Local

Photo submitted Youth Conservation Corps members take a break from their work on the Bartram Trail.

Photo submitted Youth Conservation Corps members take a break from their work on the Bartram Trail.

Students hit the trail for summer work experience

News Staff
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Carter Giegerich for The Franklin Press For many students, the promise of a month-long summer work program spent shoveling dirt and busting up rocks might not be too enticing. For this year’s Youth Conservation Corps cohort working on the Bartram Trail, though, it’s four weeks of paradise.
Photo submitted The Macon County Recreation Park pool workers wear the new protective sun shirts provided to them through donations received at the June 14 County Commissioners meeting.

Photo submitted The Macon County Recreation Park pool workers wear the new protective sun shirts provided to them through donations received at the June 14 County Commissioners meeting.

They’ve got it covered

Mia Overton
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
While many people attending the June 14 Board of County Commissioners meeting were divided on one issue, they also showed community spirit in coming together to help the workers at the county pool. MaryAnn Ingram shared with the commissioners what a good job the pool workers do each day.
Press photo

Press photo

Library funding draws divided crowd

Mia Overton
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
With more than 20 people wanting to address the Board of County Commissioners on June 14, the meeting was moved from the regular meeting room to one of the larger courtrooms.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Police chiefs review FPD operations

Mia Overton
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
The N.C. Association of Chiefs of Police conducted an assessment of the Franklin Police Department over several weeks beginning in March and presented their report at the June 6 Town Council meeting.
Press file photo Construction of the new skatepark at Sunnyside Park has been delayed and now there is some discussion about choosing a new location for the skatepark.

Press file photo Construction of the new skatepark at Sunnyside Park has been delayed and now there is some discussion about choosing a new location for the skatepark.

Staffing change delays skatepark

Mia Overton
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Construction of the town’s new skatepark is being delayed but town officials are committed to making it happen.
While the County Commissioners were discussing a possible increase in funding for library salaries on June 7, about 15 people were attending the library board meeting at the same time to voice opposition to a Gay Pride display at the library. The display pictured above is in the main section of the library and there is a similar one in the teen section.

While the County Commissioners were discussing a possible increase in funding for library salaries on June 7, about 15 people were attending the library board meeting at the same time to voice opposition to a Gay Pride display at the library. The display pictured above is in the main section of the library and there is a similar one in the teen section.

Funding request for library salaries stalled

Mia Overton
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
A Gay Pride display at the Macon County Public Library became an issue during a discussion about extra funding for library staff salaries at the Board of County Commissioners budget session on June 7.
Press photo/Mia Overton - The old Scott Griffin Hotel on Main Street may see new life as a boutique hotel with rooftop restaurant.

Press photo/Mia Overton - The old Scott Griffin Hotel on Main Street may see new life as a boutique hotel with rooftop restaurant.

Scott-Griffin Hotel may get new life

Mia Overton
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
History may be repeating itself in downtown Franklin, but in a way that will be a boost to the local economy. The Town of Franklin has received a technical assistance grant to study the possibility of restoring the old Scott-Griffin Hotel for a boutique hotel and rooftop restaurant.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Bob Cook addresses the Board of Elections during the hearing regarding his election protest on May 31.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Bob Cook addresses the Board of Elections during the hearing regarding his election protest on May 31.

Election protest dismissed

Mia Overton
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
The Macon County Board of Elections dismissed candidate Bob Cook’s election protest following a hearing on May 31. Cook filed the protest on May 27, citing a discrepancy in the reporting of the total number of ballots cast in the May 17 primary election and a different total posted on May 23.
Press photo

Press photo

Fire departments request millage rate increases

Mia Overton
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Four fire departments are requesting millage rate increases for the 2022-23 fiscal year that begins July 1. Like many organizations, the departments are seeing increases in operating costs such as fuel, utilities and supplies.
Press Graphic

Press Graphic

More charges filed in homicide investigation

News Staff
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
A fourth person was arrested last week in connection with the homicide investigation that came about after a woman was reported missing on May 20. Lenore “Lenoka” Wilson of Otto was arrested on May 24 and charged with two counts of felony kidnapping.