Local

Several residents opposed the proposed rezoning for the Old Murphy Road area during a public hearing at the Franklin Town Council meeting on July 3.

Several residents opposed the proposed rezoning for the Old Murphy Road area during a public hearing at the Franklin Town Council meeting on July 3.

Residents oppose rezoning

Mia Overton
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Several residents attended a public hearing at the July 3 Franklin Town Council meeting to speak against the proposed rezoning for their properties. One resident spoke in favor of the rezoning saying it was a step in the right direction.
The Town Council has approved a recreation plan for the Whitmire property located off First Street.

The Town Council has approved a recreation plan for the Whitmire property located off First Street.

Council approves Whitmire property recreation plan

Mia Overton
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
The Franklin Town Council has approved a recreation plan for the Whitmire property on First Street. The town purchased the 12.7-acre property in December 2004 and other than adding the disc golf course in 2021, the property has sat undeveloped and largely unused.
Tax chat -An analysis of data from the 2023 revaluation shows properties in Highlands and Highlands City have the highest values in the county.

Tax chat -An analysis of data from the 2023 revaluation shows properties in Highlands and Highlands City have the highest values in the county.

Revaluation 2023: Highest property values in Highlands

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Most landowners in Macon County will be paying more in property tax starting in 2023, due to a rise in land values mostly out-pacing the 13-cent tax reduction, according to data from the Macon County Tax Office.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Superintendent Chris Baldwin shakes the hand of Anika Ruth Zuiderveen of Macon Early College during the school’s graduation ceremony on June 4. After 50 total graduations as superintendent, Zuiderveen was the last Macon County high school graduate Baldwin shook hands with before his retirement.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Superintendent Chris Baldwin shakes the hand of Anika Ruth Zuiderveen of Macon Early College during the school’s graduation ceremony on June 4. After 50 total graduations as superintendent, Zuiderveen was the last Macon County high school graduate Baldwin shook hands with before his retirement.

Baldwin reflects on 33-year career

Thomas Sherrill
Monday, July 3, 2023
A 33-year career in the Macon County School system, which started as a teacher at Nantahala and the last decade as superintendent, officially ends this summer as Dr. Chris Baldwin retires. Baldwin’s last official day with MCS is Sept.
Press file photo - Macon County has finalized the purchase of the nearly 13-acre Higdon property on Wayah Street. The property will be leased to Macon County Schools.

Press file photo - Macon County has finalized the purchase of the nearly 13-acre Higdon property on Wayah Street. The property will be leased to Macon County Schools.

County closes on Higdon property

Thomas Sherrill
Monday, July 3, 2023
As of June 29, the Higdon property belongs to Macon County after the $1.35 million sale closed. County attorney Eric Ridenour said the county had closed on the property immediately after the final documents, including settlement details, were finalized.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - A section of the Greenway was closed Monday morning as emergency workers recovered a body from the river.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - A section of the Greenway was closed Monday morning as emergency workers recovered a body from the river.

Emergency services recover body from river

Thomas Sherrill
Monday, July 3, 2023
Several emergency agencies responded to the Little Tennessee River Greenway in reference to a deceased person on July 3.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Dr. Chris Baldwin points to the screen to make a point during a discussion at the June 26 meeting of the Macon County Board of Education. The June meeting was the last for the retiring superintendent.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Dr. Chris Baldwin points to the screen to make a point during a discussion at the June 26 meeting of the Macon County Board of Education. The June meeting was the last for the retiring superintendent.

More schools qualify for free lunches

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Seven more Macon County schools will offer universal free lunch in the 2023-24 school year.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Commissioners Gary Shields, Danny Antoine, Paul Higdon and Josh Young vote for solid waste fee hikes during a special called meeting on Monday, June 26. Commissioner John Shearl, sitting next to Young, voted against the fee increases. Also pictured is Solid Waste Director Chris Stahl (far left) and County Finance Director Lori Carpenter (far right).

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Commissioners Gary Shields, Danny Antoine, Paul Higdon and Josh Young vote for solid waste fee hikes during a special called meeting on Monday, June 26. Commissioner John Shearl, sitting next to Young, voted against the fee increases. Also pictured is Solid Waste Director Chris Stahl (far left) and County Finance Director Lori Carpenter (far right).

County approves solid waste fees increase

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Contention and confusion, specifically by one commissioner, over solid waste fee increases, led to a vote that approved those hikes after an hour-long Board of Commissioners meeting Monday morning.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Franklin Chamber of Commerce was one of two buildings damaged after a man rammed his truck into the buildings on the morning of June 23. The other building hit was First Bank, where the man was seen hitting the ATM with a helmet.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Franklin Chamber of Commerce was one of two buildings damaged after a man rammed his truck into the buildings on the morning of June 23. The other building hit was First Bank, where the man was seen hitting the ATM with a helmet.

Otto man arrested after hitting buildings

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
An Otto man is facing felony fleeing charges after leading Franklin Police officers on an early morning chase and then driving into the Franklin Chamber of Commerce building. According to FPD Chief Devin Holland, on Friday, June 23, at 4:01 a.m.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Commissioner Gary Shields (left) makes a point about the Macon Middle School track during a discussion at the June 13 commissioners’ meeting. Also pictured are Commissioner Danny Antoine and Chair Paul Higdon.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Commissioner Gary Shields (left) makes a point about the Macon Middle School track during a discussion at the June 13 commissioners’ meeting. Also pictured are Commissioner Danny Antoine and Chair Paul Higdon.

Higdon property lease approved

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
By a 4-1 vote, the Macon County Board of Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement that will lease the Higdon property across from Franklin High School to Macon County Schools. The county entered a $1.