Local

Press file photo - Franklin Town Hall is open regular hours although due to IT issues, payments cannot be processed. To late fees will be assessed until after Feb. 1.

Press file photo - Franklin Town Hall is open regular hours although due to IT issues, payments cannot be processed. To late fees will be assessed until after Feb. 1.

IT problems take town offline

Mia Overton
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
The Town of Franklin has been experiencing computer network problems for a week, which is limiting the ability to process payments, receive electronic communications as well as other functions.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Dozens of locals bundled up to celebrate MLK Day on Sunday, meeting first at the gazebo downtown and marching up Main Street to Franklin First United Methodist Church to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to celebrate his accomplishments in life and to acknowledge where his work has not yet been completed.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Dozens of locals bundled up to celebrate MLK Day on Sunday, meeting first at the gazebo downtown and marching up Main Street to Franklin First United Methodist Church to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to celebrate his accomplishments in life and to acknowledge where his work has not yet been completed.

Community celebrates MLK legacy

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Dozens of participants braved the cold weather Sunday afternoon as they assembled at the gazebo in downtown Franklin and marched up Main Street to First United Methodist Church. There they joined more than a hundred participants to remember and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Sales Tax Table

Sales Tax Table

Sales tax group seeks resolution

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
The quarter-cent sales tax committee continued its work in January, seeking to get a resolution passed by county commissioners and develop educational materials for candidates and voters in the upcoming election.
Press photo/Mia Overton - A slide from the Town of Franklin audit presentation shows how the town’s general fund balance has grown over the past three years.

Press photo/Mia Overton - A slide from the Town of Franklin audit presentation shows how the town’s general fund balance has grown over the past three years.

Franklin sees fund balance grow by $1.8 million

Mia Overton
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
The Town of Franklin’s general fund balance grew to $12.7 million during the 2024-25 fiscal year, according to the audit report presented at the Jan. 5 Town Council meeting.  Lutchia Johnson of Martin Starnes & Associates said the town’s audit received an unmodified opinion.
Press photos/Shelby Powell - Macon County Sheriff candidates Brent Holbrooks and Bob Cook

Press photos/Shelby Powell - Macon County Sheriff candidates Brent Holbrooks and Bob Cook

Sheriff candidates speak at GOP forum

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Incumbent Sheriff Brent Holbrooks and primary challenger Bob Cook participated in a forum Saturday, answering questions from each other and from members of the public on law enforcement, leadership style and public relations.  The forum was organized by the Macon County GOP and held at 3 p.m.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Flu rates on the rise in WNC

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Influenza has been on the rise in North Carolina with 39 flu-related deaths reported in the state, including at least one pediatric death, so far in the 2025-26 flu season.  According to data from the N.C.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Following a feasibility study of the former Angel Medical Center property of Riverview Street, the town has decided it would not be a good investment of taxpayer dollars and withdrew its offer to buy the property.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Following a feasibility study of the former Angel Medical Center property of Riverview Street, the town has decided it would not be a good investment of taxpayer dollars and withdrew its offer to buy the property.

Franklin withdraws offer for old hospital property

Mia Overton
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
The Franklin Town Council has pulled back its offer to buy the former Angel Medical Center property on Riverview Street. On Jan. 6 the council heard the results of the feasibility study the town authorized last January.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Members of the Franklin Town Council, the Noquisi Initiative and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians gather following the council’s approval Jan. 5 of a resolution authorizing the transfer of the Noquisiyi Mound to the EBCI.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Members of the Franklin Town Council, the Noquisi Initiative and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians gather following the council’s approval Jan. 5 of a resolution authorizing the transfer of the Noquisiyi Mound to the EBCI.

Noquisiyi Mound returns to Cherokee

Mia Overton
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
After 200 years, the Noquisiyi Mound is being returned to the Cherokee people. In what was referred to as a historic, meaningful moment, the Franklin Town Council unanimously approved a resolution on Jan.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Macon County’s economic distress rankings improve

Shelby Powell
Monday, December 29, 2025
Many counties in Western North Carolina dropped in the state’s 2026 economic distress rankings after fallout from Helene left them in dire straits. Macon County showed progress, jumping from 73 to 81 and from Tier Two to Tier Three.  County tier designations, established each year by the N.C.