Local

Source: Little T Broadband - A map of the broadband projects in Macon County, including the new BalsamWest CAB Grant in red, as of July 9, 2024.

Source: Little T Broadband - A map of the broadband projects in Macon County, including the new BalsamWest CAB Grant in red, as of July 9, 2024.

Update on Macon County broadband projects

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Macon County’s second broadband project this decade is finished and three more that will bring service to 4,000 new locations are starting soon.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Due to the large number of people attending, the July 9 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting was moved from the boardroom to the courtroom on the fourth floor of the Courthouse. Thirty-eight people spoke during the public hearings.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Due to the large number of people attending, the July 9 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting was moved from the boardroom to the courtroom on the fourth floor of the Courthouse. Thirty-eight people spoke during the public hearings.

County pauses flood plain changes

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Before the public comments started, Macon County Board of Commissioners Chair Gary Shields told the overflow crowd at the July 9 meeting that he would ask to table three ordinance changes after each public hearing.
Photo submitted - Local drone pilot Eric Haggart

Photo submitted - Local drone pilot Eric Haggart

Local drone pilot concerned after gun incident

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
A local drone pilot hopes more people’s suspicions of drones relax following a recent incident where a landowner tried to shoot one down while the pilot searched for a lost pet. Macon County photographer Eric Haggart is an eight-year licensed drone operator.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Most Macon County 2024 elections will be uncontested

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
The clock striking noon on Friday, July 5, signaled the end of a month-long registration period for Macon County’s four nonpartisan political offices up for re-election this November. But only one of those elections will have more than one name on the ballot.
Press file photo - Pictured are the Macon County Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education meeting in May at the FHS Fine Arts Center. It has been suggested that the two boards hold joint monthly meetings to talk about the ongoing construction projects.

Press file photo - Pictured are the Macon County Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education meeting in May at the FHS Fine Arts Center. It has been suggested that the two boards hold joint monthly meetings to talk about the ongoing construction projects.

School board members respond to commissioners about construction experience

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
One Macon County school board member said recent county commissioner comments decrying their experience were “infuriating” as the board expressed a desire for more joint meetings as major capital projects get underway.
Press photo/Mia Overton - During the July 1 Franklin Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Bill Deal (right) recognized his staff members who recently completed certification training. Jon Sanders (left) received Collections 1 certification and Rusty Cortopassi completed Collections 2 training. Both are equipment operators with the public works department. Water treatment plant operator Korah Shepherd (not pictured) received B Certification.

Press photo/Mia Overton - During the July 1 Franklin Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Bill Deal (right) recognized his staff members who recently completed certification training. Jon Sanders (left) received Collections 1 certification and Rusty Cortopassi completed Collections 2 training. Both are equipment operators with the public works department. Water treatment plant operator Korah Shepherd (not pictured) received B Certification.

Town mulls ways to spend ARPA money

Mia Overton
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
The clock is ticking on the Town of Franklin’s remaining $421,761 in American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded during the COVID pandemic.
Press graphic

Press graphic

County sees uptick in drug overdoses

Thomas Sherrill
Monday, July 1, 2024
A string of overdose deaths in Macon County has local law enforcement and outreach nonprofit groups trying to find ways to combat more potent drugs in the area. In one week in late May/early June, there were five overdoses in Macon County, three resulting in deaths.
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.