COVID-19 Numbers for Macon County August 31, 2021

Numbers released on Monday, August 30th, 2021.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers Macon Public Health, along with a couple of charts by Macon Media to show you the long-term trends since April 17th, 2020, when the health department started releasing numbers to the public. In June and July, the health department released numbers on a wekly basis on Fridays, and in August has switched back to releasing numbers everyday once it became evident that we were about to see another surge in numbers.

PRESS RELEASE (08-31-2021)
MACON PUBLIC HEALTH

Macon County Reports Additional Death Related to COVID-19

Macon County Public Health received notification that a Macon County resident between the ages of 65-74 who was diagnosed with COVID-19 has passed away. To protect the family's privacy, no additional information will be released about this individual. This death brings Macon County to forty-five (45) deaths related to COVID-19.

“Our prayers and thoughts are with this family as they mourn the loss of their family member,” said Health Director, Kathy McGaha. McGaha continued, “Macon County residents can help protect themselves and others in our community by receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Macon County has appointments available for the lifesaving vaccine for everyone who is 12 years old and older. The more individuals who get this vaccine, the more likely that we will stop seeing COVID-19 deaths.”

Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19; however, anyone of any age can become infected with this illness. Therefore, we ask that community members strictly follow the governor’s recommendations and continue to practice social distancing, as well as safe hygiene measures such as hand washing and frequently cleaning touched objects and surfaces. Everyone who is eligible is encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, a safe and effective prevention tool.

If you believe that you may have COVID-19, please call the Health Department at 828-349-2081 to schedule an appointment for a test. To register and schedule an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, please call 828-349-2081.


Here is a new chart that may be of some use to the public. It measures the change in the numbers of detected COVID-19 cases from Friday to Friday as a percentage change from the previous Friday. It starts on Friday, May 20th, which saw a 0.57% increase in detected cases over the previous week.

See the COVID-19 Report from one year ago today at [MaconMedia.com]

Known COVID-19 Cases

4002 Detected
(+28 from yesterday and +190 from last week and +697 in four weeks and +3455 or 631.63% from one year ago)

208 Active
(-15 (-6.73%) from yesterday and -25 (-10.73%) from last week and +146 (+235.48%) in four weeks and +193 or +1286.67% from one year ago

3749 Recovered
(+42 from yesterday and +213 from last week and +547 in four weeks and +3224 (614.10%) from one year ago)

45 Deaths
(+1 from yesterday and +2 from last week and +4 in four weeks and +38 or 542.86% from one year ago)

Testing numbers reported to the health department

10816 by Macon County Public Health
(+28 from yesterday and +269 from last week and +1045 in four weeks and +5778 or +114.69% from one year ago)

12836 by Others
(+130 from yesterday and +332 from last week and +1279 in four weeks and +11081 or 631.40% from one year ago)

23652Total Tests
(+158 from yesterday and +601 from last week and +2304 in four weeks and +16859 or 248.18% from one year ago)

122 tests pending results
(+54 from yesterday and -11 from last week and +71 in four weeks and +11 or +9.91% from one year ago)

Vaccine Delivery Statistics


0 Vaccines Given Today
unchanged from yesterday

1024 Vaccines in Inventory
unchanged from yesterday

12935 Total Vaccines Given
unchanged from yesterday

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Published at 6:00pm on Tuesday, August 31, 2021

!-- Here are my goto COVID News Sources Read: https://tl.gd/n_1srp7up -->

Read More

News and Weather Briefing for Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Here is an index to assist you in moving from section to section within the article.

Back to Top
Local News
Weather
Hazards and Tropical Weather
Almanac
Macon Calendar
National News Roundup
COVID-19 News and Updates
On This Day
Support Macon Media

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OUTLOOK

Tropical cyclone Ida will continue to weaken while moving northeast from Mississippi toward West Virginia on Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing periods of heavy rain and gusty wind. Continental high pressure is expected to settle into the region later in the week with mostly sunny skies and near to slightly below normal temperatures.

Pigeon River Flood of 2021 Coverage

NC governor seeking disaster declaration for Fred’s flooding [Raleigh News and Observer]

• Smoky Mountain News [The Pigeon River Flood of 2021] • The Mountaineer [Flood Coverage]


---BEGIN SPONSOR SEGMENT---



Weather Sponsor



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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 you with your next project.



DAY SPONSOR

From August 27 to September 6, BioLite is holding a sale for Labor Day with 20% off all products. Pictured here is the CampStove 2+, which you can use to turn fire into electricity. Patented combustion technology creates a vortex of smokeless flames for a portable campfire that can cook your meals and charge your gear, all at the same time. Leave the gas canisters behind and unlock the potential of the sticks and twigs around you. US$119.96 US$149.95

[Visit the sale]

--- END SPONSOR SEGMENT---

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Local News

A national story has started at an event that took place here in Macon County at a Republican Party event. 

The original video [has been taken down, but someone captured the video and has uploaded the portion of the Congressman's speech that has garnered national attention.

At Macon County GOP event yesterday, Madison Cawthorn called January 6 rioters “political hostages,” and spoke of trying to “bust them out.” Then-
Attendee: “When are you gonna call us to Washington again?"
Cawthorn: “We are actively working on that one.”pic.twitter.com/hN96kswnNt

— Aaron Fritschner (@Fritschner) August 30, 2021

Here is an article in The Hill about the fallout: "Cawthorn calls jailed Jan. 6 rioters 'political hostages'" [The Hill]

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Local Weather

National Weather Map for Today

General forecast through Thursday Night


Franklin area

Today

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Patchy fog before 11am. Highs in the mid-to-upper 70s. Calm winds early increasing to come out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph by midmorning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.

Tonight

Showers. The rain could be heavy at times. Patchy fog. Lows in the mid-60s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of rain is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three-quarters and one inch possible.

Wednesday

Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Patchy fog before 9am. Highs in the mid-70s. Winds out of the south 5 to 10 mph in the morning increasing to come out of the northwest in the afternoon. Chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 7pm, then a chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with lows around 60. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 60%.

Thursday

A 20 percent chance of showers after 3pm. Sunny, with highs near 80.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with lows in the mid-50s.

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Highlands Plateau

Today

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog before 10am, then patchy fog after 11am. Highs near 70. Winds out of the southeast 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of rain is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Tonight

Showers. The rain could be heavy at times. Patchy fog. Lows around 60. Winds out of the southeast around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of rain is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 3 and 4 inches possible.

Wednesday

Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Patchy fog before 9am. Highs near 70. Winds out of the south 10 to 15 mph in the morning shifting to come out fo the northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 7pm, then a chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with lows in the mid-50s. Winds out of the northwest 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of rain is 60%.

Thursday

A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Sunny, with highs in the low-to-mid 70s.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with lows in the lower 50s.

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Otto area

Today

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog before 11am. Highs in the mid-70s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of rain is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.

Tonight

Showers. The rain could be heavy at times. Patchy fog. Low in the mid-60s. Winds out of the southeast around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of rain is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday

Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Patchy fog before 9am. Highs in the mid-70s. Winds out of the south 5 to 10 mph in the morning increasing to come out of the northwest in the afternoon. Chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 7pm, then a chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with lows around 60. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 60%.

Thursday

A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Sunny, with highs near 80.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with lows in the mid-50s.

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Nantahala area

Today

Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Patchy fog before 11am, then patchy fog after 5pm. Highs in the lower 70s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Patchy fog after 7pm. Low in the mid-60s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of rain is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three-quarters and one inch possible.

Wednesday

Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10am. Patchy fog before 9am. Highs near 70. Winds out of the southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning increasing to come out of the northwest in the afternoon. Chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 7pm, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with lows around 60. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 60%.

Thursday

A slight chance of showers in the afternoon. Sunny, with highs in the mid-70s. Chance of rain is 20%.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with lows in the mid-50s.

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Hazards and Tropical Weather

Hazardous weather is not expected today.

We are under a Flash Flood Watch through tomorrow afernoon. A copy of the watch is posted below. Should hazardous conditions arise, Macon Media will post additional information on our various social media accounts.

Facebook: fb.com/MaconMedia (live video capability)
Twitter: twitter.com/WNCscan (live video capability)
Mewe: https://mewe.com/p/maconmedianews

The remnants of Hurricane Ida are forecast to pass west through north of the southern Appalachians Tuesday through Wednesday. While current indications are that the greatest inland impacts will be across the Tennessee Valley, some impacts are expected across portions of our area. Heavy rainfall causing localized flooding, gusty winds, and isolated severe storms are possible, mainly from Tuesday night into Wednesday. Interests across the area should continue to monitor the forecast over the next couple of days as this situation evolves.

Flash Flood Watch

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
425 AM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* Portions of northeast Georgia, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina, including the following areas, in northeast Georgia, Habersham, Rabun and Stephens. In western North Carolina, Avery, Buncombe, Burke Mountains, Caldwell Mountains, Eastern McDowell, Eastern Polk, Graham, Greater Burke, Greater Caldwell, Greater Rutherford, Haywood, Henderson, Macon, Madison, McDowell Mountains, Mitchell, Northern Jackson, Polk Mountains, Rutherford Mountains, Southern Jackson, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey. In upstate South Carolina, Greater Oconee, Greater Pickens, Greenville Mountains, Oconee Mountains and Pickens Mountains.

* From 8 AM EDT this morning through Wednesday afternoon.

* Showers and thunderstorms will gradually increase in coverage throughout the day as Tropical Depression Ida moves across the Tennessee Valley. Widespread showers and a few thunderstorms will remain across the area through tonight before tapering off during the day Wednesday. The heaviest rainfall is expected this afternoon through this evening in the Watch area. Storm total rainfall of 3 to 6 inches is expected near the southern facing upslope favored areas along the North and South Carolina border west to the Georgia-North Carolina border. Totals of 1 to 3 inches are possible across the rest of the Watch area. Locally higher amounts are possible.

* The expected heavy rainfall will result in some streams and creeks overflowing their banks, likely flooding some roadways. Minor main stem river flooding is also possible. Deep ponding of water in low-lying and poor drainage areas may also flood some roadways. Steeply sloped terrain may be more susceptible to landslides than is normal due to the heavy rain that fell across the area two weeks ago.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Rainfall of more than five inches in similar storms has been associated with an increased risk of landslides and rockslides. If you live on a mountainside or in a cove at the base of a mountain, especially near a stream, be ready to leave in advance of the storm or as quickly as possible should rising water, moving earth, or rocks threaten. Consider postponing travel along mountain roads during periods of heavy rainfall.

TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK

Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021

For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Tropical Storm Kate, located over the central tropical Atlantic.

The Weather Prediction Center is issuing Public Advisories on Tropical Depression Ida, located over northeastern Mississippi.

1. A well-defined low pressure system is located over the far eastern tropical Atlantic more than 200 miles southwest of the coast of Guinea. Associated shower and thunderstorm activity is beginning to show some signs of organization, and environmental conditions are conducive for additional development of this system. A tropical depression is likely to form during the next day or so while the low moves westward to west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...high..90 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...high...90 percent.

2. A broad area of low pressure is forecast to develop over the southwestern Caribbean Sea in a couple of days. Environmental conditions appear to be somewhat conducive for slow development by the end of the week, as long as the system remains over water. This system is expected to move gradually west-northwestward or northwestward at 5 to 10 mph toward Central America.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...low...20 percent.

BULLETIN
Tropical Depression Ida Advisory Number 20
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD AL092021
1000 PM CDT Mon Aug 30 2021

...TROPICAL DEPRESSION IDA WAS OVER CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI.. ...HEAVY RAIN AND FLOOD THREAT WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD ACROSS PARTS OF THE TENNESSEE AND OHIO VALLEY OVERNIGHT INTO TUESDAY...

SUMMARY OF 1000 PM CDT...0300 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...33.3N 89.5W
ABOUT 80 MI...130 KM NNE OF JACKSON MISSISSIPPI
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...35 MPH...55 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NE OR 50 DEGREES AT 10 MPH...17 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...998 MB...29.47 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
Flood and Flash Flood Watches extend from the Gulf Coast Region across the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys, central and southern Appalachians, into the northern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England.

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 1000 PM CDT (0300 UTC), the center of Tropical Depression Ida was located near latitude 33.3 North, longitude 89.5 West. The depression is moving toward the northeast near 10 mph (17 km/h) and this motion is expected to continue overnight.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 998 mb (29.47 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
RAINFALL: Through Tuesday morning across portions of southeast Louisiana into far southern Mississippi, Ida will produce additional rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with localized higher amounts possible. Storm total rainfall accumulations of 10 to 18 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 24 inches is expected. Heavy rain combined with storm surge has resulted in catastrophic impacts along the southeast coast of Louisiana with considerable flash flooding and riverine flooding continuing farther inland.

Ida will continue to turn northeast tonight and is forecast to track across the Middle Tennessee Valley, Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic through Wednesday, producing the following rainfall totals:

Coastal Alabama to the far western Florida panhandle: An additional 3 to 6 inches resulting in storm total accumulations of 6 to 12 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches, today through Tuesday morning.

Northern Mississippi, Middle Tennessee Valley, Ohio Valley, Central/Southern Appalachians into the Mid-Atlantic: 3 to 6 inches with isolated higher amounts, Tuesday into Wednesday.

Southern New England: 2 to 4 inches with isolated higher amounts, Wednesday into Thursday.

Considerable flash flooding is possible from the Lower Mississippi Valley through the Middle Tennessee Valley, Ohio Valley, Central/Southern Appalachians, and into the Mid-Atlantic. Widespread minor to isolated major riverine flooding is occurring or forecast from the Lower Mississippi Valley into far western Alabama. Rivers will remain elevated into next week.

TORNADOES: A few tornadoes are possible through tonight, mainly across far southeast Mississippi, the southern half of Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle. The threat for a few tornadoes will shift east on Tuesday and become centered across eastern Alabama, western Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 31/0300Z 33.3N 89.5W 30 KT 35 MPH...INLAND
12H 31/1200Z 34.2N 88.4W 25 KT 30 MPH...INLAND
24H 01/0000Z 35.7N 85.7W 25 KT 30 MPH...INLAND
36H 01/1200Z 37.0N 82.8W 25 KT 30 MPH...INLAND
48H 02/0000Z 38.0N 79.7W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/INLAND
60H 02/1200Z 39.0N 75.9W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
72H 03/0000Z 39.6N 72.2W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP

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Almanac

Air Quality

Air quality is in the lower range of yellow for most of the county, with the ridges and other higher elevations today being in the lower range of yellow.

Fire and Smoke Map
(There is haze from the wildfires out on the west coast.)

Pollen

Pollen levels are expected to be in the medium-high range (9.2 out of 12) today with Ragweed, Chenopods, and Grasses being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the medium range (5.6 out of 12).


Weather Extremes for Macon County on August 28th


Highest Temperature 92°F in Franklin in 1948
Lowest Temperature 41°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1968
Greatest Rainfall 7.76 inches in Highlands in 1940
Greatest Snowfall (No snowfall recorded on this date since records started being kept in 1872)

August Weather Extremes for Macon County

Highest Temperature 99°F in Franklin on 08-09-1980 Lowest Temperature 40°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on 08-29-1968 Greatest Rainfall 9.68 inches in Highlands on 08-13-1940
Greatest Snowfall no measurable snowfall has been recorded since records started being kept in 1873

Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of August
Data available from 1870 to 2020

Highest Temperature 110°F Fayetteville, Cumberland County 08-21-1983
Lowest Temperature 31°F Banner Elk, Avery County 08-23-1930
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 13.08 in Idlewild, Ashe County 08-14-1930

Monthly Averages for North Carolina

Warmest Weather Station 79.7°F Wilmington, New Hanover County
Coldest Weather Station 59.6°F Mount Mitchell, Yancey County
Wettest Weather Station 7.74 in Lake Toxaway, Transylvania County
Driest Weather Station 3.12 in Lexington, Davidson County

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Macon Calendar
(send your event to calendar@maconmedia.com)

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IMAGE A TASTE OF TUSCANY

A Taste of Tuscany
September 11, 2021

The Zonta Club is proud to announce its upcoming fundraising event to aid the Franklin Fire Department’s infant car seat program and the Special Liberty Project. Now headquartered in Macon County, the Special Liberty Project is a non-profit organization serving the entire veteran family, focusing on Gold Star families, spouses of suicide victims and healing veterans.

The nature-based, therapeutic programs offered include fun, educational activities for children with Veteran Mentors, retreats and support groups for Gold Star families and family members of suicide victims, as well as peer-supported outdoor pursuits to help veterans return to civilian life.

The Taste of Tuscany event will be held on September 11 at 5 p.m. at 757 Harrison Avenue in Franklin and will honor our first responders. It will feature an open air wine tasting of Slanted Window wines from SenAmore Vineyards in Tellico, accompanied by food and music. There will be a live auction, as well as a silent auction featuring artwork and designer goods. Slanted Window wines will be available for purchase. A limited number of tickets are still available at $100 per person, to include a wine tasting flight and commemorative wine glass. VIP tickets are available for $150 that feature an exclusive evening with the vintner and more. Tables of eight, including two VIP tickets, may be reserved.

For more information visit the Zonta Franklin NC Facebook page or their website, zontafranklinnc.org


Encastic Painting Classes

The Macon County Art Association (a not for profit member organization) is offering classes in encastic painting on Specified Fridays from 10AM-12PM at the Uptown Gallery 30 E Main St Franklin NC. Specific class dates are Friday July 9 and 23, August 3 and 27, September 3 and 17, October 29.

For more information contact the instructor, Karen Smith, at karen@programservices.org

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National News Roundup

The War in Afghanistan Ends Where It Started [US News and World Report]

Last plane carrying Americans from Afghanistan departs as longest U.S. war concludes [NBC News/a>]

Wildfire evacuees flood Lake Tahoe roads in rush to flee [AP News]

Russian cosmonauts find new cracks in ISS module [Reuters]

We Almost Lost the ISS? | TMRO:News



CA emergency officials give update on wildfires as Caldor Fire forces evacuations in Lake Tahoe



Structures lost, strong winds and falling ash: Crews battle huge wildfires across BC | FULL



WWLTR-TV Live: Driving through Orleans, Jefferson after Hurricane Ida



Desperate search for survivors after powerful Hurricane Ida l WNT



WDSU continues to give you updates on Hurricane Ida damage



WFAA-TV drone video: Hurricane Ida flooding and damage in LaPlace, Louisiana



Level1 News August 31 2021: Hot Young Celibates In Your Area



NBC Nightly News Full Broadcast - August 30th, 2021



PBS NewsHour full episode, August 30th, 2021

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COVID-19 News and Updates

Since it looks like we may be in for a new wave of infections, here is a section on COVID-19. It will include local, regional, state, national, and global items.

COVID-19 Numbers for Macon County: [August 30, 2021]

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New York Times [Coronavirus Vaccine Tracker]

Undetected and relatively sustained SARS-CoV-2 circulation worldwide during the year 2019 [Oxford Academic: Clinical Infectious Diseases]

Mayo Clinic: Breaking down breakthrough COVID-19 infections



Dr John Campbell: Spread in US schools



Myocarditis Following Immunization With mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines in Members of the US Military [JAMA Network]

The Race to Understand Post–COVID-19 Conditions [Annals of Internal medicine]

Evolution of antibody responses up to 13 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection and risk of reinfection [The Lancet]

Vivo-Morpholino-Based Antiviral for SARS-CoV-2: Implications for Novel Therapies in the Treatment of Acute COVID-19 Disease [MDPI biomedicines]

Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis and Acute Hemorrhagic Leukoencephalitis Following COVID-19 [Neurology: Neuroimmunology and Neuroinflammation]

MEDCRAM VIDEO || COVID Delta Variant: Booster Shots, Nasal Vaccine, Rapid Testing, with Eric Topol, MD



JAMA Network: Coronavirus Variants, Immunosuppression, and Chronic Infection



New 'nasty' COVID-19 strain detected in South Africa | Coronavirus | 9 News Australia



Nearly 4 million COVID-19 cases reported in the U.S. in August

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On This Day

August 31st is the 243rd day of the year (244th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar; 122 days remain until the end of the year.

Historical Events

(Please note that the Wikipedia articles often contain a bibliography and links to where you can learn more about a historical event)


1056 – After a sudden illness a few days previously, Byzantine Empress Theodora dies childless, thus ending the Macedonian dynasty.
1057 – Abdication of Byzantine Emperor Michael VI Bringas after just one year.
1218 – Al-Kamil becomes sultan of the Ayyubid dynasty.
1314 – King Haakon V of Norway moves the capital from Bergen to Oslo.
1422 – King Henry V of England dies of dysentery while in France. His son, Henry VI becomes King of England at the age of nine months.
1776 – William Livingston, the first Governor of New Jersey, begins serving his first term.
1795 – War of the First Coalition: The British capture Trincomalee (present-day Sri Lanka) from the Dutch in order to keep it out of French hands.
1798 – Irish Rebellion: Irish rebels, with French assistance, establish the short-lived Republic of Connacht.

1813 – Peninsular War: Spanish troops repel a French attack in the Battle of San Marcial.
• [Battle of San Marcial]
• [Napoleon's Great Blunder: Spain 1808]
• [Feature History - Peninsular War]

1864 – During the American Civil War, Union forces led by General William T. Sherman launch an assault on Atlanta.
• [Wikipedia: Battle of Jonesborough]
• [LINKTEXT]
• [Civil War 1864 - Battles For Atlanta Pt. 5 "Battle of Jonesborough"]

1876 – Ottoman Sultan Murad V is deposed and succeeded by his brother Abdul Hamid II.

1886 – The 7.0 Mw  Charleston earthquake affects southeastern South Carolina with a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme). Sixty people killed with damage estimated at $5–6 million.
• [Wikipedia: 1886 Charleston earthquake]
• [USGS Report: The 1886 Charleston, South Carolina, Earthquake (A 1986 Perspective)] (66 page PDF)
• [Charleston Earthquake of 1886 Narrated by Noah W. Cooper (Intro. by George Magera)]

1888 – Mary Ann Nichols is murdered. She is the first of Jack the Ripper's confirmed victims.
1895 – German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin patents his navigable balloon.
1897 – Thomas Edison patents the Kinetoscope, the first movie projector.
1907 – Russia and the United Kingdom sign the Anglo-Russian Convention, by which the UK recognizes Russian preeminence in northern Persia, while Russia recognizes British preeminence in southeastern Persia and Afghanistan. Both powers pledge not to interfere in Tibet.
1918 – World War I: Start of the Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin, a successful assault by the Australian Corps during the Hundred Days Offensive.
1920 – Polish–Soviet War: A decisive Polish victory in the Battle of Komarów.
1933 – The Integral Nationalist Group wins the 1933 Andorran parliamentary election, the first election in Andorra held with universal male suffrage.
1935 – In an attempt to stay out of the growing tensions concerning Germany and Japan, the United States passes the first of its Neutrality Acts.
1936 – Radio Prague, now the official international broadcasting station of the Czech Republic, goes on the air.
1939 – Nazi Germany mounts a false flag attack on the Gleiwitz radio station, creating an excuse to attack Poland the following day, thus starting World War II in Europe.
1940 – Pennsylvania Central Airlines Trip 19 crashes near Lovettsville, Virginia. The CAB investigation of the accident is the first investigation to be conducted under the Bureau of Air Commerce act of 1938.
1941 – World War II: Serbian paramilitary forces defeat Germans in the Battle of Loznica.
1943 – USS Harmon, the first U.S. Navy ship to be named after a black person, is commissioned.
1949 – The retreat of the Democratic Army of Greece in Albania after its defeat on Gramos mountain marks the end of the Greek Civil War.
1957 – The Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia) gains its independence from the United Kingdom.
1959 – A parcel bomb sent by Ngô Đình Nhu, younger brother and chief adviser of South Vietnamese President Ngô Đình Diệm, fails to kill King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia.
1962 – Trinidad and Tobago becomes independent.
1963 – Crown Colony of North Borneo (now Sabah) achieves self governance.
1986 – Aeroméxico Flight 498 collides with a Piper PA-28 Cherokee over Cerritos, California, killing 67 in the air and 15 on the ground.
1986 – The Soviet passenger liner Admiral Nakhimov sinks in the Black Sea after colliding with the bulk carrier Pyotr Vasev, killing 423.
1987 – Thai Airways Flight 365 crashes into the ocean near Ko Phuket, Thailand, killing all 83 aboard.
1988 – Delta Air Lines Flight 1141 crashes during takeoff from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, killing 14.
1991 – Kyrgyzstan declares its independence from the Soviet Union.
1993 – Russia completes removing its troops from Lithuania.
1994 – Russia completes removing its troops from Estonia.
1996 – Saddam Hussein's troops seized Irbil after the Kurdish Masoud Barzani appealed for help to defeat his Kurdish rival PUK.
1997 – Diana, Princess of Wales, her companion Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul die in a car crash in Paris.
1999 – The first of a series of bombings in Moscow kills one person and wounds 40 others.
1999 – A LAPA Boeing 737-200 crashes during takeoff from Jorge Newbury Airport in Buenos Aires, killing 65, including two on the ground.
2005 – The 2005 Al-Aaimmah bridge stampede in Baghdad kills 953 people.
2006 – Edvard Munch's famous painting The Scream, stolen on August 22, 2004, is recovered in a raid by Norwegian police.
2016 – Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff is impeached and removed from office.

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Support Macon Media

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. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



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Published at 4:00am on Tuesday, August 31, 2021



Resources used to compile the information in this article include, but are not limited to the following websites or books: MaconMedia.com, youtube.com, weather.gov, airnow.gov, wikipedia.com, onthisday.com, ncdcr.gov, ncsu.edu, utah.edu, https://www.microbe.tv/twiv/, wolfram.com, biorxiv.org, aps.org, nejm.org, plos.org, cell.com, researchsquare.com, cureus.com, spc.noaa.gov, nhc.noaa.gov, ncdenr.org, medrxiv.org, archive.org, ncpedia.org, nasa.gov, https://ww2days.com, nih.gov, carolinapublicpress.org, microbe.tv, smokymountainnews.com, psypost.org, blogspot.com, pollen.com, franklinnc.com, maconnc.org, spaceweather.com, solarham.com, loc.gov, ncleg.net, senate.gov, house.gov, whitehouse.gov, drudgereport.com, politico.com, realclearpolitics.com, ushmm.org, This Day in North Carolina History, World War II Day By Day, The Holocaust Encyclopedia, The Timetables of History, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The World History and Book of Facts (multiple years), On This Day In History: Over 4,000 facts, The NASA Archives. 60 Years in Space, This Day in North Carolina History, The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration: From the Ancient World to the Extraterrestrial Future, Spaceflight, 2nd Edition: The Complete Story from Sputnik to Curiousity, The Story of Civilization (11 volumes), The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, American History, Volume 1: 1492-1877, American History, Volume 2: 1877 - Present, A Complete Chronolgy of the Second World War. Weather and Almanac 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, National Hurricane Center, Penn State University Electronic Wall Map, The State Climate Office of North Carolina, Storm Prediction Center, U.S. Naval Observatory, University of Utah Department of Atmospheric Sciences, and the Weather Prediction Center. Back to Top

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COVID-19 Numbers for Macon County August 30, 2021

Numbers released on Monday, August 30th, 2021.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers Macon Public Health, along with a couple of charts by Macon Media to show you the long-term trends since April 17th, 2020, when the health department started releasing numbers to the public. In June and July, the health department released numbers on a wekly basis on Fridays, and in August has switched back to releasing numbers everyday once it became evident that we were about to see another surge in numbers.

DAY SPONSOR

Carrion Tree Service is underwriting Macon Media for today. they are a fully insured with workers comp and general liability tree service, specializing in dangerous tree removal, view clearing, pruning, and crane services with a 24 Hour emergency response.



Their phone number is 371-4718.

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

PRESS RELEASE (08-30-2021)
MACON PUBLIC HEALTH

Macon County Reports Additional Death Related to COVID-19

Macon County Public Health received notification that a Macon County resident between the ages of 65-74 who was diagnosed with COVID-19 has passed away. To protect the family ́s privacy, no additional information will be released about this individual. This death brings Macon County to forty-four (44) deaths related to COVID-19.

“This family is in our thoughts and prayers as they mourn the loss of their loved one,” said Health Director, Kathy McGaha. McGaha continued, “Macon County residents can help protect themselves and others in our community by receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Macon County has appointments available for the lifesaving vaccine for everyone who is 12 years old and older. The more individuals who get this vaccine, the more likely that we will stop seeing COVID-19 deaths.”

Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19; however, anyone of any age can become infected with this illness. TherefOre, we ask that community members strictly follow the governor’s recommendations and continue to practice social distancing, as well as safe hygiene measures such as hand washing and frequently cleaning touched bjects and surfaces. Everyone who is eligible is encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, a safe and effective prevention tool.

If you believe that you may have COVID-19, please call the Health Department at 828-349-2081 to schedule an appointment for a test. To register and schedule an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, please call 828-349-2081.

Here is a new chart that may be of some use to the public. It measures the change in the numbers of detected COVID-19 cases from Friday to Friday as a percentage change from the previous Friday. It starts on Friday, May 20th, which saw a 0.57% increase in detected cases over the previous week.

See the COVID-19 Report from one year ago today at [MaconMedia.com]

Known COVID-19 Cases

3974 Detected
(+72 from yesterday and +188 from last week and +533 in four weeks and +3427 or 626.51% from one year ago)

223Active
(+25 (+12.63%) from yesterday and -20 (-8.23%) from last week and +64 (+40.25%) in four weeks and +208 or +1386.67% from one year ago

3707 Recovered
(+46 from yesterday and +207 from last week and +466 in four weeks and +3182 (606.10%) from one year ago)

44 Deaths
(+1 from yesterday and +1 from last week and +3 in four weeks and +37 or 528.57% from one year ago)

Testing numbers reported to the health department

10788 by Macon County Public Health
(+61 from yesterday and +277 from last week and +943 in four weeks and +5705 or +113.24% from one year ago)

12706 by Others
(+61 from yesterday and +253 from last week and +898 in four weeks and +10951 or 623.99% from one year ago)

23494 Total Tests
(+83 from yesterday and +530 from last week and +1841 in four weeks and +16701 or 245.86% from one year ago)

68 tests pending results
(-90 from yesterday and -175 from last week and +40 in four weeks and -43 or -38.74% from one year ago)

Vaccine Delivery Statistics
(editor's note: there may be an error in the health department reported numbers. Despite them showing 134 shots given yesterday, the total number of shots did not change. This section is the same as it was yesterday and the day before.)

0 Vaccines Given Today
unchanged from Friday

1024 Vaccines in Inventory
unchanged from Friday

12935 Total Vaccines Given
unchanged from yesterday

Support Macon Media



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. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



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Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia


Published at 5:50pm on Monday, August 30, 2021

!-- Here are my goto COVID News Sources Read: https://tl.gd/n_1srp7up -->

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News and Weather Briefing for Monday, August 30, 2021

Here is an index to assist you in moving from section to section within the article.

Back to Top
Local News
Weather
Hazards and Tropical Weather
Almanac
Macon Calendar
National News Roundup
COVID-19 News and Updates
On This Day
Support Macon Media

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OUTLOOK

An upper ridge with drying high pressure will remain dominant over the region through Monday. A cold front will combine with moisture from the remnants of tropical cyclone Ida to increase precipitation chances across the area during mid-week, with heavy rainfall possible across portions of the mountains. Drying returns late in the week. Temperatures will remain above normal through Monday, then drop to around or slightly below normal from Wednesday through the end of the week.

Pigeon River Flood of 2021 Coverage

NC governor seeking disaster declaration for Fred’s flooding [Raleigh News and Observer]

• Smoky Mountain News [The Pigeon River Flood of 2021] • The Mountaineer [Flood Coverage]


---BEGIN SPONSOR SEGMENT---



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 you with your next project.



DAY SPONSOR

Carrion Tree Service is underwriting Macon Media for today. they are a fully insured with workers comp and general liability tree service, specializing in dangerous tree removal, view clearing, pruning, and crane services with a 24 Hour emergency response.



Their phone number is 371-4718.

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

--- END SPONSOR SEGMENT---

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Local News

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Local Weather

National Weather Map for Today

General forecast through Wednesday Night


Franklin area

Today

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Areas of fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs in the mid-to-upper 80s. Calm winds.

Tonight

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a slight chance of showers after 3am. Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, cloudy, with lows in the mid-60s. Calm winds. The chance of rain is 20%.

Tuesday

Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1pm, then showers likely between 1pm and 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs in the upper 70s. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. The chance of rain is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then showers between 1am and 5am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5am. Low in the mid-60s. Winds out of the southeast around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of rain is 80%.

Wednesday

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Highs in the mid-to-upper 70s. The chance of rain is 80%.

Wednesday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers before 2am. Partly cloudy, with lows around 60.

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Highlands Plateau

Today

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Partly sunny, with highs near 80. Winds out of the north around 5 mph becoming calm by noon.

Tonight

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a slight chance of showers after 4am. Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with lows in the lower 60s. Winds out of the southwest around 5 mph becoming calm before midnight. The chance of rain is 20%.

Tuesday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2pm, then showers likely between 2pm and 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs near 70. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Tuesday Night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 60. Winds out of the southwest 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of rain is 80%.

Wednesday

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 10am, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 10am and 3pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Highs near 70. The chance of rain is 80%.

Wednesday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers before 2am. Partly cloudy, with lows in the mid-50s.

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Otto area

Today

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs in the mid-to-upper 80s. Calm winds.

Tonight

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a slight chance of showers after 3am. Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-to-upper 60s. Calm winds. The chance of rain is 20%.

Tuesday

Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2pm, then showers likely between 2pm and 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs in the mid-to-upper 70s. Calm winds increasing to come out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph by midmorning. The chance of rain is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then showers between 1am and 5am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5am. Lows in the mid-60s. Winds out of the southeast around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of rain is 80%.

Wednesday

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Highs in the mid-70s. The chance of rain is 80%.

Wednesday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers before 2am. Partly cloudy, with lows around 60.

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Nantahala area

Today

A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with highs in the lower 80s. Calm winds. The chance of rain is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, cloudy, with lows in the mid-60s. Calm winds. The chance of rain is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11am, then showers likely between 11am and 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs in the mid-70s. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. The chance of rain is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low in the mid-60s. Winds out of the southeast around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of rain is 90%.

Wednesday

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2pm, then showers likely, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Highs near 70. The chance of rain is 80%.

Wednesday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers before 1am. Partly cloudy, with lows around 60.

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Hazards and Tropical Weather

Hazardous weather is not expected today.

The remnants of Hurricane Ida are forecast to pass west through north of the southern Appalachians Tuesday through Wednesday. While current indications are that the greatest inland impacts will be across the Tennessee Valley, some impacts are expected across portions of our area. Heavy rainfall causing localized flooding, gusty winds, and isolated severe storms are possible, mainly from Tuesday night into Wednesday. Interests across the area should continue to monitor the forecast over the next couple of days as this situation evolves.

TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK

Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Mon Aug 30 2021

For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Hurricane Ida, located inland over southeastern Louisiana, on Tropical Depression Ten, located over the central tropical Atlantic, and has issued the last advisory on Post-Tropical Cyclone Julian, moving rapidly northeastward over the central subtropical Atlantic.

1. Showers and thunderstorms have mostly diminished with the broad area of low pressure located east of the Delmarva Peninsula. Upper-level winds are expected to increase over the low tomorrow, and its prospects for further development have decreased as it drifts slowly away from the east coast of the United States.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...low...near 0 percent.

2. A tropical wave is expected to emerge off the west coast of Africa later today. Environmental conditions appear conducive for the development of a low pressure area once the wave moves offshore, and a tropical depression is likely to form by the middle or latter part of the week while the system moves west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph over the eastern tropical Atlantic.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...60 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...high...80 percent.

3. A broad area of low pressure is expected to form in the southern Caribbean Sea over the next several days. Environmental conditions appear to be favorable for some slow development by the end of the week, as long as the system remains over water. This system is expected to move gradually west-northwestward or northwestward at 5 to 10 mph over the western Caribbean Sea close to the east coast of Central America.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...low...20 percent.

Hurricane Ida Discussion Number 16
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL092021
1000 PM CDT Sun Aug 29 2021

Although Ida has been inland over southeastern Louisiana for several hours, it is still a very well organized hurricane. Doppler radar images indicate that the hurricane continues to have a well-defined eye, though the eyewall has become a bit ragged on the southwest side. Beyond the inner core, rain bands remain well established, especially on the system's east side. Earlier this evening, there were reports of extreme wind gusts over 120 kt along the coast of southeastern Louisiana. Based on Doppler radar velocity data over the past hour or two, the initial intensity is estimated to be 90 kt.

As Ida continues inland, rapid weakening is expected due to a combination of land interaction and an increase in wind shear. However, damaging winds, especially in gusts, are expected to spread further inland over southeastern Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi through Monday morning. To account for this, the gust factor in the Forecast/Advisory has been adjusted accordingly. Ida is likely to weaken to a tropical storm by Monday morning and a tropical depression by Monday night. Some slight restrengthening as an extratropical storm is possible when Ida moves over the western Atlantic in 4 days or so. In addition, heavy rains will spread northward and then northeastward along the forecast track.

Ida is expected to turn northward by early Monday as it moves in the flow on the western side of a subtropical ridge. A faster motion to the northeast is expected by Tuesday as a mid- to upper-level trough approaches the system, with that motion continuing through much of the remainder of the week. The NHC track forecast is a little to the south or right of the previous one to come into better agreement with the latest models.

Key Messages:

1. Life-threatening storm surge inundation will continue through tonight along portions of the coast between Burns Point, Louisiana, to Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Overtopping of local levees outside of the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System is possible where local inundation values may be higher.

2. Wind damage will occur near the core of Ida as it continues inland over southeastern Louisiana during the next few hours. Damaging winds, especially in gusts, will spread inland near the track of Ida's center into southwestern Mississippi through early Monday. These winds will likely lead to widespread tree damage and power outages.

3. Ida will continue to produce heavy rainfall tonight through Monday across southeast Louisiana, coastal Mississippi, and southwestern Alabama, resulting in considerable to life-threatening flash and urban flooding and significant riverine flooding impacts. As Ida moves farther inland, considerable flooding impacts are possible across portions of the Lower Mississippi Valley, Tennessee Valley, Upper Ohio Valley, Central Appalachians, and Mid-Atlantic through Wednesday.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 30/0300Z 30.3N 90.7W 90 KT 105 MPH...INLAND
12H 30/1200Z 31.5N 90.8W 50 KT 60 MPH...INLAND
24H 31/0000Z 33.0N 90.1W 30 KT 35 MPH...INLAND
36H 31/1200Z 34.6N 88.5W 25 KT 30 MPH...INLAND
48H 01/0000Z 36.1N 85.9W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/INLAND
60H 01/1200Z 37.5N 82.5W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/INLAND
72H 02/0000Z 38.9N 78.8W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
96H 03/0000Z 40.0N 72.5W 35 KT 40 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
120H 04/0000Z 40.7N 67.9W 35 KT 40 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP

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Almanac

Air Quality

Air quality is in the lower range of yellow for most of the county, with the ridges and other higher elevations today being in the lower range of yellow.

Fire and Smoke Map
(There is haze from the wildfires out on the west coast.)

Pollen

Pollen levels are expected to be in the medium-high range (9.2 out of 12) today with Ragweed, Chenopods, and Grasses being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the medium range (5.6 out of 12).


Weather Extremes for Macon County on August 28th


Highest Temperature 92°F in Franklin in 1948
Lowest Temperature 41°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1968
Greatest Rainfall 7.76 inches in Highlands in 1940
Greatest Snowfall (No snowfall recorded on this date since records started being kept in 1872)

August Weather Extremes for Macon County

Highest Temperature 99°F in Franklin on 08-09-1980 Lowest Temperature 40°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on 08-29-1968 Greatest Rainfall 9.68 inches in Highlands on 08-13-1940
Greatest Snowfall no measurable snowfall has been recorded since records started being kept in 1873

Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of August
Data available from 1870 to 2020

Highest Temperature 110°F Fayetteville, Cumberland County 08-21-1983
Lowest Temperature 31°F Banner Elk, Avery County 08-23-1930
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 13.08 in Idlewild, Ashe County 08-14-1930

Monthly Averages for North Carolina

Warmest Weather Station 79.7°F Wilmington, New Hanover County
Coldest Weather Station 59.6°F Mount Mitchell, Yancey County
Wettest Weather Station 7.74 in Lake Toxaway, Transylvania County
Driest Weather Station 3.12 in Lexington, Davidson County

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Macon Calendar
(send your event to calendar@maconmedia.com)

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IMAGE A TASTE OF TUSCANY

A Taste of Tuscany
September 11, 2021

The Zonta Club is proud to announce its upcoming fundraising event to aid the Franklin Fire Department’s infant car seat program and the Special Liberty Project. Now headquartered in Macon County, the Special Liberty Project is a non-profit organization serving the entire veteran family, focusing on Gold Star families, spouses of suicide victims and healing veterans.

The nature-based, therapeutic programs offered include fun, educational activities for children with Veteran Mentors, retreats and support groups for Gold Star families and family members of suicide victims, as well as peer-supported outdoor pursuits to help veterans return to civilian life.

The Taste of Tuscany event will be held on September 11 at 5 p.m. at 757 Harrison Avenue in Franklin and will honor our first responders. It will feature an open air wine tasting of Slanted Window wines from SenAmore Vineyards in Tellico, accompanied by food and music. There will be a live auction, as well as a silent auction featuring artwork and designer goods. Slanted Window wines will be available for purchase. A limited number of tickets are still available at $100 per person, to include a wine tasting flight and commemorative wine glass. VIP tickets are available for $150 that feature an exclusive evening with the vintner and more. Tables of eight, including two VIP tickets, may be reserved.

For more information visit the Zonta Franklin NC Facebook page or their website, zontafranklinnc.org


Encastic Painting Classes

The Macon County Art Association (a not for profit member organization) is offering classes in encastic painting on Specified Fridays from 10AM-12PM at the Uptown Gallery 30 E Main St Franklin NC. Specific class dates are Friday July 9 and 23, August 3 and 27, September 3 and 17, October 29.

For more information contact the instructor, Karen Smith, at karen@programservices.org

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National News Roundup

Biden attends dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base for those killed in Afghanistan



Colonial Pipeline temporarily shuts down part of its gas lines due to Ida [WNCT-TV ]

Rockets target Kabul airport as US forces rush to complete Afghan pullout • FRANCE 24 English



U.S. Capitol Police Tell Federal Court January 6 Disturbance Videos Are Not Public Records [Judicial Watch]

Joint Statement on Afghanistan Evacuation Travel Assurances[US Dept of State]

Ed Asner, the Iconic Lou Grant on Two Acclaimed TV Series, Dies at 91 [The Hollywood Reporter]

NBC Nightly News Full Broadcast - August 29th, 2021



PBS NewsHour full episode, August 29th, 2021

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COVID-19 News and Updates

Since it looks like we may be in for a new wave of infections, here is a section on COVID-19. It will include local, regional, state, national, and global items.

COVID-19 Numbers for Macon County: [August 27, 2021]

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New York Times [Coronavirus Vaccine Tracker]

New COVID variant detected in South Africa, most mutated variant so far [The Jerusalem Post]

The continuous evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa: a new lineage with rapid accumulation of mutations of concern and global detection [MedRxiv]

Vaccinations Against COVID-19 May Have Averted Up To 140,000 Deaths In The United States [Health Affairs]

After 3-week COVID-19 battle, Daytona Beach talk radio host Marc Bernier dies [The Daytona Beach News-Journal]

Texas anti-mask movement leader dies of COVID-19 [The Hill]

'Constantly looking over my shoulder': School board members quitting across U.S. as meetings get hostile [WBIR-TV ]

Dr John Campbell: Delta, double hospital risk



Ep 66 Osterholm Update COVID 19: Thank You, Dr Jena

In this episode, Dr. Osterholm and host Chris Dall discuss the news of FDA granting full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, updates on booster doses and the rationale being considered, and the need for updated guidance as schools reopen.



BNT162b2 vaccine booster dose protection: A nationwide study from Israel [Israeli Government]

title [SOURCE]

Vaccinated Democratic Counties Are Leading the Economic Recovery [Bloomberg Businessweek]

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On This Day

August 30th is the 242nd day of the year (243rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar; 123 days remain until the end of the year.

Historical Events

(Please note that the Wikipedia articles often contain a bibliography and links to where you can learn more about a historical event)


AD 70 – Titus ends the siege of Jerusalem after destroying Herod's Temple.
1282 – Peter III of Aragon lands at Trapani to intervene in the War of the Sicilian Vespers.
1363 – The five-week Battle of Lake Poyang begins, in which the forces of two Chinese rebel leaders (Chen Youliang and Zhu Yuanzhang) meet to decide who will supplant the Yuan dynasty.
1464 – Pope Paul II succeeds Pope Pius II as the 211th pope.
1574 – Guru Ram Das becomes the Fourth Sikh Guru/Master.
1590 – Tokugawa Ieyasu enters Edo Castle. (Traditional Japanese date: August 1, 1590)
1594 – King James of Scotland holds a masque at the baptism of Prince Henry.
1727 – Anne, eldest daughter of King George II of Great Britain, is given the title Princess Royal.
1791 – HMS Pandora sinks after having run aground on the outer Great Barrier Reef the previous day.
1799 – The entire Dutch fleet is captured by British forces under the command of Sir Ralph Abercromby and Admiral Sir Charles Mitchell during the War of the Second Coalition.
1800 – Gabriel Prosser postpones a planned slave rebellion in Richmond, Virginia, but is arrested before he can make it happen.
1813 – First Battle of Kulm: French forces are defeated by an Austrian-Prussian-Russian alliance.
1813 – Creek War: Fort Mims massacre: Creek "Red Sticks" kill over 500 settlers (including over 250 armed militia) in Fort Mims, north of Mobile, Alabama.
1835 – Australia: Melbourne, Victoria is founded.
1862 – American Civil War: Battle of Richmond: Confederates under Edmund Kirby Smith rout Union forces under General William "Bull" Nelson.
1873 – Austrian explorers Julius von Payer and Karl Weyprecht discover the archipelago of Franz Josef Land in the Arctic Sea.
1896 – Philippine Revolution: After Spanish victory in the Battle of San Juan del Monte, eight provinces in the Philippines are declared under martial law by the Spanish Governor-General Ramón Blanco y Erenas.
1909 – Burgess Shale fossils are discovered by Charles Doolittle Walcott.
1914 – World War I: Germans defeat the Russians in the Battle of Tannenberg.
1916 – Ernest Shackleton completes the rescue of all of his men stranded on Elephant Island in Antarctica.
1917 – Vietnamese prison guards led by Trịnh Văn Cấn mutiny at the Thái Nguyên penitentiary against local French authority.
1918 – Fanni Kaplan shoots and seriously injures Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin, which along with the assassination of Bolshevik senior official Moisei Uritsky days earlier, prompts the decree for Red Terror.
1922 – Battle of Dumlupınar: The final battle in the Greco-Turkish War ("Turkish War of Independence").
1936 – The RMS Queen Mary wins the Blue Riband by setting the fastest transatlantic crossing.
1940 – The Second Vienna Award reassigns the territory of Northern Transylvania from Romania to Hungary.
1941 – The Tighina Agreement, a treaty regarding administration issues of the Transnistria Governorate, is signed between Germany and Romania.
1942 – World War II: The Battle of Alam el Halfa begins.
1945 – The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong comes to an end.
1945 – The Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Douglas MacArthur lands at Atsugi Air Force Base.
1945 – The Allied Control Council, governing Germany after World War II, comes into being.
1959 – South Vietnamese opposition figure Phan Quang Dan was elected to the National Assembly despite soldiers being bussed in to vote for President Ngo Dinh Diem's candidate.
1962 – Japan conducts a test of the NAMC YS-11, its first aircraft since World War II and its only successful commercial aircraft from before or after the war.
1963 – The Moscow–Washington hotline between the leaders of the U.S. and the Soviet Union goes into operation.
1967 – Thurgood Marshall is confirmed as the first African American Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
1974 – A Belgrade–Dortmund express train derails at the main train station in Zagreb killing 153 passengers.
1974 – A powerful bomb explodes at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries headquarters in Marunouchi, Tokyo. Eight are killed, 378 are injured. Eight left-wing activists are arrested on May 19, 1975, by Japanese authorities.
1981 – President Mohammad-Ali Rajai and Prime Minister Mohammad-Javad Bahonar of Iran are assassinated in a bombing committed by the People's Mujahedin of Iran.
1983 – Aeroflot Flight 5463 crashes into Dolan Mountain while approaching Almaty International Airport in present-day Kazakhstan, killing all 90 people on board.
1984 – STS-41-D: The Space Shuttle Discovery takes off on its maiden voyage.
1991 – Dissolution of the Soviet Union: Azerbaijan declares independence from Soviet Union.
1992 – The 11-day Ruby Ridge standoff ends with Randy Weaver surrendering to federal authorities.
1995 – Bosnian War: NATO launches Operation Deliberate Force against Bosnian Serb forces.
1998 – Second Congo War: Armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and their Angolan and Zimbabwean allies recapture Matadi and the Inga dams in the western DRC from RCD and Rwandan troops.
2002 – Rico Linhas Aéreas Flight 4823 crashes on approach to Rio Branco International Airport, killing 23 of the 31 people on board.
2008 – A Conviasa Boeing 737 crashes into Illiniza Volcano in Ecuador, killing all three people on board.
2014 – Prime Minister of Lesotho Tom Thabane flees to South Africa as the army allegedly stages a coup.

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Published at 4:00am on mOnday, August 30, 2021



Resources used to compile the information in this article include, but are not limited to the following websites or books: MaconMedia.com, youtube.com, weather.gov, airnow.gov, wikipedia.com, onthisday.com, ncdcr.gov, ncsu.edu, utah.edu, https://www.microbe.tv/twiv/, wolfram.com, biorxiv.org, aps.org, nejm.org, plos.org, cell.com, researchsquare.com, cureus.com, spc.noaa.gov, nhc.noaa.gov, ncdenr.org, medrxiv.org, archive.org, ncpedia.org, nasa.gov, https://ww2days.com, nih.gov, carolinapublicpress.org, microbe.tv, smokymountainnews.com, psypost.org, blogspot.com, pollen.com, franklinnc.com, maconnc.org, spaceweather.com, solarham.com, loc.gov, ncleg.net, senate.gov, house.gov, whitehouse.gov, drudgereport.com, politico.com, realclearpolitics.com, ushmm.org, This Day in North Carolina History, World War II Day By Day, The Holocaust Encyclopedia, The Timetables of History, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The World History and Book of Facts (multiple years), On This Day In History: Over 4,000 facts, The NASA Archives. 60 Years in Space, This Day in North Carolina History, The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration: From the Ancient World to the Extraterrestrial Future, Spaceflight, 2nd Edition: The Complete Story from Sputnik to Curiousity, The Story of Civilization (11 volumes), The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, American History, Volume 1: 1492-1877, American History, Volume 2: 1877 - Present, A Complete Chronolgy of the Second World War. Weather and Almanac 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, National Hurricane Center, Penn State University Electronic Wall Map, The State Climate Office of North Carolina, Storm Prediction Center, U.S. Naval Observatory, University of Utah Department of Atmospheric Sciences, and the Weather Prediction Center. Back to Top

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