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Press Photo/Shelby Powell - Macon County residents walk behind a banner to raise awareness for elder abuse.

Press Photo/Shelby Powell - Macon County residents walk behind a banner to raise awareness for elder abuse.

Walking for elder abuse awareness

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Residents and local lawmakers gathered Monday, June 16, at the gazebo in downtown Franklin to advocate for seniors and to spread awareness at the Area Agency on Aging’s annual Elder Abuse Awareness Walk. The program began at 5:30 p.m.
Photo submitted - Franklin Mayor Jack Horton presents a resolution to Bobbie Contino, recognizing her for 40 years as executive director of the Macon County Arts Council. Council member Nate Anderson stands in the background.

Photo submitted - Franklin Mayor Jack Horton presents a resolution to Bobbie Contino, recognizing her for 40 years as executive director of the Macon County Arts Council. Council member Nate Anderson stands in the background.

Contino recognized for 40 years of service

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Franklin Mayor Jack Horton dropped into Shoney’s during Saturday’s Macon County Arts Council meeting to present two resolutions to the Arts Council for 50 years of operation and to Executive Director Bobbie Contino, who will soon be stepping back from the role after 40 years.
Photo/Eric Haggart - An aerial view of the ongoing construction at the Franklin High School stadium.

Photo/Eric Haggart - An aerial view of the ongoing construction at the Franklin High School stadium.

Progress continues on FHS construction

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Construction at Franklin High School continues to move along as expected, with new construction starting now that school has been dismissed for the summer. An update was also made to the county’s capital project ordinance to account for new, recently appropriated funding.
Press photos/Shelby Powell - Cullasaja resident Don Willis speaks to the county commissioners, advocating for a one-cent tax increase for the fire district.

Press photos/Shelby Powell - Cullasaja resident Don Willis speaks to the county commissioners, advocating for a one-cent tax increase for the fire district.

No fire tax rate increase for Cullasaja Gorge

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
In spite of requests from representatives of the Cullasaja Gorge Fire Department and testimony from some members of the Cullasaja Fire District, the Macon County Board of Commissioners refused to increase the district’s tax rate by one cent per $100 valuation.
Press photo/Vickie Carpenter - Will Williams places a flag in one of the burn barrels during the American Legion’s flag retirement ceremony.

Press photo/Vickie Carpenter - Will Williams places a flag in one of the burn barrels during the American Legion’s flag retirement ceremony.

Flag retirement

News Staff
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
On Flag Day, June 14, American Legion Post 108 held a flag retirement ceremony with more than 400 flags burned, which is considered the proper disposal of U.S. flags that are no longer suitable for display.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - The Macon County Public Library Board of Trustees met on June 3.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - The Macon County Public Library Board of Trustees met on June 3.

Gaston addresses email, questions FRL

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
The Macon County Public Library Board of Trustees’ June meeting saw a discussion of summer programs, conversations about staff training and a measure to request guidance on how to best comply with state law.
Photo submitted - A 24-year-old Franklin man was killed in an accident on Old Murphy Road.

Photo submitted - A 24-year-old Franklin man was killed in an accident on Old Murphy Road.

Unsecured load cited as cause of fatal wreck

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Bradley Monteith, 24, of Franklin was killed after his vehicle was struck by an unsecured load from a commercial truck Thursday, June 5, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. The collision took place on Old Murphy Road.