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Press photo/Linda Mathias - Kuteka Lopez pours red sand outside the Macon County Courthouse to draw attention to victims of human trafficking.

Press photo/Linda Mathias - Kuteka Lopez pours red sand outside the Macon County Courthouse to draw attention to victims of human trafficking.

Zonta pours sand for human trafficking awareness

Jake Browning
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
The Zonta Club of Franklin came together on Oct. 10 to conduct Franklin’s first event for the Red Sand Project, an event meant to draw attention to human trafficking.
Press photo/Jake Browning Sheena Hughes’ kindergarteners at Iotla Valley Elementary School are in school for four days per week for the first time this year and are learning a lot from face-to-face instruction, albeit from behind plexiglass.

Press photo/Jake Browning Sheena Hughes’ kindergarteners at Iotla Valley Elementary School are in school for four days per week for the first time this year and are learning a lot from face-to-face instruction, albeit from behind plexiglass.

Elementary school teachers, students glad to be back

Jake Browning
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
On Monday, Oct. 5, classrooms in grades K-5 all over North Carolina were given permission to return to in-person classes for four days per week. So far, the new schedule is getting good grades from teachers and students.
Franklin High School

Franklin High School

‘Many’ students have failing grades at FHS

Jake Browning
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Franklin High School has almost finished its first nine weeks of classes for the 2020-21 school year, but there are concerns that grades aren’t where they need to be. A text sent by Macon County Schools to Franklin High School families on Oct. 8 suggested that “many” students have failing grades.
Press photo/Jake Browning - Judy Fritts with the Macon County Elections Office inputs the names of voters whose absentee ballots have already been received. As of Monday, Oct. 12, the elections office had received 4,319 requests for absentee ballots and had 2,173 completed ballots returned.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Judy Fritts with the Macon County Elections Office inputs the names of voters whose absentee ballots have already been received. As of Monday, Oct. 12, the elections office had received 4,319 requests for absentee ballots and had 2,173 completed ballots returned.

Early voting set to begin

Lee Buchanan
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Macon County election officials were busy this week setting up the voting site at the Robert C. Community building as the early one-stop voting period begins on Thursday, Oct. 15.
Press photo/Lee Buchanan Lance Holland discusses his new book, The Nantahala River – a History and Guide.

Press photo/Lee Buchanan Lance Holland discusses his new book, The Nantahala River – a History and Guide.

Book reveals secrets of Nantahala River

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Lance Holland has lived and worked around the Nantahala River for 40 years, so he figured he knew pretty much everything there was to know about the area. While researching his new book, The Nantahala River – a History and Guide, he learned otherwise.
Grandview Manor has started letting residents meet outside with a friend or relative while observing social distancing protocols.

Grandview Manor has started letting residents meet outside with a friend or relative while observing social distancing protocols.

Nursing home helps residents endure lockdown

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic put the world on lockdown and prevented most physical interaction between people, the restrictions forced many to live several weeks in near-isolation.

County attorney to retire this month

Jake Browning
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Macon County attorney Chester Jones will retire this month after nearly 11 years of service. The search for a new county attorney has already begun. Following a closed-session on Sept.
COVID update

COVID update

COVID cluster in sheriff’s office

Will Woolever
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Active COVID-19 cases have edged up, with four more in schools and a cluster identified at the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. Reports of a cluster at the Macon County Sheriff’s Office preceded news of four new positive cases in Macon County Public Schools.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Papa’s Pizza To Go owner Eric Olvera opens a bag of flour while preparing for the day’s service. Olvera does not know whether Papa’s will be allowed to stay in its current location during renovations.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Papa’s Pizza To Go owner Eric Olvera opens a bag of flour while preparing for the day’s service. Olvera does not know whether Papa’s will be allowed to stay in its current location during renovations.

Holly Springs Plaza tenants uncertain of future

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Plans for a new Ingles super store at Holly Springs Plaza  have caused uncertainty for the locations still doing business at the shopping center.
File photo Patti McClure provided some of the entertainment at her annual Entertainment Tonight fundraiser.

File photo Patti McClure provided some of the entertainment at her annual Entertainment Tonight fundraiser.

Macon County says goodbye to ‘Miss Patti’ McClure

Lee Buchanan
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Franklin has lost one of its brightest lights with the passing of Patti McClure, affectionately known throughout the community as “Miss Patti.” McClure died on Monday, Sept. 28, and friends and family were quick to honor her life of service.