News

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Commissioner Josh Young (standing) speaks at the Oct. 3 Macon County Planning Board meeting.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Commissioner Josh Young (standing) speaks at the Oct. 3 Macon County Planning Board meeting.

Macon County Planning Board recommends change to allow RV parks

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Despite a recommendation from the Water Quality Advisory Committee against it, the Macon County Planning Board voted 4-3 to recommend amending the Macon County Watershed Protection Ordinance to allow RV parks to be built along Franklin’s and Highlands’ drinking supply watersheds.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Following Hurricane Helene, Macon County Emergency Services Director Warren Cabe says two residential structures are now uninhabitable, 24 will require extensive repairs, 28 will require some repair and three others need some minor repairs. Assessments are ongoing.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Following Hurricane Helene, Macon County Emergency Services Director Warren Cabe says two residential structures are now uninhabitable, 24 will require extensive repairs, 28 will require some repair and three others need some minor repairs. Assessments are ongoing.

Macon County officials look to long-term Helene impacts

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
With more than a week passed since Hurricane Helene hammered Western North Carolina, local officials are stressing that while there are a lot of people and supplies right now, there will be a continued need for support in the coming weeks, months and even years.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Mother charged with murdering child

News Staff
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
The Macon County Sheriff’s Office found a dead child in a home and their mother is facing felonious murder charges. Around 5:15 p.m. Sunday, the MCSO was dispatched to 22 Peaceful Valley Trail for a death investigation of a seven-year-old child.
Photo/Bob Scott – Volunteers of all ages were on hand to help unload supplies flown in to the Macon County Airport.

Photo/Bob Scott – Volunteers of all ages were on hand to help unload supplies flown in to the Macon County Airport.

Delivering help and hope

News Staff
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Even as Macon County was recovering from Tropical Storm Helene, people began rallying to help those in the hard-hit areas to the east.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Planning Board to meet Oct. 3

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
The Macon County Planning Board will hold its first meeting in five months to discuss two controversial ordinances dealing with floodplains and watersheds. The meeting will take place Thursday, Oct. 3, starting at 5 p.m. in the meeting room of the Macon County Health Department.
Photo submitted - Charles James “Jim” Lau

Photo submitted - Charles James “Jim” Lau

Sheriff deputy dies in flooding

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
A Macon County Sheriff’s Office courthouse security deputy died in flooding on Fulton Road following Hurricane Helene’s hit to Macon County. Charles James “Jim” Lau, 75, died Saturday, Sept. 28, after his truck was swept into the Cullasaja River the day before.
Photo/Bob Scott - People wait outside Wells Fargo. Many banks and businesses were offline the first part of the week and could only process cash transactions. As service is restored people will once again be able to use their debit and credit cards.

Photo/Bob Scott - People wait outside Wells Fargo. Many banks and businesses were offline the first part of the week and could only process cash transactions. As service is restored people will once again be able to use their debit and credit cards.

Storm recovery resources

News Staff
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
As of Tuesday, Oct. 1.   Internet access Internet access was restored for part of the county by Monday evening. For those still without internet service, free public WiFi is available at the following locations: • Town of Franklin – throughout the Main Street area.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Crews work midday Friday on restoring power lines hit by a falling tree on Highlands Road near River Bottom Lane in the Cullasaja community. Winds arrived after Thursday and Friday morning’s rainfall and caused many saturated trees and power lines to fall.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Crews work midday Friday on restoring power lines hit by a falling tree on Highlands Road near River Bottom Lane in the Cullasaja community. Winds arrived after Thursday and Friday morning’s rainfall and caused many saturated trees and power lines to fall.

Macon County recovering from Hurricane Helene

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
As Hurricane Helene brought unprecedented rainfall to the region last week, numerous people had to be rescued in Macon County, much of the county was without cell or internet service for several days and many remain without power.
Graphic/Franklin TDA - The Franklin Tourism Development Authority’s new logo and tagline.

Graphic/Franklin TDA - The Franklin Tourism Development Authority’s new logo and tagline.

TDA approves new logo: Experience Franklin

Mia Overton
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
The Franklin Tourism Development Authority approved a new logo and tagline at its Sept. 9 meeting. Different logo designs and taglines were presented by Morgan Stewart of Stewart Communications, the local firm managing the TDA’s marketing this year.
Press file photo - The Nikwasi Mound and information kiosk in East Franklin. New signs will be placed at the mound informing people about the significance of the mound and that walking on it contributes to erosion and is “inappropriate or disrespectful.”

Press file photo - The Nikwasi Mound and information kiosk in East Franklin. New signs will be placed at the mound informing people about the significance of the mound and that walking on it contributes to erosion and is “inappropriate or disrespectful.”

New signs aim to protect Nikwasi Mound, honor culture

Mia Overton
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
The Franklin Town Council voted 5-1 on Sept. 19 to approve new signage at the Nikwasi Mound.