News

Press photo/Vickie Carpenter - Otto Volunteer Fire and Rescue members, past and present, celebrate the start of construction of a new firehouse at 8249 Georgia Road, on Monday, Feb. 24.

Press photo/Vickie Carpenter - Otto Volunteer Fire and Rescue members, past and present, celebrate the start of construction of a new firehouse at 8249 Georgia Road, on Monday, Feb. 24.

Otto VFD breaks ground on new fire station

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
To meet the growing needs of the Otto community and southern Macon County, the Otto Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department held a groundbreaking on Feb. 24 for its future 15,000-square-foot fire station, slated to be completed in 2026. “It’s not for us.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Joey Cain, FHS project superintendent, gives an update to the Macon County commissioners on Feb. 11. Construction of the new Franklin High School stadium is expected to be completed by spring 2026, which will allow the Panthers to play at home that season.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Joey Cain, FHS project superintendent, gives an update to the Macon County commissioners on Feb. 11. Construction of the new Franklin High School stadium is expected to be completed by spring 2026, which will allow the Panthers to play at home that season.

New FHS stadium on track for spring 2026

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Franklin High School’s new stadium will be finished in roughly 15 months and the new 265,000 square-foot school will be ready by summer 2027, the project superintendent said last week. Joey Cain, Carroll Daniel Construction superintendent shared the news at the Feb.
Photo by Thomas Sherrill - A packed house listens to Joanne Rosner speaking to the Macon County Board of Commissioners at the Feb. 11 meeting.

Photo by Thomas Sherrill - A packed house listens to Joanne Rosner speaking to the Macon County Board of Commissioners at the Feb. 11 meeting.

Animal shelter supporters want more funding

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Animal shelter volunteers and workers filled the Macon County commissioners’ chamber on Feb. 11 to press the board to invest in the county’s animal services to combat the local rise in strays and surrenders.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Workers make repairs to the Clock Tower in downtown Franklin on Friday, Feb. 7.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Workers make repairs to the Clock Tower in downtown Franklin on Friday, Feb. 7.

Clock tower renovations underway

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
A plan to replace the trees around the clock tower square is in place as crews work on the tower in downtown Franklin. Scaffolding was installed around the clock tower after the Macon County Commissioners gave approval on Jan. 14 to start.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Vice Mayor Stacy Guffey addresses questions about his residency.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Vice Mayor Stacy Guffey addresses questions about his residency.

Town approves contract for inclusive playground

Mia Overton
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
The Franklin Town Council approved on Feb. 3 a contract to build an inclusive playground on the Whitmire property. The $1,159,232.05 contract with Carolina Parks and Play, LLC includes the playground equipment and installation.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Macon County Schools Board of Education and Superintendent Josh Lynch watch and listen to a presentation at a Feb. 4 special morning meeting at the MCS Central Office.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Macon County Schools Board of Education and Superintendent Josh Lynch watch and listen to a presentation at a Feb. 4 special morning meeting at the MCS Central Office.

Macon County Schools face budget hole due to grant cuts

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Macon County Schools is facing an estimated $800,000 shortfall for this school year after not receiving a grant it had previously gotten annually, COVID funds running out and previous federal education cuts.
Photo/Eric Haggart - Clint Kendall (left) receives the Citizen of the Year Award from Matt Corbin, past president of the Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

Photo/Eric Haggart - Clint Kendall (left) receives the Citizen of the Year Award from Matt Corbin, past president of the Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

Kendall named Citizen of the Year

News Staff
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Clint Kendall received the Citizen of the Year Award at the Franklin Chamber of Commerce annual banquet held Thursday, Feb. 6, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Students pick up their assigned YONDR cell phone pouches when entering Macon Early College each school day. The students can keep the pouches with them during the day, but their phones are locked in the pouches. A teacher can unlock the pouch in case of an emergency.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Students pick up their assigned YONDR cell phone pouches when entering Macon Early College each school day. The students can keep the pouches with them during the day, but their phones are locked in the pouches. A teacher can unlock the pouch in case of an emergency.

Macon Early College reports successful cell phone pouch program

News Staff
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Months after Macon Early College implemented its new cell phone pouch policy, the principal and students see increased socialization between students and less phone dependency.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Convicted killer released from prison

Mia Overton
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
A man sentenced to life in prison in the killing of a Franklin resident in 1991 was released from prison on Monday, Feb. 3. Scott Keith Quillen, 51, was convicted of second-degree murder and first-degree burglary in connection to the Oct. 18, 1991, death of Derold Ledford.