News

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Macon County Board of Education approved a lease agreement with the county for the Higdon property off Wayah Street. The school board has requested that the county be temporarily responsible for maintenance on the property.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - The Macon County Board of Education approved a lease agreement with the county for the Higdon property off Wayah Street. The school board has requested that the county be temporarily responsible for maintenance on the property.

School Board approves Higdon property lease

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
The Macon County Schools’ Board of Education unanimously approved a new version of the Higdon property lease that would mandate the county cover all maintenance and land upkeep costs. Board Attorney John Henning presented the new version of the 40-year lease to the board during its Monday, Aug.
Press photo/Eric Braham

Press photo/Eric Braham

Back to School

News Staff
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Macon County students returned to school on Monday, Aug. 28. Iotla Valley Elementary first grade teacher Sara Tarter gets is pictured getting to know her students on the first day of school.
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Press graphic

Legislators override six vetoes

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
After a month and a half, the N.C. General Assembly reconvened the week of Aug. 14 not for a budget vote, but for veto override and to consider a new election bill. In total, six vetoes were overridden, with the votes mostly along Republican supermajority lines.
File photo - Macon County Public Library

File photo - Macon County Public Library

Counties propose change to FRL regional board

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
After months of public comments, the county commissioners of Macon, Jackson and Swain could gain direct appointment over the Fontana Regional Library’s regional board, according to a proposal signed by all three counties’ managers. At the Aug.
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Press graphic

Death ruled as homicide

Mia Overton
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
A medical examiner has determined Nathan Humphries’ death was a homicide. The cause of death is listed as asphyxiation due to neck compression. Humphries, 30, died on Jan. 1, 2023, following an altercation at a home on Stiwinter Mountain Road.
Graphic submitted - The logo for the new Bartram Academy, formerly Union Academy.

Graphic submitted - The logo for the new Bartram Academy, formerly Union Academy.

Union renamed as Bartram Academy

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
In an effort to improve its graduation and participation rates and end the stigma associated with the school, the Macon County Board of Education unanimously approved renaming Union Academy as Bartram Academy. The school also will have a new four-day class schedule with a fifth day for remediation.
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Press graphic

Otto man charged with murder in Georgia

News Staff
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Clayton Tribune Staff news@theclaytontribune.com The Rabun County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO), Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and multiple other agencies assisted in a murder investigation involving a deceased human body located in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Aug.
Press photo/Mia Overton - The Franklin Town Council has agreed to lease a vacant building on East Main Street to No Wrong Door to establish a cooling/warming station and for homeless people who are employed but need a place to shower or do laundry.

Press photo/Mia Overton - The Franklin Town Council has agreed to lease a vacant building on East Main Street to No Wrong Door to establish a cooling/warming station and for homeless people who are employed but need a place to shower or do laundry.

Town approves lease for No Wrong Door

News Staff
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Trinity Wimberly-Mann, Intern thefranklinpressnews@gmail.com On Aug. 7, the Franklin Town Council approved a request to lease a vacant building on East Main Street for $1 per year and allot $10,000 to the nonprofit organization No Wrong Door to open a warming/cooling station for homeless people.
Photo provided

Photo provided

Franklin High School work continues

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
By a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner John Shearl against it, the Macon County Board of Commissioners approved $20,000 for analysis and data projects for the proposed Franklin High School project.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Gracie Parker submits a copy of her letter asking that a portion of the county’s opioid settlement funds be used for youth-specific programs.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Gracie Parker submits a copy of her letter asking that a portion of the county’s opioid settlement funds be used for youth-specific programs.

Parker asks that opioid settle money be used for children’s programs

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
A 10-year-old who has rallied to keep trauma counselors in schools is now asking Macon County leaders to dedicate opioid settlement funding for affected kids. Gracie Parker spoke to the Macon County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 8.