Local

Press graphic

Press graphic

No county tax rate increase expected

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
County Manager Warren Cabe presented a proposed budget of $64,711,599 that maintains the current property tax rate of .27 per $100 property value. During the Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting on May 13, Cabe said the budget would be slightly larger than the current year’s $63.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Dozens file into the Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting chamber to show support for local waterways, the regional library system and to discuss the county’s Community Funding Pool.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Dozens file into the Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting chamber to show support for local waterways, the regional library system and to discuss the county’s Community Funding Pool.

Macon has no intention of leaving regional library system

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
With Jackson County considering leaving the regional library system, Macon County residents showed up at the Board of Commissioners meeting on May 13 to voice their support for the library.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Local biologist Jason Love (right) discusses unnecessary damage to local waterways caused by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers debris removal efforts. Listening are County Commissioners Gary Shields and John Shearl.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Local biologist Jason Love (right) discusses unnecessary damage to local waterways caused by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers debris removal efforts. Listening are County Commissioners Gary Shields and John Shearl.

Lessons learned about river cleanup

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Dozens of locals filed into the Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting room during its meeting on Tuesday, May 13, to signal support for public issues, most of which were not on the agenda.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - The Macon County Board of Commissioners have instructed Burningtown-Iotla and Cowee fire departments to present a plan for merging the departments. This comes after Burningtown-Iotla has been on probation since July 2024.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - The Macon County Board of Commissioners have instructed Burningtown-Iotla and Cowee fire departments to present a plan for merging the departments. This comes after Burningtown-Iotla has been on probation since July 2024.

Fire departments to discuss merger

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
At the closing of its May meeting, the Macon County Board of Commissioners heard an update on the state of Burningtown-Iotla Fire and Rescue from Chairman Mike Yacks.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Mayor Jack Horton displays the award the Town of Franklin received for signing the N.C. League of Municipalities “Commit to Civility” pledge. Franklin was the second town to sign the pledge and the first to have 100% participation. As part of the pledge council members attended a two-hour training and passed a resolution to support a civil, respectful and effective approach to local leadership. Also pictured are Town Council members Rita Salain and Robbie Tompa.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Mayor Jack Horton displays the award the Town of Franklin received for signing the N.C. League of Municipalities “Commit to Civility” pledge. Franklin was the second town to sign the pledge and the first to have 100% participation. As part of the pledge council members attended a two-hour training and passed a resolution to support a civil, respectful and effective approach to local leadership. Also pictured are Town Council members Rita Salain and Robbie Tompa.

Council opposes bills restricting local government

Mia Overton
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
During its meeting on May 5, the Franklin Town Council passed a resolution opposing several bills introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly.
Map/USGS - A map showing the area of the earthquake felt in Macon County on May 10, 2025.

Map/USGS - A map showing the area of the earthquake felt in Macon County on May 10, 2025.

Mild earthquake shakes Macon County

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
A magnitude 4.1 earthquake near Greenback, Tennessee, rattled the weekend as homes throughout Western North Carolina felt the shaking. The earthquake, which occurred at 9:04 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, alarmed many locals in Macon and its surrounding counties.
Press photo/Will Woolever - FHS student Myles Bargman in the cockpit as he prepares to take off at the Macon County Airport.

Press photo/Will Woolever - FHS student Myles Bargman in the cockpit as he prepares to take off at the Macon County Airport.

FHS students aim for the sky

News Staff
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
A group of Franklin High School students earned a unique opportunity last week. On Friday, May 9, members of the Aviation 1 class traveled to the Macon County Airport for a hands-on flying lesson. Franklin is one of just three high schools in N.C. to offer such a class.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Contractors for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers remove debris along the section of the Little Tennessee River in East Franklin.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Contractors for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers remove debris along the section of the Little Tennessee River in East Franklin.

County meets with Corps on debris removal

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
On Monday, April 28, representatives from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Corps contractor Kituwah Services and Macon County met to discuss the local response to debris removal efforts in local waterways, according to County Manager Warren Cabe, who attended the meeting.
Press photo/Mia Overton - The Town Council voted unanimously Monday night to order that this house and property at 7 Cat Creek Estates be vacated and closed due to violations of the Minimum Housing Code. The owner also owes $3,736.21 in taxes, which have not been paid since 2017.

Press photo/Mia Overton - The Town Council voted unanimously Monday night to order that this house and property at 7 Cat Creek Estates be vacated and closed due to violations of the Minimum Housing Code. The owner also owes $3,736.21 in taxes, which have not been paid since 2017.

Town moves to vacate run-down house

Mia Overton
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Three residents of Cat Creek Ridge Estates came to the Franklin Town Council meeting Monday night asking for something to be done about one of the homes in the neighborhood.