News

‘Peace walk’ set for downtown Franklin

Jake Browning

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Local residents are planning a march in downtown Franklin to protest the death of George Floyd and support the Black Lives Matter movement. The Solidarity Peace Walk is set for 4 p.m. this Friday, June 12.

Press photo/Lee Buchanan Restoration work continues at the old Talbott building on West Main Street in Franklin.

Historic building gets new life

Lee Buchanan

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Franklin’s oldest commercial building has a new owner and is currently being restored. Robert McMillan, a business owner in Woodstock, Georgia, bought the Talbott building on West Main Street in 2019 for $375,000. “I was visiting and saw that it was for sale,” McMillan said.

Photo/Ryan Hanchett A health care worker conducts a test for COVID-19 during drive-thru testing on June 4 in Highlands.

COVID-19 cases spike in Macon

Lee Buchanan

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Lee Buchanan editor@thefranklinpress.com COVID-19 cases continue to spike in Macon County, with the health department reporting 137 active cases as of June 8.

Press photo/Jake Browning - The current Otto fire station is about 40 years old.

Otto firefighters seek fire tax increase for new station

News Staff

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Otto Volunteer Fire and Rescue is seeking an increase to its fire tax in the county’s new budget in order to help fund the development of a new fire station at an estimated cost of $3.7 million. The current fire station, located at 60 Firehouse Road, has stood for about 40 years.

News

Town approves comprehensive plan

Jake Browning

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Franklin’s Town Council has approved a comprehensive land use plan aimed at preserving Franklin’s small-town charm and creating more green spaces while making infrastructural improvements to make it all more accessible to residents and visitors.

Meal delivery

After CARES Act windfall, Macon schools to resume meal delivery

Jake Browning

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Macon County students can count on a few more weeks of free meals. On May 2, the North Carolina House of Representatives ratified House Bill 1043, which funneled $1.6 billion worth of CARES Act funds into various organizations around the state for COVID-19 relief.

Rathskeller

Some restaurants hold off as restrictions relax

Jake Browning

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Restaurants around the state opened their doors to inside dining for the first time in months on May 22, but not every restaurant was setting the tables. As coronavirus restrictions begin to ease up and allow for more traditional business, some entrepreneurs are choosing to delay their reopening.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Jeslyn Head, daughter of David Head, is presented with an American flag and Head’s service badge by sheriff Robert Holland during the service.

Mourners honor Heads’ legacy

Jake Browning

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Macon County said its farewells to David and Dawn Head at a celebration of life service on May 26 in Scaly Mountain.

Covid testing

Active COVID cases top 80

Lee Buchanan

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

The number of active positive COVID-19 cases in Macon County has jumped to 81 as of June 1, according Macon County Public Health.

Election 2020

Early voting set to open for second primary

Lee Buchanan

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

The Macon County Board of Elections will consolidate 12 precincts into a single polling place for the GOP second primary on June 23 and is urging voters to cast absentee ballots by mail as a safety precaution.