Local

Press photo/Jake Browning - Teachers Jennifer Love and Kelsea Youmans assemble a rolling base that makes a Tower Garden mobile.

Growing Up

Jake Browning

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clearer than ever how important it is to make sure that kids are healthy and safe at school. However, infectious diseases aren’t the only health concern that can be alleviated in the classroom.

Press photo/Linda Mathias - Goose shares a stick with Indy at the county’s new dog park.

New dog park finally goes to the dogs

Jake Browning

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

More than a year and a half after the project was approved, Macon County pet owners and their dogs are finally using the new dog park on Phillips Street. The Macon County Board of Commissioners approved funding for the construction of the 2-acre dog park during their meeting of April 2019.

News

Repairs are underway after Press internet servers shut down

News Staff

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

As if a global pandemic and polarized political campaigns weren’t enough, The Franklin Press’ internet system failed in the wee hours of last Friday morning, Nov. 6. The Press relies on its parent company Community Newspapers, Inc.’s (CNI) servers located in Athens, GA.

Election Results

Voters paint Macon red

Jake Browning

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Macon County voters made their voices heard on Election Day last week, and now the unofficial results are in. In the only contested race for the Macon County Board of Commissioners, Republican Josh Young defeated Betty Cloer Wallace by a margin of 14,709 votes (73.37%) to 5,339 votes (26.63%).

Press photo/Linda Mathis - A school bus takes a detour around a damaged section of Wells Grove Road.

Storm cut power to thousands

Lee Buchanan

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

The remnants of Hurricane Zeta blew through Macon County on the night of Thursday, Oct. 29, toppling trees, flooding low-lying areas and knocking out power to thousands. A tropical storm warning was issued for Macon County on Oct.

Sears

Man charged with attempted murder after standoff

Lee Buchanan

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

A Macon County man was charged with attempted murder after a tense standoff with law enforcement officers on the night of Thursday, Oct. 29. The suspect, Ryan Emerson Spears, is being held at the Macon County Detention Center under a $1.5 million bond.

Press photos/Linda Mathias - Macon County homes are putting out their scariest displays ahead of Halloween on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Haunted Macon

Jake Browning

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t quite crushed Macon County’s spooky spirit this Halloween season. Every year, Bidwell Street plays host to one of the biggest trick-or-treating celebrations in Western North Carolina. The elaborate displays have drawn more than 2,000 trick-or-treaters in past years.

COVID update

COVID-19 cases creep up in county

Lee Buchanan

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

An increase in COVID-19 cases across much the country is worrisome, but Macon County health officials are hopeful that the county can avoid a major spike – if residents follow virus protocols. As of 4 p.m. Monday, Oct.

News

More jobs than employees as Macon rebounds

Jake Browning

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

When the pandemic first hit, many Macon County employers couldn’t afford to keep their full staffs on the schedule. Now, as North Carolina continues to loosen restrictions, employers face the opposite problem.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Volunteer Susie Ledford checks Faye Lansdell’s temperature before she goes into the service at First United Methodist Church on Sunday morning, Oct. 25.

Churches begin returning to indoor services

Jake Browning

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

As restrictions put forth by the state related to the COVID-19 pandemic begin to dial back, churches around Macon County are starting to resume their in-person services, albeit with far more precautions than they observed in March. Even with precautions in place, there is an inherent risk.