June 11, 2026
Press file photo - The Franklin Town Council is considering a temporary moratorium on data center development and will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 6.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Franklin High School graduate Samuel Roots accepts his diploma from Principal Blair King during the commencement ceremony June 5 at WCU. Roots wears a braided cord symbolizing his achievements in project management. See more photos on page on The Franklin Press Facebook page.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Carmen Waite, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau, pitches a partnership between the club and Macon County Schools to use the Bartram Academy building for a new location.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Macon County School Chief Financial Officer Alayna Ledford and Superintendent Josh Lynch speak to the Macon County Board of Commissioners during a May 21 budget work session.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Ann Hungerford adds her ideas to the Main Street Transformation project. During the workshop people had a chance to propose tradeoffs and rank their support. Many visitors were happy to trade sidewalk space for street trees and public restrooms, diagonal parking for parallel parking. Fewer were comfortable with trading free parking for metered parking.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Patience Eicher receives her diploma from Bartram Academy principal Nikki Oberley. See more photos on Page A6 and on The Franklin Press Facebook page.
Drawing courtesy of Macon County - A new plan for the pickleball courts will establish 20 courts with green and blue pavement, two shade structures and an artificial turf zone for recreation and events with restrooms at the north end. A paved parking area is planned on the east side of the complex. The courts will take the place of the old softball field at the Rec Park, below Wendy's and across the creek from the community building.
Press photo/Mia Overton - The Franklin Town Council and staff members discussed capital improvement projects during the May 18 budget work session.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Glenda Cook from Cullasaja Gorge Fire and Rescue requests a fire tax increase for the volunteer fire department.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - County Commissioner Gary Shields, a former FHS principal and longtime advocate for the new high school project, is one of the first to sign his name to the beam, next to board chair Josh Young.