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Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Public Library Board of Trustees member Wood Lovell (right) makes a point to board chair Bill Dyar during the Oct. 3 meeting.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Public Library Board of Trustees member Wood Lovell (right) makes a point to board chair Bill Dyar during the Oct. 3 meeting.

Background checks for library employees requested

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Background checks could soon be coming to Macon County Public Library employees for the first time. On Tuesday, Oct. 3, the Macon County Public Library’s Board of Trustees agreed that mandating background checks is a good idea following a suggestion from Leah Gaston.
Photo/Town of Franklin - The Franklin Town Council voted Oct. 2 to approve an ordinance that directs the Town Planning Department to begin the process to have the house at 981 East Main Street demolished.

Photo/Town of Franklin - The Franklin Town Council voted Oct. 2 to approve an ordinance that directs the Town Planning Department to begin the process to have the house at 981 East Main Street demolished.

Council approves ordinance to demolish house

Mia Overton
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
The Franklin Town Council voted Monday night to begin the process for demolition of the house at 981 East Main Street. The council has discussed the property at previous meetings and a public hearing was held as part of the Oct. 2 meeting. No one signed up to speak at the hearing, but Dr.
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DA seeks death penalty

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
A man accused in the May 2022 murder of a Mountain City, Georgia, woman could face death row if convicted. Christopher Shields, 45, of Otto, is now facing capital murder charges in the first-degree murder of 42-year-old Tina Walkingstick Frizsell.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Macon County Board of Education met Sept. 25 at Highlands School. Pictured (from left) are board attorney John Henning, board member Hilary Wilkes and Chair Jim Breedlove.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Macon County Board of Education met Sept. 25 at Highlands School. Pictured (from left) are board attorney John Henning, board member Hilary Wilkes and Chair Jim Breedlove.

Board accepts bid for Nantahala sewer project

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
After nearly a year of discussions and stressing how much of an emergency it is, the Macon County Board of Education has a dollar figure for the Nantahala School sewer project, although it’s higher than anticipated. During its Sept.
Photo/MCSO - Methamphetamine was among the illegal substances found during a drug roundup on Sept. 26.

Photo/MCSO - Methamphetamine was among the illegal substances found during a drug roundup on Sept. 26.

Eleven arrested in drug roundup

News Staff
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
The following is a release from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office regarding a drug roundup on Sept. 26, 2023.   In the early morning hours of Sept.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - A packed house was in attendance for the Sept. 12 meeting of the Fontana Regional Library’s Board of Trustees at the Macon County Public Library.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - A packed house was in attendance for the Sept. 12 meeting of the Fontana Regional Library’s Board of Trustees at the Macon County Public Library.

Regional Library Board to consider multiple changes

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Despite having no quorum and an inability to vote, the unofficial Sept. 12 Fontana Regional Library Board of Trustees meeting included information about recommended changes to book challenges and age changes to safe child policies. Only four of the nine-member board were present at the meeting.
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.
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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.