News

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Girl Scouts Carolina Mersereau and Charlee Hall of Troop 10233. Sadie Hicks (not pictured) also participated in the community service project.

Girl Scouts

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Members of Girl Scout Troop 10233 volunteered to plant flowers on April 28 and help beautify downtown Franklin.The girls planted 10 geraniums in five pots and more than 40 petunias in four rolling beds that will be moved to locations in downtown Franklin.

Press photo/Mia Overton - The Franklin Town Council and staff members discuss expenses for the coming year at the budget work session on April 20.

Franklin looks at $13.6 million budget

Mia Overton

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

The Franklin Town Council is looking at a $13.6 million budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.During the council’s budget work session on April 20, Finance Director Sarah Bishop said that is about an 8% increase over the current year’s budget.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Macon County tax administrator Abby Braswell discusses the process for the coming 2027 reappraisal. The process will result in Macon County property values being adjusted to more accurately reflect market price.

2027 property revaluation begins

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Three years after the last property tax reappraisal in 2023, Macon County is preparing for a new valuation which is likely to raise the taxable values of most county properties, county tax administrator Abby Braswell said.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - South Macon Elementary students greet Franklin High School seniors Evelyn Sastre and Madison Stamey.

Grad Walk 2026

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

The 2026 graduating students from Franklin High School, Bartram Academy and Macon Early College took part in the annual Grad Walk on April 22, visiting the elementary schools, Mountain View Intermediate and Macon Middle. Students reunited with teachers, collected posters and posed for photos.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Mitch Brigulio of Davenport and Company speaks with Macon County commissioners about the upcoming budget season.

County gets update on capital improvement plan

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

The Macon County Board of Commissioners heard comments about the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and options for the upcoming fiscal year at its April 14 meeting.Mitch Brigulio of Davenport and Company discussed future projects and outlined the county’s ability to borrow money.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Kenna Keyworth (left), winner of the Macon 250th Celebration Committee's logo contest, stands with committee spokesperson Amie Owens, displaying Keyworth's submission.

America 250: Student essay, logo contest winners honored

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

America 250 is coming, and with it new logos and artwork for Macon County designed by local students.

Press file photo - The Franklin Town Council approved a resolution on April 20 asking the Macon County Board of Commissioners to restore the Town of Franklin and Town of Highlands voting rights on the county planning board.

Council wants Planning Board voting rights restored

Mia Overton

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

The Franklin Town Council is pressing forward with its effort to regain a vote on the county Planning Board.In February, the Macon County Board of Commissioners voted to reduce the number of Planning Board members from 11 to five members and approved new bylaws in March.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Cowee Fire Chief Dustin Pendergrass speaks to Macon County commissioners to request funding for the department.

County to cover Cowee Fire expenses

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

After taking on the equipment and resources of Burningtown-Iotla Fire and Rescue, Cowee Volunteer Fire and Rescue has taken on expenses that aren’t being paid for by the department's fire taxes.

Press photo/Mia Overton - A new sign at the top of Town Hill reminds drivers of the reduced speed along Main Street.

Franklin Police Dept. puts brakes on Main Street speeding

Mia Overton

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Franklin Police Chief Devin Holland gave an update during last week’s Town Council meeting on the department’s recent efforts to curb speeding in town, particularly along Main Street.

Press file photo - Diane Cotton (right) was often seen at community events giving out free children’s books for Read2Me. She is pictured with Lee Berger at a Family Fun Day at Winding Stair Gardens in 2024.

Cotton was a ‘shining jewel’ in community

Shelby Powell

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Diane Fuller Cotton, a longtime Franklin educator and volunteer with the Friends of the Library and Read2Me, worked tirelessly for the community before her passing last week. Cotton passed away Monday, April 6, at age 68. She was born Dec. 1, 1957, in Swisher, Texas.