Local

Press photo/Jake Browning - The smaller dish will intercept signals relayed point-to-point style from areas with strong broadband to the LBJ Job Corps, increasing the quality of internet at the center.

Press photo/Jake Browning - The smaller dish will intercept signals relayed point-to-point style from areas with strong broadband to the LBJ Job Corps, increasing the quality of internet at the center.

LBJ Job Corps to upgrade internet

Jake Browning
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
The Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps should have much better Internet access by next month, and if it works out, the rest of the county could follow suit. Most of Macon County suffers from poor Internet connectivity due to a lack of infrastructure.

Whitmire property: Ideas, no plans

News Staff
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
The Franklin Town Council held their annual strategic planning meeting earlier this month, and just like in years past, the Whitmire Property was the star of the show. The town purchased the Whitmire Property  in 2004 for $1.575 million and it has gone unused ever since.
Press photo/Jake Browning - Center director Arthur Phalo said LBJ Center staff did not miss a beat when the center closed due to COVID-19, but he is happy to be welcoming students back to the Macon campus.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Center director Arthur Phalo said LBJ Center staff did not miss a beat when the center closed due to COVID-19, but he is happy to be welcoming students back to the Macon campus.

LBJ Job Corps students are returning to campus

Jake Browning
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
COVID-19 pushed them out of the campus, but students and staff at the Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps Center never stopped working. When the virus shut down schools and businesses last March, the staff at the Job Corps didn’t panic.

Eric Ridenour selected as county attorney

Jake Browning
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Sylva-based private attorney Eric Ridenour has been chosen to serve as Macon County’s next county attorney. Former county attorney Chester Jones retired last October and was succeeded in the interim by Swain County attorney Kim Carpenter.
Press photo/ Will Woolever - A small twin-engine Cessna crashed at the Macon County Airport on Thursday afternoon. Emergency response units extinguished the fire and secured the scene. The pilot and two passangers were unharmed.

Press photo/ Will Woolever - A small twin-engine Cessna crashed at the Macon County Airport on Thursday afternoon. Emergency response units extinguished the fire and secured the scene. The pilot and two passangers were unharmed.

Plane crashes at MCA

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
At roughly 3:15 p.m. Thursday, March 11, first responders were called to the Macon County Airport regarding reports of a downed aircraft.
File photo – First United Methodist’s Day of Famine will help the community in a variety of ways. After a long 30 hours of fasting and making improvements to the Outreach Center, the church will have some very hungry youth members to feed.

File photo – First United Methodist’s Day of Famine will help the community in a variety of ways. After a long 30 hours of fasting and making improvements to the Outreach Center, the church will have some very hungry youth members to feed.

30-Hour Famine collects food and funds

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
One of Franklin’s most unique charitable drives is preparing for its big day. For the past 30 years, the 30-Hour Famine has brought together congregations from around the world to raise funds and awareness for victims of extreme hunger.
News

News

Play ball

Jake Browning
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Macon County’s state legislators are taking aim at policies that keep crowds small at sporting events and other large venue attractions. Senate Bill 116, titled “Let Them Play and Let Us Watch”, was filed in the NC Senate on Feb.
Press photo/Jake Browning - Above, South Macon Elementary School teacher Allisha Mason reads Dr. Seuss’ “Fox in Socks” to her kindergarteners during Read Across America Week.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Above, South Macon Elementary School teacher Allisha Mason reads Dr. Seuss’ “Fox in Socks” to her kindergarteners during Read Across America Week.

Read Across America

Jake Browning
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Macon County elementary school students and staff spent last week celebrating their favorite books for Read Across America. While March 2 is the National Education Association’s official Read Across America Day, the schools dedicated their entire school week to the movement.
Photo/ Fred Alexander - Barbara McRae was often spotted in her birding gear along the Greenway in Franklin.

Photo/ Fred Alexander - Barbara McRae was often spotted in her birding gear along the Greenway in Franklin.

McRae: Vice-mayor, local historian remembered

News Staff
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
When Barbara McRae died March 2 at her Harrison Avenue home after a battle with cancer, her adopted hometown lost much more than its vice mayor. Franklin lost a prized historian, a chronicler and defender of the area’s natural beauty, and a voice for right.
Press photo/Jake Browning - Macon County Schools superintendent Chris Baldwin addresses the county commissioners at a special called meeting on Feb. 26.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Macon County Schools superintendent Chris Baldwin addresses the county commissioners at a special called meeting on Feb. 26.

County rejects new school infrastructure plan

Jake Browning
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
An ambitious plan to upgrade infrastructure for Macon Middle and Franklin High schools failed to gain enough traction to proceed during the Macon County Board of Commissioners’ special called meeting Feb. 26.