Local

Photo/Macon County - Eight new pickleball courts will be constructed to the right of the current girls softball practice field, which will be moved to the left of the field. The current concession stand will be converted to restrooms.

Photo/Macon County - Eight new pickleball courts will be constructed to the right of the current girls softball practice field, which will be moved to the left of the field. The current concession stand will be converted to restrooms.

New pickleball courts location approved

Mia Overton
Monday, November 21, 2022
It’s not Christmas yet, but local pickleball players are getting something on their wish list – eight new courts. Parks and Recreation Director Seth Adams came before the Board of Commissioners on Nov. 8 to present a plan to build new pickleball courts at the Macon County Recreation Park.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Election canvass completed

News Staff
Monday, November 21, 2022
The Macon County Board of Elections met on Friday, Nov. 18 for the canvass of the General Election. Canvass is the process of officially tallying votes for the election, to account for every ballot cast and to ensure that every valid vote cast is included in the election totals.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Election ushers in new county leaders

Mia Overton
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Macon County had a turnout of 56.47% in the General Election. Prior to Election Day on Nov. 8, 9,672 people had voted early or with absentee by mail ballots. The total number of ballots cast in the election was 15,793.
Press photo/Rachel Hoskins - Jim Tate’s wife, Allison, joined him at the podium to adjourn the Nov. 8 meeting of the Macon County Board of Commissioners. This was Jim Tate’s last official meeting as a board member and chairman.

Press photo/Rachel Hoskins - Jim Tate’s wife, Allison, joined him at the podium to adjourn the Nov. 8 meeting of the Macon County Board of Commissioners. This was Jim Tate’s last official meeting as a board member and chairman.

Tate offers advice to future commissioners

News Staff
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Jim Tate, chairman of Macon County Board Commissioners, said goodbye during the regular board meeting on Nov. 8. Tate has served as chairman of the board for the past eight years of his 11-year tenure. He opted not to run for re-election.
Press photo/Mia Overton Sen. Kevin Corbin (left) presented retiring Police Chief Bill Harrell the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award. Harrell is pictured with his family and Mayor Jack Horton, who presented Harrell with a plaque of appreciation.

Press photo/Mia Overton Sen. Kevin Corbin (left) presented retiring Police Chief Bill Harrell the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award. Harrell is pictured with his family and Mayor Jack Horton, who presented Harrell with a plaque of appreciation.

Town honors retiring police chief

Mia Overton
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
The Town of Franklin recognized several of its employees, including retiring Police Chief Bill Harrell, during the monthly Town Council meeting Monday night.
Press photo/Anissa Holland The Town of Franklin and First United Methodist Church are working on an agreement that will allow the town to operate the skatepark at the church until the new skatepark at the Whitmire property is constructed.

Press photo/Anissa Holland The Town of Franklin and First United Methodist Church are working on an agreement that will allow the town to operate the skatepark at the church until the new skatepark at the Whitmire property is constructed.

Skatepark plans roll forward

News Staff
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Anissa Holland thefranklinpressnews@gmail.com On Tuesday, Nov. 1, an informal public discussion about the future of skateboarding in Franklin was held at Town Hall.
Press photo/Anissa Holland Local Vietnam veterans are featured in a new photo exhibit at the Macon County Public Library.

Press photo/Anissa Holland Local Vietnam veterans are featured in a new photo exhibit at the Macon County Public Library.

New photo exhibit features Vietnam veterans

News Staff
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
The Macon County Public Library unveiled a new veterans photo gallery on Friday, Nov. 4. The display showcases the work of Highlands photographer Bernard “Bernie” Coulson, who is honoring several Vietnam veterans of Macon County through a portrait exhibit.
Press photos/Anissa Holland Willow Wright made her rounds at East Franklin as the student body cheered her on before she traveled to the cancer center in Asheville to begin treatment.

Press photos/Anissa Holland Willow Wright made her rounds at East Franklin as the student body cheered her on before she traveled to the cancer center in Asheville to begin treatment.

Standing strong for Willow

News Staff
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
On Friday, Nov. 4, Willow Wright wanted to pay a visit to her class at East Franklin Elementary School. What she didn’t know was waiting for her was a crowd of students and faculty lining the road with signs, balloons, and cards to wish her well. East Franklin P.E.
Tyto Care Macon County Public Health will introduce a new telehealth program for students in January.

Tyto Care Macon County Public Health will introduce a new telehealth program for students in January.

Telehealth will reduce missed class time

News Staff
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Anissa Holland thefranklinpressnews@gmail.com Macon County Public Health will introduce a telehealth program for students beginning in January. Julie Rogers, physician extender with the Macon County Health Department, presented information about the program at the Oct.