Local

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - As pictured on Nov. 27, part of the East Franklin Elementary School gym floor is unusable due to the floor bubbling up due to moisture content below it.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - As pictured on Nov. 27, part of the East Franklin Elementary School gym floor is unusable due to the floor bubbling up due to moisture content below it.

East Franklin gym floor bubbles after backflow clog

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
A clogged backflow preventer caused a portion of the East Franklin Elementary gym floor to bubble up. Repairs are expected to be made in January.
Press photo Mia Overton - Mayor Jack Horton is sworn in during the Dec. 4 Franklin Town Council meeting. Macon County Clerk of Court Shawna Thun Lamb administered the oath of office for the mayor and three council members.

Press photo Mia Overton - Mayor Jack Horton is sworn in during the Dec. 4 Franklin Town Council meeting. Macon County Clerk of Court Shawna Thun Lamb administered the oath of office for the mayor and three council members.

Social district public hearing set

Mia Overton
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
The Town of Franklin opened its Dec. 4 meeting with the swearing in of the mayor and three council members elected in the November town election. All candidates ran unopposed.
Press file photo - County Commissioners Chair Paul Higdon and District 2 Commissioner Josh Young will be up for re-election in 2024.

Press file photo - County Commissioners Chair Paul Higdon and District 2 Commissioner Josh Young will be up for re-election in 2024.

Filing opens for 2024 election, Dec. 4

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
From county Soil and Water Conservation to county commissioners, state legislators and the presidency, the 2024 Election begins with the candidate filing period Dec. 4-15. Candidates for local and state races can begin filing at noon on Monday, Dec. 4, through noon on Friday, Dec.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Franklin Town Council member David Culpepper and Town Manager Amie Owens.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Franklin Town Council member David Culpepper and Town Manager Amie Owens.

County takes no action on social district request

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
The Macon County Board of Commissioners stonewalled a request by Town of Franklin officials to allow alcohol at the gazebo and clock tower square as part of a planned social district.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Macon County EMS station on Hyatt Road in Franklin.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Macon County EMS station on Hyatt Road in Franklin.

Staffing shortage strains EMS system

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Isolated receiving times for ambulances at HCA Mission Hospital and a strained emergency response system are some of the issues Macon County Emergency Services Director Warren Cabe brought to the public’s attention at the Nov. 14 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - County Commissioner John Shearl

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - County Commissioner John Shearl

Shearl calls for Roland’s resignation

Thomas Sherrill
Monday, November 20, 2023
The Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 14, lasted more than five hours and included multiple quarrels between commissioners, the crowd and a call from one commissioner for the county manager to resign.
Map/Town of Franklin - A map showing the proposed broadcast area for the free Wi-Fi access that will be available downtown beginning next spring.

Map/Town of Franklin - A map showing the proposed broadcast area for the free Wi-Fi access that will be available downtown beginning next spring.

Free Wi-Fi coming to downtown

Mia Overton
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Free public Wi-Fi access is coming to downtown Franklin next spring. During its November meeting, the Franklin Town Council approved a $58,255.91 contract for Aerolina of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, to install a public Wi-Fi network.
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.