News

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Schools Finance Director Angie Cook (right) does some quick calculations with MCS Superintendent Josh Young and MCS Assistant Finance Director Alayna Ledford during the March 6 budget workshop.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Schools Finance Director Angie Cook (right) does some quick calculations with MCS Superintendent Josh Young and MCS Assistant Finance Director Alayna Ledford during the March 6 budget workshop.

School system to ask for $2.5 million budget increase

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Local art, music and STEAM teachers, mental health professionals, an athletic coaching supplement and employee raises would account for a requested $2.5 million jump in local funding for the coming school year.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Irene and Faith Lefebvre, 13, look at the Franklin High School new building renderings after a focus group on Wednesday, March 6.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Irene and Faith Lefebvre, 13, look at the Franklin High School new building renderings after a focus group on Wednesday, March 6.

Focus groups give input on schools

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Three days of focus groups and meetings with students, teachers and community members in Nantahala, Highlands and Franklin kickstarted the Macon County Schools strategic planning process last week.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Macon County Board of Elections members tally the early votes on Primary Election Night, March 5. Pictured are Chair Kathy Tinsley, Lynne Garrison, Gary Dills, John Vanhook, Jeff Gillette and Board of Elections Director Melanie Thibault.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Macon County Board of Elections members tally the early votes on Primary Election Night, March 5. Pictured are Chair Kathy Tinsley, Lynne Garrison, Gary Dills, John Vanhook, Jeff Gillette and Board of Elections Director Melanie Thibault.

Young, Breeden win commissioner races

Thomas Sherrill
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
One county commissioner defended his seat while another appears to be unseated in a narrow defeat, according to the unofficial results from the March 5 primary election.
Photo/Bob Scott - Animal Control Officer Stephanie Price looking for puppies reported to be wandering in this area.

Photo/Bob Scott - Animal Control Officer Stephanie Price looking for puppies reported to be wandering in this area.

On call with Macon County Animal Control

(not verified)
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Bob Scott - scoopscott79@gmail.com At the Macon County Animal Shelter there is passion, empathy and love for animals. Animal Control Officer Stephanie Price left the shelter on a rainy Tuesday morning in her county truck with cages.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Vice Mayor Stacy Guffey (center) chaired the March 4 Town Council meeting in Mayor Jack Horton’s absence. Also pictured are council members Rita Salain (left) and Robbie Tompa.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Vice Mayor Stacy Guffey (center) chaired the March 4 Town Council meeting in Mayor Jack Horton’s absence. Also pictured are council members Rita Salain (left) and Robbie Tompa.

Town approves temporary housing permit

Mia Overton
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
The Franklin Town Council approved an amendment Monday night that will make things easier for people renovating or building a new home. The amendment will allow people to temporarily live in an RV or camper while working on their house.
Photo/Eric Haggart - Sheila Jenkins (center) of No Wrong Door was named Citizen of the Year at the Chamber of Commerce awards banquet on Feb. 27. Also pictured are Ronnie Beale, who presented the award, and Dinah Mashburn, No Wrong Door board president.

Photo/Eric Haggart - Sheila Jenkins (center) of No Wrong Door was named Citizen of the Year at the Chamber of Commerce awards banquet on Feb. 27. Also pictured are Ronnie Beale, who presented the award, and Dinah Mashburn, No Wrong Door board president.

Jenkins named Citizen of the Year

News Staff
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Sheila Jenkins, executive director of No Wrong Door, was the recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award presented at the Franklin Chamber of Commerce annual awards banquet held Feb. 27 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts.
Press photo/Will Woolever - The new sign on Town Square welcomes AT thru-hikers to Franklin.

Press photo/Will Woolever - The new sign on Town Square welcomes AT thru-hikers to Franklin.

TDA supports spring hiker activities

Mia Overton
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
During its February meeting, the Franklin Tourism Development Authority approved $5,200 in funding to support activities during the upcoming Appalachian Trail hiking season and for advertising for the unveiling of the Women’s History Trial sculpture.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Iotla Valley students perform during the January school board meeting.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Iotla Valley students perform during the January school board meeting.

School Board plans ‘carousel of arts’

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
To showcase the importance of art and music in students’ lives and to continually fund those positions, the Macon County Board of Education plans to create a presentation for the county commissioners.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Franklin High School senior Josh Mason with FHS Interim Vice Principal Dan Gibson during the Feb. 19 meeting of the Macon County Board of Education.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Franklin High School senior Josh Mason with FHS Interim Vice Principal Dan Gibson during the Feb. 19 meeting of the Macon County Board of Education.

FHS students commended for providing emergency care

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Franklin High School senior Josh Mason was recently recognized for his efforts to help another student in distress. FHS Interim Vice Principal Dan Gibson made the presentation at the Feb. 19 Board of Education meeting.
Press file photo - Macon County Public Library

Press file photo - Macon County Public Library

Repairs needed at Macon County Public Library

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
A crew will make a full assessment of the overhang entrance and part of the ceiling and roof of the Macon County Public Library. Macon County’s Project Manager Jack Morgan told the commissioners during the board’s Feb. 13 meeting that after he looked at it, the work is “above what he can do.