Local

Graphic/McGill Associates - The approved plan for improvements at the Macon County Rec Park.

Graphic/McGill Associates - The approved plan for improvements at the Macon County Rec Park.

Pickleball courts top list for Rec Park improvements

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
An estimated $14 million in proposed projects over the next several years are part of the Recreation Master Plan for the Macon County Recreation Park along Georgia Road, with new pickleball and tennis courts first on the list.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Board of Education Chair Jim Breedlove and Superintendent Josh Lynch listen to discussion about the new Franklin High School at the Sept. 12 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Board of Education Chair Jim Breedlove and Superintendent Josh Lynch listen to discussion about the new Franklin High School at the Sept. 12 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting.

FHS project moves forward with 4-2 vote

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
After much discussion, a 3-2 vote resulted in what was termed a “huge, giant leap forward” for the new Franklin High School project as the Macon County Board of Commissioners approved the creation of construction documents during its Sept. 12 meeting.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Stiwinter charged with voluntary manslaughter

News Staff
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
A grand jury has indicted Ashton Denver Stiwinter, 23, of Franklin, on one count of voluntary manslaughter in connection with the Jan. 1 death of Nathan Humphries. The indictment was delivered Sept.
Photo/Town of Franklin - The Franklin Town Council will hold a public hearing on an ordinance to condemn this house on East Main Street. The owner has received violation notices and was given 90 days to demolish the house or bring the property up to code. That time has expired and the public hearing will be held on Oct. 2.

Photo/Town of Franklin - The Franklin Town Council will hold a public hearing on an ordinance to condemn this house on East Main Street. The owner has received violation notices and was given 90 days to demolish the house or bring the property up to code. That time has expired and the public hearing will be held on Oct. 2.

Town to condemn house on East Main

Mia Overton
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
The Town of Franklin has started the process to condemn a house on East Main Street that is in violation of town ordinances and does not meet the town’s minimum housing standards. Code Enforcement Officer Frank Belanger has been monitoring the property at 981 East Main Street since October 2022.
Press photo/Mia Overton No Wrong Door plans to open a warming/cooling station at this unused building located on East Main Street and owned by the Town of Franklin.

Press photo/Mia Overton No Wrong Door plans to open a warming/cooling station at this unused building located on East Main Street and owned by the Town of Franklin.

No Wrong Door downtown station set to open this fall

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
The town-owned building leased by a local nonprofit for a warming/cooling station is tentatively planned to open this fall. The building, located at 381 East Main St., is a partnership between the nonprofit No Wrong Door and the Town of Franklin.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill The new Macon Middle School athletics building as seen on Aug. 31. The building is slated to be completed by Nov. 28.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill The new Macon Middle School athletics building as seen on Aug. 31. The building is slated to be completed by Nov. 28.

MMS athletics building on schedule

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
More than halfway into the contract, the under-construction athletics building at Macon Middle School is currently on track for completion as scheduled.
Press photo/Mia Overton Franklin Mayor Jack Horton presents a proclamation designating Sept. 10-16 as Help Homeless Veterans Week. Receiving the proclamation are Ned Kraft, Fred Frankland and Dennis Dalgleish, members of the Men’s Group from First Presbyterian Church.

Press photo/Mia Overton Franklin Mayor Jack Horton presents a proclamation designating Sept. 10-16 as Help Homeless Veterans Week. Receiving the proclamation are Ned Kraft, Fred Frankland and Dennis Dalgleish, members of the Men’s Group from First Presbyterian Church.

Help Homeless Veterans Week

News Staff
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Trinity Wimberly-Mann, Intern thefranklinpressnews@gmail.com   The Men’s Group at the First Presbyterian Church will be raising money for local homeless veterans during the second week of September. Mayor Jack Horton proclaimed Sept.
A map showing the property (outlined in blue) that KAVOD Communities has requested rezoned from residential to Neighborhood Mixed Use. David Forkner, a representative for the group, said they plan to use it for a school/gym/after-school program and karate school.

A map showing the property (outlined in blue) that KAVOD Communities has requested rezoned from residential to Neighborhood Mixed Use. David Forkner, a representative for the group, said they plan to use it for a school/gym/after-school program and karate school.

Golfview Drive rezoning request

Mia Overton
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
The Franklin Planning Board met on Aug. 21 to hear a rezoning request for a piece of property on Golfview Drive. David Forkner, the registered agent for KAVOD Communities, LLC, has requested that the 10.28-acre property be rezoned from residential to multi-use/commercial.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Macon County Board of Education approved a lease agreement with the county for the Higdon property off Wayah Street. The school board has requested that the county be temporarily responsible for maintenance on the property.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Macon County Board of Education approved a lease agreement with the county for the Higdon property off Wayah Street. The school board has requested that the county be temporarily responsible for maintenance on the property.

School Board approves Higdon property lease

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
The Macon County Schools’ Board of Education unanimously approved a new version of the Higdon property lease that would mandate the county cover all maintenance and land upkeep costs. Board Attorney John Henning presented the new version of the 40-year lease to the board during its Monday, Aug.
File photo - Macon County Public Library

File photo - Macon County Public Library

Counties propose change to FRL regional board

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
After months of public comments, the county commissioners of Macon, Jackson and Swain could gain direct appointment over the Fontana Regional Library’s regional board, according to a proposal signed by all three counties’ managers. At the Aug.