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Bill Harrell

Bill Harrell

Harrell returns to FPD as chief

Lee Buchanan
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Bill Harrell has come full circle in his law enforcement career after being named Franklin’s new chief of police, 27 years after he joined the force as a rookie cop. Harrell, who takes the helm on June 1, has served as police chief in Highlands for almost 15 years.
Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune - The structure at The Oaks Resort in Otto was a total loss.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune - The structure at The Oaks Resort in Otto was a total loss.

Fire destroys commercial building in Otto

Lee Buchanan
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Firefighters from seven departments turned out to battle a blaze at the Oaks Resort in Otto on Thursday, May 7. At approximately 5:30 p.m.
Press photo/Jake Browning - Rob Reale (right) works with customer Monica Collier at Kitchen Sink in downtown Franklin on Saturday, May 9.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Rob Reale (right) works with customer Monica Collier at Kitchen Sink in downtown Franklin on Saturday, May 9.

Macon retailers open their doors, begin long road to recovery

Jake Browning
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Many Macon County retailers are getting their first business in over a month as Gov. Roy Cooper’s three-phase plan to reopen the state took effect on May 8. Businesses deemed non-essential by the governor’s executive orders have been closed since March 30.
Photo/Eric Haggart - This slide on Dobson Mountain flowed about 4,000 feet. This photo shows just the top of the debris flow.

Photo/Eric Haggart - This slide on Dobson Mountain flowed about 4,000 feet. This photo shows just the top of the debris flow.

Study of April slides finds no imminent danger

Lee Buchanan
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
The N.C. Geological Survey sent teams to study the debris flows that occurred following torrential rains on April 12 and has reported the findings to Macon County Emergency Services.
Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Vendor Paul Chew talks to customer Debi Gedling while she purchases produce at the Franklin Farmers Tailgate Market.

Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Vendor Paul Chew talks to customer Debi Gedling while she purchases produce at the Franklin Farmers Tailgate Market.

Farmers Market coping with coronavirus

Andy Scheidler
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Vendors sit or stand underneath tents, with yellow caution tape stretched across the front from pole to pole.  A hand-washing station sits at the entrance, along with signs listing tips for maintaining a healthy market.
Press photo/Jake Browning - Several carloads of people rallied on Main Street in Franklin on Friday, April 24, calling for lifting coronavirus restrictions.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Several carloads of people rallied on Main Street in Franklin on Friday, April 24, calling for lifting coronavirus restrictions.

Business owners eager to reopen Macon

Jake Browning
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Gov. Roy Cooper has laid out a three-phase plan to cautiously reopen North Carolina, but for some Macon County business owners, lifting the restrictions mandated to combat the coronavirus can’t come soon enough.
Photo submitted - Amy Ballard and her family cherish their garden and bounty it produces.

Photo submitted - Amy Ballard and her family cherish their garden and bounty it produces.

Home gardening growing in coronavirus shutdown

Andy Scheidler
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
When Amy Ballard wants green beans, she goes downstairs and grabs a jar that she canned last year that were grown in her garden. When she wants eggs, she goes outside and collects them from the hens.  During a pandemic, simple pleasures like this mean even more.