News

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Stiwinter charged with voluntary manslaughter

A grand jury has indicted Ashton Denver Stiwinter, 23, of Franklin, on one count of voluntary manslaughter in connection with the Jan. 1 death of Nathan Humphries. The indictment was delivered Sept.
Photo/Town of Franklin - The Franklin Town Council will hold a public hearing on an ordinance to condemn this house on East Main Street. The owner has received violation notices and was given 90 days to demolish the house or bring the property up to code. That time has expired and the public hearing will be held on Oct. 2.

Photo/Town of Franklin - The Franklin Town Council will hold a public hearing on an ordinance to condemn this house on East Main Street. The owner has received violation notices and was given 90 days to demolish the house or bring the property up to code. That time has expired and the public hearing will be held on Oct. 2.

Town to condemn house on East Main

The Town of Franklin has started the process to condemn a house on East Main Street that is in violation of town ordinances and does not meet the town’s minimum housing standards. Code Enforcement Officer Frank Belanger has been monitoring the property at 981 East Main Street since October 2022.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Veterans salute the American flag during a singing of the National Anthem at Monday morning’s 9/11 remembrance event in downtown Franklin.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Veterans salute the American flag during a singing of the National Anthem at Monday morning’s 9/11 remembrance event in downtown Franklin.

Remembering 911

On a foggy Monday morning, people came out to honor the mantra “Never Forget” on the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C.
Press photo/Will Woolever Franklin’s female cross country runners leave the starting line in their first meet of the season at Rabun Gap.

Press photo/Will Woolever Franklin’s female cross country runners leave the starting line in their first meet of the season at Rabun Gap.

Cross country begins year at Rabun Gap

Panther cross country is back in action.  After a trip to the state meet last fall and months of offseason training, on Aug. 31 Franklin’s distance runners finally heard the starting gun.
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State budget vote likely next week

While the state delayed the planned Oct. 1 Medicaid expansion launch, the state biennium budget that will fund it is scheduled for a vote next week. “We have been told the [N.C.
Press photo/Mia Overton No Wrong Door plans to open a warming/cooling station at this unused building located on East Main Street and owned by the Town of Franklin.

Press photo/Mia Overton No Wrong Door plans to open a warming/cooling station at this unused building located on East Main Street and owned by the Town of Franklin.

No Wrong Door downtown station set to open this fall

The town-owned building leased by a local nonprofit for a warming/cooling station is tentatively planned to open this fall. The building, located at 381 East Main St., is a partnership between the nonprofit No Wrong Door and the Town of Franklin.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill The new Macon Middle School athletics building as seen on Aug. 31. The building is slated to be completed by Nov. 28.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill The new Macon Middle School athletics building as seen on Aug. 31. The building is slated to be completed by Nov. 28.

MMS athletics building on schedule

More than halfway into the contract, the under-construction athletics building at Macon Middle School is currently on track for completion as scheduled.
Press photo/Mia Overton Franklin Mayor Jack Horton presents a proclamation designating Sept. 10-16 as Help Homeless Veterans Week. Receiving the proclamation are Ned Kraft, Fred Frankland and Dennis Dalgleish, members of the Men’s Group from First Presbyterian Church.

Press photo/Mia Overton Franklin Mayor Jack Horton presents a proclamation designating Sept. 10-16 as Help Homeless Veterans Week. Receiving the proclamation are Ned Kraft, Fred Frankland and Dennis Dalgleish, members of the Men’s Group from First Presbyterian Church.

Help Homeless Veterans Week

Trinity Wimberly-Mann, Intern thefranklinpressnews@gmail.com   The Men’s Group at the First Presbyterian Church will be raising money for local homeless veterans during the second week of September. Mayor Jack Horton proclaimed Sept.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Stephen Johnson shares his recovery story with the Behavioral Health Task Force.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Stephen Johnson shares his recovery story with the Behavioral Health Task Force.

Recovering from opioid addiction

After meeting once every two months to talk about the opioid crisis, housing crisis and other behavioral health issues in Macon County, on Aug. 17, the Macon County Behavioral Health Task Force heard from a recovering opioid addict about his experiences and treatment.
A map showing the property (outlined in blue) that KAVOD Communities has requested rezoned from residential to Neighborhood Mixed Use. David Forkner, a representative for the group, said they plan to use it for a school/gym/after-school program and karate school.

A map showing the property (outlined in blue) that KAVOD Communities has requested rezoned from residential to Neighborhood Mixed Use. David Forkner, a representative for the group, said they plan to use it for a school/gym/after-school program and karate school.

Golfview Drive rezoning request

The Franklin Planning Board met on Aug. 21 to hear a rezoning request for a piece of property on Golfview Drive. David Forkner, the registered agent for KAVOD Communities, LLC, has requested that the 10.28-acre property be rezoned from residential to multi-use/commercial.