June 17, 2026
Photo/Bob Scott - Crews from multiple fire departments responded to a Sunday morning fire at Village Plaza on Highlands Road.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Franklin Fire and Rescue was dispatched at 8:28 a.m. Sunday to a fire in the Village Plaza shopping center on Highlands Rd.According to Franklin Fire Chief Justin Setser, FFR’s Squad 4 was on scene at 8:30 a.m. and the first engine arrived at 8:31.
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Press photo/Shelby Powell - Kim Terrell, from the Macon County Cooperative Extension, leads a balance class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m. at the Crawford Senior Center.
Press file photo - The Franklin Town Council is considering a temporary moratorium on data center development and will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 6.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Mark Masters of Masters Architecture proposed four options to build a new Highlands soccer field, ranging in cost from $1 million to $3.4 million to build an Astroturf soccer field on site at Highlands School or at Zachary Park.
Highlander photo/Mitch Stone - FRL Board Chair Bill McGaha and Cynthia Womble discuss whether Swain County should receive a higher percentage of net surplus funds due to the free rent it has provided for FRL headquarters.
Press photo/Shelby Powell - Teams participating in the Smoky Mountain Relay stopped for a free breakfast hosted by Cowee School volunteers. Each member of this team was from the Southeast, with members from Bryson City, Chattanooga, Nashville, Sylva and Asheville.
UNIFY March Madness student lead Sara Crupi (left) and Panther track and field standout Michelle Ortega show off Franklin's Commissioner's Trophies, won jointly between the two organizations, at the N.C. High School Athletic Association's Annual Awards Celebration in Greensboro June 10. (Photo submitted)
Press photo/Will Woolever
Tanner Jones lines up a shot in the pouring rain during last year's 3A State Tournament at Gates Four Golf Club in Lexington. (Press file photo)
