The Franklin Town Council will be meeting at 6pm tonight. The public agenda and the agenda packet are posted below. There will be no live video. A new article will be posted later this week with the video and a short summary of the business transacted during the meeting. Facebook and Patreon subscribers will get to see the video sometime tomorrow morning.
Public Agenda
1. Call to Order - Mayor Stacy Guffey
2. Pledge of Allegiance - Vice-Mayor Mike Lewis
3. Adoption of the March 2, 2026 Town Council Agenda - Town Council
4. Approval of the Consent Agenda for March 2, 2026 - Town Council
A.) Approval of Minutes of February 9, 2026 special called meeting
B.) Budget Amendments
C.) Tax Releases and Refunds
5. Recognition/Presentations
A.) Recognition of Denton Higdon for his years of service on the Town of Franklin Planning Board - presented by Town Planner Justin Setser
B.) Vecinos, Inc. Update - Marianne Martinez, Chief Executive Officer
C.) Main Street Visioning Plan - Allison Smith, NC Department of Commerce
• Approval of Memorandum of Understanding and Resolution from Town Council
6. Public Session
7. Items from Council
A.) Request approval of Resolution designating Main Street as Uptown and establishing the areas of Downtown East and Downtown West Franklin for Official and Promotional Use - Vice-Mayor Mike Lewis
8. New Business
A.) Request approval of Ordinance Ordering the Town Code Enforcement Officer to cause the dwelling located at 547 Womack Street to be vacated and closed, and demolished - Town Attorney John Henning, Jr.
B.) Request approval of contract for purchase of Fire Attack Apparatus Tanker - Town Manager Amie Owens and Interim Fire Chief Justin Setser
C.) Request approval of scope of service for Main Street Redesign - Town Manager Amie Owens
9. Departmental Updates - Public Works
A.) Human Resources - Nicole Bradley, Human Resources Director
B.) Tax Collections/Events - Sabrina Scruggs, Tax Collector / Events Coordinator
C.) Fire Department - Interim Fire Chief Justin Setser
10. Announcements
A.) Next Town Council Meeting is Monday, April 6, 2026
B.) Special Called Meeting- Budget Discussion - Monday, April 20, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in Town Hall Board Room - notice will be posted
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NWS GENERAL OUTLOOK
1. Mostly cloudy, cooler, slight chance of rain before noon.
2. Cold air damming becomes established today and continues through Tuesday. Spotty light rain expected across mainly North Carolina, with a small chance of isolated freezing rain along the Escarpment of the Northern Mountains tonight.
3. Cold air damming replaced by much warmer conditions starting Wednesday afternoon, allowing well above normal temperatures to return through the rest of the workweek and upcoming weekend. Daily shower and isolated thunderstorm chances return by Thursday, with the best chances expected over the weekend.
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Paid for by the Committee to Elect Bob Cook Sheriff.
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GENERAL FORECAST
(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)
..TODAY....Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of rain this morning. Highs in the mid 50s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
..TONIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
..TUESDAY....Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s. South winds around 5 mph.
..TUESDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. South winds around 5 mph.
..WEDNESDAY....Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Southwest winds around 5 mph.
..WEDNESDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Lows around 50.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER
Hazardous weather is not expected today or tonight.
NEWS UPDATES (Links aggregated to show what various news outlets are reporting)
State and Local News
Shining Rock Classical Academy to close its high school | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)
• Four years later: Jackson Co. officials revisit area of Sylva missing persons case [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)]
• Report finds widening gap in local school funding between NC’s richest and poorest counties [NC Newsline]
• Casting ballots and following the results: What to know about Tuesday’s elections in North Carolina [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• NC state trooper killed in Durham by wrong-way driver with history of DWIs [Raleigh News and Observer]
• Warrantless immigration arrests in North Carolina targeted U.S. citizens [Asheville Citizen-Times]
Other News
Fire and smoke seen inside US embassy compound in Kuwait | Fox News
Iran Latest: Trump Says Combat Operations to Continue Until All US Objectives Achieved | Bloomberg Television
If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.
Published at 6.00am on Monday, March 02, 2026
Author: Bobby Coggins
Both are in drydock for maintenance. Comfort is due out in April, Mercy in July.
There was an incident a US Navy submariner was airlifted by a Danish Defense Seahawk helicopter, deployed from the Vædderen, a Danish military patrol ship.
Maybe he's upset that we required medical assistance from them.
That's funny, because the Mercy won't be available until July 2026 and the Comfort won't be available until at least April 2026.
42m
Reply
Top fan
Bobby Coggins
There was an incident a US Navy submariner was airlifted by a Danish Defense Seahawk helicopter, deployed from the Vædderen, a Danish military patrol ship.
Maybe he's upset that we required medical assistance from them. -->
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at [LINK]
NWS GENERAL OUTLOOK
1. Dry and warm today.
2. Cold air damming develops Monday and Tuesday, bringing much cooler and well below high temperatures as well as the potential for freezing rain across portions of the northern mountains and adjacent foothills Monday into Monday night.
3. Cold air damming replaced by much warmer conditions by Wednesday afternoon, allowing well above normal temperatures to return through the rest of the workweek. Rain chances should return by Thursday, lingering through the weekend.
WEATHER SPONSOR
Macon Media Weather is being sponsored by the Committee to Elect Bob Cook.
It is time for new leadership in the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. I have the education and experience to successfully lead and represent the Office into the future. I will listen and respond to concerns of every citizen. I will ensure the employees have equal opportunities for promotion and transfer. Please trust me with your vote. If you have any questions, you can contact me at 828-371-4475, Facebook: Bob Cook for Sheriff. Early voting begins February 12, 2026, and the primary is March 3, 2026.
Paid for by the Committee to Elect Bob Cook Sheriff.
DAY SPONSOR
This space available
GENERAL FORECAST
(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)
..TODAY....Sunny this morning, then becoming partly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
..TONIGHT....Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s. North winds around 5 mph, becoming southeast after midnight.
..MONDAY....Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 50s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon.
..MONDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Lows around 40. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
..TUESDAY....Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 50s. South winds around 5 mph.
..TUESDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER
Hazardous weather is not expected today or tonight.
NEWS UPDATES (Links aggregated to show what various news outlets are reporting)
State and Local News
Asheville corridor continues to recover post-Helene | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)
If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at [LINK]
NWS GENERAL OUTLOOK
1. Areas of fog and locally dense fog this morning. Otherwise, dry and much warmer today through Sunday.
2. Well below normal temperatures for afternoon highs and possible wintry weather for the northern mountains and adjacent foothills into the I-40 corridor Monday into Monday night thanks to the development of Cold Air Damming.
3. Temperatures will rebound following the Cold Air Damming erosion starting next Wednesday with well above-normal temperatures sticking around through the end of the upcoming workweek. Rain chances remain in the forecast but confidence is relatively low.
WEATHER SPONSOR
Macon Media Weather is being sponsored by the Committee to Elect Bob Cook.
It is time for new leadership in the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. I have the education and experience to successfully lead and represent the Office into the future. I will listen and respond to concerns of every citizen. I will ensure the employees have equal opportunities for promotion and transfer. Please trust me with your vote. If you have any questions, you can contact me at 828-371-4475, Facebook: Bob Cook for Sheriff. Early voting begins February 12, 2026, and the primary is March 3, 2026.
Paid for by the Committee to Elect Bob Cook Sheriff.
DAY SPONSOR
This space available
GENERAL FORECAST
(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)
..TODAY....Patchy fog this morning. Sunny. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times this morning. Highs in the mid 60s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.
..TONIGHT....Clear. Lows in the lower 40s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.
..SUNDAY....Sunny in the morning, then becoming partly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
..SUNDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s. North winds around 5 mph.
..MONDAY....Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 50s. Southeast winds around 5 mph.
..MONDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER
Hazardous weather is not expected today or tonight.
NEWS UPDATES (Links aggregated to show what various news outlets are reporting)
State and Local News
Rep. Chuck Edwards, challenger Adam Smith share their plans for winning | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)
• Mission Health lifts flu-related visitation limits, citing decrease in cases [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)]
• Report finds widening gap in local school funding between NC’s richest and poorest counties [NC Newsline]
• As NC fire deaths rise, $500K FEMA delay stalls resources to help education, training [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• AI-backed PAC spends big in NC election, amid challenges in Washington [Raleigh News and Observer]
• FEMA to release $166M for NC Helene recovery, COVID grants amid DHS shutdown [Asheville Citizen-Times]
Other News
ull Trump speech on US, Israel attacking Iran: 'Lives of courageous American heroes may be lost' | USA TODAY
• Israel launches attack on Iran, citizens warned to stay near protected areas [Jerusalem Post]
• Liveblog: Israel launches attack on Iran, defence minister says [BBC News]
If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.
Published at 6.00am on Saturday, February 28, 2025
Author: Bobby Coggins
Both are in drydock for maintenance. Comfort is due out in April, Mercy in July.
There was an incident a US Navy submariner was airlifted by a Danish Defense Seahawk helicopter, deployed from the Vædderen, a Danish military patrol ship.
Maybe he's upset that we required medical assistance from them.
That's funny, because the Mercy won't be available until July 2026 and the Comfort won't be available until at least April 2026.
42m
Reply
Top fan
Bobby Coggins
There was an incident a US Navy submariner was airlifted by a Danish Defense Seahawk helicopter, deployed from the Vædderen, a Danish military patrol ship.
Maybe he's upset that we required medical assistance from them.
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