News

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill Macon County Board of Commissioners Chair Paul Higdon and LS3P Architect Paul Boney speak about Phase One of the Franklin High School project during a site vision on Thursday, April 13.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill Macon County Board of Commissioners Chair Paul Higdon and LS3P Architect Paul Boney speak about Phase One of the Franklin High School project during a site vision on Thursday, April 13.

County approves $1.3 million for Higdon property

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
The Macon County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on April 11 to allocate $1.35 million for the potential purchase of 10+ acres of property, known as the Higdon property, located across the street from Franklin High School. The action includes the 2.54-acre tract at 195 Wayah St.
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Varsity soccer ties Murphy

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
It was a mixed week for Panther women’s soccer. Missing five players due to injury and Macon County’s Spring Break holiday, Dwight Long’s team kicked off the month of April with two difficult games, including Mountain Seven Conference power West Henderson and non-conference foe Murphy.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore defender Briseida Tlahuice tries to shake a West defender at the Panther Pit April 4.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore defender Briseida Tlahuice tries to shake a West defender at the Panther Pit April 4.

JV Soccer plays first game in Panther Pit

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
It’s been a historic week for Panther women’s JV soccer. Over Franklin’s Spring Break holiday, Juan Morales’ team was hard at work, hosting the school’s first-ever JV soccer match at the Panther Pit due to poor field conditions at Macon Middle School.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior second baseman Malachi Hayes applies a tag in Franklin’s 4-2 victory over North Buncombe at McConnell Field April 6.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior second baseman Malachi Hayes applies a tag in Franklin’s 4-2 victory over North Buncombe at McConnell Field April 6.

Baseball takes second in conference

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Panther baseball hold their own destiny in their hands. On Spring Break week, Jared Greenwood’s team played three games in three days, including a non-conference game with North Buncombe and two Mountain Seven meetings with Pisgah.
Photo/Cherokee Scout - The crypto mine off Harshaw Road near Murphy. 

Photo/Cherokee Scout - The crypto mine off Harshaw Road near Murphy. 

Planning Board approves crypto mine regulations

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
The Macon County Planning Board unanimously recommended adding cryptocurrency mining or similar server-based computer facilities to its high-impact land uses in order to prevent those operations from coming to Macon County and being a noise pollutant.
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Crime in Macon County schools on decline

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Mental health providers, counselors and school resource officers are given as the reason why criminal acts in Macon County Schools are staying low by more than half compared to pre-pandemic years.
Photo/Macon County Tax Administrator - Abby Braswell presents information about the appeals process during the March Board of Commissioners meeting.

Photo/Macon County Tax Administrator - Abby Braswell presents information about the appeals process during the March Board of Commissioners meeting.

Tax Office: Most reappraisal appeals successful

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Around 73% of revaluation appeals processed have resulted in a change to the appellant’s land value, according to new data from the Macon County Tax Office.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill Jen Germain of the Macon County Health Department gives a presentation to the Board of Health regarding the State of the County Health Report during the board’s March 28 meeting.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill Jen Germain of the Macon County Health Department gives a presentation to the Board of Health regarding the State of the County Health Report during the board’s March 28 meeting.

Macon one of healthiest counties in WNC

Mia Overton
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Macon County is the 30th healthiest county in the state of North Carolina, according to recent rankings presented to the Macon County Board of Health at its March 28 meeting.
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Winds knock out power, spark forest fire

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
High winds on Saturday led to falling trees and power lines, leaving people without power, damaging homes and debris blocking roadways. A fallen power line sparked a 75-acre fire in the Piney Grove area that threatened several houses.
Press file photo Two business owners approached the Franklin Town Council Monday night about establishing a social district downtown. They say a social district would help draw people downtown and keep them there longer and would be a welcome addition to festivals and events.

Press file photo Two business owners approached the Franklin Town Council Monday night about establishing a social district downtown. They say a social district would help draw people downtown and keep them there longer and would be a welcome addition to festivals and events.

Businesses request downtown social district

Mia Overton
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Three people spoke in support of a downtown social district during the public comment period of the Franklin Town Council meeting on Monday night.