Local

Press graphic

Press graphic

School board approves 2024-25 calendar

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Students and teachers in the Franklin area, Nantahala and Highlands will have the same school calendar in 2024-25 as unanimously approved Monday, Jan. 22, by the Macon County Board of Education.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The aftermath of the Jan. 4 fire at 796 Prentiss Bridge Road, as photographed on Jan. 19.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The aftermath of the Jan. 4 fire at 796 Prentiss Bridge Road, as photographed on Jan. 19.

Fire ruled murder-suicide, arson

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
A Jan. 4 house fire on Prentiss Bridge Road where two people were found dead has been determined to be a murder-suicide, the Macon County Sheriff’s Office stated on Friday, Jan. 19.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Law enforcement vehicles converged at Mountain View Intermediate School on Tuesday, Jan. 16, to respond to a threat against the school.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Law enforcement vehicles converged at Mountain View Intermediate School on Tuesday, Jan. 16, to respond to a threat against the school.

Shooting threat leads to school lockdown

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Multiple “threatening calls” to 911 caused a hectic hour of police sirens and panicked parents at Mountain View Intermediate School on Tuesday, Jan. 16.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Commissioner Josh Young speaks to GeoServices’ Danny Williams during the Jan. 9 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting, as Board Chair Gary Shields looks on.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Commissioner Josh Young speaks to GeoServices’ Danny Williams during the Jan. 9 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting, as Board Chair Gary Shields looks on.

County picks pickleball court design firm

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Negotiations for contracts for pickleball and tennis courts at the Macon County Recreation Park and the Macon Middle School track got approval from the Macon County Board of Commissioners at its Tuesday, Jan. 9 meeting.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Matt Saenger, director of sales and marketing with BalsamWest, speaks to the Macon County Board of Commissioners.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Matt Saenger, director of sales and marketing with BalsamWest, speaks to the Macon County Board of Commissioners.

Broadband projects set for construction

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
The first phase of the Nantahala broadband project could be completed in the next three months, and new broadband lines are slated for construction between Otto and Highlands within the year. This news was part of a presentation made at the Jan.
Press graphic

Press graphic

County submits grant for new FHS

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
The application that hopes to net Macon County up to $62 million in grant funds for the new Franklin High School project is now in the hands of the state. On Dec.
Map/Town of Franklin - The Franklin Main Street social district, highlighted in blue, will include Main Street between Town Hall and Lazy Hiker Brewing, Stewart Street, part of Philips Street and part of Iotla Street. The county properties are not included in the district.

Map/Town of Franklin - The Franklin Main Street social district, highlighted in blue, will include Main Street between Town Hall and Lazy Hiker Brewing, Stewart Street, part of Philips Street and part of Iotla Street. The county properties are not included in the district.

Franklin Town Council approves social district

Mia Overton
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Franklin could have a social district by the time the summer tourist season starts. The Town Council approved on Jan. 3 an ordinance that would establish a social district in the Main Street area.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The investigation into the deadly Jan. 4 fire at this Prentiss Bridge Road home continues.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The investigation into the deadly Jan. 4 fire at this Prentiss Bridge Road home continues.

Two die in Prentiss Bridge Road fire

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Two were found dead inside a burned house on Prentiss Bridge Road last week. The fire is still under investigation. The fire was reported around 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4, at 896 Prentiss Bridge Road.
Photo submitted - Harper was one of the dogs recently available for adoption through Macon County Animal Services.

Photo submitted - Harper was one of the dogs recently available for adoption through Macon County Animal Services.

Animal shelter sees increase in pets surrendered

News Staff
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Owen Marsten, Intern - thefranklinpressnews@gmail.com Macon County Animal Control has been dealing with a massive increase in their shelter’s population. According to Jimmy Villiard, Macon County Population Health section administrator, the shelter population has increased 82.2% in two years.
Press graphic

Press graphic

$9.1 million in ARPA funds received

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Going into the last year to designate the 2021 ARPA funds, the Town of Franklin and Macon County have just over a combined half million dollars to use. The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a COVID-19 stimulus bill, passed Congress in March 2021.