News

Plan for park at the Whitmire property in East Franklin. The first phase will be an inclusive playground with construction set to begin in August.

Plan for park at the Whitmire property in East Franklin. The first phase will be an inclusive playground with construction set to begin in August.

Plan for Whitmire property moves forward

Mia Overton
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
The plan for a new playground at the Whitmire property is moving another step forward. Construction of the $1.15 million inclusive playground is expected to begin in mid-August.
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Macon County looks to extend alcohol sales

Mia Overton
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Sipping an adult beverage at a restaurant outside the Franklin city limits might be on the menu one day. County Commissioner Barry Breeden asked that the topic be added to the July 8 Board of Commissioners agenda and several residents spoke in favor of it during the public comment session.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Macon County Health Department staff, including Public Health Director Kathy McGaha (second from left) listen to issues brought up during the joint meeting of the Board of Health and the Macon County Board of Commissioners on July 9.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Macon County Health Department staff, including Public Health Director Kathy McGaha (second from left) listen to issues brought up during the joint meeting of the Board of Health and the Macon County Board of Commissioners on July 9.

County wants control of Health Dept.

Mia Overton
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
The Macon County Board of Commissioners is considering bringing the Health Department under its control. The commissioners and the Board of Health held a joint meeting as part of the commissioners’ July 8 meeting.
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SNAP cuts: ‘More hungry children, families’

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Nearly 10% of Macon County’s residents receive help through SNAP – the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Legislation passed in Congress on July 3, will see changes to SNAP benefits. The full impact the legislation will have on Macon County’s 3,855 SNAP recipients is not yet known.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Workers maneuver a double-wide prebuilt house into a lot to replace a home lost to Hurricane Helene damage, letting Madeline Maynard move back onto the mountain after nine months without a home.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Workers maneuver a double-wide prebuilt house into a lot to replace a home lost to Hurricane Helene damage, letting Madeline Maynard move back onto the mountain after nine months without a home.

Woman left homeless after Helene finds hope

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Mountain Alliance delivered a prebuilt home to lifelong Franklin resident Madeline Maynard and her 17-year-old son Wednesday, replacing a family home that had been destroyed by Hurricane Helene in 2024.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - The Independence Day parade on Main Street, Franklin.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - The Independence Day parade on Main Street, Franklin.

July 4th celebration

News Staff
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
The Town of Franklin, Macon County and the Franklin Chamber of Commerce teamed up to present a day full of festivities for the July Fourth holiday.
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County requests proposals for animal services

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
As part of an ongoing effort to manage Macon County Animal Services more effectively, the county put out a request for proposals on June 12 for firms interested in the administration and operation of the animal shelter.
Press photo

Press photo

Produce Rx program helps people eat healthier

News Staff
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Christian A. Ray, Intern - thefranklinpressnews@gmail.com The Macon County Health Department has received a grant that will supply fresh, healthy produce to local families. “This initiative is a great example of cross-sector collaboration – linking health, agriculture and social services.