News

Press photo/Will Woolever - Construction continues on the new inclusive playground at Sunnyside Park in East Franklin. At the Nov. 3 Town Council meeting, the board approved a contract to build restrooms, parking and sidewalks at the park.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Construction continues on the new inclusive playground at Sunnyside Park in East Franklin. At the Nov. 3 Town Council meeting, the board approved a contract to build restrooms, parking and sidewalks at the park.

Bid approved for Sunnyside Park

Mia Overton
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Despite not liking the price tag, the Franklin Town Council approved a bid for work at the new Sunnyside Park. Construction of the new inclusive playground continues at the park, located on what was formerly called the Whitmire property off First Street.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Stacy Guffey will take office as Franklin’s new mayor on Dec. 1.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Stacy Guffey will take office as Franklin’s new mayor on Dec. 1.

Guffey elected Franklin mayor

Mia Overton
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
When the Franklin Town Council convenes in December there will be a new mayor and two new council members to take office, along with one incumbent. Stacy Guffey was elected mayor in last week’s election. Guffey has been on the Town Council since 2021 and currently serves as vice mayor.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - World War II veteran Paul Shepherd was recognized as the oldest living veteran in Macon County during the Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - World War II veteran Paul Shepherd was recognized as the oldest living veteran in Macon County during the Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday.

Veterans Day 2025

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Veterans marched up Main Street Tuesday for Franklin’s annual Veterans Day parade and ceremony. The veterans were led by a color guard and sorted according to service era by Scouts from Troops 202 and 4202 and Pack 263.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Marilyn Miller looks at photo album from World War I that belonged to her father, Leon Healy, who is pictured in the middle of the photo at right.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Marilyn Miller looks at photo album from World War I that belonged to her father, Leon Healy, who is pictured in the middle of the photo at right.

Salute to Veterans

Mia Overton
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Brittle pages in a photo album give a glimpse back more than 100 years ago to “The Great War.” Leon C. Healy served with the U.S. Army in France during World War I. Pasted within the album are photos showing various scenes from World War I. President Wilson arriving in Brest, France.
Press graphic

Press graphic

County braces for SNAP lapse

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
As states battle a U.S. Department of Agriculture directive to pause SNAP funding during the government shutdown, residents brace for the impact of losing approximately $600,000 per month in funding from the program.  N.C.
Press photo/Mia Overton - A black-ribboned wreath hangs in the Franklin Town Council board room in memory of former council member Joyce Handley, who passed away Nov. 1. Mayor Jack Horton started the Nov. 3 meeting with a moment of silence honoring Handley.

Press photo/Mia Overton - A black-ribboned wreath hangs in the Franklin Town Council board room in memory of former council member Joyce Handley, who passed away Nov. 1. Mayor Jack Horton started the Nov. 3 meeting with a moment of silence honoring Handley.

Handley cast votes to benefit Franklin

Mia Overton
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
The Franklin Town Council started its Nov. 3 meeting with a moment of silence in memory of former Council member Joyce Handley who passed away on Nov. 1 at age 84.  Handley served two terms on the town council, then known as the Board of Aldermen, from December 2007-December 2015.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Architect Emily Kite (left) and interior designer Trent Webb gave a presentation Oct. 29 on ongoing decisions on materials to be used for the new Franklin High School.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Architect Emily Kite (left) and interior designer Trent Webb gave a presentation Oct. 29 on ongoing decisions on materials to be used for the new Franklin High School.

Builders through 32% of contingency fund

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Nearly a third of contingency funds for the new Franklin High School have been spent already, according to County Manager Warren Cabe. LS3P Architect Emily Kite presented a virtual walkthrough on Oct.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Board of Health chair Garrett Higdon, Public Health Director Kathy McGaha, County Manager Warren Cabe and county attorney Eric Ridenour review proposed policy changes at the Oct. 28 health board meeting.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Board of Health chair Garrett Higdon, Public Health Director Kathy McGaha, County Manager Warren Cabe and county attorney Eric Ridenour review proposed policy changes at the Oct. 28 health board meeting.

Health board recommends consolidation

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
The Macon County Board of Health voted last week to consolidate with another agency, move up the health director’s retirement by two months and appoint the county human resources director as interim health director.  The votes took place after a closed session on Oct.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - FHS aviation teacher Scott Hanna (left) discusses the high school’s aviation program while State Superintendent Mo Green tries out a flight simulator.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - FHS aviation teacher Scott Hanna (left) discusses the high school’s aviation program while State Superintendent Mo Green tries out a flight simulator.

State superintendent visits Macon County

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
The state school superintendent joined Macon County commissioners, school board members, school staff and N.C. Sen.  Kevin Corbin for a tour of classrooms and campuses in Macon County.
Press photos/Shelby Powell - Brent Martin of the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy talks about the Franklin tree (in foreground) during a tree planting ceremony on Oct. 22.

Press photos/Shelby Powell - Brent Martin of the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy talks about the Franklin tree (in foreground) during a tree planting ceremony on Oct. 22.

Extinct Franklin tree planted downtown

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
The Franklin tree is extinct in the wild. All living trees are cultivated from descendants of specimens collected by William Bartram in Georgia in the 1700s. Last week, one was planted in Franklin.