News

Town Manager Amie Owens presents a proposal to award town workers a one-time bonus and 40 hours in vacation time in recognition of their work during the pandemic. The bonuses will be paid from the American Rescue Plan Act funds the town received.

Town Manager Amie Owens presents a proposal to award town workers a one-time bonus and 40 hours in vacation time in recognition of their work during the pandemic. The bonuses will be paid from the American Rescue Plan Act funds the town received.

Town approves bonus for workers

Mia Overton
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
The Town of Franklin is following the county’s lead and will use part of its American Rescue Plan Act funds to give employee bonuses in appreciation for their dedication during the COVID pandemic. “They’ve been at it since March.
Press photo/Jake Browning - Franklin High School’s new mobility quad is a big help to students who have trouble getting around the school’s sprawling campus, particularly students in the exceptional children program.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Franklin High School’s new mobility quad is a big help to students who have trouble getting around the school’s sprawling campus, particularly students in the exceptional children program.

FHS buys Mobility Quad for students with disabilities

Jake Browning
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Franklin High School students with disabilities have an easier time getting around now that the school has a dedicated vehicle to get them from class to class in a timely manner.
Press photo/Braulio Fonseca - The five Town Council candidates participated in a candidate forum on Oct. 18 at Lazy Hiker.

Press photo/Braulio Fonseca - The five Town Council candidates participated in a candidate forum on Oct. 18 at Lazy Hiker.

Town Election: Nov. 2

News Staff
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
This is the last week of early voting for the Franklin town election. Five candidates are running for three Town Council seats and Vice Mayor Jack Horton is running unopposed in the mayor’s race. Early voting is being held at the Community Building through Friday, Oct. 29, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
People protesting the use of face masks in schools prior to the Oct. 25 School Board meeting. The school board voted Monday night to make masks optional due to the decline in active cases in the schools and the community.

People protesting the use of face masks in schools prior to the Oct. 25 School Board meeting. The school board voted Monday night to make masks optional due to the decline in active cases in the schools and the community.

School Board makes masks optional

Jake Browning
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Macon County Schools will not require masks in school buildings effective immediately after a unanimous decision from the Board of Education on Monday night.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Lodging taxes collections continue to increase

Mia Overton
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Going into the fall leaf season, the Franklin Tourism Development Authority continues to see an increase in hotel tax collections. During the first two months of the new 2021-2022 fiscal year (July and August), the TDA received $34,652.45 in hotel tax collections.
Press photo/Braulio Fonseca - Breast cancer survivor Gwen Stanfield signs the pink fire hydrant on Main Street.

Press photo/Braulio Fonseca - Breast cancer survivor Gwen Stanfield signs the pink fire hydrant on Main Street.

Breast cancer survivors recognized with pink hydrant

Jake Browning
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Franklin Fire and Rescue is acknowledging National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by participating in the #pinkhydrantchallenge. The challenge, utilized by fire departments all over the country, has participants paint fire hydrants bright pink to match the color of the advocacy effort.
District 1 County Commissioner Jim Tate

District 1 County Commissioner Jim Tate

Commissioner Jim Tate will not run for re-election

Jake Browning
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
The next general election for the Macon County Board of Commissioners is more than a year away, but it’s already guaranteed that the next board will feature some fresh faces. Board chairman Jim Tate announced during the commissioners’ last meeting that he would not be seeking reelection in 2022.
Press photo/Jake Browning - County Manager Derek Roland reviews the new pay scale for county employees at the Oct. 12 meeting.

Press photo/Jake Browning - County Manager Derek Roland reviews the new pay scale for county employees at the Oct. 12 meeting.

Commissioners approve raises for county employees

Jake Browning
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
The Macon County Board of Commissioners checked off one of their most important goals for the fiscal year last week when they approved a new pay scale for county employees.
Press photo/Jake Browning - Fifth grader Cam English holds up a case of mechanical pencil graphite. English was surprised to learn how similar a vape pen can look to this common school supply, but anti-smoking advocates say that’s an intentional design choice meant to facilitate vaping for younger consumers.

Press photo/Jake Browning - Fifth grader Cam English holds up a case of mechanical pencil graphite. English was surprised to learn how similar a vape pen can look to this common school supply, but anti-smoking advocates say that’s an intentional design choice meant to facilitate vaping for younger consumers.

Anti-vaping seminar visits MVI

Jake Browning
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Students at Mountain View Intermediate School learned about the dangers of vaping and other tobacco products during a presentation by MountainWise on Sept. 28.
Lora Beegle has spent the last 30 years helping people stay healthy and safe.

Lora Beegle has spent the last 30 years helping people stay healthy and safe.

Beegle marks 30 years with EMS

Jake Browning
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Lora Beegle took a job with Macon County’s Emergency Services department on Oct. 7, 1991, and 30 years later, she’s still doing all she can to keep Macon County residents healthy and safe. Beegle came to the department right after graduating from Western Carolina University.