Local

Press photo/Mia Overton - Part of the house at 574 Womack Street has collapsed. After giving the owner a 90-day notice last May to demolish the house, the Town Council voted on March 2 to declare it dilapidated and have it torn down.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Part of the house at 574 Womack Street has collapsed. After giving the owner a 90-day notice last May to demolish the house, the Town Council voted on March 2 to declare it dilapidated and have it torn down.

Council orders house demolished

Mia Overton
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
In its continuing effort to address neglected properties that don’t meet the Minimum Housing Code, the Franklin Town Council voted on March 2 to demolish a house on Womack Street.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Mountain View Intermediate students speak with volunteers for the Amazing Shake event, practicing social skills like eye contact, appearing engaged, shaking hands and making conversation. More than 600 participating students were whittled down to one winner after four days of competition across different fields and venues. Above: Student Barron Alison speaks with Ryan Cote.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Mountain View Intermediate students speak with volunteers for the Amazing Shake event, practicing social skills like eye contact, appearing engaged, shaking hands and making conversation. More than 600 participating students were whittled down to one winner after four days of competition across different fields and venues. Above: Student Barron Alison speaks with Ryan Cote.

Students get Amazing Shake training

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Mountain View Intermediate students shook hands and took names at the school’s Amazing Shake event, practicing the type-A social skills they’ll need for life.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Franklin Mayor Stacy Guffey, Vice Mayor Mike Lewis and council member Rita Salain choose their top infrastructure priorities during the Town Council retreat held at Fontana Village Resort.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Franklin Mayor Stacy Guffey, Vice Mayor Mike Lewis and council member Rita Salain choose their top infrastructure priorities during the Town Council retreat held at Fontana Village Resort.

Council sets town’s priorities

Mia Overton
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Economic development and revitalizing town infrastructure were the top two priorities to come out of the Franklin Town Council’s annual retreat held Feb. 20 and 21 at Fontana Village Resort. The council then took its first action related to those items at the March 2 board meeting.
Press photo Mia Overton - Noquisi Initiative co-chairs Juanita Wilson and Bob McCollum, Franklin Mayor Stacy Guffey and Principal Chief Michell Hicks complete the signing of the Noquisiyi Mound to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on Feb. 26.

Press photo Mia Overton - Noquisi Initiative co-chairs Juanita Wilson and Bob McCollum, Franklin Mayor Stacy Guffey and Principal Chief Michell Hicks complete the signing of the Noquisiyi Mound to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on Feb. 26.

Mound returned to the Cherokee

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
The Noquisiyi Mound was returned to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on Feb. 26 in a signing ceremony attended by more than 100 Cherokee, local leaders and community members.   Background The creation of Noquisiyi Mound is estimated to be approximately 1000 C.E.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Macon County Transit offers daily routes in Franklin and appointments can be made for transportation outside the county.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Macon County Transit offers daily routes in Franklin and appointments can be made for transportation outside the county.

MCT holding steady, preparing for the future

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Macon County Transit is still rolling out services for residents, and the director sees change on the horizon. MCT was founded in 1999 as the Departments of Social Services and Senior Services realized their buses were going to the same places at the same time.
Photo/Bob Scott - Now that the state has approved Franklin’s Main Street area as a historic district (pending final federal approval), tax credits could be available for improvements to buildings such as proposed project for the old Scott Griffin Hotel.

Photo/Bob Scott - Now that the state has approved Franklin’s Main Street area as a historic district (pending final federal approval), tax credits could be available for improvements to buildings such as proposed project for the old Scott Griffin Hotel.

Main Street historic district gets approval

Mia Overton
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
The Town of Franklin has received a long-awaited approval that could spur improvements along Main Street. The N.C. Historic Preservation Office approved Franklin’s request for historic district designation on Feb. 13.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Volunteers and poll workers help voters during early voting at the Robert Carpenter Community Building in Franklin.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Volunteers and poll workers help voters during early voting at the Robert Carpenter Community Building in Franklin.

County sees low turnout in primary early voting

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Voters’ final chances to cast their ballots are coming up as early voting ends Saturday and the Primary Election is Tuesday, March 3.  Early voting in Macon County has been underway since Feb. 12, and will continue through Saturday, Feb. 28.