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Press photo/Jake Browning - First-grader Lawson Clay, accompanied by his father Jason Clay, picks up his graduation goodie bag from teacher Pam Owens at East Franklin Elementary School’s farewell parade.

Press photo/Jake Browning - First-grader Lawson Clay, accompanied by his father Jason Clay, picks up his graduation goodie bag from teacher Pam Owens at East Franklin Elementary School’s farewell parade.

Teachers say farewell to students

Jake Browning
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
As schools around the country debate how best to end their years while COVID-19 threatens traditional graduation ceremonies, Macon County elementary and intermediate schools are saying farewell to their students through a series of parades.
Bill Harrell

Bill Harrell

Harrell returns to FPD as chief

Lee Buchanan
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Bill Harrell has come full circle in his law enforcement career after being named Franklin’s new chief of police, 27 years after he joined the force as a rookie cop. Harrell, who takes the helm on June 1, has served as police chief in Highlands for almost 15 years.
Press photo/Jake Browning - Rob Reale (right) works with customer Monica Collier at Kitchen Sink in downtown Franklin on Saturday, May 9.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Rob Reale (right) works with customer Monica Collier at Kitchen Sink in downtown Franklin on Saturday, May 9.

Macon retailers open their doors, begin long road to recovery

Jake Browning
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Many Macon County retailers are getting their first business in over a month as Gov. Roy Cooper’s three-phase plan to reopen the state took effect on May 8. Businesses deemed non-essential by the governor’s executive orders have been closed since March 30.
Photo/Eric Haggart - This slide on Dobson Mountain flowed about 4,000 feet. This photo shows just the top of the debris flow.

Photo/Eric Haggart - This slide on Dobson Mountain flowed about 4,000 feet. This photo shows just the top of the debris flow.

Study of April slides finds no imminent danger

Lee Buchanan
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
The N.C. Geological Survey sent teams to study the debris flows that occurred following torrential rains on April 12 and has reported the findings to Macon County Emergency Services.
Press photo/Jake Browning - The Comfort Inn has been operating at about 20 percent capacity.

Press photo/Jake Browning - The Comfort Inn has been operating at about 20 percent capacity.

Hotels, campgrounds focused on survival

Jake Browning
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Gov. Roy Cooper’s three-phase plan to reopen the state doesn’t specifically mention hotels, campgrounds and other lodging sites, but owners of such businesses in Macon County are largely in agreement – they want to open back up as soon as possible.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Macon on track to reopen

Lee Buchanan
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Macon County has lifted the regulations put in place to combat the spread of COVID-19, effective May 8, and will allow hotels and other temporary lodging to open in time for Memorial Day. That news comes as Macon County reported its third COVID-19 case on April 29.
Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Vendor Paul Chew talks to customer Debi Gedling while she purchases produce at the Franklin Farmers Tailgate Market.

Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Vendor Paul Chew talks to customer Debi Gedling while she purchases produce at the Franklin Farmers Tailgate Market.

Farmers Market coping with coronavirus

Andy Scheidler
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Vendors sit or stand underneath tents, with yellow caution tape stretched across the front from pole to pole.  A hand-washing station sits at the entrance, along with signs listing tips for maintaining a healthy market.
Press photo/Jake Browning - Several carloads of people rallied on Main Street in Franklin on Friday, April 24, calling for lifting coronavirus restrictions.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Several carloads of people rallied on Main Street in Franklin on Friday, April 24, calling for lifting coronavirus restrictions.

Business owners eager to reopen Macon

Jake Browning
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Gov. Roy Cooper has laid out a three-phase plan to cautiously reopen North Carolina, but for some Macon County business owners, lifting the restrictions mandated to combat the coronavirus can’t come soon enough.