Local

Map/Macon County GIS - Macon County will buy three tracts of land (outlined in red) adjacent to the Nantahala School property to build a septic system for the school. The school’s current septic system has been failing for years.

Map/Macon County GIS - Macon County will buy three tracts of land (outlined in red) adjacent to the Nantahala School property to build a septic system for the school. The school’s current septic system has been failing for years.

County to buy land in Nantahala

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
By a unanimous vote, the Macon County Board of Commissioners bought three tracts of land next to the Nantahala School to build a septic system. A combined 3.09 acres, the county is paying $90,000 for the three tracts, plus $4,000 for title fees, insurance, and attorney fees.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The former Pine Grove School at the corner of Peeks Creek Road and Highlands Road has stood there in one form or another for more than 125 years.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The former Pine Grove School at the corner of Peeks Creek Road and Highlands Road has stood there in one form or another for more than 125 years.

Peeks Creek Community opposes proposed sale of Pine Grove School

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
The Peeks Creek community mostly opposed selling the old Pine Grove School to a private developer during a public hearing at the April 9 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting. On March 6, Macon County got an offer from Roger Soderstrom Sr. and Roger Soderstrom Jr.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Board of Education discusses Pre-K tuition hike

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
A potential increase in Pre-K tuition rates was among the topics discussed at the Macon County Board of Education retreat on March 20. Throughout the day department heads gave presentations, including Brooke Keener, who oversees the Pre-K program.
Photo courtesy of Bob Scott - A hiker checks out the signatures of her fellow Appalachian Trail hikers on the welcome board on Main Street, Franklin.

Photo courtesy of Bob Scott - A hiker checks out the signatures of her fellow Appalachian Trail hikers on the welcome board on Main Street, Franklin.

Outdoor recreation hikes up economy

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Local business owners give varying accounts of outdoor tourism as a new study details what travelers prefer in Macon County and Western North Carolina. “We have so many people coming here from everywhere,” said Jackie Sroka of Three Eagles Outfitters.
Info/NC School Report Cards - Macon County Schools report card

Info/NC School Report Cards - Macon County Schools report card

Macon schools get passing grades

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
All but two Macon County Schools met growth expectations in 2022-23, according to state data presented to the Macon County Board of Education at its March 25 meeting.
Photo/Metro Creative - The Town of Franklin has amended its ordinance to clarify the definition of an abandoned or junked car.

Photo/Metro Creative - The Town of Franklin has amended its ordinance to clarify the definition of an abandoned or junked car.

Is your car junk?

Mia Overton
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
The Franklin Town Council approved amendments to its junk car ordinance and discussed overall code enforcement during its monthly meeting on April 1.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill. Angel Medical Center CEO Clint Kendall (far right) speaks to the Behavioral Health Task Force during its March 21 meeting.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill. Angel Medical Center CEO Clint Kendall (far right) speaks to the Behavioral Health Task Force during its March 21 meeting.

Angel Medical CEO says old hospital teardown likely

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Tearing down the old Angel Medical Center in Franklin is likely due to costs and the age of the building, according to the hospital’s CEO.
Photo/Enoch Autrey/Clayton Tribune. Then-MEC freshman Laura Covarrubias competes for Franklin in the long jump at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School March 31, 2022.

Photo/Enoch Autrey/Clayton Tribune. Then-MEC freshman Laura Covarrubias competes for Franklin in the long jump at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School March 31, 2022.

Students speak against potential MEC athletics ban

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Two Macon Early College students decried the potential of not being allowed to play Franklin High School sports during public comment of the Monday, March 25, Macon County Board of Education meeting at Macon Middle School.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill. The Sowing Seeds of the Future statue was officially unveiled Saturday during a ceremony on the banks of the Little Tennessee River, near where each of the three women depicted once lived. From left, pictured unveiling the statue is Women’s History Trail leadership team members Mary Polanski and Theresa Ramsey, plus Rebecca Stacey, a descendant of Na-Ka Rebecca Morris who is one of the women depicted in the statue.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill. The Sowing Seeds of the Future statue was officially unveiled Saturday during a ceremony on the banks of the Little Tennessee River, near where each of the three women depicted once lived. From left, pictured unveiling the statue is Women’s History Trail leadership team members Mary Polanski and Theresa Ramsey, plus Rebecca Stacey, a descendant of Na-Ka Rebecca Morris who is one of the women depicted in the statue.

Sowing the Seeds of the Future

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
After six years of planning, fundraising and construction, the Women’s History Trail of Franklin has its centerpiece, as Sowing the Seeds of the Future was unveiled and dedicated on Saturday, March 23 in front of hundreds.