Local

Press photo/Linda Mathias ECBI chief Richard Sneed, left, and Franklin mayor Bob Scott man the shovels at the ceremonial groundbreaking.

Press photo/Linda Mathias ECBI chief Richard Sneed, left, and Franklin mayor Bob Scott man the shovels at the ceremonial groundbreaking.

Chief breaks ground at Nikwasi Mound

Jake Browning
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Over a year after the Town of Franklin transferred the deed to the Nikwasi Mound to the Nikwasi Initiative, the project took a step forward with a ceremonial ground breaking on Monday morning.
Press photo/Jake Browning Cartoogechaye Elementary School third-grade teacher Katie Kennedy sets up a tablet in preparation for her students’ return on Monday.

Press photo/Jake Browning Cartoogechaye Elementary School third-grade teacher Katie Kennedy sets up a tablet in preparation for her students’ return on Monday.

Teachers gearing up for return to school

Jake Browning
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
There’s less than a week left before Macon County Schools begin their most unconventional school year ever, but teachers and administrators are doing their best to keep a level head as they prepare for students on Monday, Aug. 17. Job number one is going to be keeping kids safe.
New roundabout

New roundabout

DOT: Roundabouts to be open for school

Jake Browning
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
It’s going to come down to the wire, but the remaining roundabouts should be open in time for school. NCDOT communications officer David Uchiyama said that the remaining two roundabouts are about 80 percent complete. The one at Maple Street is now open to traffic while work continues.
COVID testing

COVID testing

Free COVID tests Aug. 13

Lee Buchanan
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Macon County Emergency Management and Macon County Public Health will conduct a free drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinic at Macon Middle School from 8-11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 13.
File photo - The owners of Root and Barrel want to build a patio in the alley between restaurant and town hall.

File photo - The owners of Root and Barrel want to build a patio in the alley between restaurant and town hall.

Council tables Root and Barrel patio plan

Jake Browning
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Franklin’s Town Council voted to table a proposal that would allow Root and Barrel to build a patio in the alley between their restaurant and Town Hall. After co-owner Brett Murphy made the pitch to the town at last month’s meeting, co-owners Gary and Virginia Murphy followed up on Monday night.
File Photo - PumpkinFest

File Photo - PumpkinFest

PumpkinFest falls victim to COVID-19

Jake Browning
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Franklin’s Town Council voted unanimously to cancel PumpkinFest, the town’s biggest and most successful festival. The annual fall festival, had a 23-year uninterrupted run, but council members decided that coronavirus-related public restrictions are still too strict to have a traditional festival.
Press photo/Linda Mathias - Volunteers bring food to vehicles lined up at Mountain View Intermediate School on Monday, July 27.

Press photo/Linda Mathias - Volunteers bring food to vehicles lined up at Mountain View Intermediate School on Monday, July 27.

MANNA feeds greater need in pandemic

News Staff
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
MANNA Food Bank held its monthly pop-up market at Mountain View Intermediate School on Monday, July 27, and the need in the community was on full display.
COVID Update

COVID Update

Second death linked to COVID-19

Lee Buchanan
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Macon County has recorded its second death related to COVID-19. The county public health department said on July 21 that a Macon County resident diagnosed with COVID-19 had died.  The person was over the age of 65 and had underlying health conditions, according to the health department.