Local

Photo submitted - Downtown Door is now open at 381 East Main Street to help the homeless population. It also serves as a warming station on nights when temperatures are below 20 degrees. During the summer months it will be a cooling station.

Photo submitted - Downtown Door is now open at 381 East Main Street to help the homeless population. It also serves as a warming station on nights when temperatures are below 20 degrees. During the summer months it will be a cooling station.

Downtown Door opens to help homeless

News Staff
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Owen Marsten, Intern - thefranklinpressnews@gmail.com No Wrong Door is a local organization that provides assistance to various vulnerable groups within the community.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Macon remains Tier Two in distress ranking

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
A drop in median household income and lower growth rate contributed to Macon County’s more-distressed ranking in the 2023 N.C. County Tier Designations, although Macon remains comfortably in Tier Two.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Southwestern Community College campus on Siler Road in Franklin.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Southwestern Community College campus on Siler Road in Franklin.

SCC enrollment declines as MEC grows

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Southwestern Community College is trying to figure out how to reverse a downward enrollment trend at its Macon County campus, while the neighboring Macon Early College tries to keep up its course offerings.
Press file photo - Refurbishment of the Macon Middle School track has been topic for the Macon County School board for the past year. At a special meeting on Dec. 21, the board selected a firm to design the project.

Press file photo - Refurbishment of the Macon Middle School track has been topic for the Macon County School board for the past year. At a special meeting on Dec. 21, the board selected a firm to design the project.

School board OKs firm for MMS track

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
A familiar design firm was recommended following a recent request for qualifications to refurbish the Macon Middle School track. According to Macon County Schools Auxiliary Services Director Todd Gibbs during a special Dec.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Ballot set for 2024 primary

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
The two Board of Commissioners seats up for re-election will face primary challenges but no general election opponents in 2024, as the filing period ended at noon on Friday, Dec. 15. In total, six Republicans filed for office in Macon County. On the first day, Dec.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Commissioner Josh Young (right) congratulates Commissioner Gary Shields on his election as board chair for the next year at the Dec. 12 meeting. Young was then elected as vice chair.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Commissioner Josh Young (right) congratulates Commissioner Gary Shields on his election as board chair for the next year at the Dec. 12 meeting. Young was then elected as vice chair.

Shields elected Commissioners chair

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
A desire to return to decorum after a November meeting that some public speakers described as “embarrassing” led to Gary Shields becoming the new board chair of the Macon County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Dec. 12.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Public Library Board of Trustees members Ed Trask (left) and Wood Lovell (right) go back and forth during a discussion at the board’s Dec. 5 meeting. Board Chair Bill Dyar is seated at center.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Public Library Board of Trustees members Ed Trask (left) and Wood Lovell (right) go back and forth during a discussion at the board’s Dec. 5 meeting. Board Chair Bill Dyar is seated at center.

Library trustees support contract changes

Thomas Sherrill
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Motions about First Amendment rights, remaining politically and socially neutral and supporting the county commissioners’ proposed Fontana Regional Library contract changes all passed the Macon County Public Library’s Board of Trustees during its Dec. 5 meeting.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Construction continues on the new athletic building at Macon Middle School.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Construction continues on the new athletic building at Macon Middle School.

MMS athletic building completion set for January

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Completion of the Macon Middle School athletic building project is delayed over a month from its original completion date. Macon County Schools Administrator Todd Gibbs said the completion date, originally set for Nov. 29, then delayed to Dec. 15 a month ago, is now Jan.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Robbie Tompa (center) took his seat for his first Town Council meeting after being elected in November. He is pictured at the Dec. 4 council meeting with Mayor Jack Horton (left) and council member Mike Lewis.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Robbie Tompa (center) took his seat for his first Town Council meeting after being elected in November. He is pictured at the Dec. 4 council meeting with Mayor Jack Horton (left) and council member Mike Lewis.

Town adopts conditional zoning

Mia Overton
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
In a 4-2 vote, the Franklin Town Council passed an amendment that will make conditional zoning part of the Unified Development Ordinance. “Conditional zoning is another tool in the toolbox for rezoning,” said Town Planner Justin Setser during the Dec. 4 meeting.
Press photo/Mia Overton - A CareNet volunteer helps prepare boxes of food for people to pick up at the Bidwell Street location.

Press photo/Mia Overton - A CareNet volunteer helps prepare boxes of food for people to pick up at the Bidwell Street location.

Feeding a community need

Mia Overton
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
The rising cost of food and other living expenses has made it harder for some people to provide meals for their families.