Local

Highlander photo. The skatepark has become one of Highlands’ most popular recreation areas. The Town of Franklin has committed to building a skatepark at Sunnyside Park, and the county has pledged $35,000 toward the project.

Highlander photo. The skatepark has become one of Highlands’ most popular recreation areas. The Town of Franklin has committed to building a skatepark at Sunnyside Park, and the county has pledged $35,000 toward the project.

Boards talk housing, recreation needs

Mia Overton
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
The elected officials from Franklin, Highlands and Macon County, along with staff members held a joint dinner meeting on Thursday, Sept. 22. No action was taken at the meeting as it was intended as an opportunity to learn about current happenings and ways the governing bodies might work together.
Press file photo - A scene along the Little Tennessee River Greenway. The town is buying a piece of property that could eventually connect the Greenway to the Macon County Recreation Park. The county has agreed to maintain and manage the area once it is complete.

Press file photo - A scene along the Little Tennessee River Greenway. The town is buying a piece of property that could eventually connect the Greenway to the Macon County Recreation Park. The county has agreed to maintain and manage the area once it is complete.

Town, county agree on Greenway project

Mia Overton
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
The Town of Franklin and Macon County have entered into an agreement that could provide the link to connect the Little Tennessee River Greenway to the Macon County Recreation Park. The town has started the contract process to buy a 13.9-acre tract from Mainspring Conservation Trust.
Press graphic

Press graphic

BOE to make new voting machine recommendation

Mia Overton
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
The Macon County Board of Elections met Monday afternoon and voted on a recommendation for a new voting system. The Board of Elections held demonstrations on Aug. 23 and Aug. 30 of two voting systems as part of the required process to purchase new equipment.
Press photo/Benito Garcia - A fiery collision involving a transfer truck and two vehicles Saturday afternoon closed Georgia Road to through traffic. Three people were transported with injuries. The driver of one of the vehicles faces multiple charges including DWI and reckless driving. Pictured are crews cleaning up after the fire was extinguished.

Press photo/Benito Garcia - A fiery collision involving a transfer truck and two vehicles Saturday afternoon closed Georgia Road to through traffic. Three people were transported with injuries. The driver of one of the vehicles faces multiple charges including DWI and reckless driving. Pictured are crews cleaning up after the fire was extinguished.

Three injured in Georgia Road wreck

News Staff
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Multiple emergency agencies responded to a three-car wreck on Georgia Road Saturday afternoon. The wreck occurred about 4:40 p.m. near the entrance to the Country Meadows Community.
Google Map

Google Map

Council approves purchase of property

Mia Overton
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
The Town of Franklin is buying a 13.9-acre piece of property to allow better access to its water and sewer lines and possibly create an extension of the Little Tennessee Greenway.
Press photo

Press photo

GREAT grant will expand broadband in Macon County

Mia Overton
Tuesday, September 6, 2022
Macon County was one of 69 counties to receive a GREAT grant to expand broadband service. Frontier Communications of the Carolinas will receive the $3,769,602.95 grant to connect 2,622 households and 78 businesses to high-speed internet.
Town Planner Justin Setser reviews a map of the Whitmire property (Sunnyside Park) during a called meeting of the Franklin Town Council on Aug. 30.

Town Planner Justin Setser reviews a map of the Whitmire property (Sunnyside Park) during a called meeting of the Franklin Town Council on Aug. 30.

Town votes to begin recreation development on Whitmire property

Mia Overton
Tuesday, September 6, 2022
The Franklin Town Council met in a called session on Aug. 30 to discuss the future of the Whitmire property, also known as Sunnyside Park. The town bought the 12.71-acre property in 2004 for $1.57 million and has no debt on the property. In 2008, the property was appraised at $2.1 million.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Frank Belanger, the Town of Franklin’s new code enforcement officer.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Frank Belanger, the Town of Franklin’s new code enforcement officer.

Town hires new code enforcement officer

Mia Overton
Tuesday, August 30, 2022
After nearly a year-long search, the Town of Franklin has hired a code enforcement officer. The Town Council approved adding the position during budget discussions in May 2021 and approved the job description in October.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Franklin Mayor Jack Horton (right) presents a proclamation recognizing Sept. 4-10 as Help Homeless Veterans Week. Accepting the proclamation at the July Town Council meeting are (from left) Fred Frankland, Tom Fagg and Ned Kraft of the First Presbyterian Church Men’s Group.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Franklin Mayor Jack Horton (right) presents a proclamation recognizing Sept. 4-10 as Help Homeless Veterans Week. Accepting the proclamation at the July Town Council meeting are (from left) Fred Frankland, Tom Fagg and Ned Kraft of the First Presbyterian Church Men’s Group.

Helping homeless veterans

Mia Overton
Tuesday, August 30, 2022
The coming week will offer the opportunity to help those in our community who once served our country but now find themselves without a home. The Men’s Group at First Presbyterian Church has been raising money to help homeless veterans since 2014.