Winding Stair with Richard Jones from Lee Fields

Here is an interesting video of ice climbing on the rock cut on Winding Stairs Gap to cool you down on a hot July afternoon.

If you have the bandwidth, view this at full screen and HD resolution.





WEATHER SPONSOR

Today's weather is sponsored by Franklin Glass Service. They specialize in meeting all of your glass and window needs from Commercial Storefront, Insulated Glass

and Mirrors to Beautiful Windows and Doors for your home.

Stop by 401 Wells Grove Road Monday through Friday 8AM to 5PM , or give them a call at (828)524-8208.

Their webpage is www.franklinglassservice.com or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Franklin-Glass-Service-340721129403687/


DAY SPONSOR

Carrion Tree Service is underwriting the daily weather briefing and public safety updates for today. they are a fully licensed and insured tree service, specializing in dangerous tree removal, view clearing, pruning, and crane services with a 24 Hour emergency response. Please check them out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Carrion-Tree-Service-431936673635460/
Their phone number is 371-4718. They are located at 120 Depot Street.

They can handle all your tree removal needs in good or bad weather.


CROWD FUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

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.

If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online.

You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia

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Jury Finds Burr Not Guilty

At 5:23 pm, a jury serving the Macon County Superior Court found Jerimy Adam Burr not guilty on all counts he was charged with from a case stemming from an arrest on August 20, 2014.

After the defendant was found not guilty, he hugged his attorney and shook hands with and hugged his arresting officer and shook hands with the prosecutor.

He was charged with Traffick in Methamphetamine, Possession with intent to Deliver and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was represented by Attorney Frank Lay of the Jackson County Bar.

The Honorable Robert G Horne presided over the court.

This is the main reason Macon Media does not publish mug shots. 

If Macon Media did publish mugshots, we would have to go back and add an addendum to every article featuring the mugshot to indicate the person was found not guilty by a jury of his or her peers, but the damage to that person's reputation could not be repaired.


MEDIA ROLL CALL

Macon Media was the only outlet present for the entire trial. 
A reporter with The Franklin Press was there for jury deliberations, but had to leave moments before the jury indicated they had reached a verdict.



CROWD FUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

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.

If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online.

You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at >> https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia

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Town of Franklin hosts joint meeting of local governing boards at Franklin Memorial Park

The Town of Framklin hosted a joint meeting between the town boards of Franklin and Highlands and the County Commissioners at the new renovated Franklin Memorial Park on West Main Street.

After a meal in the covered picnic area, representatives of each organization spoke about their accomplishments since they last met. The video below is of the formal session that took place after the meal, followed the event agenda and some photos taken during the joint meeting.

Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen

Joint Meeting Agenda

July 19, 2016

6:00 pm

1. Call to Order and Welcome -- Mayor Bob Scott

2. Dinner provided by Frog Town Catering

3. Update and Introductions from the Town of Franklin -- Mayor Bob Scott

4. Update and Introductions from Macon County -- Chairman Kevin Corbin

5. Update and Introductions from the Town of Highlands -- Mayor Pat Taylor

6. Adjournment

Macon Media's coverage of news, events and weather is made possible by donations from the community and sponsorships that underwrite expenses.


WEATHER SPONSOR

Today's weather is sponsored by Franklin Glass Service. They specialize in meeting all of your glass and window needs from Commercial Storefront, Insulated Glass and Mirrors to Beautiful Windows and Doors for your home.

Stop by 401 Wells Grove Road Monday through Friday 8AM to 5PM , or give them a call at (828)524-8208.

Their webpage is www.franklinglassservice.com or visit their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Franklin-Glass-Service-340721129403687/


DAY SPONSOR

Carrion Tree Service is underwriting the daily weather briefing and public safety updates for today. they are a fully licensed and insured tree service, specializing in dangerous tree removal, view clearing, pruning, and crane services with a 24 Hour emergency response. Please check them out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Carrion-Tree-Service-431936673635460/

Their phone number is 371-4718. They are located at 120 Depot Street.

They can handle all your tree removal needs in good or bad weather.

CROWD FUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

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.

If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online.

You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia

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NCDOT Division 14 Set to Hold Public Meeting at Robert C Carpenter Community Building on July 14th

The NCDOT will be holding a public meeting on Thursday, July 14th from 5 to 7 pm at the Robert C Carpenter Building to seek public input. More information is in the press release below, which, is posted in full in the interest of transparency.





PRESS RELEASE
NCDOT DIVISION 14
July 8, 2016


ASHEVILLE – State transportation officials want to hear from the public on what regional and local  transportation projects should be top priorities in the next version of the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) – the 10-year plan that identifies funding for projects and schedules them for construction. Data and local input are used to determine which projects get built based on a funding formula championed by Governor Pat McCrory to reduce congestion, increase safety and promote economic growth.

During a public comment period that began June 20 and runs until July 22, each of NCDOT's 14 local transportation divisions will host an informal public meeting to present proposed projects and to receive feedback.

Division 14, which includes Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Polk, Swain and Transylvania counties, will hold its meetings on two different evenings in two different locations. The first will be held Monday, July 11, from 5-7 p.m. at the Henderson County Government Annex Building, 100 N. King Street. The second will be held at the same time on Thursday, July 14, at the Macon County Community Building 1288 Georgia Road.

During these times, citizens are invited to stop in and provide input on how the division plans to rank its project priorities. Please note that these meetings are not for maintenance-related projects, such as patching potholes, resurfacing or ditches.

Attending a meeting isn't necessary to comment. Comments can also be submitted online through an interactive survey, or by calling Division 14 Project Manager Wanda Austin at (828) 631-1146, or by mail at 253 Webster Road, Sylva, NC 28779.

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for anyone who is disabled who wants to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact the division contact for the meeting they plan to attend as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.

Following the comment period, the division will carefully consider the public input while determining its final project rankings.

The Strategic Transportation Investments Law, which established the funding formula being used to develop the STIP, became law in 2013. The new formula was used for the first time to develop the 2016-2015 STIP, which was approved in June 2015 and resulted in 300 more projects being funded than under the old funding formula. NCDOT updates the STIP every two years to ensure it accurately reflects the state's current financial situation.

###

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Ribbon Cutting at Dusty Pallet

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at The Dusty Pallet on Main Street at 3:00 this afternoon. The owners, Gwen Taylor and Matt Taylor, said they were glad to be on Main Street in Franklin. 

After the ribbon cutting, a reception with light refreshments was held in the studio and visitors toured the new business.


Here are a few photos from the event.

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Storm Brings Wind, Lightning and Power Outages to Macon County

A line of thunderstorms moved through Macon County this evening shortly before dark. They were accompanied by lighting and a gust front that knocked out electrical service to over 200 Duke Energy customers. Power is expected to be restored by 12:30 am.

Here is more information, courtesy of Duke Energy on the outage locations and expected times of restoration as of 9:30 pm:

This image shows the outages in the Timberland Trail area (purple) and Arnold Branch (green) areas.

Timberland Trail Outage - 20 Duke Energy Customers
Time Reported - 8:17 pm
Restoration estimate - 12:30 am

Arnold Branch Outage - 139 Duke Energy Customers
Time Reported - 8:15 pm
Restoration estimate - 11:30 pm

This image shows the outage in the Lakey Creek area.

Lakey Creek Outage - 60
Time Reported - 7:47 pm
Restoration estimate - 11:00 pm

Outages in the western North Carolina counties served by Duke Energy:

Cherokee - 12 customers in 5 locations
Graham - 28 customers in 4 locations
Swain - 629 customers in 6 locations
Macon - 266 customers in 12 locations
Jackson - 47 customers in 9 locations
Haywood - 5 customers in 3 locations
Buncombe - 2,160 customers in 91 locations
Henderson - 1,435 customers in 34 locations



More rain is forecast for this evening, but no more severe weather is expected overnight at this time.

**11:27 pm** Here is a time lapse of the arrival of the storms as seen from the Holly Springs Shopping Center:


The jitter in the first clip was caused by the wind. I had to anchor the tripod to keep it from being blown over. The wind also blew my hat off my head and my magnetically mounted scanner antenna off the van.


CROWD FUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

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.

If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online.

You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at >> https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia

Read More

Franklin Mayor speaks at the AHA 2016 Conference in Chicago

On May 28th Franklin Mayor Bob Scott spoke at the 2016 Conference of the American Humanist Association in Chicago. He spoke about his life and what it is like to be Mayor of a small town and about the controversy that arose when he chose to place his hand on the US Constitution instead of the Bible when he was sworn in for his second term.


For more information on the conference, please visit the following links:

Conference Schedule

Select Videos from the conference 



COMMENTARY by Bobby Coggins

Who knew that our Mayor would receive national recognition for doing something as ordinary as placing his hand on the US Constitution while taking his oath of office?

I certainly didn't. I didn't make special mention of it in my coverage of the event. He took an oath on a document he held sacred and I can respect that. I know plenty of local politicians who've taken their oaths on the Bible, then proceeded to govern as if they'd never read what was in it.

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Franklin Town Board oF Aldermen July 2016 Meeting Agenda Updated with Video

The Franklin Town Board of Aldermen will be meeting tonight at 7 pm in the lower level of town hall. Copies of the public agenda, the agenda packet and maps of the proposed indoor gun range and ETJ boundary addition that will be considered at the meeting tonight. The meeting will be streamed live on Livestream and a recorded version will be added here in the next day or so.

Town of Franklin Board of Aldermen

Regular Scheduled Meeting

Agenda Tuesday July 5, 2016 7:00 p.m.

            1.       Call to Order- Mayor Bob Scott

2.       Pledge of Allegiance- Vice Mayor Patti Abel

3.       Adoption of the July 5, 2016 Town Board Agenda

4.       Approval of the June 6 and June 15, 2016 Town Board minutes

5.       Public Hearing 7:05 p.m. for Special Use Permit Application for Indoor Gun Range

6.       Public Hearing 7:10 p.m. for ETJ Boundary Addition

7.       Public Session

8.       New Business

A.)   Board Action on Special Use Permit Application for Indoor Gun Range

B.)    Board Action on ETJ Boundary Addition

C.)    Street Closing Request for Arts Council "Motown Downtown"-Town Manager Summer Woodard

D.)   Street Closing Request for Public Safety Day- Town Manager Summer Woodard

E.)    Budget Amendment- Finance Officer Kyra Doster

F.)    Re-appointment of Town Tax Collector- Town Manager Summer Woodard

G.)   Re-appointment of Town Clerk- Town Manager Summer Woodard

H.)   Application for Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Non-Profit Funding Pool - Town Manager Summer Woodard

                9. Legal

                    A.) Closed Session- Pursuant to GS 143-318.11(a) (5), to establish or to instruct the public body's staff or negotiating  agents concerning the position to be taken by or on behalf of the public body in negotiating the price and other material terms of a contract or proposed contract for the acquisition of real property by purchase, option, exchange, or lease, being that property located at 196 West Palmer Street."

                10. Announcements

                     A.) Bike Walk Franklin Open House Tuesday July 12, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Tartan Hall.

                     B.) Town of Franklin will be hosting the Joint Meeting with Macon County and the Town of Highlands on Tuesday  July 19, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at Franklin Memorial Park.

                 

                11. Adjourn 

July 2016 Aldermen Agenda

Map of Indoor Gun Range

ETJ Map July 2016

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Harmony House Foods Inc, to Expand Operations in Macon County

PRESS RELEASE
Macon County EDC
July 5, 2016


FRANKLIN NC - The Macon County Economic Development Commission announced today that Harmony House Foods, Inc has purchased the current TekTone Sound and Signal Manufacturing, Inc facility in the Macon County Industrial Park, following the TekTone purchase of the former SKF building in the park.

Located in the Macon County Business Development Center, Harmony House is a seller and distributor of dehydrated foods, both domestically and internationally. Their honors include the Editor’s Choice Award from Backpacker Magazine and the  “Business People of the Year” nomination by the Small Business Administration for the State of North Carolina.

“Harmony House will be expanding from an 8500 square foot facility to an over 32,000 square foot location, showing significant growth since becoming a Business Development Center tenant in 2013,” said Tommy Jenkins, Macon County Economic Development Director. “Being a family owned and operated business, as well as located in a region world renown for hiking and outdoor recreation, Harmony House is a perfect fit for our local economy.”

Harmony House plans to steadily increase their workforce over the next several years as new products come to market.  “We have so many opportunities for product growth that it just made sense to expand,” said John Seaman, President of Harmony House.  “Expanding right here in Franklin was an easy choice because Macon County has provided such an excellent business environment.”  There are also plans for a future

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On This Day in 1776: Lee Resolution Passes Congress

John Trumbull's painting, Declaration of Independence, depicting the five-man drafting committee of the Declaration of Independence presenting their work to the Congress. The painting can be found on the back of the U.S. $2 bill. 

The original hangs in the US Capitol rotunda.

240 Years ago today, the Continental Congress passed the Lee Resolution that called for independence from Britain by a vote of 12 For 0 Against and 1 Abstaining (New York had failed to receive instructions from it's constituent assembly). The full text follows:

Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.

That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.

John Adams wrote his wife Abigail on July 3 about the resolution of independence:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.

Adams's prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated Independence Day on July 4, the date the much-publicized Declaration of Independence was approved, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was adopted.


The text of the Declaration of Independence follows, with original spelling of the day retained:

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

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