News

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Interim Health Director Tammy Keezer (left) speaks about the breakdown of a pair of washers and a dryer at the animal shelter as chair Garrett Higdon listens at the Nov. 18 health board meeting.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Interim Health Director Tammy Keezer (left) speaks about the breakdown of a pair of washers and a dryer at the animal shelter as chair Garrett Higdon listens at the Nov. 18 health board meeting.

Lenzo: Animal Services dropped ball on feral cat response

Shelby Powell
Monday, November 24, 2025
According to Dr. Roy Lenzo, the Board of Health’s veterinarian, Animal Services failed to collect a feral cat after it bit a person.  The cat was eventually captured by the resident and placed under quarantine for two weeks while the resident began a preventative post-exposure rabies treatment.
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2026 Primary Election filing opens Dec. 1

Shelby Powell
Monday, November 24, 2025
The 2026 election starts in December when primary filing opens for 11 county seats.  Filing begins at noon on Monday, Dec. 1, for the sheriff, register of deeds, clerk of court, district attorney, three county commissioner seats, two school board seats and seats for N.C.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Contractors at work on the walls for the new Franklin High School gym.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Contractors at work on the walls for the new Franklin High School gym.

Taking shape: Construction begins on FHS gym

Shelby Powell
Monday, November 24, 2025
Macon County Schools’ Director of Plant Operations Tracy Tallent gave a construction update for Franklin High School at the November school board meeting, pointing out the beginnings of construction for the basement of the gym.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Rev. Betsy Stow (left) and Sandy Geary show off some of the 26 turkeys the church is planning to serve as part of its annual Thanksgiving meal. The free drive-thru lunch will be offered Thanksgiving Day from 12-2 p.m.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Rev. Betsy Stow (left) and Sandy Geary show off some of the 26 turkeys the church is planning to serve as part of its annual Thanksgiving meal. The free drive-thru lunch will be offered Thanksgiving Day from 12-2 p.m.

A Thanksgiving feast for all

Shelby Powell
Monday, November 24, 2025
“The joy of being involved in food service comes from serving the people,” Jim McInnes said.  McInnes is preparing for his final year leading the annual Thanksgiving meal prepared and served by Franklin First Presbyterian Church volunteers at the building on Church Street.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - DSS Director Patrick Betancourt speaks to commissioners about a proposal to recruit his successor.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - DSS Director Patrick Betancourt speaks to commissioners about a proposal to recruit his successor.

Betancourt set to retire from DSS

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
The Nov. 13 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting included a discussion about the process to replace retiring DSS Director Patrick Betancourt. Betancourt plans to retire from the Department of Social Services in May 2026.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Board of Health chair Garrett Higdon speaks to commissioners about the health board’s decision recommending consolidation between Macon County Public Health and Animal Services.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Board of Health chair Garrett Higdon speaks to commissioners about the health board’s decision recommending consolidation between Macon County Public Health and Animal Services.

Health Department to be consolidated

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
After months of discussion, the Macon County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to combine Public Health and Animal Services into a single Consolidated Human Services Agency. The decision was made at the commissioners’ Nov.
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Quarter-cent sales tax back on ballot

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
A quarter-cent increase to the Macon County sales tax rate would raise more than $2 million in revenue for the county, though county commissioners declined to earmark the funds.  The decision came during the board’s Nov. 13 meeting, placing the measure on the ballot for the 2026 general election.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Canvass, the process of certifying an election, was held Nov. 14 for the Franklin and Highlands elections. Macon County Board of Elections members and staff pictured (from left) are Chair John Vanhook, BOE Secretary Gary Dills, Kathy Tinsley, Deputy Director Judy Fritts, Director Melanie Thibault, Paul Niskanen and Lynne Garrison.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Canvass, the process of certifying an election, was held Nov. 14 for the Franklin and Highlands elections. Macon County Board of Elections members and staff pictured (from left) are Chair John Vanhook, BOE Secretary Gary Dills, Kathy Tinsley, Deputy Director Judy Fritts, Director Melanie Thibault, Paul Niskanen and Lynne Garrison.

Board certifies Franklin election

Mia Overton
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
The Macon County Board of Elections met Nov. 14 to certify the Franklin and Highlands municipal elections. Of the 2,922 people registered to vote in the Franklin election, 573 ballots were cast for a turnout of 19.61%.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Nishelle Henson received the Regional Teacher of the Year award for Western North Carolina. Joining her at a surprise celebration last week in the Macon Middle School gym are her husband Jon and sons Noah and Jacob.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Nishelle Henson received the Regional Teacher of the Year award for Western North Carolina. Joining her at a surprise celebration last week in the Macon Middle School gym are her husband Jon and sons Noah and Jacob.

Macon Middle teacher leads the region

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Students, faculty and administration gathered in the gym at Macon Middle School to surprise Nishelle Henson, the state’s 2026 regional teacher of the year.  The surprise was held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov.
Press photo/Mia Overton - The Macon County Board of Elections met Monday morning to tally the provisional ballots cast in the municipal elections. Pictured: Chair John Vanhook, Gary Dills, Kathy Tinsley and Paul Niskanen.

Press photo/Mia Overton - The Macon County Board of Elections met Monday morning to tally the provisional ballots cast in the municipal elections. Pictured: Chair John Vanhook, Gary Dills, Kathy Tinsley and Paul Niskanen.

Voting in municipal elections

Mia Overton
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
The Macon County Board of Elections held an emergency called meeting on Monday to tally and report the provisional ballots cast during the Franklin and Highlands municipal elections.  The board had planned to follow its usual procedure and report the provisional ballots at canvass, Nov. 14.