News

Photo/Adobe stock - Both Macon County and the Town of Franklin have ordinances regarding the keeping and treatment of animals.

Photo/Adobe stock - Both Macon County and the Town of Franklin have ordinances regarding the keeping and treatment of animals.

Rules on controlling your animals

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Animal control has been a topic at meetings recently, and people have been interested in what can be done. At the December Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner John Shearl asked about a “problem dog” on Lake Emory Road.
Photo/Bob Scott - Harper and Ty Moser play in the snow during a visit with their grandparents on Maple Street.

Photo/Bob Scott - Harper and Ty Moser play in the snow during a visit with their grandparents on Maple Street.

Snow Day fun

News Staff
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Macon County students had a three-day weekend to enjoy the snow. School was called off Friday, Jan. 10 in advance of the winter weather. Due to continued hazardous road conditions, Monday and Tuesday were remote learning days.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Demolition of the old Angel Medical Center on Riverview Street continues.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Demolition of the old Angel Medical Center on Riverview Street continues.

Town to study potential for old hospital site

Mia Overton
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
After meeting in closed session for a little over 30 minutes Monday night, Jan. 6, the Franklin Town Council voted to spend $61,650 on a feasibility study to identify possible future uses for the former Angel Medical Center site on Riverview Street.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Downtown Door warming station open this week

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Temperatures dipping into the teens this week highlight the need for cold-weather safety in many aspects. The main focus is keeping people warm and safe. Downtown Door, operated by No Wrong Door, plans to be open every night this week, Executive Director Sheila Jenkins said.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - A full meeting room at the Macon County Health Department at the Jan. 2 county Planning Board meeting.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - A full meeting room at the Macon County Health Department at the Jan. 2 county Planning Board meeting.

Macon County Planning Board rejects floodplain fill

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
By a 5-2 vote, the Macon County Planning Board rejected recommending a controversial floodplain fill proposal during its Jan. 2 meeting. The motion by Highlands Town Planner Michael Mathis specifically mentioned the “no adverse impact” parts of the ordinance.
Photo/submitted - Franklin High Wildlife Studies (Natural Resources) students from Jenny Collins’ class identified wildlife tracks at the site and learned about the Cove Branch restoration project.

Photo/submitted - Franklin High Wildlife Studies (Natural Resources) students from Jenny Collins’ class identified wildlife tracks at the site and learned about the Cove Branch restoration project.

MVI students get hands-on learning at Cove Branch

Thomas Sherrill
Monday, December 30, 2024
Looking down into the cove in front of Mountain View Intermediate School, you can see dozens of wire cylinder cones around new trees in the mostly deforested habitat.
Photo/Highlander - NC106 reopened on Christmas Eve following repairs to the road which was damaged during Hurricane Helene. Over this past weekend there was a small rockslide, but it has been cleaned up and the road is clear.

Photo/Highlander - NC106 reopened on Christmas Eve following repairs to the road which was damaged during Hurricane Helene. Over this past weekend there was a small rockslide, but it has been cleaned up and the road is clear.

Highway 106 reopens after Helene repairs

News Staff
Monday, December 30, 2024
Ryan Hanchett - rhanchett@highlandsnews.com While it didn’t reach the level of a Christmas miracle, motorists in Highlands and surrounding communities were treated to a pleasant surprise on Christmas Eve when NC106 reopened to vehicle traffic following an eight-week closure.
Press file photo - The Macon County Planning Board is slated to discuss the Lake Emory Dam at its Jan. 2 meeting. This follows a request made in 2024 by now-former Commissioner Paul Higdon to research the possibility of removing the dam. Higdon said removing the dam would make the Little Tennessee River more free-flowing and a great recreational asset. The 36-foot-high, 463-foot-long gravity dam is owned by Northbrook Carolina Hydro II LLC.

Press file photo - The Macon County Planning Board is slated to discuss the Lake Emory Dam at its Jan. 2 meeting. This follows a request made in 2024 by now-former Commissioner Paul Higdon to research the possibility of removing the dam. Higdon said removing the dam would make the Little Tennessee River more free-flowing and a great recreational asset. The 36-foot-high, 463-foot-long gravity dam is owned by Northbrook Carolina Hydro II LLC.

Floodplain fill back on agenda for Jan. 2 meeting

Thomas Sherrill
Monday, December 30, 2024
For the last year, there has been much discussion and debate about proposed amendments to Macon County ordinances regarding flood damage prevention, soil erosion and sedimentation control, and water supply watershed protection.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Carroll Daniel has started site preparation for the new Franklin High School. In the weeks leading up to Christmas the trees along the Frogtown property were cleared and burned. The new school will sit on the hill above, at the former practice field site.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Carroll Daniel has started site preparation for the new Franklin High School. In the weeks leading up to Christmas the trees along the Frogtown property were cleared and burned. The new school will sit on the hill above, at the former practice field site.

2024: The year the new FHS became reality

Thomas Sherrill
Monday, December 30, 2024
With a ceremonial shoveling of dirt on a clear and warm October morning, Macon County signaled to the community and region that the long-talked-about Franklin High School replacement project was underway. On Oct.
Press file photo. The 11th annual New Year’s Eve Ruby Drop will include two drops (9 p.m. and midnight), live music, carriage rides and a photo booth.

Press file photo. The 11th annual New Year’s Eve Ruby Drop will include two drops (9 p.m. and midnight), live music, carriage rides and a photo booth.

Ruby Drop 2024

News Staff
Monday, December 23, 2024
Residents need not be alarmed when they see a big red object hovering over downtown Franklin on New Year’s Eve. Unlike the recent phenomenon elsewhere in America, this object is identified and familiar.