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Press file photo - Macon Early College student Laura Covarrubias has been a track and field standout for the Franklin Panthers. She is pictured competing in the long jump in March 2022.

Press file photo - Macon Early College student Laura Covarrubias has been a track and field standout for the Franklin Panthers. She is pictured competing in the long jump in March 2022.

MEC, Bartram students sidelined

Thomas Sherrill
Monday, July 1, 2024
Starting July 2025, Macon Early College and Bartram Academy students will no longer be able to participate in Franklin High School athletics, following a unanimous vote by the Macon County Board of Education at its June 27 meeting.
Press photo Thomas Sherrill - View of the Little Tennessee River from the Great Smokey Mountain Fish Camp and Safaris.

Press photo Thomas Sherrill - View of the Little Tennessee River from the Great Smokey Mountain Fish Camp and Safaris.

Flood plain ordinance public hearing set for July 9

Thomas Sherrill
Monday, July 1, 2024
The proposed ordinance amendment that would allow the use of outside fill in the floodplains of Macon County is heading to a public hearing and possible vote. Critics says the county is rushing a process without local expert input.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Schools staffers hand out free lunches and milk cartons to kids at the Macon County Public Library after a program. Kids receive free lunches at 11 a.m. every weekday at the library through Aug. 2.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Schools staffers hand out free lunches and milk cartons to kids at the Macon County Public Library after a program. Kids receive free lunches at 11 a.m. every weekday at the library through Aug. 2.

Free lunches fill summer hunger

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Macon County’s free summer meals program has distributed hundreds of breakfasts and lunches this summer and will continue through Aug. 23. “We have mainly received positive feedback,” said David Lightner, nutrition director for Macon County Schools.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Alcohol consumed outdoors in the social district must be sold in one of these approved cups.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Alcohol consumed outdoors in the social district must be sold in one of these approved cups.

Social district starts ‘without a hitch’

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Franklin’s downtown social district is officially open.  After several months of discussion, planning and preparation, Saturday, June 22 marked a unique day for the town, on which patrons of downtown businesses were legally able to consume alcohol in designated outdoor areas for the first time.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Jeff McDougall found space debris at his home in the Holly Springs community. It is believed to be from the SpaceX Dragon Crew-7. For reference, an 18-inch ruler is shown on a piece of the debris.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Jeff McDougall found space debris at his home in the Holly Springs community. It is believed to be from the SpaceX Dragon Crew-7. For reference, an 18-inch ruler is shown on a piece of the debris.

Space debris found in Macon County

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Multiple Western North Carolina residents, including at least two from Macon County, now can claim something from space landed in their yard. Jeff McDougall of the Holly Springs community recalls finding something interesting in early June. “It was about 100 yards from the house.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Commissioners Danny Antoine, Gary Shields and Josh Young vote in favor of the $63.7 million budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year at the June 11 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Commissioners Danny Antoine, Gary Shields and Josh Young vote in favor of the $63.7 million budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year at the June 11 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Macon County budget, Franklin Fire District tax passes

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
By a 3-2 vote, the Macon County Board of Commissioners approved the 2024-25 fiscal year budget with a 1.76-cent tax increase for the Franklin Fire District.
Press photo/Will Woolever - The Town of Franklin is foreclosing on this Hillside Street house as it does not meet the minimum housing requirements. It has not had water and sewer service in nearly three years and taxes are owed.

Press photo/Will Woolever - The Town of Franklin is foreclosing on this Hillside Street house as it does not meet the minimum housing requirements. It has not had water and sewer service in nearly three years and taxes are owed.

Town to foreclose on house for taxes owed

Mia Overton
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
The Town of Franklin has started the foreclosure process on a house that does not have water and sewer service, yet people have been living there, and the taxes have not been paid in seven years. During the June 3 Town Council meeting, Town Attorney John Henning Jr.
Press file photo - Flooding this past January along the Little Tennessee River Greenway near the Tassee Shelter on Ulco Drive in Franklin.

Press file photo - Flooding this past January along the Little Tennessee River Greenway near the Tassee Shelter on Ulco Drive in Franklin.

Franklin Planning Board to review flood plain ordinance

Mia Overton
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
As Macon County debates an amendment that would allow the use of fill in the flood plain, the Town of Franklin will begin an overall review of its flood plain ordinance.
Graphics/Town of Franklin. The Franklin social district graphic is set to open on June 22. Businesses displaying the green sign will allow alcohol on premises; those with the red sign will not. The ABC-permitted businesses selling the required cups for use in the social district will display a sign stating cups are available. The boundaries of the social district also will be marked with signs.

Graphics/Town of Franklin. The Franklin social district graphic is set to open on June 22. Businesses displaying the green sign will allow alcohol on premises; those with the red sign will not. The ABC-permitted businesses selling the required cups for use in the social district will display a sign stating cups are available. The boundaries of the social district also will be marked with signs.

Franklin Social District to begin June 22

Mia Overton
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
During the June 3 Franklin Town Council meeting, Town Manager Amie Owens said the town’s new Social District will go into effect Saturday, June 22.  Owens said it will take a couple of weeks to get everything in line and that the signage and boundary markers will be installed by June 14.
Press photo/Mia Overton. County Manager Derek Roland presents the proposed 2024-25 budget at a meeting on May 21. Also pictured are commissioners Paul Higdon, Danny Antoine and Chair Gary Shields.

Press photo/Mia Overton. County Manager Derek Roland presents the proposed 2024-25 budget at a meeting on May 21. Also pictured are commissioners Paul Higdon, Danny Antoine and Chair Gary Shields.

County proposes $63 million budget

Mia Overton
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
County Manager Derek Roland took a look back over the past decade when presenting the proposed 2024-25 county budget to the Macon County Board of Commissioners on May 21.