News

Press file photo - Board of Commissioners Chair Paul Higdon says the number for the 2023-24 proposed budget needs to decrease.

Press file photo - Board of Commissioners Chair Paul Higdon says the number for the 2023-24 proposed budget needs to decrease.

Higdon: Number needs to decrease

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
The Macon County Board of Commissioners concluded nearly 10 combined hours of talks with department heads and discussions regarding the 2023-24 budget in its second budget workshop on Thursday, June 8.
Photo submitted - The “Sowing the Seeds of the Future” statue depicts three women and two children from different backgrounds who all lived and worked on a settlement on the banks of the Little Tennessee River in what is now Franklin. Pictured at the foundry with the statue are Women’s History Trail team members Mary Polanski, Marty Greeble, sculptor Wesley Wofford, and Claire Suminski.

Photo submitted - The “Sowing the Seeds of the Future” statue depicts three women and two children from different backgrounds who all lived and worked on a settlement on the banks of the Little Tennessee River in what is now Franklin. Pictured at the foundry with the statue are Women’s History Trail team members Mary Polanski, Marty Greeble, sculptor Wesley Wofford, and Claire Suminski.

‘Sowing the Seeds’ statue finished

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
After five years, the “Sowing the Seeds of the Future” statute honoring a trio of women who lived and worked near the Nikwasi Mound in Franklin in the 1800s is getting closer to being unveiled.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Schools Superintendent Chris Baldwin speaks to the Macon County Commissioners during the May 30 budget workshop.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Macon County Schools Superintendent Chris Baldwin speaks to the Macon County Commissioners during the May 30 budget workshop.

Schools ask for additional funding

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
To attain more curriculum funding, Macon County Schools gave a detailed presentation to the Macon County Board of Commissioners during the May 30 budget workshop.
Press file photo - Approval of the Town of Franklin’s 2023-24 budget was delayed while the Town Council waits to see if the Board of Commissioners approve a fire tax rate increase to purchase two new fire trucks.

Press file photo - Approval of the Town of Franklin’s 2023-24 budget was delayed while the Town Council waits to see if the Board of Commissioners approve a fire tax rate increase to purchase two new fire trucks.

Town budget approval delayed

Mia Overton
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
As the Town of Franklin waits to see if the Board of Commissioners approves a fire tax increase to help pay for new fire trucks, approval of the town budget will be delayed another week. The Town Council held a public hearing on the budget during the monthly meeting on Monday night.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Representatives from LS3P delivered the schematics for the new Franklin High School to the Macon County Board of Commissioners during the May 30 budget workshop.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Representatives from LS3P delivered the schematics for the new Franklin High School to the Macon County Board of Commissioners during the May 30 budget workshop.

New cost estimate on FHS project coming soon

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
To meet the proposed completion date of August 2026, the FHS project design firm recommended authorizing construction documents and the bidding phase for the entire project to begin this August.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Some of the quilts created by the Modern Quilt Guild for the 32 Union Academy graduates, displayed in the lobby of Holly Springs Baptist Church on Friday, May 26, where the graduation ceremony took place.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - Some of the quilts created by the Modern Quilt Guild for the 32 Union Academy graduates, displayed in the lobby of Holly Springs Baptist Church on Friday, May 26, where the graduation ceremony took place.

Local group creates quilts for Union Academy graduates

Thomas Sherrill
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
A class project that started several weeks ago ended up with the idea for a graduation gift for the Union Academy seniors, who were surprised by the announcement of their gift during the Friday, May 26, graduation ceremony.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Sewage smell at MMS returns

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
A familiar smell was detected at the Macon Middle School locker room from the dislodged vent pipes earlier in the month, but it was undetectable by the hydrogen sulfide meters, according to a report at the May 21 Macon County Board of Education meeting.
Photo/Thomas Sherrill - County Manager Derek Roland makes a point during his 2023-24 budget presentation to the Macon County Commissioners during a May 23 meeting.

Photo/Thomas Sherrill - County Manager Derek Roland makes a point during his 2023-24 budget presentation to the Macon County Commissioners during a May 23 meeting.

County looks at $5.5 million budget increase

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
A property tax decrease of 13 cents is potentially in the cards for Macon County citizens as part of the inaugural 2023-24 budget presentation by County Manager Derek Roland.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Corbin, Gillespie support new abortion law

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Elective abortion access is now more restricted in North Carolina after the General Assembly passed a new law over the governor’s veto last week. The act, Senate Bill 20, passed the veto override 72-48 in the House and 30-20 in the Senate, both along party lines, on May 16.
Press file photo - Franklin Fire & Rescue has requested funding for two new fire trucks. Pictured is one of the current trucks at the new substation that opened earlier this year on NP&L Loop.

Press file photo - Franklin Fire & Rescue has requested funding for two new fire trucks. Pictured is one of the current trucks at the new substation that opened earlier this year on NP&L Loop.

Town Council debates how to pay for new fire trucks

Mia Overton
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Although the salary study was one of the main items listed on the agenda for the Franklin Town Council called meeting on May 15, talk about how to pay for the needed fire trucks dominated much of the meeting’s discussion.