Local

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Franklin man charged with murder

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
The Macon County Sheriff’s Office recently arrested Christopher Allen Laws, 53 of Franklin, on charges of second degree murder and concealment of a death, on Saturday, April 19. Laws is currently being held without bond and the incident remains under investigation.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Representatives and leadership from American Legion Post 108 join Master Sergeant Thomas Kaye (front) after donating him a new motorized scooter. Pictured with Kaye are (from left) Terrence Adams, parliamentarian; Roger Pannabecker of the Sons of the American Legion, Brian Bishop, 1st vice commander; Al Albiston, commander; Kenny Peterson; and Ken Carpenter, past commander.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Representatives and leadership from American Legion Post 108 join Master Sergeant Thomas Kaye (front) after donating him a new motorized scooter. Pictured with Kaye are (from left) Terrence Adams, parliamentarian; Roger Pannabecker of the Sons of the American Legion, Brian Bishop, 1st vice commander; Al Albiston, commander; Kenny Peterson; and Ken Carpenter, past commander.

American Legion donates scooter to retired veteran

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Last Monday, on April 14, Franklin’s American Legion Post 108 donated a motorized scooter to 93-year-old Navy and Air Force Veteran Master Sergeant Thomas Kaye, who currently lives at the Franklin House.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Alpine Cottages resident Ted Pitcher addresses the Franklin Town Council about the community’s $9,000 water bill after a leak in the development’s water system.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Alpine Cottages resident Ted Pitcher addresses the Franklin Town Council about the community’s $9,000 water bill after a leak in the development’s water system.

Residents ask for relief with $9,000 water bill

Mia Overton
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Two residents from the Alpine Cottages community came to the Franklin Town Council after their community received a $9,000 water bill. Town Manager Amie Owens said a pipe on the property had burst and leaked about 2,000 gallons an hour, resulting in a total of about 900,000 gallons over 19 days.
Photo/Shelby Powell - Children and their families rush the field at the fifth annual Easter Egg Drop at South Macon Elementary.

Photo/Shelby Powell - Children and their families rush the field at the fifth annual Easter Egg Drop at South Macon Elementary.

Church air drops 10,000 Easter eggs

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
LifeSpring Community Church heralded the coming of Easter with its fifth annual egg drop at South Macon Elementary School on Saturday, dropping more than 10,000 Easter eggs for a crowd of children as young as two up to pre-teens.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Kevin Sinden of Countryside Chevrolet said the country’s three big automakers are working on a plan to address the auto tariffs.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Kevin Sinden of Countryside Chevrolet said the country’s three big automakers are working on a plan to address the auto tariffs.

Local dealerships have mixed responses on auto tariffs

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
As worldwide markets reel from President Donald Trump’s broad application of tariffs, which include a 25% tariff on automobiles and auto parts from Canada and Mexico, local car dealers appear to be taking their cues from corporate, implementing sales and deals or awaiting further advice on how the...
Press photo/Christian A. Ray - In conjunction with demonstrations held across the country, a “Hands Off” rally was held in downtown Franklin on Saturday, April 5, with about 300 people attending.

Press photo/Christian A. Ray - In conjunction with demonstrations held across the country, a “Hands Off” rally was held in downtown Franklin on Saturday, April 5, with about 300 people attending.

Protestors to government: ‘Hands Off’

News Staff
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Christian A. Ray, Intern thefranklinpressnews@gmail.com About 300 people gathered at the gazebo on Saturday, April 5, for the “Hands Off” rally in downtown Franklin. Similar demonstrations were held across the 50 states to voice concerns about Trump’s management of the country.
Press photo/Mia Overton. Public Health Finance Director Melissa Setzer presents the department’s budget requests at the March 25 Board of Health meeting.

Press photo/Mia Overton. Public Health Finance Director Melissa Setzer presents the department’s budget requests at the March 25 Board of Health meeting.

Staff shortage, pay concerns top Health Department concerns

Mia Overton
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Filling vacant positions and pay rates for Public Health employees were among the topics of discussion during the department’s budget presentation at the Macon County Board of Health meeting on March 25.
Graphic/NC Forest Service

Graphic/NC Forest Service

Area wildfires continue to burn

News Staff
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Shelby Powell reporter@thefranklinpress.com Wildfires have peppered Western North Carolina for weeks amid a statewide burn ban from the North Carolina Forest Service and separate bans from the Macon County and Franklin governments.