News

Photo/NCDOT - Repair work on Highlands Road is set to begin this week. The road will be closed until the end of the month.

Photo/NCDOT - Repair work on Highlands Road is set to begin this week. The road will be closed until the end of the month.

Highlands Road washout

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Eighty feet of embankment damage to U.S. 64 in the Cullasaja Gorge has ripple effects through Macon County as a major artery from Franklin to Highlands is closed for the rest of the month. The washout under a section of U.S. 64/Highlands Road near Cullasaja Falls occurred midday on Tuesday, Jan.
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Press graphic

County submits grant for new FHS

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
The application that hopes to net Macon County up to $62 million in grant funds for the new Franklin High School project is now in the hands of the state. On Dec.
Map/Town of Franklin - The Franklin Main Street social district, highlighted in blue, will include Main Street between Town Hall and Lazy Hiker Brewing, Stewart Street, part of Philips Street and part of Iotla Street. The county properties are not included in the district.

Map/Town of Franklin - The Franklin Main Street social district, highlighted in blue, will include Main Street between Town Hall and Lazy Hiker Brewing, Stewart Street, part of Philips Street and part of Iotla Street. The county properties are not included in the district.

Franklin Town Council approves social district

Mia Overton
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Franklin could have a social district by the time the summer tourist season starts. The Town Council approved on Jan. 3 an ordinance that would establish a social district in the Main Street area.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The investigation into the deadly Jan. 4 fire at this Prentiss Bridge Road home continues.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The investigation into the deadly Jan. 4 fire at this Prentiss Bridge Road home continues.

Two die in Prentiss Bridge Road fire

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Two were found dead inside a burned house on Prentiss Bridge Road last week. The fire is still under investigation. The fire was reported around 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4, at 896 Prentiss Bridge Road.
Photo submitted - Harper was one of the dogs recently available for adoption through Macon County Animal Services.

Photo submitted - Harper was one of the dogs recently available for adoption through Macon County Animal Services.

Animal shelter sees increase in pets surrendered

News Staff
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Owen Marsten, Intern - thefranklinpressnews@gmail.com Macon County Animal Control has been dealing with a massive increase in their shelter’s population. According to Jimmy Villiard, Macon County Population Health section administrator, the shelter population has increased 82.2% in two years.
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Press graphic

$9.1 million in ARPA funds received

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Going into the last year to designate the 2021 ARPA funds, the Town of Franklin and Macon County have just over a combined half million dollars to use. The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a COVID-19 stimulus bill, passed Congress in March 2021.
Photo submitted - Downtown Door is now open at 381 East Main Street to help the homeless population. It also serves as a warming station on nights when temperatures are below 20 degrees. During the summer months it will be a cooling station.

Photo submitted - Downtown Door is now open at 381 East Main Street to help the homeless population. It also serves as a warming station on nights when temperatures are below 20 degrees. During the summer months it will be a cooling station.

Downtown Door opens to help homeless

News Staff
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Owen Marsten, Intern - thefranklinpressnews@gmail.com No Wrong Door is a local organization that provides assistance to various vulnerable groups within the community.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County residents bid farewell to 2023 and welcomed 2024 at the Ruby Drop in downtown Franklin.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County residents bid farewell to 2023 and welcomed 2024 at the Ruby Drop in downtown Franklin.

Ruby Drop

News Staff
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
As 2023 came to an end and 2024 began, hundreds of Macon County residents came out for the 10th anniversary of the Ruby Drop New Year’s Eve celebration in downtown Franklin.
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Press graphic

Macon remains Tier Two in distress ranking

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
A drop in median household income and lower growth rate contributed to Macon County’s more-distressed ranking in the 2023 N.C. County Tier Designations, although Macon remains comfortably in Tier Two.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Southwestern Community College campus on Siler Road in Franklin.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Southwestern Community College campus on Siler Road in Franklin.

SCC enrollment declines as MEC grows

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Southwestern Community College is trying to figure out how to reverse a downward enrollment trend at its Macon County campus, while the neighboring Macon Early College tries to keep up its course offerings.