News

Map/USGS - A map showing the area of the earthquake felt in Macon County on May 10, 2025.

Map/USGS - A map showing the area of the earthquake felt in Macon County on May 10, 2025.

Mild earthquake shakes Macon County

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
A magnitude 4.1 earthquake near Greenback, Tennessee, rattled the weekend as homes throughout Western North Carolina felt the shaking. The earthquake, which occurred at 9:04 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, alarmed many locals in Macon and its surrounding counties.
Press photo/Will Woolever - FHS student Myles Bargman in the cockpit as he prepares to take off at the Macon County Airport.

Press photo/Will Woolever - FHS student Myles Bargman in the cockpit as he prepares to take off at the Macon County Airport.

FHS students aim for the sky

News Staff
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
A group of Franklin High School students earned a unique opportunity last week. On Friday, May 9, members of the Aviation 1 class traveled to the Macon County Airport for a hands-on flying lesson. Franklin is one of just three high schools in N.C. to offer such a class.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Contractors for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers remove debris along the section of the Little Tennessee River in East Franklin.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Contractors for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers remove debris along the section of the Little Tennessee River in East Franklin.

County meets with Corps on debris removal

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
On Monday, April 28, representatives from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Corps contractor Kituwah Services and Macon County met to discuss the local response to debris removal efforts in local waterways, according to County Manager Warren Cabe, who attended the meeting.
Press photo/Mia Overton - The Town Council voted unanimously Monday night to order that this house and property at 7 Cat Creek Estates be vacated and closed due to violations of the Minimum Housing Code. The owner also owes $3,736.21 in taxes, which have not been paid since 2017.

Press photo/Mia Overton - The Town Council voted unanimously Monday night to order that this house and property at 7 Cat Creek Estates be vacated and closed due to violations of the Minimum Housing Code. The owner also owes $3,736.21 in taxes, which have not been paid since 2017.

Town moves to vacate run-down house

Mia Overton
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Three residents of Cat Creek Ridge Estates came to the Franklin Town Council meeting Monday night asking for something to be done about one of the homes in the neighborhood.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Franklin High School students are greeted at Macon Middle School during the annual Grad Walk.

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Franklin High School students are greeted at Macon Middle School during the annual Grad Walk.

Grad Walk 2025

News Staff
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
The graduating seniors from Franklin High School, Macon Early College and Bartram Academy donned their caps and gowns, boarded a convoy of school buses and were treated like celebrities as they arrived at schools throughout the county on April 30.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Filing for municipal elections opens in July

News Staff
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
The Macon County Board of Elections has set the calendar for the Town of Franklin and Town of Highlands elections to be held later this year. Franklin Mayor Jack Horton and three Town Council members – David Culpepper, Stacy Guffey and Rita Salain – are up for election.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Music Teacher Elise Parham (left) was given recognition as Teacher of the Year from Iotla Valley Elementary School Principal Michelle Bell (right) for her dedication and service to the school. Parham has managed a wide variety of performances for Iotla students that have led Bell to push for full-time music and art instruction. 

Press photo/Shelby Powell - Music Teacher Elise Parham (left) was given recognition as Teacher of the Year from Iotla Valley Elementary School Principal Michelle Bell (right) for her dedication and service to the school. Parham has managed a wide variety of performances for Iotla students that have led Bell to push for full-time music and art instruction. 

Bartram returns to five-day schedule

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
The Macon County Board of Education took advantage of its April meeting at Iotla Valley Elementary School to recognize and honor school staff and scholarship recipients, speak with AstroTurf about building a new soccer field, and approve a request to return Bartram Academy to a five-day schedule.
Press file photo - Franklin Town Hall

Press file photo - Franklin Town Hall

Franklin to hold steady on tax rate

Mia Overton
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Just like its residents, the Town of Franklin is experiencing cost increases, but the town expects to maintain its current tax rate. However, water rates may increase to cover rising costs and infrastructure improvements.
Photo/Bob Scott - Local riverkeepers held an “Honor the River” paddle on April 26 to show their support for preservation of the Little Tennessee River and other local waterways.

Photo/Bob Scott - Local riverkeepers held an “Honor the River” paddle on April 26 to show their support for preservation of the Little Tennessee River and other local waterways.

Community pushes back on river debris removal

Shelby Powell
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has drawn some criticism from local nature and wildlife groups as the organization has hired contractors to assist with Hurricane Helene debris cleanup in the Little Tennessee River.