News

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DA seeks death penalty

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
A man accused in the May 2022 murder of a Mountain City, Georgia, woman could face death row if convicted. Christopher Shields, 45, of Otto, is now facing capital murder charges in the first-degree murder of 42-year-old Tina Walkingstick Frizsell.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Members of the Franklin High School Interact Club participate in the Red Sand Project on Sept. 30. The red sand represents how the victims of human trafficking fall through the cracks but are still visible.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Members of the Franklin High School Interact Club participate in the Red Sand Project on Sept. 30. The red sand represents how the victims of human trafficking fall through the cracks but are still visible.

Raising awareness of human trafficking

News Staff
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Owen Marsten, Intern thefranklinpressnews@gmail.com Ashleigh Chapman will be the guest speaker at an event on Wednesday, Oct. 11 to raise awareness about human trafficking.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Macon County Board of Education met Sept. 25 at Highlands School. Pictured (from left) are board attorney John Henning, board member Hilary Wilkes and Chair Jim Breedlove.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Macon County Board of Education met Sept. 25 at Highlands School. Pictured (from left) are board attorney John Henning, board member Hilary Wilkes and Chair Jim Breedlove.

Board accepts bid for Nantahala sewer project

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
After nearly a year of discussions and stressing how much of an emergency it is, the Macon County Board of Education has a dollar figure for the Nantahala School sewer project, although it’s higher than anticipated. During its Sept.
Photo/MCSO - Methamphetamine was among the illegal substances found during a drug roundup on Sept. 26.

Photo/MCSO - Methamphetamine was among the illegal substances found during a drug roundup on Sept. 26.

Eleven arrested in drug roundup

News Staff
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
The following is a release from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office regarding a drug roundup on Sept. 26, 2023.   In the early morning hours of Sept.
File photo - FHS Principal Mickey Noe has been appointed to a position at the Central Office.

File photo - FHS Principal Mickey Noe has been appointed to a position at the Central Office.

FHS Principal to take Central Office position

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
As of next week, Franklin High School will be without a permanent principal. The Macon County Board of Education approved the transfer of Michael “Mickey” Noe from FHS principal to Chief Academic Officer/Federal Programs Director in the main office, effective Sunday, Oct. 1.
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Cherokee Nation votes to legalize marijuana

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
With 70% in favor, the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians voted to legalize recreational marijuana on tribal lands, creating a “pot haven” in Western North Carolina while the drug remains illegal outside of tribal boundaries. The cannabis referendum unofficially passed 2,464 to 1,057 on Sept. 7.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - A packed house was in attendance for the Sept. 12 meeting of the Fontana Regional Library’s Board of Trustees at the Macon County Public Library.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - A packed house was in attendance for the Sept. 12 meeting of the Fontana Regional Library’s Board of Trustees at the Macon County Public Library.

Regional Library Board to consider multiple changes

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Despite having no quorum and an inability to vote, the unofficial Sept. 12 Fontana Regional Library Board of Trustees meeting included information about recommended changes to book challenges and age changes to safe child policies. Only four of the nine-member board were present at the meeting.
Graphic/McGill Associates - The approved plan for improvements at the Macon County Rec Park.

Graphic/McGill Associates - The approved plan for improvements at the Macon County Rec Park.

Pickleball courts top list for Rec Park improvements

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
An estimated $14 million in proposed projects over the next several years are part of the Recreation Master Plan for the Macon County Recreation Park along Georgia Road, with new pickleball and tennis courts first on the list.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Board of Education Chair Jim Breedlove and Superintendent Josh Lynch listen to discussion about the new Franklin High School at the Sept. 12 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Board of Education Chair Jim Breedlove and Superintendent Josh Lynch listen to discussion about the new Franklin High School at the Sept. 12 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting.

FHS project moves forward with 4-2 vote

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
After much discussion, a 3-2 vote resulted in what was termed a “huge, giant leap forward” for the new Franklin High School project as the Macon County Board of Commissioners approved the creation of construction documents during its Sept. 12 meeting.
Press photo/Mia Overton - The Macon County Fair opens Wednesday, Sept. 20 with four days of exhibits, demonstrations, contests and animal shows.

Press photo/Mia Overton - The Macon County Fair opens Wednesday, Sept. 20 with four days of exhibits, demonstrations, contests and animal shows.

Macon County Fair opens Wednesday

Mia Overton
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Monday afternoon found people from various organizations installing educational booths at the Macon County Fairgrounds. Tuesday people began arriving with their locally grown produce and flowers, jars of preserved foods and kids’ artwork.