Lockdown at Iotla Valley Elementary School
From the school system Facebook Page:
As released by Sheriff Holland & the Macon County Sheriff's Department:
There was a “Lock Down” conducted at Iotla school this morning after a suspicious person was seen in dark clothing and wearing a backpack next to a wooded area near the school. When the SRO approached the individual he immediately disappeared into the wooded area. The SRO called for additional assistance of deputies as he was attempting to locate the suspicious individual. While doing so the SRO and school administrators put the school temporarily on lockdown. Two individuals were immediately located by the SRO and other officers who responded and identified two individuals. It was determined there was no need for either of them to be on school property at this time. Within a few minutes an all clear was given and classes resumed to normal activities. This is not all the facts but we wanted to give you some information to relieve any unnecessary stress should any student go home and talk about their “Practice” Drill. It was in fact a live drill and we are happy with how it was conducted.
THANK YOU TO ALL who immediately took steps to ensure the students were safe. You took necessary action!
Sincerely,
Sheriff Robert Holland
Source [LINK]
Commentary
The following may be unpopular, but it needs to be said before things get out of hand.
It appears they were jittery over someone next to a wooded area near the school. These things happen after major school shootings, especially if the person(s) involved watched a lot of news coverage of the event and/or have children of their own or children under their charge. People are nervous about things they wouldn't normally be. Remember how it was after 9-11. People called the police after every little 'suspicious' package or person. The police were even called when tourists took photos of famous landmarks. Remember how things were (and still are, to a degree) here after the Wildfires of 2016. People would freak out over every column of smoke or brush pile they saw burning. In the old days they called it hysteria, I (Bobby) call it public PTSD. People are shell-shocked about events that have been in the news or have recently happened and are still processing it.
The CDC has a good guide for dealing with psychological stress after a traumatic event. [LINK to PDF]
We need to remember that children may be suffering from exposure to news about school shootings and may also act out, even making threats themselves in their attempt to cope with their traumatic stress.
A good source for information on children and traumatic stress can be found at National Child Stress Trauma Network [LINK]
Election Filing Period Ends for 2018 Midterms
The filing for partisan offices ended yesterday at noon. There will be primaries in a number of races. A full list of those who have filed to run for federal, state and local offices are on the blog. [LINK]
LOCAL OUTLOOK
Moist southerly flow will persist over the region until a vigorous cold front passes late today. The associated strong low pressure moves off the East Coast on Friday helping to produce very windy conditions that are expected to persist well into Saturday. At the same time, drying high pressure will settle to our north and persist into early next week.
WEATHER SPONSOR
Weather Almanac for March 1st (1872-2016)
Record weather events for this date in Macon County
Highest Temperature 75°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1972
Lowest Temperature 6°F in Highlands in 1920
Greatest Rainfall 2.50 inches in Franklin 1875
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 8.0 inches in Nantahala in 1968
Record Weather Events for March (1872-2017)
Highest Temperature 86°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on March 15, 1967
Lowest Temperature -7°F in Highlands on March 7, 1899
Greatest Rainfall 6.43 inches in Highlands on March 29, 1898
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 25.5 inches at the Coweeta Experimental Station on March 13, 1993
THREE DAY OUTLOOK
TODAY Rain and increasing Wind
Patchy fog, cloudy skies, and highs within a few degrees of 60 °F. Light winds very early increasing to 5 to 10 mph out of the northwest by midmorning. Wind speeds will further increase after the passage of a cold front this afternoon. Near 100% chance of rain. Rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch expected.
TONIGHT Rain Chances Decrease and High Wind Watch in Effect/Scattered Power Outages
Partly cloudy with lows near freezing and wind chills in the 20s. Winds will range from 10 to 15 mph out of the northwest with wind gusts in the 25 mph range in the lower elevations and 20 to 30 mph with wind gusts exceeding 40 mph in the higher elevations. Scattered power outages are possible.
FRIDAY High Wind Watch in Effect/Scattered Power Outages
Sunny with highs ranging from near 50 at the higher elevations and the mid-50s in the lower elevations. Winds 15 to 20 mph out of the northwest with gusts near 25 mph in the lower elevations and 20 to 30 mph out of the northwest with gusts in the 40 mpg range at the higher elevations. High Wind Watch in Effect/Scattered Power Outages are possible.
FRIDAY NIGHT High Wind Watch in Effect/Scattered Power Outages/Freezing Temperatures
Clear with lows near 30 and wind chills in the 20s. Winds around 15 mph out of the northwest with gust in the 25 mph range in the lower elevations and 25 to 30 mph out of the northwest with gusts exceeding 40 mph at times in the higher elevations.
SATURDAY Decreasing Winds
Sunny skies with highs ranging from near 50 at the higher elevations to the mid-to-upper 50s in the lower elevations.
SATURDAY NIGHT Freezing Temperatures
Clear with lows ranging from the mid-20s at the higher elevations to around 30 in the lower elevations.
GOES 16 GeoColor - Infrared Loop
12:07 am to 03:02 am
HAZARDS
Heavy rain is possible early today, so be on the lookout for excessive water in the roadways that may lead to hydroplaning if you exceed safe travel speeds for these conditions today and tomorrow. Moderate flooding may be possible tomorrow in low lying areas and locations with poor drainage. High winds are also in the forecast for from midmorning today through early Saturday. Trees and limbs could fall on power lines, leading to scattered power outages. A High Wind Watch will be in effect from 6 pm tonight through Saturday morning. A copy has been posted below for your convenience:
***High Wind Watch***
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
949 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2018
...VERY STRONG WINDS EXPECTED THURSDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING...
.Winds will become northwest and increase in speed in the wake of a strong cold front Thursday night and continue into Saturday morning.
...HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING...
* LOCATIONS...Mountains and Foothills of North Carolina
including the Northern Escarpment of Upstate South Carolina
and extreme Northeast Georgia.
* HAZARDS...Strong to damaging winds.
* TIMING...Beginning Thursday night and continuing into Saturday morning.
* WINDS...Northwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.
* IMPACTS...Numerous downed trees and power outages likely. Minor structural damage possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A High Wind Watch means there is the potential for a hazardous high wind event. Sustained winds of at least 40 mph ... or gusts of 58 mph or stronger may occur. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.
Macon Media maintains a Severe Weather Preparedness Page at http://thunderpigblog.blogspot.com/p/breaking-news-hub.html for those who are interested.
As always, you can check to see what advisories, watches, and warnings are in effect for Macon County by visiting http://is.gd/MACONWARN
GOES-16 ABI CONUS - 11.20 um (Precipitation)
3:02 am
MACON CALENDAR
If you have an event you wish to be added to this calendar, please send the information, along with a flyer in pdf format or a high-quality photo, to editor@maconmedia.com. If you want text published, please include a paragraph with your photo, flyer or graphics. Please include date(s) and time(s).
There is no charge for civic, educational or nonprofit groups, except for groups or events that receive funding from the TDA, TDC, and EDC, where full rates apply.
FRIENDS OF THE GREENWAY FUNDRAISER FOR FEBRUARY AND MARCH
Fundraiser for Friends of the Greenway--an indoor flea market is continuing every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in February and every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in March at FROG Quarters, 573 East Main St in Franklin (next to the new bridge).
If you’re interested in selling, please call 369-8488 for details and registration information--new vendors needed. Only the registration fee will go to FROG, but donations are always appreciated. Funds will benefit the following projects: Butterfly Garden, Educational Signs on the Trail, Splash Pad Renovation, Chimney Swift Tower, and FROG Quarters meeting place. If you're shopping, enter at Mainspring Conservation Trust drive and circle around behind the buildings. Come check out the bargains!
Uptown Gallery classes
(These are on-going classes – repeat weekly)
Free classes and open studio times are being offered at the The Uptown Gallery in Franklin. Join others at a painting open studio session every Tuesday from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm or on Thursday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Bring your own materials and join an on-going drawing course led by gallery artists on Fridays, from 11am – 2 pm. For information on days open, hours and additional art classes and workshops, contact the gallery on 30 East Main Street at (828) 349 – 4607.
Uptown Gallery Artist Presentation
At the Uptown Gallery in Franklin on Monday, March 12th, Carol Rollick and Pat Menninger, exhibiting artists, will be discussing the process of “Paint Pouring” starting at 1:00 pm. Instead of using tools like brushes or knives to create a piece of art, fluid acrylic paints can be poured directly onto the surface. The Macon County Art Association general meeting will follow the presentation. This event is open to the public and refreshments will be provided. For information on art classes and workshops, contact the gallery at (828) 349-4607 on 30 East Main Street.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Appalachian South
Meets each Thursday at 7pm
The First Methodist Church Outreach Center
at the intersection of Harrison Ave. and West Main Street
(directly across from Lazy Hiker Brewery)
Come join our weekly support group for anyone suffering from mental illness and their family or friends. This includes Depression, Bipolar,8chizophrenia, PTSD, Substance Abuse, Etc.
Here you will find:
— others living with mental health challenges YOU ARE NOT ALONE
- learn coping skills and ?find hope in shared experience
- help learning how to break down stigma and guilt surrounding mental health
- how to live life with the expectation of a better a better future
Kay (706)970-9987 Denise (828)347-5000)
SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM
On January 1, 2017, the Syringe Exchange Program of Franklin began operating a comprehensive harm reduction program to address the opioid epidemic that is impacting western NC. Opioid overdose reversal kits including naloxone are available free of charge. If you have any questions about our services or if you know someone interested in volunteering, please contact Stephanie Almeida at 828-475-1920.
Sun and Moon
Sun
Begin civil twilight 6:38 a.m.
Sunrise 7:03 a.m.
Sun transit 12:46 p.m.
Sunset 6:29 p.m.
End civil twilight 6:55 p.m.
Moon
Moonrise 5:11 p.m. yesterday
Moon transit 12:06 a.m.
Moonset 6:54 a.m.
Moonrise 6:19 p.m.
Phase of the Moon on March 1, 2018: Full Moon at 7:51 p.m. (local standard time)
Sky Guides for this week
Sky and Telescope Magazine
Astronomy Magazine
There will be three solar and two lunar eclipses in 2018. [LINK]
Heavens Above has an Android App that will assist you in observing the sky and even has a satellite tracker that will let you know when the International Space Station and dozens of other satellites are overhead. [LINK]
Stellarium is also an app that will assist you in observing the sky. It is available in both Android [LINK] and iOS versions. [LINK]
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. Macon Media rewards early sponsors/underwriters with lifetime guaranteed low rates while newer sponsors/underwriters pay higher rates based on the date they first support Macon Media.
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 have made it possible for Macon Media to begin purchasing state of the art equipment and begin work on building a real website with features not employed by any local news outlets.
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
Posted at 4:00 am on March 1, 2018
#WNCscan #MaconWx #MaconSafety
Data and information sources: Sources (except where otherwise credited): heavens-above.com, Ian Webster's Github, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, The National Weather Service, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, Penn State University Electronic Wall Map, The State Climate Office of North Carolina, Storm Prediction Center, U.S. Naval Observatory, and the Weather Prediction Center.
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