News

Pastor D’Andre Ash with his wife and daughter.

Pastor D’Andre Ash with his wife and daughter.

Ash sees opportunities to bridge the gap

Jake Browning
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
The Smoky Mountain District of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church has 65 churches. Among those 65 churches, there is one black pastor. One might expect that distinction to come with a little bit of drama, but D’Andre Ash says he’s had no such problems.
Press photo/Mia Overton - The Franklin Board of Adjustment denied a variance for this mobile home in the Alpine Cottages neighborhood off Bellview Road. The community’s restricted covenants were amended to allow the mobile home, but that conflicts with the town’s zoning regulations for that area.

Press photo/Mia Overton - The Franklin Board of Adjustment denied a variance for this mobile home in the Alpine Cottages neighborhood off Bellview Road. The community’s restricted covenants were amended to allow the mobile home, but that conflicts with the town’s zoning regulations for that area.

Board denies zoning variance request

Mia Overton
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
A Macon County couple bought a doublewide and put it on property they bought last spring only to recently learn that mobile homes are not permitted in the neighborhood under the town’s zoning regulations. During a meeting of the Board of Adjustments on Feb.
Congressional district map approved by the General Assembly, Feb. 17, 2022.

Congressional district map approved by the General Assembly, Feb. 17, 2022.

General Assembly approves new district maps

Mia Overton
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
The General Assembly approved new district maps on Thursday, Feb. 17, meeting the deadline set by the state Supreme Court and possibly moving the 2022 election process forward.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Downtown signs honor Black inventors

Jake Browning
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Did you know that the modern potato chip was invented by a Black chef named George Crum? Or that the refrigerated truck, the home security system and the gigahertz computer chips that allow for color displays were also created by Black people?
Press graphic

Press graphic

Macon County hits 100 COVID-related deaths

Jake Browning
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Two deaths reported on Friday, Feb. 11 brought the COVID-19 death toll in Macon County to 100. On Friday, Macon County Public Health said it was notified that two COVID-19 patients had passed away, both of them over the age of 65.
Photo submitted/SCC An instructor leads training on the firing range in Sylva.

Photo submitted/SCC An instructor leads training on the firing range in Sylva.

FPD to offer paid training tuition

Mia Overton
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
The Franklin Town Council approved at its Feb. 7 meeting a new policy that will help the police department recruit officers. As part of the agreement, the town will pay for tuition for Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) and the person must commit to work for the police department.
Press photo/Jake Browning Macon County Schools is currently accepting applications for the Pre-K program for the 2022-2023 school year. The Board of Commissioners and Macon County Schools are exploring ways to expand the program so more children can attend. Pictured are Pre-K students at South Macon Elementary School enjoying a sunny winter day on the playground for Pre-K students.

Press photo/Jake Browning Macon County Schools is currently accepting applications for the Pre-K program for the 2022-2023 school year. The Board of Commissioners and Macon County Schools are exploring ways to expand the program so more children can attend. Pictured are Pre-K students at South Macon Elementary School enjoying a sunny winter day on the playground for Pre-K students.

Pre-K enrollment opens for 2022-2023

Jake Browning
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Macon County Schools is now accepting applications for Pre-K enrollment in the 2022-23 school year, and teachers in the program believe parents should consider applying.
Submitted photo. Otto fire chief Terry Rholetter (1401) was injured while fighting a wildfire Saturday with Macon County Fire Services. He is recovering in a burn center in Augusta, Georgia.

Submitted photo. Otto fire chief Terry Rholetter (1401) was injured while fighting a wildfire Saturday with Macon County Fire Services. He is recovering in a burn center in Augusta, Georgia.

Firefighter injured fighting wildfire

Mia Overton
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
A local firefighter is in a burn center recovering from injuries received while fighting a wildfire Saturday. Captain Terry Rholetter was among the firefighters from several agencies responding to a wildfire in the Mountainside Road and Big Ridge Road area on Highway 441 North, off Cowee Mountain.
Photo provided - Mainspring recently acquired the largest remaining unconserved wetland on the free-flowing Little Tennessee River. Located in Macon County and split by Highway 28, one side has a 22-acre wetland tract with 1,830 feet of river frontage, while across the road more than 24 acres of forested upland will remain intact.

Photo provided - Mainspring recently acquired the largest remaining unconserved wetland on the free-flowing Little Tennessee River. Located in Macon County and split by Highway 28, one side has a 22-acre wetland tract with 1,830 feet of river frontage, while across the road more than 24 acres of forested upland will remain intact.

Mainspring turns 25

Jake Browning
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Last month, Mainspring Conservation Trust acquired the Klatt Wetland, a 46-acre tract with 1,830 feet of river coverage off Highway 28.
Press photo/Mia Overton - Town Council members discuss the area under consideration for a lease to Root + Barrel.

Press photo/Mia Overton - Town Council members discuss the area under consideration for a lease to Root + Barrel.

Town Council proposes lease for Root + Barrel

Mia Overton
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
The Franklin Town Council agreed Monday night to draft a proposed lease that would give Root + Barrel access to the property between Town Hall and the restaurant to expand its outdoor dining area.