Local

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.
Press photo/Mia Overton. Duotech, located in the Macon County Industrial Park, plans to purchase additional property in the park, adding up to 50,000 square feet of new operating space and 95 jobs over five years.

Press photo/Mia Overton. Duotech, located in the Macon County Industrial Park, plans to purchase additional property in the park, adding up to 50,000 square feet of new operating space and 95 jobs over five years.

Duotech expanding, adding 95 jobs

Mia Overton
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
The Macon County Board of Commissioners voted Monday night to sell property in the industrial park to Duotech Services for an expansion that will create 95 new jobs over five years. While wages will vary depending on position, the average salary for the new jobs will be $91,271.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Board of Elections Chair Kathy Tinsley, Vice Chair Gary Dills and Secretary Jeffrey Gillette look over provisional votes during canvass on Friday, March 15.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Board of Elections Chair Kathy Tinsley, Vice Chair Gary Dills and Secretary Jeffrey Gillette look over provisional votes during canvass on Friday, March 15.

Board of Elections counts 15 more votes in canvass

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Fifteen extra votes were added to the tally in Macon County as part of the state-mandated canvass conducted by the Macon County Board of Elections on Friday, March 15.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Franklin High School sign and front entrance, as seen from Porter Street.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Franklin High School sign and front entrance, as seen from Porter Street.

FHS construction management negotiations begin

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
A Gainesville, Georgia, company known for building schools is in negotiations to be in charge of constructing the new Franklin High School.