Regional

Photo/Travis Long/News & Observer

Photo/Travis Long/News & Observer

Ferguson joins House

News Staff
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
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.
Jack Igelman / Carolina Public Press. An area of the Pisgah National Forest near Shope Creek, where severe damage occurred during Tropical Storm Helene in 2024.

Jack Igelman / Carolina Public Press. An area of the Pisgah National Forest near Shope Creek, where severe damage occurred during Tropical Storm Helene in 2024.

Future of forest plan in doubt

News Staff
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
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.

Remembering those who served in Vietnam

(not verified)
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Mia Overton editor@thefranklinpress.com   Fifty-one years ago the last U.S. service members left South Vietnam and the last Prisoners of War were released, including two Macon County men who had been held in captivity for nearly seven years years.

Times under new ownership

News Staff
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Paxton Media Group (PMG) has acquired nine community newspapers in the Murphy and Franklin regions of western North Carolina and north Georgia from Community Newspapers, Inc. (CNI), based in Athens, Georgia.
Press photo/ Mia Overton. Noquisi Initiative co-chairs Juanita Wilson and Bob McCollum, Franklin Mayor Stacy Guffey and Principal Chief Michell Hicks complete the signing of the Noquisiyi Mound to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on Feb. 26.

Press photo/ Mia Overton. Noquisi Initiative co-chairs Juanita Wilson and Bob McCollum, Franklin Mayor Stacy Guffey and Principal Chief Michell Hicks complete the signing of the Noquisiyi Mound to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on Feb. 26.

HOMECOMING

News Staff
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Shelby Powell reporter@thefranklinpress.com   The Noquisiyi Mound was returned to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on Feb. 26 in a signing ceremony attended by more than 100 Cherokee, local leaders and community members.
Since June 2025, three sheriffs have lost their jobs – Dustin Smith in Cherokee County, Bradley Hoxit in Graham County (who at present is only suspended) and Curtis Cochran in Swain County – with Welch playing a central role in all three, and Sellers presiding over two of the cases.

Since June 2025, three sheriffs have lost their jobs – Dustin Smith in Cherokee County, Bradley Hoxit in Graham County (who at present is only suspended) and Curtis Cochran in Swain County – with Welch playing a central role in all three, and Sellers presiding over two of the cases.

The people vs. three WNC sheriffs

News Staff
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Randy Foster editor@cherokeescout.com   District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch and Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Tessa Sellers are cracking down on sheriffs they believe have lost their way.
Candidates for House District 119

Candidates for House District 119

Election 2026: Three seek House District 119 seat

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Voters in House District 119 will choose among three Republican candidates on Primary Election Day, March 3, as they compete for a seat in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Incumbent State Rep. Michael Clampitt of Bryson City is seeking a fifth term, first elected in November 2016.

Fontana Regional Board discusses interlocal agreement

News Staff
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Mitch Stone reporter@highlandsnews.com   The Fontana Regional Library Board kicked off the new year addressing topics ranging from the 2024-25 audit to an interlocal agreement proposed by Jackson County. Jackson County proposed three amendments to the agreement.
Press photo/Mia Overton. The Noquisiyi Mound pictured on Jan. 5 in East Franklin. “It’s a really meaningful moment for us, and I can’t wait to see where the collaboration and the future partnership of Noquisiyi goes from here,” said Angelina Jumper on the Franklin Town Council’s vote authorizing the mound be returned to the EBCI.

Press photo/Mia Overton. The Noquisiyi Mound pictured on Jan. 5 in East Franklin. “It’s a really meaningful moment for us, and I can’t wait to see where the collaboration and the future partnership of Noquisiyi goes from here,” said Angelina Jumper on the Franklin Town Council’s vote authorizing the mound be returned to the EBCI.

A Homecoming

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Mia Overton editor@thefranklinpress.com   After 200 years, the Noquisiyi Mound is being returned to the Cherokee people. In what was referred to as a historic, meaningful moment, the Franklin Town Council unanimously approved a resolution on Jan.