Local

Press photo/Mia Overton - Franklin Town Clerk Nicole Bradley (left) listens as Mayor Jack Horton reads a proclamation for Municipal Clerks Week, May 5-11. In addition to serving as clerk to the Town Council, Bradley is the town’s human resources director.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Franklin Town Clerk Nicole Bradley (left) listens as Mayor Jack Horton reads a proclamation for Municipal Clerks Week, May 5-11. In addition to serving as clerk to the Town Council, Bradley is the town’s human resources director.

Town approves zoning for three housing projects

Mia Overton
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
The Franklin Town Council held public hearings on three proposed affordable housing complexes during the monthly meeting on May 6. While the council gave approval for the conditional zoning requested for the three projects, it is expected only one project will be selected by the state this year.
Press file photo - A new East Franklin Elementary School is one of the items on the Board of Education’s capital outlay request. The current school was built in the 1950s and has seen several additions over the years. The cost of improvements requested for East Franklin is $26,297,545, including a new building.

Press file photo - A new East Franklin Elementary School is one of the items on the Board of Education’s capital outlay request. The current school was built in the 1950s and has seen several additions over the years. The cost of improvements requested for East Franklin is $26,297,545, including a new building.

School Board lists capital outlay requests

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
More than $34 million in requests, not counting the multi-million-dollar construction projects slated to begin this summer, are going to the Macon County Board of Commissioners to parse and decide upon.
Press file photo - The scene of the Prentiss Bridge Road fire where two people died on Jan. 4.

Press file photo - The scene of the Prentiss Bridge Road fire where two people died on Jan. 4.

Autopsy reveals details of murder-suicide

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Warning: This story contains graphic details. An autopsy shows dozens of stab wounds caused by several knives on the body of a 77-year-old woman. The stabbings were likely done by her 75-year-old husband who set their house on fire and died as well.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Led by Gracie Parker, attendees of the second annual Youth Mental Health Rally in downtown Franklin march down Main Street. More photos from the rally will be posted on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Led by Gracie Parker, attendees of the second annual Youth Mental Health Rally in downtown Franklin march down Main Street. More photos from the rally will be posted on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

Rally focuses on youth mental health

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Eleven-year-old Gracie Parker of Franklin led the second annual Youth Mental Health Rally on Sunday, April 28 at the downtown gazebo. The keynote speaker was N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley.
Press photo/Mia Overton Franklin Town Manager Amie Owens (standing), town administrative staff, Town Council members and Mayor Jack Horton discuss the proposed 2024-25 budget during a workshop on April 16 at Town Hall.

Press photo/Mia Overton Franklin Town Manager Amie Owens (standing), town administrative staff, Town Council members and Mayor Jack Horton discuss the proposed 2024-25 budget during a workshop on April 16 at Town Hall.

Franklin projects 6% budget increase

Mia Overton
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Franklin residents likely will not see an increase in their tax rate in the coming 2024-25 fiscal year. The Town Council held a budget workshop on April 16 with Town Manager Amie Owens outlining some of the expenses, capital improvements and outside funding requests.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Franklin Town Manager Amie Owens reviews the plans for Phase 1 of the park on the Whitmire property during a public hearing on April 18. The town is applying for a $500,000 grant to help pay for installation of an inclusive playground.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Franklin Town Manager Amie Owens reviews the plans for Phase 1 of the park on the Whitmire property during a public hearing on April 18. The town is applying for a $500,000 grant to help pay for installation of an inclusive playground.

Fair play for all

Mia Overton
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
The Town of Franklin is applying for a $500,000 grant that would be used to start Phase 1 of the park planned for the Whitmire property in East Franklin. If awarded, the N.C.
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.