News

Press file photo - Refurbishment of the Macon Middle School track has been topic for the Macon County School board for the past year. At a special meeting on Dec. 21, the board selected a firm to design the project.

School board OKs firm for MMS track

Thomas Sherrill

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

A familiar design firm was recommended following a recent request for qualifications to refurbish the Macon Middle School track. According to Macon County Schools Auxiliary Services Director Todd Gibbs during a special Dec.

Press graphic

Ballot set for 2024 primary

Thomas Sherrill

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

The two Board of Commissioners seats up for re-election will face primary challenges but no general election opponents in 2024, as the filing period ended at noon on Friday, Dec. 15. In total, six Republicans filed for office in Macon County. On the first day, Dec.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Commissioner Josh Young (right) congratulates Commissioner Gary Shields on his election as board chair for the next year at the Dec. 12 meeting. Young was then elected as vice chair.

Shields elected Commissioners chair

Thomas Sherrill

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

A desire to return to decorum after a November meeting that some public speakers described as “embarrassing” led to Gary Shields becoming the new board chair of the Macon County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - School board members Diedre Breeden, Chair Jim Breedlove and Hilary Wilkes spoke at the Dec. 12 Macon County Commissioners meeting.

School Board to remain nonpartisan

Thomas Sherrill

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

By a 4-1 vote, the Macon County Commissioners terminated a resolution asking state representatives to file a bill that would have made the county’s school board elections partisan. The end to the partisan school board proposal during the Tuesday, Dec.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Public Library Board of Trustees members Ed Trask (left) and Wood Lovell (right) go back and forth during a discussion at the board’s Dec. 5 meeting. Board Chair Bill Dyar is seated at center.

Library trustees support contract changes

Thomas Sherrill

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Motions about First Amendment rights, remaining politically and socially neutral and supporting the county commissioners’ proposed Fontana Regional Library contract changes all passed the Macon County Public Library’s Board of Trustees during its Dec. 5 meeting.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Construction continues on the new athletic building at Macon Middle School.

MMS athletic building completion set for January

Thomas Sherrill

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Completion of the Macon Middle School athletic building project is delayed over a month from its original completion date. Macon County Schools Administrator Todd Gibbs said the completion date, originally set for Nov. 29, then delayed to Dec. 15 a month ago, is now Jan.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Robbie Tompa (center) took his seat for his first Town Council meeting after being elected in November. He is pictured at the Dec. 4 council meeting with Mayor Jack Horton (left) and council member Mike Lewis.

Town adopts conditional zoning

Mia Overton

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

In a 4-2 vote, the Franklin Town Council passed an amendment that will make conditional zoning part of the Unified Development Ordinance. “Conditional zoning is another tool in the toolbox for rezoning,” said Town Planner Justin Setser during the Dec. 4 meeting.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Olga Pader speaks during public comment to the Macon County School Board during its Monday, Dec. 11, meeting.

Teachers to receive supplemental pay

Thomas Sherrill

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Nearly $2,000 extra is coming to Macon County Schools teachers at the end of January after the Board of Education approved using its 2023-24 supplemental pay for that purpose during its Monday, Dec. 11 meeting at Franklin High School.

Press photo/Mia Overton - A CareNet volunteer helps prepare boxes of food for people to pick up at the Bidwell Street location.

Feeding a community need

Mia Overton

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

The rising cost of food and other living expenses has made it harder for some people to provide meals for their families.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - As pictured on Nov. 27, part of the East Franklin Elementary School gym floor is unusable due to the floor bubbling up due to moisture content below it.

East Franklin gym floor bubbles after backflow clog

Thomas Sherrill

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

A clogged backflow preventer caused a portion of the East Franklin Elementary gym floor to bubble up. Repairs are expected to be made in January.