LOCAL NEWS
The local news scene is becoming so busy, it may be necessary to start publishing a separate post each morning with the news.
One person is dead after an officer-involved shooting on Pheasant Drive early Monday morning. The latest developments are posted below, as well as links to previous coverage of this sad incident and its aftermath.
FAMILY OF SLAIN MAN RETAINS LEGAL REPRESENTATION
PRESS RELEASE
Melrose Law
May 1, 2018
Mark R Melrose and Adam R Melrose of Melrose Law have been retained to represent the family of Scott Knibbs who was killed by a Macon County Sheriff's Deputy.
Scott was home with his wife, his 13 year old son, his 22 year old daughter, and his 5 month old grandson in a home they purchased 5 years ago. Earlier that evening, Scott told a man who had pulled into the Knibb's driveway looking for a house party next door to leave and not return. Around midnight, a man's voice was heard yelling from the front of their home.
There was no patrol car parked outside the Knibb's home, no blue lights, and no advance warning that a rookie police officer was approaching their home.
Scott was concerned for the safety of his family. Scott retrieved the shotgun he kept in his bedroom for self-defense. Scott then walked towards the front door to see who was yelling at his family's front door.
The man yelled demands from outside on the porch. Seconds later the deputy fired multiple shots from outside the Knibbs house, through a front window, striking Scott. Scott never had a chance to open the front door, or to speak to the officer. Scott bled to death just a few steps away from the front door in his own dining room. The Deputy did not administer first-aid while he waited for backup from other officers and EMS.
Scott worked in construction, and was married to his wife, Missy for 25 years. He had no criminal record. He had nothing but respect for law enforcement. In fact, Scott had graduated from Basic Law Enforcement at Southwestern Community College in the 1990s. Scott and his family attended the Cullasaja Assembly of God for the past 25 years.
This was apparently a complaint made by the neighbors who were renting a house next door. There was a high volume of traffic going up to the neighbor's house at all hours. Contrary to initial reports of spiked boards in the roadway, the boards were actually speed bumps placed in the common roadway to slow visitors down as they passed the Knibbs home due to the children who frequently played in the front yard.
At this time we are actively investigating the circumstances of Scott's death. We want to understand why an unverified middle-of-the-night complaint by a neighbor resulted in a rookie officer demanding entry into the Knibbs home unannounced. We want to understand why the officer had his weapon out. We want to learn what urgency existed for a solo Deputy to "investigate" a neighbor's complaint in the middle of the night. We want to learn why this happened when the Deputy did not have a search warrant, arrest warrant, or probable cause to enter the home or arrest anyone within the home.
We have promised the Knibbs family to learn the truth of why Scott was killed in his own home from shots fired from outside his residence by a rookie officer.
Sincerely,
Mark R Melrose
Previous coverage of this incident can be found at the following links, in reverse chronological order:
May 1st linkage to WYFF-TV Story that relays the family's side of the story (not mirrored on this website until now)
https://www.facebook.com/MaconMediaNews/posts/1718654301514033
May 1st Weather Briefing, Lead Story
http://thunderpigblog.blogspot.com/2018/05/wx20180501.html
Facebook Mirror
https://www.facebook.com/MaconMediaNews/posts/1718014978244632
----------------
April 30th Weather Briefing, Lead Story
http://thunderpigblog.blogspot.com/2018/04/wx20180430.html
Facebook Mirror
https://www.facebook.com/MaconMediaNews/posts/1717036971675766
Macon County Schools React to Hit List
Yesterday, the schools obtained “a list of students whom the creator of the list intended harm.” The student was detained and the school system contacted students (and their parents) that were on the list. The school also sent out a call to all parents about the situation and informed them that the situation was under control.
Audio of call:
Here is a copy of the notice sent out by the school system to local media outlets via email and was also posted on social media for the general public:
For Immediate Release:
This morning, Macon County Schools Administration was given access to a list of students whom the creator of the list intended harm. The Franklin High School student who wrote the list has been detained and Macon County Sheriff’s Deputies, Detectives and SROs are on campus at Franklin High School. Individuals named on the list, and their parents, are being notified individually. The situation is under control.
See a version that was posted on the school system Facebook Page [LINK] https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2071144249795142&id=1489091731333733
LOCAL OUTLOOK
The center of high pressure will gradually move offshore through mid-week resulting in warm southerly flow over the region. A weak cold front will move into the area over the weekend bringing a chance of showers and thunderstorms.
WEATHER SPONSOR
Adams Products, a Division of Oldcastle is underwriting the daily weather briefing & public safety updates for the month.
Open 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, M-F, located at 895 Hickory Knoll Road, Franklin, NC. Visit our Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/Adams.Oldcastle.Franklin.NC/
All your masonry needs are available. Our phone number is 828.524.8545, the public is welcome, we’ll help with your with your next project.
Weather Almanac for May 2nd (1872-2016)
Record weather events for this date in Macon County
Highest Temperature 88°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2007
Lowest Temperature 23°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1963
Greatest Rainfall 2.30 inches at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1946
Greatest One-Day Snowfall No measurable snowfall has been recorded on this date since record keeping began in Macon County
Record Weather Events for April (1872-2017)
Highest Temperature 91°F in Franklin on April 26, 1986
Lowest Temperature 13°F in Highlands on April 1, 1987
Greatest Rainfall 7.00 inches in Highlands on April 7, 1895
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 9.5 inches in Franklin on April 4, 1987
THREE DAY OUTLOOK
The images below represent the daily forecast at 8 am for today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. Click on any of them to enlarge.
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FRANKLIN AREA
TODAY
Mostly sunny with highs near 80 and winds from the southwest gusting to 10 mph.
TONIGHT
Clear, with a low around 46. Winds from the southeast gusting to 5 mph.
THURSDAY
Mostly sunny with highs in the lower 80s and winds from the southwest gusting to 10 mph.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear with lows near 50 and light winds from the southwest and gusts around 5 mph.
FRIDAY
Partly sunny with highs near 80 and winds from the southwest with gusts near 10 mph.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Some clouds with lows in the mid-50s and winds 5 to 10 mph from the northwest. 50% chance of rain, mainly after midnight. 20% chance of thunderstorms during the same time period. Rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch expected.
-----------------------------------------
OTTO AREA
TODAY
Mostly sunny with highs near 80 and winds 5 to 10 mph from the southwest.
TONIGHT
Clear skies with lows in the mid-40s and winds 5 to 10 mph out of the southeast.
THURSDAY
Partly sunny skies with highs in the lower 80s and winds 5 to 10 mph from the southwest.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Partly cloudy with lows near 50 and light winds from the southwest gusting to 5 mph.
FRIDAY
Partly sunny, with a high near 80 and winds 5 to 10 mph.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Partly cloudy with lows in the mid-50s and winds 5 to 10 mph out of the northwest. 50% chance of rain, mostly after midnight with about a 20% chance of thunderstorms, also mostly after midnight. Rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch expected.
---------------------------------------------
HIGHLANDS AREA
TODAY
Mostly sunny with highs in the lower 70s and winds 5 to 10 mph out of the southwest.
TONIGHT
Clear skies with lows in the mid-40s and winds 5 to 10 mph out of the southwest.
THURSDAY
Mostly sunny with highs in the mid-70s and winds 5 to 10 mph out of the southwest.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Partly cloudy with lows in the mid-to-upper 40s and winds 5 to 10 mph out of the southwest.
FRIDAY
Partly cloudy with highs in the mid-70s and winds 5 to 10 mph out of the southwest.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Increasing clouds with lows in the lower 50s and winds 5 to 10 mph out of the northwest. 50% chance of rain (20% chance of thunderstorms) with rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch expected.
--------------------------------------------
NANTAHALA AREA
TODAY
Mostly sunny with highs near 80 and winds 5 to 10 mph out of the southwest.
TONIGHT
Clear skies with lows near 50 and winds 5 to 10 mph from the southeast.
THURSDAY
Partly sunny with highs in the lower 80s and winds 5 to 10 mph out of the southwest.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Partly cloudy with lows near 50 and winds 5 to 10 mph out of the south.
FRIDAY
Partly sunny with highs near 80 and winds 5 to 10 mph from the southwest. 20% chance of rain with rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch expected.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy with lows near the mid-to-upper 50s and winds 5 to 10 mph out of the west. 30% chance of rain and thunderstorms with rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch expected.
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GOES 16 - Band 15 - 12.3 µm - Dirty Longwave Window - IR
11:52 pm last night to 2:47 am this morning
HAZARDS
Hazardous weather is not expected today.
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
Band 15 12.3μm (Precipitation)
2:47 am this morning
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.
TRIMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY COMMUNITY YARDSALE
Want to sell all those extra items collecting dust around your house?
Join the indoor community yard sale at Trimont Christian Academy. Trimont will be doing community-wide advertising for this event.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
I am writing to thank the residents of Franklin, Highlands, and Macon County for spreading joy to children around the world this Christmas. Through the generosity of the Macon County community, 4,636 shoeboxes were collected; and the Western North Carolina Area Team was able to exceed our goal by collecting 20,038 shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind. The International total for 2017 was 11,012,840 shoeboxes!
As National Volunteer Week (April 15 – 21) approaches, I wanted to pass along information about an opportunity for Macon County residents to join a local volunteer team with Operation Christmas Child. This project of the international Christian relief organization, Samaritan’s Purse, sends gift-filled shoeboxes to millions of children in need each year and gives local residents the opportunity to make a worldwide impact. “National Volunteer Week is a great time to become a part of this international project,” said June Trull, who heads up the Western North Carolina Area Team of Operation Christmas Child.“Joining an Operation Christmas Child Area Team is an amazing way to give back year-round and share God’s love with children in need.”
Operation Christmas Child has delivered more than 157 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries since 1993. This year, the local Western North Carolina Area Team hopes to collect 21,000 shoebox gifts to contribute to the 2018 global goal of reaching more than 11 million children in need.
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Thank You
Brenda Hackett
Samaritan's Purse
Media Support
Western North Carolina Area Team
Operation Christmas Child
828-369-6674/ bjandhack@hotmail.com
samaritanspurse.org/occnewsroom
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.
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
The Naval Observatory Sun and Moon page is down
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]
CROWDFUNDING 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
3:15 am on May 2, 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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