Local

Press photo/Mia Overton - Macon County Board of Elections board members and staff watch the new voting equipment tabulate the ballots on Tuesday night.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Macon County Board of Elections board members and staff watch the new voting equipment tabulate the ballots on Tuesday night.

Town election 2023

Mia Overton
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
A total of 98 ballots were cast in the 2023 Town of Franklin election. As there were no contested races, the low turnout had been expected. The unofficial vote totals are listed below. The Board of Elections will hold its Canvass Day meeting at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 17 to certify the results.
Photo/The Cherokee Scout As of Tuesday morning, the Collett Ridge fire had burned 2,919 acres. A burn ban is now in effect throughout Western North Carolina, including Macon County and the towns of Franklin and Highlands.

Photo/The Cherokee Scout As of Tuesday morning, the Collett Ridge fire had burned 2,919 acres. A burn ban is now in effect throughout Western North Carolina, including Macon County and the towns of Franklin and Highlands.

Burn ban in effect

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
With severe drought conditions and dead leaves all over, Western North Carolina residents are banned from burning debris until further notice. “Several counties in Western North Carolina are currently in a severe drought, and we are seeing wildfire activity increase due to dry conditions.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill Franklin Mayor Jack Horton, seated right, speaks to Ronald Winters of Gibbins Advisors during a Nov. 1 community meeting.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill Franklin Mayor Jack Horton, seated right, speaks to Ronald Winters of Gibbins Advisors during a Nov. 1 community meeting.

Locals vent HCA concerns

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
A recent investigation announced by the Attorney General’s office and displeasure with the owners of Angel Medical Center overshadowed a Wednesday, Nov. 1 community meeting that gave an update on the hospital.
Photo/Bob Scott The McConnell family was able to safely escape a fire at their Roller Mill Road home on Friday.

Photo/Bob Scott The McConnell family was able to safely escape a fire at their Roller Mill Road home on Friday.

Mother and child die in house fire

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
A mother and her four-year-old daughter died in a house fire Saturday morning in Franklin, and a Friday morning house fire left a family of six without a home. Franklin Fire Chief Ben Ormond said the Silver Spruce Lane fire was called in at 1:45 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4.
Press graphic

Press graphic

No charges filed in Iotla teacher incident

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
An Iotla Valley teacher was suspended for an alleged assault on a student, but law enforcement won’t file any charges. According to the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, the alleged assault occurred on Tuesday, Oct. 24, and was reported the next day, Wednesday, Oct. 25.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - One person died in a multi-car wreck on Georgia Road on Oct. 20.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - One person died in a multi-car wreck on Georgia Road on Oct. 20.

One person dead, three hospitalized after wreck

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
One person died in a four-car wreck on Georgia Road on Oct. 20. The N.C. State Highway Patrol is still investigating the wreck. Trooper Courtney Barker said the incident was called in at 4:05 p.m. on Friday, Oct.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Board of Education attorney John Henning Jr. talks about the proposed fundraising policy changes during the Oct. 16 meeting at Cartoogechaye Elementary School.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Board of Education attorney John Henning Jr. talks about the proposed fundraising policy changes during the Oct. 16 meeting at Cartoogechaye Elementary School.

School board discusses fundraising policies

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Concern over the number of fundraisers by student groups is leading the Macon County Board of Education to revisit its policies.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - A model of the planned new Franklin High School was on display during a public input session on Oct. 19.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - A model of the planned new Franklin High School was on display during a public input session on Oct. 19.

New FHS plan unveiled

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
The plan for a 265,000-square-foot Franklin High School complex for up to 1,400 students was on display for the public to view at the Robert C. Carpenter Community Center on Thursday, Oct. 19. The unveiling was the first time the public saw a new rendering of Franklin High School in over a year.
Provided graphic

Provided graphic

New FHS community input session

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
For the first time in the years-long Franklin High School concept process, the public will see what has been conceptualized and can offer their input from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Robert C. Carpenter Community Building.