News

Police chief has violent encounter at Macon Plaza

Jake Browning
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Franklin Police Chief Bill Harrell had an intense altercation with a man last Friday evening. At approximately 5:07 p.m. in the turn lane outside Macon Plaza, Harrell said he witnessed a shirtless man, later identified as Jesse Ray Machuca, who appeared to be high.
Press photo/Jake Browning – The Macon County Board of Commissioners approved a $56,681,218 budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year

Press photo/Jake Browning – The Macon County Board of Commissioners approved a $56,681,218 budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year

Commissioners vote 3-2 on tax increase

Jake Browning
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
The Macon County Board of Commissioners approved a $56,681,218 budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year during their regularly scheduled meeting on June 8, albeit by the slimmest of margins.
Press photo/Mia Overton - The federal government’s American Rescue Plan includes $7.2 billion that could be allocated to state and local governments to reimburse libraries and schools for providing free broadband access to students’ homes. Computer labs such as this one at Macon County Public Library provide a much-needed service for people who do not have computers or internet access at home.

Press photo/Mia Overton - The federal government’s American Rescue Plan includes $7.2 billion that could be allocated to state and local governments to reimburse libraries and schools for providing free broadband access to students’ homes. Computer labs such as this one at Macon County Public Library provide a much-needed service for people who do not have computers or internet access at home.

State House passes GREAT Broadband Expansion Act

Mia Overton
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Mia Overton moverton@thefranklinpress.com The state House of Representatives unanimously passed on May 26 House Bill 947, which would provide $750 million in federal funding to expand high-speed broadband internet access in all 100 counties of North Carolina.
Press photos/Jake Browning - Mya Crisp and Lexi Hoyt take a whirl at the Shriners Carnival, which continues through June 12.

Press photos/Jake Browning - Mya Crisp and Lexi Hoyt take a whirl at the Shriners Carnival, which continues through June 12.

Shriners carnival returns to Franklin

Jake Browning
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
After a year of coronavirus-induced hiatus, the Smoky Mountain Shrine Club has returned to Franklin for its annual carnival. The Shriners Carnival was a yearly celebration for over a decade before last year’s festivities were canceled.
News

News

Town Council approves loan for Chick-fil-A development

Mia Overton
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
The Town Council met Monday night and approved a $200,000 loan to assist in the development of the site for a Chick-fil-A on Siler Road.  The loan is for Hendon Tiller Franklin, a limited liability corporation registered in Georgia, that owns the property.
Photo/Eric Haggart - Aerial views show the extent of the road repair work on Cowee Mountain, which has traffic down to one lane in each direction.

Photo/Eric Haggart - Aerial views show the extent of the road repair work on Cowee Mountain, which has traffic down to one lane in each direction.

Cowee Mountain repair plans switching to stone

News Staff
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
The slide of U.S. 441 on Cowee Mountain may be stabilized by the end of the year as a contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation changes construction plans.
COVID

COVID

Two COVID-related deaths reported in Macon

News Staff
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Macon County Public Health received notification on May 25  that two Macon County residents diagnosed with COVID-19 have passed away. To protect the families’ privacy, no further information will be released about these individuals. These deaths bring Macon County to 40 deaths related to COVID-19.
Fatality

Fatality

Franklin teens killed

Mia Overton
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Two 17-year-old boys, James Sweeten and Dakota Williamson, both of Franklin, were killed in a wreck May 24 on Sanderstown Road. According to North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper Hunter Gass, a Chevy Tahoe traveling toward U.S.