News

Highlander photo - Unused classroom equipment and supplies sit in Highlands School's new Pre-K room. The Macon County Board of Commissioners did not fund the Pre-K teacher position for the 2026-27 school year.

Highlander photo - Unused classroom equipment and supplies sit in Highlands School's new Pre-K room. The Macon County Board of Commissioners did not fund the Pre-K teacher position for the 2026-27 school year.

MCS begins new year with budget shortfall

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
In closing out the fiscal year on June 30, the Macon County Board of Education discussed its next hurdle: a $2.4 million local funding shortfall for the new year.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Margaret Pickett speaks to the Macon County Planning Board to advocate against its recommended 3-2 structure for electing commissioners.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Margaret Pickett speaks to the Macon County Planning Board to advocate against its recommended 3-2 structure for electing commissioners.

Planners recommend new voting districts

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
The Macon County Planning Board voted on July 2 to recommend a new system for electing county commissioners.The Planning Board's 4-1 vote approved creating three equally sized districts with one commissioner representative from each and two at-large commissioner seats.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Concerned citizens filled the Franklin Town Hall board room Monday night as the Town Council heard public comment on an ordinance for a 12-month moratorium on data center development.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Concerned citizens filled the Franklin Town Hall board room Monday night as the Town Council heard public comment on an ordinance for a 12-month moratorium on data center development.

Franklin approves data center moratorium

Mia Overton
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Cheers and applause filled the board room at Franklin Town Hall Monday night as the Town Council unanimously approved an ordinance that will establish a 12-month moratorium on data center development.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - The Town of Franklin celebrated Independence Day with the annual parade along Main Street on Saturday morning. See more photos in the July 8 edition of The Franklin Press and on our Facebook page.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - The Town of Franklin celebrated Independence Day with the annual parade along Main Street on Saturday morning. See more photos in the July 8 edition of The Franklin Press and on our Facebook page.

Celebrating Independence Day

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
People from around the county celebrated the 250th birthday of the United States of America this past weekend.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Cory Spychalski of The Grove Hostel writes out a draft visioning statement for Franklin identifying its recreation, arts and culture as a draw for the town.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Cory Spychalski of The Grove Hostel writes out a draft visioning statement for Franklin identifying its recreation, arts and culture as a draw for the town.

A new vision for Franklin

Shelby Powell
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
The Town of Franklin’s attempts to build a new economic development plan took the next step with a public event on June 23 at Twenty-Eight Main to come up with drafts for a new vision statement.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - The Argent Accounting building on Palmer Street.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - The Argent Accounting building on Palmer Street.

Law enforcement on scene at Argent

Shelby Powell
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Argent Accounting attracted attention June 23 after representatives of the Federal and State Bureaus of Investigation attempted to get in contact with owner Trever Vernon.
Press file photo - All are welcome to join in the July 4 parade. Put on your most patriotic outfit and meet at Town Hall at 10:30 a.m. The parade begins at 11 a.m. followed by the Little Mr. and Miss Firecracker contest and the patriotic pet contest.

Press file photo - All are welcome to join in the July 4 parade. Put on your most patriotic outfit and meet at Town Hall at 10:30 a.m. The parade begins at 11 a.m. followed by the Little Mr. and Miss Firecracker contest and the patriotic pet contest.

Celebrating America 250

Mia Overton
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Macon County and the Town of Franklin will join the America 250 Celebration with two days of festivities, July 3 and 4. Friday, July 3, 2026Parker Meadows Athletic Events10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Tax reappraisal freeze to skip Macon County

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
North Carolina paused tax revaluations for some counties, but Macon County is not on the list.According to county tax administrator Abby Braswell, Macon County is not one of the nine N.C. counties which will see their revaluations pause for the coming year.