News

Ferguson joins House

Anna Ferguson, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, was sworn in as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives during a session in Raleigh, on Tuesday, April 21. Appointed by the Republican Party, she will represent District 119 and serve out the term of the late Rep.

MountainTrue supports HB369

Shelby PowellReporter@thefranklinpress.com The General Assembly is considering a bill that would remove restrictions on the number of offstreet parking lots required for buildings.The two-page bill can be viewed at ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2025/H369.

Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation opens grant cycle

The Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation is accepting pre-applications for its 2026 LIFT Grant Cycle, with a continued commitment to advancing health and wellbeing across the plateau and surrounding communities.

Mountain Discovery kicks off $2M capital campaign

Mountain Discovery Charter School (MDCS) is kicking off their “Two Years – Two Million Dollars” capital campaign with a family event at Darnell Farms, this weekend.The event, slated for April 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., will feature faceprinting, bouncy houses, a Charity Scenic Ride and live music.

National Forest fire restrictions in place

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is restricting all open burning and campfires outside of developed recreation sites on North Carolina’s four national forests.

Future of forest plan in doubt

Jack Igelman  Carolina Public Press   Only three years into the completion of the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forest Land Management Plan, its future hangs in limbo, putting both current and future timber projects in Western North Carolina on pause.

Wildfires: Crews battle blaze near Needmore

Shelby Powell reporter@thefranklinpress.com   A wildfire spreading in the Needmore area started Thursday afternoon and kept burning over the weekend.

Rejected

Katie Myers Blue Ridge Public Radio   A federal judge has rejected the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest Plan, saying the plan violates the Endangered Species Act. The U.S.