Regional

Photo/NC Governor’s Office - Gov. Josh Stein signs the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 Part 1 on March 19. Looking on are members of the N.C. General Assembly, including Sen. Kevin Corbin (second from left) of Franklin, the WNC Advisory Committee, law enforcement officials and agriculture leaders.

Photo/NC Governor’s Office - Gov. Josh Stein signs the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 Part 1 on March 19. Looking on are members of the N.C. General Assembly, including Sen. Kevin Corbin (second from left) of Franklin, the WNC Advisory Committee, law enforcement officials and agriculture leaders.

Helene Recovery Act will help rebuild homes, roads

Mia Overton
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
After going back and forth between the state Senate and House, the two chambers of the General Assembly came to an agreement on the bill that will provide $524 million in recovery funding for Western North Carolina. Gov.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Corbin, Gillespie to hammer out Helene bill compromise

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Franklin’s two state representatives are on a 20-person conference where the two chambers of the state legislature will hammer out details of a half-billion-dollar Hurricane Helene spending bill. The state House voted through their version of House Bill 47 on Feb.
File photo - North Carolina capital building, Raleigh.

File photo - North Carolina capital building, Raleigh.

Corbin, Gillespie preview legislative session

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
More Helene relief funding, local needs and other hot-button issues such as the DUI threshold and medical marijuana will be major points in the North Carolina General Assembly 2025 long session, which begins today (Jan. 29). Sen.
Press Photo/Thomas Sherrill - Sen. Kevin Corbin takes the oath of office for his third term in the N.C. Senate.

Press Photo/Thomas Sherrill - Sen. Kevin Corbin takes the oath of office for his third term in the N.C. Senate.

Corbin takes oath in Franklin

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
With his granddaughter Sadie holding the Bible, Sen. Kevin Corbin was sworn in for his third term in the N.C. Senate during a Jan. 6, 2025, ceremony at the Macon County Courthouse.
File photo - N.C. Capitol Building

File photo - N.C. Capitol Building

State passes request for Constitutional Convention

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Before the 2025 session starts in January, the North Carolina General Assembly is trying to get two constitutional questions on the 2026 ballot and is joining other states in calling for a Constitutional Convention.
Image/Adobe stock - Fontana Regional Library system will soon begin issuing cards that will limit the content juveniles can check out.

Image/Adobe stock - Fontana Regional Library system will soon begin issuing cards that will limit the content juveniles can check out.

Libraries to issue limited juvenile cards

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
A card for children 15 and under that restricts the content they can check out is coming soon to the Fontana Regional Library system. The new card is part of the circulation policy revision presented for discussion at the Nov. 12 FRL board meeting at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.
Photo/Eric Haggart - A past fall pictured at Bridal Veil Falls in the Cullasaja Gorge.

Photo/Eric Haggart - A past fall pictured at Bridal Veil Falls in the Cullasaja Gorge.

Late, but colorful, fall leaf season predicted

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Despite Hurricane Helene and warmer weather stretching into October, Franklin and most of Macon County could experience a late but colorful leaf season. Dr.
Press graphic

Press graphic

Regional board approves library agreement

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
By a 9-0 vote, the Fontana Regional Library’s Board of Trustees passed the renewed inter-local agreement during its Tuesday, Sept. 10, meeting at the Nantahala Community Library, meaning three of the four entities that need to approve have done so.
Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards speaks to a local group at the Robert Carpenter Community Building in Franklin on Thursday, Aug. 15.

Press photo/Thomas Sherrill - U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards speaks to a local group at the Robert Carpenter Community Building in Franklin on Thursday, Aug. 15.

Edwards speaks on Congress, local issues

Thomas Sherrill
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
For around 90 minutes, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards told Franklin-area residents about his freshman term in Washington, D.C., and his ongoing tour of the area during an “unplugged” tour stop on Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Robert C. Carpenter Community Building.