Local

Image/Solstice Partners - A rendering of the proposed Franklin Falls apartments on Siler Road.

Image/Solstice Partners - A rendering of the proposed Franklin Falls apartments on Siler Road.

Two apartment complexes proposed

Mia Overton
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
The Franklin Planning Board met Monday to review conditional zoning requests for two new proposed apartment complexes on Siler Road. The units would be designated as affordable housing for residents that meet income requirements.
Press file photo - Superintendent Josh Lynch says the county needs to build a new East Franklin School. The current building was constructed in 1951 and the school system has been told it “was not advisable to proceed any further” with plans for additions or renovations due to the age of the building.

Press file photo - Superintendent Josh Lynch says the county needs to build a new East Franklin School. The current building was constructed in 1951 and the school system has been told it “was not advisable to proceed any further” with plans for additions or renovations due to the age of the building.

Lynch: New East Franklin School needed

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Construction of a new East Franklin Elementary School is now inevitable as future additions to the 70-plus-year-old building are no longer possible. Macon County Superintendent Josh Lynch broached the idea in his comments to the Macon County Board of Commissioners during their Feb.
Photo submitted - Workers from line crews led by foremen Randy Taylor and Randell Ledford with Sumter Utilities rescued a man whose car overturned in Burningtown Creek.

Photo submitted - Workers from line crews led by foremen Randy Taylor and Randell Ledford with Sumter Utilities rescued a man whose car overturned in Burningtown Creek.

Linemen rescue driver from Burningtown Creek

Mia Overton
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Power company linemen usually perform their jobs well above the ground. But two crews working in Macon County last week found themselves making a water rescue. Crews from Sumter Utilities, a contractor for Duke Energy, were working on Middle Burningtown Road the morning of Feb.
Image/LS3P - A rendering of the proposed new Franklin High School.

Image/LS3P - A rendering of the proposed new Franklin High School.

FHS, Highlands School projects move forward

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
A plan to use the recent $62 million grant, $20 million in fund balance and a $72 million loan would pave the way for a new Franklin High School and a renovated Highlands School in the next two-plus years.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - County Manager Derek Roland presents a $180 million spending plan during the Feb. 8 budget kickoff meeting. Looking on is commissioner Paul Higdon.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - County Manager Derek Roland presents a $180 million spending plan during the Feb. 8 budget kickoff meeting. Looking on is commissioner Paul Higdon.

‘Once in a generation budget’

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Airport upgrades, Southwestern Community College expansions and more are part of a proposed $180 million spending plan over the next five years for Macon County.
Image/Town of Franklin - Plans for the future Women’s History Park

Image/Town of Franklin - Plans for the future Women’s History Park

New park named Women’s History Park

Mia Overton
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
The Franklin Town Council approved the name of the new park where the “Sowing the Seeds of the Future” sculpture will be installed in March. The “pocket park” located between the two bridges over the Little Tennessee River will be named Women’s History Park. The name was approved at the Feb.
Press photo - Will Woolever

Press photo - Will Woolever

Mr. & Miss FHS crowned

News Staff
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
This year’s Mr. and Miss FHS ceremony was unique in Franklin High School history. For the first time, a split vote crowned two seniors, Hope Smith (left) and McCall Sanders, as Miss FHS. Smith and Sanders are pictured with Mr. FHS Reed Raby on Tom Raby Court Feb. 2.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Voter registration deadline: Feb. 9

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
A recent court ruling affecting same-day registration verification is one of many new parts of the 2024 elections, starting with the primary in March. The voter registration deadline for the primary is this Friday, Feb. 9, by 5 p.m., with one-stop voting starting on Thursday, Feb. 15.
Photo/NCDOT - Crews work to fix the washed-out section of Highlands Road on Jan. 29.

Photo/NCDOT - Crews work to fix the washed-out section of Highlands Road on Jan. 29.

NCDOT: Highlands Road may re-open next week

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Less than a month after closure, U.S. 64/Highlands Road going through the Cullasaja Gorge could be open to the public early next week.
Map/Town of Franklin - Map showing the Franklin Fire Department district. The light area within the circle is the Town of Franklin. The blue is the five-mile response area, and the orange designates the six-mile response area.

Map/Town of Franklin - Map showing the Franklin Fire Department district. The light area within the circle is the Town of Franklin. The blue is the five-mile response area, and the orange designates the six-mile response area.

Franklin to get new fire truck

Mia Overton
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
In a split vote on Jan. 27, the Franklin Town Council voted to allocate $200,000 toward a new truck for Franklin Fire and Rescue. The need for two new fire trucks was discussed during last year’s budget sessions.