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Press file photo - Diane Cotton (right) was often seen at community events giving out free children’s books for Read2Me. She is pictured with Lee Berger at a Family Fun Day at Winding Stair Gardens in 2024.

Press file photo - Diane Cotton (right) was often seen at community events giving out free children’s books for Read2Me. She is pictured with Lee Berger at a Family Fun Day at Winding Stair Gardens in 2024.

Cotton was a ‘shining jewel’ in community

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Diane Fuller Cotton, a longtime Franklin educator and volunteer with the Friends of the Library and Read2Me, worked tirelessly for the community before her passing last week.  Cotton passed away Monday, April 6, at age 68. She was born Dec. 1, 1957, in Swisher, Texas.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Macon County Commissioner Chair Josh Young, Superintendent Josh Lynch and Macon County Schools finance officer Laney Ledford speak after a liaison meeting.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Macon County Commissioner Chair Josh Young, Superintendent Josh Lynch and Macon County Schools finance officer Laney Ledford speak after a liaison meeting.

FHS flooring choice to save money

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Director of Plant Operations Tracy Tallent said LVT, a previously undiscussed flooring option for Franklin High School, could save money on construction.  The discussion came during an April 7 meeting between the Macon County Board of Education and County Commissioner liaisons.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Mia of Macon Middle, Elizabeth of Habilities and Jaqueline of Franklin High School take the winners’ stage for a photo after competing in a tennis ball throw. See more photos on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Mia of Macon Middle, Elizabeth of Habilities and Jaqueline of Franklin High School take the winners’ stage for a photo after competing in a tennis ball throw. See more photos on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

Special Olympics 2026

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
The Macon County Special Olympics was held Friday, April 10, at Macon Middle School.
Press photo/Shelby Powell. David Culpepper is sworn in as a Macon County Planning Board member by Planning Department administrative assistant Tara Mellies. Culpepper was elected to serve as board chair.

Press photo/Shelby Powell. David Culpepper is sworn in as a Macon County Planning Board member by Planning Department administrative assistant Tara Mellies. Culpepper was elected to serve as board chair.

Planning Board talks hears redistricting requests

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
A discussion about redistricting continued April 2 at the Macon County Planning Board’s first meeting in a year.
Press photo/Shelby Powell. Bridget Cain and Dan Gellman at Pyramid Healthcare’s new Franklin location.

Press photo/Shelby Powell. Bridget Cain and Dan Gellman at Pyramid Healthcare’s new Franklin location.

Addiction treatment center opens in Franklin

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
In an effort to address a long-cited need in the community, on April 1 a new outpatient addiction facility opened in Franklin. Pyramid Healthcare Inc.

Merchants request pause on Main Street rebranding

Mia Overton
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
A vote on a resolution to rebrand the Main Street area as “uptown” was tabled Monday night following a recommendation from the Franklin Downtown Merchants Association. The rebranding topic came up during the Franklin Town Council’s retreat in February and again at last month’s meeting.
(Press photo/Mia Overton) Victor Moraloza watches Franklin’s July 4th parade in 2025. Moraloza served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army from 1968-1971. He said being in the military gave him a stronger appreciation for life. He had three brothers who also served in Vietnam, with three of his family members in the 173 Airborne Brigade from 1966-1974. His brother Carlos died on March 9, 1969, while serving with the “Big Red One” – the name given to the 1st Infantry Division. The back of his jacket is embroidered

(Press photo/Mia Overton) Victor Moraloza watches Franklin’s July 4th parade in 2025. Moraloza served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army from 1968-1971. He said being in the military gave him a stronger appreciation for life. He had three brothers who also served in Vietnam, with three of his family members in the 173 Airborne Brigade from 1966-1974. His brother Carlos died on March 9, 1969, while serving with the “Big Red One” – the name given to the 1st Infantry Division. The back of his jacket is embroidered

Remembering those who served in Vietnam

Mia Overton
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Fifty-one years ago the last U.S. service members left South Vietnam and the last Prisoners of War were released, including two Macon County men who were held in captivity for nearly seven years.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - People gathered on Town Square in Franklin on March 28 for a “No Kings” rally.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - People gathered on Town Square in Franklin on March 28 for a “No Kings” rally.

‘No Kings’ rally draws 400+

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Saturday marked the third round of No Kings protests, joining more than 3,000 events nationwide and internationally.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Press under new ownership

News Staff
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Paxton Media Group (PMG) has acquired nine community newspapers in the Murphy and Franklin regions of western North Carolina and north Georgia from Community Newspapers, Inc. (CNI), based in Athens, Georgia.