Local

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Workers maneuver a double-wide prebuilt house into a lot to replace a home lost to Hurricane Helene damage, letting Madeline Maynard move back onto the mountain after nine months without a home.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Workers maneuver a double-wide prebuilt house into a lot to replace a home lost to Hurricane Helene damage, letting Madeline Maynard move back onto the mountain after nine months without a home.

Woman left homeless after Helene finds hope

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Mountain Alliance delivered a prebuilt home to lifelong Franklin resident Madeline Maynard and her 17-year-old son Wednesday, replacing a family home that had been destroyed by Hurricane Helene in 2024.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - The Independence Day parade on Main Street, Franklin.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - The Independence Day parade on Main Street, Franklin.

July 4th celebration

News Staff
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
The Town of Franklin, Macon County and the Franklin Chamber of Commerce teamed up to present a day full of festivities for the July Fourth holiday.
Press graphic

Press graphic

County requests proposals for animal services

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
As part of an ongoing effort to manage Macon County Animal Services more effectively, the county put out a request for proposals on June 12 for firms interested in the administration and operation of the animal shelter.
Press photo

Press photo

Produce Rx program helps people eat healthier

News Staff
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Christian A. Ray, Intern - thefranklinpressnews@gmail.com The Macon County Health Department has received a grant that will supply fresh, healthy produce to local families. “This initiative is a great example of cross-sector collaboration – linking health, agriculture and social services.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Filing for town election opens July 7

News Staff
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Filing for the Town of Franklin and Highlands elections opens Monday, July 7. Candidates will have until noon Friday, July 18 to file. The town elections are non-partisan.
Photo/Bob Scott Law - enforcement from multiple agencies converged on Highway 64 in Macon County as they stopped Kelvin Simmons, who is charged in the shooting death of a detention officer in Cherokee County. Simmons led officers on a chase through Clay County into Macon County Monday afternoon.

Photo/Bob Scott Law - enforcement from multiple agencies converged on Highway 64 in Macon County as they stopped Kelvin Simmons, who is charged in the shooting death of a detention officer in Cherokee County. Simmons led officers on a chase through Clay County into Macon County Monday afternoon.

Officer killed in shooting

News Staff
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Randy Foster - editor@cherokeescout.com A federal inmate shot and killed a guard during a medical appointment Monday afternoon in Murphy, then led law enforcement officials on an hour-long chase that ended with his recapture in Macon County. Detention Sgt.
File photo - Trucks from Cowee Fire & Rescue.

File photo - Trucks from Cowee Fire & Rescue.

Changes in firefighter training

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
North Carolina firefighters must obtain several certifications from the Office of the State Fire Marshal to recognize hundreds of hours of training and preparation to respond to emergencies and save lives.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Franklin Town Council member Robbie Tompa presents Connie Grubermann a certificate of appreciation for her service on the TDA board, including serving as chair since 2018.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Franklin Town Council member Robbie Tompa presents Connie Grubermann a certificate of appreciation for her service on the TDA board, including serving as chair since 2018.

Grubermann closes decade on TDA board

Mia Overton
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
The Franklin Tourism Development Authority bid its long-time board member and chair Connie Grubermann a fond farewell at the June 9 meeting. There has been a Grubermann on the TDA board since 2008 when Connie’s husband, Michael, was appointed as a small accommodations representative.
Photo submitted - For the first time in more than 10 years, the WNC Wagon Train is returning to Franklin this week. Pictured: A previous Wagon Train parade in downtown Franklin.

Photo submitted - For the first time in more than 10 years, the WNC Wagon Train is returning to Franklin this week. Pictured: A previous Wagon Train parade in downtown Franklin.

Wagon Train rolls into town

News Staff
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Christian A. Ray, Intern - thefranklinpressnews@gmail.com The Western North Carolina Wagon Train is rolling back into town this week.