH’s new forensic nursing program. From left: Bonnie Peggs, Andrea Anderson, Jennifer Turner-Lynn, Rebecca Bilbrey, Emma Maxwell, Dr. Clayton Davis and Renee Collette.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - REACH staff, directors and forensic nursing experts discussed REACH’s new forensic nursing program. From left: Bonnie Peggs, Andrea Anderson, Jennifer Turner-Lynn, Rebecca Bilbrey, Emma Maxwell, Dr. Clayton Davis and Renee Collette.

REACH launches forensic nursing program

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
REACH of Macon County held a panel discussion Thursday to celebrate and share details on the launch of its new forensic nursing program. Members of the public, local leaders and representatives of law enforcement attended the meeting at the Macon County Community Building on July 31.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Dr. Joanne Roesner speaks in support of the Board of Health retaining control of the Health Department during the monthly board meeting on July 29.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Dr. Joanne Roesner speaks in support of the Board of Health retaining control of the Health Department during the monthly board meeting on July 29.

Resigned: Board of Health members walk out

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Two Macon County Board of Health members walked out of a closed session meeting last week and gave their resignations. During the public portion of the regular monthly meeting on July 29, the board members discussed how to deal with employee complaints.
Photo submitted - Trooper is recovering at Hot Mess Horse and Animal Rescue.

Photo submitted - Trooper is recovering at Hot Mess Horse and Animal Rescue.

Woman convicted on animal cruelty charge

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Sandra Gibbs Medina, 69 of Franklin, was convicted of animal cruelty and livestock at large, after depriving her horse, Trooper, of food.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Low Tide brought the sounds of the 80s to life during the parade on Saturday, Aug. 2 as part of 80s Flashback Weekend festivities. The band performed Prince’s “Purple Rain” as they stopped for the judging at the intersection of Main and Iotla Streets. See more photos on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Low Tide brought the sounds of the 80s to life during the parade on Saturday, Aug. 2 as part of 80s Flashback Weekend festivities. The band performed Prince’s “Purple Rain” as they stopped for the judging at the intersection of Main and Iotla Streets. See more photos on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

80s Flashback Weekend

Mia Overton
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
The 11th annual 80s Flashback Weekend was held Aug. 1 and 2 in downtown Franklin. The two-day event raises money for Shriners Children’s Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina. Friday night’s show included Carbon Harry as the opening act followed by Bad Medicine, a Bon Jovi tribute band.
Photo submitted - The Morris family cuts the ribbon for the opening of Franklin Health and Fitness in 1988.

Photo submitted - The Morris family cuts the ribbon for the opening of Franklin Health and Fitness in 1988.

Remembering Franklin doctor Ed Morris

Shelby Powell
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Dr. Ed Morris, a physician who had a powerful impact on Franklin, passed away on Sunday, July 13, after a five-year struggle with Alzheimer’s. Morris, who was born in Charlotte, was attracted to Franklin in the late 1970s as the local medical community was growing.
Photos/Shelby Powell - Appalachian Animal Rescue Center’s new manager Nikki Jones (left) and assistant manager Angela Cox (right) have been working with the nonprofit for two months, working on building renovations for most of that time.

Photos/Shelby Powell - Appalachian Animal Rescue Center’s new manager Nikki Jones (left) and assistant manager Angela Cox (right) have been working with the nonprofit for two months, working on building renovations for most of that time.

AARC renovates animal shelter

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Appalachian Animal Rescue Center held an open house on Saturday, July 19, to show off renovations to the center and new services available. The combination open house, fundraiser and adoption event was held at the rescue center’s location off Lake Emory Road.
Press photo/Christian A. Ray - KIDS Place Executive Director Alisa Ashe says the nonprofit’s new location on Georgia Road allows them to better serve children and presents opportunities to expand in the future.

Press photo/Christian A. Ray - KIDS Place Executive Director Alisa Ashe says the nonprofit’s new location on Georgia Road allows them to better serve children and presents opportunities to expand in the future.

A new home for KIDS Place

News Staff
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Christian A. Ray, Intern - thefranklinpressnews@gmail.com   After 33 years of serving Macon County, KIDS Place recently moved to a new home. Executive Director Alisa Ashe said she looks forward to the future opportunities the new location will bring for the nonprofit organization.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Contractors are continuing to work on rebuilding and enhancing the riverbank along Jones Creek, next to Maiden’s Chapel.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Contractors are continuing to work on rebuilding and enhancing the riverbank along Jones Creek, next to Maiden’s Chapel.

Project restores Jones Creek habitat

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
A North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality contractor is at work rebuilding the riverbed along a stretch of Jones Creek near Maiden’s Chapel.
Press photo/Vickie Carpenter - Lora Barham was crowned Miss 1980 Something during the pageant on Saturday, July 26, at Currahee Brewing Company. More photos from the pageant will be posted on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

Press photo/Vickie Carpenter - Lora Barham was crowned Miss 1980 Something during the pageant on Saturday, July 26, at Currahee Brewing Company. More photos from the pageant will be posted on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

Flashing back to good times in the 1980s

News Staff
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Christian A. Ray, Intern - thefranklinpressnews@gmail.com   The 80’s Flashback Weekend is sure to have some tubular times for Franklin. The weekend will be full of teased hair, so Don’t Stop Believin’ and even if there is Purple Rain don’t Beat It, because Girls (and Boys) Just Want to Have Fun.