News

Press photo/Mia Overton - Franklin Town Manager Amie Owens reviews the plans for Phase 1 of the park on the Whitmire property during a public hearing on April 18. The town is applying for a $500,000 grant to help pay for installation of an inclusive playground.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Franklin Town Manager Amie Owens reviews the plans for Phase 1 of the park on the Whitmire property during a public hearing on April 18. The town is applying for a $500,000 grant to help pay for installation of an inclusive playground.

Fair play for all

Mia Overton
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
The Town of Franklin is applying for a $500,000 grant that would be used to start Phase 1 of the park planned for the Whitmire property in East Franklin. If awarded, the N.C.
Press photo Thomas Sherrill Franklin High School students participate in the annual Grad Walk at South Macon Elementary School on Monday, April 22.

Press photo Thomas Sherrill Franklin High School students participate in the annual Grad Walk at South Macon Elementary School on Monday, April 22.

Grad Walk 2024

News Staff
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Graduating students from Franklin High School, Macon Early College and Bartram Academy participated in the annual Grad Walk on Monday, April 22.
Map/Macon County GIS - Macon County will buy three tracts of land (outlined in red) adjacent to the Nantahala School property to build a septic system for the school. The school’s current septic system has been failing for years.

Map/Macon County GIS - Macon County will buy three tracts of land (outlined in red) adjacent to the Nantahala School property to build a septic system for the school. The school’s current septic system has been failing for years.

County to buy land in Nantahala

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
By a unanimous vote, the Macon County Board of Commissioners bought three tracts of land next to the Nantahala School to build a septic system. A combined 3.09 acres, the county is paying $90,000 for the three tracts, plus $4,000 for title fees, insurance, and attorney fees.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The former Pine Grove School at the corner of Peeks Creek Road and Highlands Road has stood there in one form or another for more than 125 years.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The former Pine Grove School at the corner of Peeks Creek Road and Highlands Road has stood there in one form or another for more than 125 years.

Peeks Creek Community opposes proposed sale of Pine Grove School

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
The Peeks Creek community mostly opposed selling the old Pine Grove School to a private developer during a public hearing at the April 9 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting. On March 6, Macon County got an offer from Roger Soderstrom Sr. and Roger Soderstrom Jr.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Ginny Shelton (left) and Sue Feldkamp throw and roll exercise balls during a demonstration of a workout held each week at the community building.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Ginny Shelton (left) and Sue Feldkamp throw and roll exercise balls during a demonstration of a workout held each week at the community building.

Macon County Senior Games open

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
The passing of the torch signified the start of the 34th annual Macon County Senior Games at the Robert Carpenter Community Building on Monday, April 15.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Board of Education discusses Pre-K tuition hike

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
A potential increase in Pre-K tuition rates was among the topics discussed at the Macon County Board of Education retreat on March 20. Throughout the day department heads gave presentations, including Brooke Keener, who oversees the Pre-K program.
Photo courtesy of Bob Scott - A hiker checks out the signatures of her fellow Appalachian Trail hikers on the welcome board on Main Street, Franklin.

Photo courtesy of Bob Scott - A hiker checks out the signatures of her fellow Appalachian Trail hikers on the welcome board on Main Street, Franklin.

Outdoor recreation hikes up economy

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Local business owners give varying accounts of outdoor tourism as a new study details what travelers prefer in Macon County and Western North Carolina. “We have so many people coming here from everywhere,” said Jackie Sroka of Three Eagles Outfitters.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Bonnie Phillips, Mary Spivey, Gil and Patty were among those gathered at the Franklin Chamber of Commerce to watch the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. Look for more photos on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Bonnie Phillips, Mary Spivey, Gil and Patty were among those gathered at the Franklin Chamber of Commerce to watch the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. Look for more photos on The Franklin Press Facebook page.

Solar eclipse fascinates Franklin

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
The 2024 total solar eclipse might not have brought totality to Franklin as it did in 2017, but those who ventured out to see the sun nearly 85% covered got to see glimpses between the clouds on Monday, April 8. The sun was out until around 2:35 p.m.
Info/NC School Report Cards - Macon County Schools report card

Info/NC School Report Cards - Macon County Schools report card

Macon schools get passing grades

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
All but two Macon County Schools met growth expectations in 2022-23, according to state data presented to the Macon County Board of Education at its March 25 meeting.