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Press photo/Shelby Powell - Patience Eicher receives her diploma from Bartram Academy principal Nikki Oberley. See more photos on Page A6 and on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Patience Eicher receives her diploma from Bartram Academy principal Nikki Oberley. See more photos on Page A6 and on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

Bartram seniors cross the stage

News Staff
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Guests, friends and family, crowded into Discover Church Friday, May 29, to celebrate the 37 graduates from Bartram Academy.Prior to the ceremony, Hayden Perez said he was nervous about his role in the ceremony welcoming guests. He plans to work in construction after graduation.
Drawing courtesy of Macon County - A new plan for the pickleball courts will establish 20 courts with green and blue pavement, two shade structures and an artificial turf zone for recreation and events with restrooms at the north end. A paved parking area is planned on the east side of the complex. The courts will take the place of the old softball field at the Rec Park, below Wendy's and across the creek from the community building.

Drawing courtesy of Macon County - A new plan for the pickleball courts will establish 20 courts with green and blue pavement, two shade structures and an artificial turf zone for recreation and events with restrooms at the north end. A paved parking area is planned on the east side of the complex. The courts will take the place of the old softball field at the Rec Park, below Wendy's and across the creek from the community building.

Pickleball project gets summer start date

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
The new pickleball courts, a long-awaited project coming to the Macon County Rec Park, finally has a start date coming the second week of July.Pickleball players have been asking for updates on the project for months, at least since the courts saw a host of design delays in 2025.
Press photo/Mia Overton - The Franklin Town Council and staff members discussed capital improvement projects during the May 18 budget work session.

Press photo/Mia Overton - The Franklin Town Council and staff members discussed capital improvement projects during the May 18 budget work session.

Council paves way for road projects

Mia Overton
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
The Town of Franklin is looking at a $13,069,672 budget going into the 2026-27 fiscal year that begins July 1.The public hearing on the budget will be held during the Town Council meeting on Monday, June 1, at 6 p.m. in the board room on the lower level of Town Hall.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Glenda Cook from Cullasaja Gorge Fire and Rescue requests a fire tax increase for the volunteer fire department.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Glenda Cook from Cullasaja Gorge Fire and Rescue requests a fire tax increase for the volunteer fire department.

Commissioners hear fire tax, library requests

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
The Macon County Board of Commissioners met Thursday, May 21, to hear from county fire departments and other entities about the proposed 2026-27 budget. The board was set to continue the discussion on Tuesday, May 26.Cullasaja Gorge Fire and Rescue requested a service fee increase of .009 to .057.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - County Commissioner Gary Shields, a former FHS principal and longtime advocate for the new high school project, is one of the first to sign his name to the beam, next to board chair Josh Young.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - County Commissioner Gary Shields, a former FHS principal and longtime advocate for the new high school project, is one of the first to sign his name to the beam, next to board chair Josh Young.

Oberley, Painter get principal posts

News Staff
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
The Macon County Board of Education approved three school administration changes at its May 18 meeting. Bartram Academy's interim principal Nikki Oberley was tapped to fill the full-time principal slot on June 1.
Press photo/Vickie Carpenter - Members of the VFW 7339 and American Legion Post 108 salute the colors during the Memorial Day ceremony on May 25, 2026. See more photos on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

Press photo/Vickie Carpenter - Members of the VFW 7339 and American Legion Post 108 salute the colors during the Memorial Day ceremony on May 25, 2026. See more photos on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

Honoring fallen heroes

News Staff
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
American Legion Post 108 presented the Memorial Day ceremony on May 25, 2026, at the Veterans Memorial Park in Franklin.Guest speaker was Mike Carpenter, son of Ken and Audry Carpenter of Franklin. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17 and served for nine years.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - County commissioners listen to the budget presentation at the May 12 meeting.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - County commissioners listen to the budget presentation at the May 12 meeting.

Proposed budget cuts $7.6 million in department requests

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
The proposed 2026-27 Macon County budget keeps the tax rate at 27 cents per $100 valuation but leaves out more than $7 million in asks from county departments.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - County Planning Director Joe Allen talks with county commissioners about options for repairs and renovations at Macon Early College.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - County Planning Director Joe Allen talks with county commissioners about options for repairs and renovations at Macon Early College.

County holds off on MEC construction

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
The Macon County Board of Commissioners voted May 12 to put off repairs to Macon Early College.The board chose not to take immediate action on a singular bid from Wind River Construction to make repairs and renovations to Macon Early College.
Press photo/Mia Overton - The Town of Franklin will hold two days of public workshops on May 28 and 29 to get input on future improvements for the Main Street area.

Press photo/Mia Overton - The Town of Franklin will hold two days of public workshops on May 28 and 29 to get input on future improvements for the Main Street area.

Help shape Main Street’s future

Mia Overton
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
The Town of Franklin is asking for the public’s ideas for improving the Main Street area.The town has embarked on a “Main Street Transformation” project with the hopes of making some changes that will coincide with the state repaving the road in 2028.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Macon Early College student Kaden Marr accepts his diploma from principal Caleb Parham. Marr earned an Associate in Arts and a Criminal Justice Technology Certificate and will attend Western Carolina University. See more MEC graduation photos on Page A3 and on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Macon Early College student Kaden Marr accepts his diploma from principal Caleb Parham. Marr earned an Associate in Arts and a Criminal Justice Technology Certificate and will attend Western Carolina University. See more MEC graduation photos on Page A3 and on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

MEC grads reflect on accomplishments

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
In the school’s traditional blue caps and gowns, a handful of Macon Early College students walked the stage Sunday to mark their commencement and move on to the next stages of their lives.