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Showing posts with label Franklin VFD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Franklin VFD. Show all posts

Friday, January 5, 2024

Two Die in Structure Fire on Prentiss Bridge Road

PRESS RELEASE (01-05-2025)
MACON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE


Tragic House Fire Claims Two Lives in Macon County, North Carolina

In a devastating incident, a residential fire erupted in Macon County, North Carolina resulting in the tragic loss of two lives. The incident occurred on the south end of Macon County at/around 6 p.m. on January 5. Emergency services responded promptly to the distress call, but despite their best efforts, two individuals were found deceased.

The Clarks Chapel Fire Department, along with neighboring fire departments, swiftly responded, battling intense flames for several hours, and managed to contain and extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, and the deceased individuals will be undergoing autopsies today to confirm their causes of death.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families affected by this devastating fire,” said Sheriff Brent Holbrooks. “Our dedicated firefighters worked diligently to control the blaze and provide assistance as we worked the scene. We will collaborate with the State Bureau of Investigation to thoroughly investigate the incident and ascertain the root cause.”

The names of the two individuals will not be released at this time.

MCSO will continue to provide updates on the investigation as more information becomes available.

--END PRESS RELEASE--

Macon Media covered this incident at https://www.facebook.com/100053445258023/posts/pfbid0YraCc7owFmr6Gw4C7DGprSUtAvqZUq4xtCvPnfZ1wqC3VZuXqDMMGFLDwWfPvR37l/

For those who do not use Facebook, here is a copy of the post and a mirror of the updates:








There is a report of a fully-involved structure fire near 800 Prentiss Bridge Road. EMS and Clarks Chapel VFD are responding. Franklin and Otto VFDs are mutual and assistance. (A responding firefighter confirms this is a working fire) 

Please use caution in this area for the next few hours. Be on the lookout for firefighters and vehicles near the roadway. #WNCscan #MaconTraffic #MaconSafety 

 Published at 6.07pm on Thursday, January 04, 2024
Update thread started.


**6.24pm** The structure is already suffering from partial collapse and Command has determined no interior attacks will be made due to safety concerns.



*6.35pm** [reserved for posting later]
--added at 10.39am on Saturday, 01-05-2024--
Firefighters report the discovery of a body, possibly two during an interior search.



**6.38pm** An interior search has been underway for a few minutes.



**6.46pm** [redacted #2 will be filled in later] --
added at 10.39am on Saturday, 01-05-2024--
Command has requested MCSO and SBI involvement.



**6.48pm** This scene will be active with personnel for quite some time, so use extreme caution and be on the lookout for personnel and/or vehicles in or near the roadway. Be mindful that temperatures will drop below freezing and the roadway may become slick, so detour around this location until after daylight tomorrow.



**6.58pm** [redacted #3 -- will be filled in later]
--added at 10.39am on Saturday, 01-05-2024--
A citizen has arrived at the scene and informed firefighters the residence was likely occupied by two people.



**7.04pm** Command has asked EMS to move their staging location from the Kingdown Hall up to the house.



**7.09pm** Ending coverage and going to bed. I'll be back at midnight to start prepping the news and weather briefing. --Bobby



**10.42am on 01-05-2024** MCSO has published at press release. Macon Media has posted a copy at https://thunderpigblog.blogspot.com/2024/01/two-die-in-structure-fire-on-prentiss.html



Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Town of Franklin Receives $400,000 Grant From State to Finish Construction of Fire Department Substation on NP&L Loop


Pictured: (L-R) NC Senator Kevin Corbin, Town Manager Aimee Owens, Mayor Jack Horton, Nc Representative Karl Gillespie, Franklin Fire Chief Ben Ormond. Photo ©2023 by Bobby Coggins.

On Tuesday, December 18th, 2023, NC Senator Kevin Corbin and NC Representative Karl Gillespie presented a check of $400,000 to the Town of Franklin to be used for completing work on the living area of the Franklin Fire Department Substation located on NP&L Loop. The funds are earmarked for this particular project and cannot be used for other purposes.
Pictured: (L-R) Fire Chief Ormond discusses the building plans with Senator Corbin and Representative Gillespie. They are standing in the area of the substation where the improvements will be made in the coming months. Photo ©2023 by Bobby Coggins.

Another check was presented later that afternoon to Macon County, but Macon Media is awaiting a response from the county regarding what specific projects the funds ($400,000) have been earmarked for. Another article will be published when the county replies.

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Published at 3:00am on Wednesday, December 19, 2023
Author: Bobby Coggins


Thursday, March 11, 2021

No Injuries From Aircraft Crash at Macon County Airport



At 3:15pm on Thursday, March 11, 2021, there was a report of an aircraft crash at the Macon County Airport. [LINK] A Cessna 421B (tail registration N80056) owned by DuoTech of Franklin ran off the runway this afternoon, sliding in a field for some distance before knocking over a fence and coming to rest in a corner of Liberty Wood Products. According to an eyewitness, there was a pilot and two passengers onboard the aircraft. Everyone on the aircraft exited the plane without injury before fire consumed the twin-engine Cessna. The day before the crash, the aircraft had completed a 52-minute flight testing the "Cessna Airborne Radar Test Platform" on a flight that took it into Georgia and back from 2:01pm to 2:53pm.



DAY SPONSOR

Macon Media is being underwritten today by Franklin Health and Fitness, home of #ResultsForEveryone. Try FHF with a FREE 3-Day Guest Pass! To claim your pass, and to learn more about Franklin Health and Fitness, visit franklinhealthandfitness.com.





Macon County EMS, Franklin Fire Department, Burningtown Fire Department, Cowee Fire Department, and West Macon Fire Department responded to assist with extinguishing the fire. The Fire Marshall and other personnel established a hazard mitigation downstream from the crash in case fuel leaked into Iotla Creek, which runs to the northeast and drains into the Little Tennessee River. The Macon County Sheriff's Office responded to provide scene security and the North Carolina Highway Patrol responded with several units to gather information for the investigation. One trooper was observed measuring the distance the aircraft slid before coming to rest. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) will conduct a thorough investigation and Macon Media will share that information once it is released.



Here is a preliminary report of the incident from the NC Highway Patrol:

At about 3:16 p.m. the North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to an aircraft crash at the Macon County Airport. A twin-engine Cessna 421 B was attempting to take off and ran off the end of the runway catching fire and sustained extensive damage. The pilot of the aircraft and two passengers escaped the aircraft without injuries. The incident is currently being investigated by the FAA and NTSB.



Nine years ago (on March 16, 2012), five people were killed in a crash at the airport. [LINK]

A pilot walked away from a crash landing near the Ledford Stretch section of the Georgia Road (US-441) on November 16, 2018.[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. 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.



Become a Patron!



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

Published at 8:25pm on Thursday, March 11, 2021

Monday, March 1, 2021

Franklin Town Council Regular Meeting for March 2021



The Franklin Town Council will be having their regular meeting for the month of March tonight at 6pm in the lower level of the town hall. Details about the meeting are in the public agenda and the agenda packet posted in this article.

The meeting will be streamed live on Facebook [LINK] and via a player that will be embedded below. Later, it will be replaced with an edited video.

DAY SPONSOR

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

Their phone number is 371-4718.

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

VIDEO



Roll Call
(a record of elected critters not serving on the board and media outlets with representatives physically present at the meeting. This is because some "news" outlets are unethical and will watch Macon Media's video of the meeting instead of attending the meeting, then write (or broadcast) about the meeting without indicating they were not at the meeting and the source of their information.)

Macon Media (Bobby)
The Franklin Press (Jake)
No other news outlet had representatives present at the meeting.

Public Agenda

1. Call to Order - Mayor Bob Scott
2. Pledge of Allegiance - Vice Mayor Barbara McRae
3. Adoption of the March 1, 2021 Town Council Agenda - Town Council

4. Approval of the Consent Agenda for March 1, 2021 - Town Council
A.) Approval of February 1, 2021 Town Council Minutes
B.) Budget Amendment
C.) Resolution for SRF Funding for Water Treatment Plant Phase II
D.) Adoption of Capital Project Ordinance for Franklin Fire Substation

5. Public Session

6. Old Business:
A.) Discussion on Town of Franklin Disc Golf Course - Mayor and Town Council

7. New Business:
A.) Presentation on Nikwasi Center Plans - Nikwasi Executive Director Elaine Eisenbraun
B.) Request for Street Lighting for Scenic Ridge Development - Neal Enloe
C.) Presentation on Annual Report for Franklin Fire and Rescue - Chief Ben Ormond
D.) Discussion on Town of Franklin FMLA Policy - Human Resource Director Travis Tallent
E.) Discussion on Town of Franklin Employee Elected Payroll Deductions - Human Resource Director Travis Tallent
F.) Discussion on NCDOT Depot Street Sidewalk Project - Town Manager Summer Woodard
G.) Discussion on Restroom at Whitmire Property - Town Manager Summer Woodard

8. Legal
A.) Discussion on Town of Franklin Solicitation Ordinance - John Henning Jr.

9. Announcements
A.) Town of Franklin Strategic Planning Session will be Friday March 12, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Town Hall Boardroom
B.) Town Hall Offices will be closed Friday April 2, 2021 in observance of Good Friday

10. Adjourn

Agenda Packet
[DOWNLOAD PDF]



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. 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.



Become a Patron!



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


Published at 3:50pm on Monday, March 01, 2021
Edited at 4:20pm on Tuesday, March 2, 2020 to add edited video of full meeting.

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Franklin Town Council Awards Bids for Construction and Financing of Fire Department Substation



The Franklin Town Council held a continuation meeting tonight in the town hall. During this meeting, a public hearing was held on a proposed new substation for Franklin VFD to be built on US-441 north of town. No one from the general public spoke at the hearing. 

After the hearing was closed the town council awarded the bid to Western Builders for $399,199.00 and awarded the bid to finance the construction to United Community Bank. The term of the loan is $400,000 at a 1.99% interest rate for ten years.

Roll Call 

 Macon Media (Bobby) 

The Franklin Press (Jake) 


 Video of the meeting has been embedded below.


 





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. 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.



Become a Patron!



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



Published at 9:00pm Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Fire Claims RV on Rose Creek Road

Firefighters conduct overhaul and salvage operations



Bobby Coggins
Publisher & Editor
MaconMedia.com

May 3, 2016

FRANKLIN-- Burningtown Fire Department was called out to report of an RV (Recreational Vehicle) that was reported to be fully involved in fire. The caller reported that the RV was within five feet of another trailer. Franklin and Cowee Fire departments were mutual aid on this incident.

The fire took place just north of the intersection of Rose Creek Road and Saldeer Mountain Road. The road was briefly closed to through traffic during the firefighting operation and was quickly reopened. No injuries were reported.

At the time of this post, determination of the cause had not been made by firefighters. Other photos taken at the scene are posted below, beginning with a Google Map image showing the location of the fire.

All these images may be clicked on to view at a larger size. Once the images are full screen, you may navigate back and forth through them using the right and left arrow on your keyboard. If you are on a mobile device, you may navigate through the images by swiping them from side to side.


Location of fire 
Image Courtesy Google Maps


Smoke from the fire from a mile away


Panoramic shot of the fire scene


A truck from Franklin Fire Department


A truck from Burningtown Fire Department


Fire apparatus line Rose Creek Road