Macon Sense

11/14/2024

Work begins in the Highlands.

The end of October saw two groundbreakings take place within a span of a few days. Local dignitaries and the Macon County Board of Education gathered for the ceremony to signify the construction of the new Franklin High School, and then they met again to note the move forward on additions and renova...

11/10/2024

A message from the new pastor at Holly Springs Baptist Church.

“Our world is crazy!” I am sure this is not the first time you have heard someone declare the insanity of the world in which we live. As we survey our society and world, it seems we see more and more hopelessness and uncertainty about the future. As the election dust settles, the aftermath of .....

11/09/2024

A wonderful message from our managing editor.

My husband, Dan Finnerty, and I are absolute history nerds. When we are not watching documentaries together most evenings, we are reading history books and magazines and planning history-focused excursions near and far. So, the election process, which is now over (and I’m personally thankful), h....

11/08/2024

Important and fun events. Honoring veterans all weekend (and Monday), plus this evening, a special speaker at the library discussing Cherokee Heritage.

Hunter’s Mountain Ride & Poker Run is Saturday, Nov. 9, with registration at 10 a.m., with the Poker Run beginning at 11 a.m., 17 W. Palmer Street; $30 entry fee. Proceeds go to Men’s Challenge of the Smokies for addiction recovery. For more information on how to donate and/or participate, call ...

11/07/2024

Winners declared. Read about what happened locally.

The talk at barber shops and hair salons, around water coolers and dining tables have been about little else. The election of 2024, in fact, has been a topic of conversation for arguably the last four years. However, at Tuesday’s Nov. 5, 2024, election, decisions were made for the county, the stat...

11/05/2024

The story behind a local favorite

Grocery store. Concert venue. Open air yoga studio. Teaching space. Community gathering point. Occupying the hillside off the traffic circle between Georgia Road and Wayah Street, Yonder is all of these things and more. Most importantly, it is a continually evolving labor of love for Hannah and Alan...

11/03/2024

While we update our “What’s Happening” list every two weeks with each new edition of the paper, our events list always covers more than two weeks…check out the latest and make your plans today.

Free movie offered by American Legion Post 108 on Fridays every other week through December as part of their Americanism series, at 7 p.m., 614 West Main Street, Franklin. For questions, contact Richard Litchford at (828)421-1328. Franklin Garden Club is holding a community workday for fall maintena...

11/02/2024

This Thursday, Nov. 7.

Franklin, NC Chamber of Commerce. Town of Franklin. Franklin Police Department

Did you know clever criminals constantly evolve their techniques to swindle and scam older adults? Disasters, such as the one affecting Western North Carolina due to hurricane Helene, make people especially vulnerable to deception. Diane Mahoney, civilian administrator and evidence technician with....

10/31/2024

A grand plan and vision for the Whitmire property continues to take shape.

A grand recreation plan for the Town of Franklin-owned, 12.71-acre Whitmire Property has been discussed for several years. Already a disk golf course was on the property, and in August 2023, the first aspect of development, a skate park, was completed. At the Oct. 7 town council meeting, Chris Yang,...

10/30/2024

Hectic holidays and ever sophisticated internet criminals make it more important than ever to be vigilant against scams. Learn how to protect yourself at this critical seminar.

Did you know clever criminals constantly evolve their techniques to swindle and scam older adults? Disasters, such as the one affecting Western North Carolina due to hurricane Helene, make people especially vulnerable to deception. Diane Mahoney, civilian administrator and evidence technician with....

10/29/2024

Commissioners honor Derek Roland’s service to Macon County.

MACON COUNTY Manager Derek Roland presided over his last Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting Oct. 8 as he is stepping down at the end of this month. Commissioners spent part of the monthly meeting honoring Roland for his more than a decade of service. Warren Cabe, the county’s current emer...

10/28/2024

One step closer to a new, modern high school.

County Commission Chair Gary Shields was among many area dignitaries to attend and speak at the Oct. 18 groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new Franklin High School (FHS). Nearly all of the 11 speakers either attended the school or had family who have attended or are attending. With....

10/27/2024

A wonderful message for today and every day.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling … Be still, and know that I am God. ... ...

10/25/2024

The E-Edition is out...print edition hitting newsstands too. https://maconsense.org/ -vol-2-issue-2-october-24-2024/1/

10/23/2024

Football...music...what's next for this multi-talented local?

Franklin High School (FHS) senior Daniel Riddle possesses a wide variety of interests and a high level of commitment to each. Riddle is the kicker on the FHS varsity football team, a pianist, and the marimbist for the FHS marching band, on top of his church involvement and landscaping job. A Frankli...

10/22/2024

“I don’t ever want to use ingredients you can’t pronounce”

Someone once said, “Choose a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” This sentiment rings true for Laura Craig, owner and founder of Shade Tree Farms in Franklin. What began as a personal challenge to create her own lip balm, grew into a passion for “taking the simplest of i...

10/21/2024

Guess who's going to the next level from FHS to college athletics?

Franklin High School (FHS) has two new Lady Panthers who have committed to academics and athletics at the next level. Principal Blair King announced Sept. 27 that senior Kira Bowles (volleyball) and junior Kendall Rumans (softball) recently signed letters of intent with two different schools. Kira c...

10/21/2024

A touching story about a local who does good every day.

In February 2009, our family received a phone call that would change our lives forever. The Department of Social Services (DSS) representative on the other end of the line said there was a 3-year-old girl at their office who needed emergency foster placement. Knowing in our hearts this was a persona...