Weather Briefing for Tuesday, May 11, 2021

OUTLOOK

A moist stationary front will remain south of the area and maintain rain chances over the next couple days. Dry and cool high pressure builds in from the north Wednesday and slowly warms through the weekend.
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Local News Update
(National News is published after the Macon Calendar section)

Gas Panic of 2021 

 Some of you may have noticed that gasoline is in short supply at gas stations. This is due to a [Ransomware cyberattack] on Colonial Pipeline that resulted in operations being temporarily shut down. Full operations have been restored and the resulting hiccup in the supply chain should be resolved by this weekend. Panic and overconsumption will just extend the shortage (remember when people rushed the stores last year because they were scared that the supply of toilet paper would run out? They created the very thing they were fearing.) Instead of topping off your fuel tanks, just get gasoline when you normally do. 

Read more on [SFGATE] and at [GIZMODO]. The governor has declared a state of emergency easing some regulations in order "to ensure adequate fuel supply supplies throughout the state." 

A copy of the press release and link to the Executive Order are published below. 

Governor Issues State of Emergency Allowing for Fuel Transportation Waivers After Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Cyber-Attack

In response to the temporary shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline, Governor Roy Cooper today signed an Executive Order declaring a state of emergency in North Carolina and temporarily suspending motor vehicle fuel regulations to ensure adequate fuel supply supplies throughout the state. On May 7, 2021, the Colonial Pipeline system reported a ransomware cyber-attack, resulting in a temporary shutdown of that line. The Colonial Pipeline is a primary fuel pipeline for North Carolina.

“Today’s emergency declaration will help North Carolina prepare for any potential motor vehicle fuel supply interruptions across the state and ensure motorists are able to have access to fuel,” said Governor Cooper.

The Order received concurrence from the Council of State.

Read the Executive Order No. 213. [PDF]

• The Franklin Town Council Regular Meeting for May 2021 [LINK]

Proponents of Public Skatepark Adress the Town Council During Public Comment





National Weather Map for Today

General forecast through Thursday Night


Franklin area

Today

A 20 percent chance of showers after 9am. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs near 70. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the west around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight

Showers likely, mainly after 3am. Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, cloudy, with lows around 50. Calm winds. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday

Showers likely, mainly before 8am. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs near 60. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the east around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the low-to-mid 40s. Calm winds.

Thursday

A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with highs in the low-to-mid 60s.

Thursday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the low-to-mid 40s.

Highlands area

Today

A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with highs in the lower 60s. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight

Showers likely, mainly after 1am. Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, cloudy, with lows in the mid-40s. Calm winds increasing to come out of the northeast around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday

Showers, mainly before 8am. Patchy fog before 8am. Highs inb the mid-50s. Winds out of the east 3 to 6 mph. Chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the lower 40s. Light winds out of the northeast.

Thursday

A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with highs in the mid-to-upper 50s.

Thursday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with lows around 40.

Otto area

Today
INCREASED FIRE DANGER THIS AFTERNOON

A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 2pm. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs near 70. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight

Showers likely, mainly after 2am. Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, cloudy, with lows around 50. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday

Showers likely, mainly before 8am. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs near 60. Light winds out of the east. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-40s. Calm winds.

Thursday

A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with highs in the low-to-mid 60s.

Thursday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-40s.

Nantahala area

Today

A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs in the upper 60s. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight

Showers likely, mainly after 4am. Patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, cloudy, with lows in the upper 40s. Calm winds increasing to come out of the northeast around 5 mph before midnight. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday

Showers likely, mainly before 8am. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs near 60. Light winds out of the northeast. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-40s. Light winds out of the east.

Thursday

A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with highs in the lower 60s.

Thursday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-40s.

HAZARDS

Hazardous weather is not expected today.


Air Quality

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

Fire and Smoke Map
(There are no significant sources of smoke in the region as of 3am on 04-22-2021.)

Pollen

Pollen levels are expected to be in the medium-high range (8.0 out of 12) today with Birch, Maple, and Hickory being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low range (0.4 out of 12).


Weather Extremes for Macon County on May 10th


Highest Temperature 88°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2011
Lowest Temperature 29°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1954
Greatest Rainfall 2.02 inches in Highlands in 1943
Greatest Snowfall (No snowfall recorded on this date since records started being kept in 1872)

May Weather Extremes for Macon County

Highest Temperature 92°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on 05-20-1966
Lowest Temperature 23°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on 05-02-1963
Greatest Rainfall 5.97 inches in Highlands on 05-30-2018
Greatest Snowfall 2.5 inches in Highlands on 05-07-1992

On This Day

May 9th is the 129th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. 236 days remain until the end of the year.

Historical Events


330 – Constantinople is consecrated.
868 – A copy of the Diamond Sutra is printed in China, making it the oldest known dated printed book.
912 – Alexander becomes Emperor of the Byzantine Empire.
1068 - Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror, is crowned Queen of England in Westminster Abbey, London
1189 - Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa and 100,000 crusaders depart Regensburg for the Third Crusade
1745 – War of the Austrian Succession: French forces defeat an Anglo-Dutch–Hanoverian army.
1751 - Pennsylvania Hospital founded by Dr. Thomas Bond and Benjamin Franklin
1792 – Robert Gray commands the first expedition to sail into the Columbia River.
1812 – Prime Minister Spencer Perceval is assassinated by John Bellingham in the lobby of the British House of Commons.
1813 – William Lawson, Gregory Blaxland and William Wentworth discover a route across the Blue Mountains, opening up inland Australia to settlement.
1833 – The Lady of the Lake strikes an iceberg off Newfoundland and sinks with the loss of up to 265 passengers and crew.
1846 – President James K. Polk asked for a Declaration of War against Mexico, starting the Mexican–American War.
1857 – Indian Rebellion of 1857: Indian rebels seize Delhi from the British.
1858 – Minnesota is admitted as the 32nd state of the United States.
1880 – Seven people are killed in the Mussel Slough Tragedy, a gun battle in California.
1889 – An attack upon a U.S. Army paymaster and escort results in the theft of over $28,000 and the award of two Medals of Honor.
1894 – Four thousand Pullman Palace Car Company workers go on a wildcat strike.
1910 – An act of the U.S. Congress establishes Glacier National Park in Montana.
1924 - Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie begin their first joint venture (later merge into Mercedes-Benz)
1943 – World War II: American troops invade Attu Island in the Aleutian Islands in an attempt to expel occupying Japanese forces.
1945 – World War II: Off the coast of Okinawa, the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill is hit by two kamikazes.
1960 – Adolf Eichmann is captured by the Mossad in Argentina.
1963 – Racist bombings in Birmingham, Alabama, disrupt nonviolence in the Birmingham campaign and precipitate a crisis involving federal troops.
1970 – The 1970 Lubbock tornado kills 26 and causes $250 million in damage.
1973 – Citing government misconduct, Daniel Ellsberg's charges for his involvement in releasing the Pentagon Papers to The New York Times are dismissed.
1985 – Fifty-six spectators die and more than 200 are injured in the Bradford City stadium fire.
1987 – Klaus Barbie goes on trial in Lyon for war crimes committed during World War II.
1995 - More than 170 countries agree to extend the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty indefinitely and without conditions to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons
1996 – After the aircraft's departure from Miami, a fire started by improperly handled chemical oxygen generators in the cargo hold of Atlanta-bound ValuJet Flight 592 causes the Douglas DC-9 to crash in the Florida Everglades, killing all 110 on board.
1997 – Deep Blue, a chess-playing supercomputer, defeats Garry Kasparov in the last game of the rematch, becoming the first computer to beat a world-champion chess player in a classic match format.
1998 – India conducts three underground atomic tests in Pokhran.
2000 - India's population officially reaches 1 billion - Astha Arora named India's billionth baby
2000 – Second Chechen War: Chechen separatists ambush Russian paramilitary forces in the Republic of Ingushetia.
2010 – David Cameron takes office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom as the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats form the country's first coalition government since the Second World War.
2011 – An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 hits Lorca, Spain.
2013 – Fifty-two people are killed in a bombing in Reyhanlı, Turkey.
2014 – Fifteen people are killed and 46 injured in Kinshasa in a stampede caused by tear gas being thrown into soccer stands by police officers.
2016 – One hundred and ten people are killed in an ISIL bombing in Baghdad.
2019 - South African parliamentary elections return ruling Cyril Ramaphosa's ANC party to power with reduced majority (58%)
2019 - Militants attack Zaver Pearl-Continental Hotel in Gwadar, Pakistan killing five, Balochistan Liberation Army claim responsibility
2019 - Carbon dioxide levels in the earth's atmosphere hit levels not seen for 3 million years at 415 parts per million, according to the Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii
2020 - Colombian airline Avianca, and world's 2nd oldest, becomes 1st major airline to file for bankruptcy
2020 - World Health Organization warns “extreme vigilance” needed as many countries begin easing lockdowns


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Published at 3:25am on Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Read More

Explosion and Fire Closes Colonial Pipeline Again

Air Support was dispatched to provide bird's eye view of gas line fire. pic.twitter.com/uHmScvGND9

— Jeff Co Sheriff (@JeffCoSheriff) November 1, 2016

An explosion has claimed the life of a member of a contract crew working on the Colonial Pipeline yesterday. The pipeline is shut down again, but it is currently unknown how long it will be shut down or the impact to the east coast fuel supply situation. The pipeline was shut down for several days in September of this year, resulting in a gas crunch in our region. [Read more]

If the pipeline is shut down long enough to cause a supply shock, please remember to not panic and top off your tank every time you see a gas station with fuel. Just fill up as you normally would, and that will help minimize any inconvenience to refueling your vehicles.

Stunning view of Colonial pipeline explosion fire from @AlabasterFire. God bless the first responders on this scene. pic.twitter.com/im0hnzQJr8

— Beth Shelburne (@bshelburne) October 31, 2016

PRESS RELEASE
Colonial Pipeline

Shortly before 3:00 pm EDT on October 31st, a contract crew working on Colonial’s gasoline pipeline (Line 1) in Shelby Co., Alabama, experienced an incident when the trackhoe it was using hit the line. Gasoline was ignited and caused a fire, which continues to burn.

Five individuals were transported to Birmingham-area hospitals for treatment, and there was one fatality recorded at the scene. Our deepest condolences go out tonight to the family and friends of the person who was lost today, and our thoughts and prayers are with those who were injured.

The Alabama Forestry Commission and Shelby County emergency responders, supplemented by mutual aid from surrounding counties, responded to the incident site immediately, and we wish to extend our thanks and appreciation for their continued service and efforts.

After the incident occurred, Colonial shut down its two mainlines, which traverse Shelby County. Those lines remain down at this hour.

The incident location is several miles from the site of a Sept. 9 spill in Shelby County.

---END PRESS RELEASE---

CROWD FUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month.

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

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


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

Read More

Colonial Pipeline Completes Pipeline Bypass Shipments Expected to Resume Tomorrow

According to this press release from Colonial Pipeline, construction of a bypass line has been completed and testing will be taking place later today and regular shipments of fuel is expected to resume tomorrow.

Helena, Alabama Incident Update – September 20, 9:15 a.m., CDT Update #19

Posted on September 20, 2016 

SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. – Colonial Pipeline issued the following update this morning regarding its response to a product release in Shelby Co., Ala., as well as ongoing efforts to install a bypass segment on Line 1 which is expected to allow for the safe and expeditious restoration of system-wide service.

Construction, fabrication and positioning of the bypass segment around the leak site is complete. Colonial is in the process of executing a hydrostatic test of the segment, which is approximately 500 feet in length, to ensure its structural integrity.

Upon successful completion of the hydrostatic test, Colonial Pipeline will begin the process of tying the bypass segment into the main line (Line 1) and preparing for a safe restart of that line. Based on operational progress made to date and the anticipated schedule of work ahead, Colonial Pipeline now projects a Line 1 restart of tomorrow, Wednesday, September 21.

When Line 1 restarts, it will take several days for the fuel delivery supply chain to return to normal.  As such, some markets served by Colonial Pipeline may experience, or continue to experience, intermittent service interruptions.  Colonial continues to move as much gasoline, diesel and jet fuel as possible and will continue to do so until markets return to normal.

Recovery efforts at the release site continue along with bypass installation and testing. The safety and protection of the public, responders and the environment remain paramount in all activities.

About the incident: On Friday, September 9, 2016, a mining inspector in Shelby County, Ala., detected a gasoline odor on mining property. He alerted Colonial Pipeline, which operates two pipelines in the immediate vicinity. Both pipelines were shut down as a precaution and Colonial employees were dispatched for a visual survey of the site. Upon confirmation of a release, Colonial Pipeline mobilized a coordinated response effort with federal, state and local agencies as well as local emergency responders. Colonial Pipeline has more than 700 employees and partners on site working as safely and expeditiously as possible to repair the impacted segment of pipe and return to normal operations.

About Colonial Pipeline Company: Colonial Pipeline delivers more than 100 million gallons of refined products each day to markets between Houston and New York City, serving more than 50 million people. We transport refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, home heating oil and fuels for the U.S. military. Our pipeline system consists of more than 5,500 miles of underground pipe and above ground storage tanks and pump stations. The company is based in Alpharetta, Ga. For additional information visit www.colpipe.com.

Read More

Update on Gas Crunch Situation Locally and from Colonial Pipeline

Some gas stations in the Franklin area continue to experience delays in getting fuel in wake of a leaking pipeline in Alabama [read more here]. Colonial Pipeline is working to construct a section of pipe that will move fuel around the leak and is working on getting fuel delivered to its customers.

Macon Media surveyed most gas stations in the Franklin area this morning and while a few were completely out, others still has some and many were limited to one grade of gasoline due to the supply crunch. Many of the people I spoke with anticipated that things would return to normal in a week or so. You can read more about that and see what the community had to say on our Facebook Page. [LINK]

PRESS RELEASE



Supply Movement and Operations Update

Posted on September 19, 2016

SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. – Colonial Pipeline issued the following update today regarding shipments of gasoline initiated late last week and in the process of being delivered now (many supplies have already been delivered) to distribution terminals throughout the system.

In an effort to minimize supply disruptions, last week Colonial Pipeline gathered gasoline from Gulf Coast refiners in order to ship supplies on its distillate line to markets throughout the affected region. As a result, following around-the-clock operations to effect this contingency plan, supplies of gasoline have been delivered and/or are in route to terminal locations in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Delivery times to mainline and stubline terminals in these markets vary.

We continue to be in regular communication with our customers, who are also working on their own individual contingency plans to minimize supply disruptions. This includes trucking and barging fuel from other markets and refineries.

Supply Operations Explained

As described above, gasoline shipments on Lines 1 and 2 (Mainlines) initiated on the system starting last week were delivered this past weekend or are in route to the following markets, with local and regional fuel marketers distributing the product from their terminals to retail stations:

•Boligee, Oxford and Birmingham, Alabama
•Opelousas, Louisiana
•Atlanta, Georgia
•Meridian, Mississippi
•Belton and Spartanburg, South Carolina
•Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina

Upon arrival at the mainline terminal locations outlined above, Colonial will deliver fuel directly to local terminal customers or re-originate the fuel down lateral or stublines to additional terminals in several other markets, which are highlighted below. Fuel terminal operators will then determine distribution patterns for each respective market, where gasoline will be off-loaded into tanker trucks for delivery to retail stations.

•Griffin, Macon, Albany, and Bainbridge, Georgia
•Raleigh and Selma, North Carolina
•Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, Tennessee
•North Augusta, South Carolina

Under normal circumstances, the Colonial Pipeline system transports approximately 2.6 million barrels of refined products each day, with Line 1 accounting for half of this volume. Colonial is currently shipping significant volumes of gasoline on Line 2, the distillate mainline, to help mitigate the impact of the service interruption to Line 1. These changes have allowed all origins and delivery markets to be served along the entire system, albeit in a reduced capacity. For more information on the fuel supply chain, please click here: http://www.refinerlink.com/blog/Pipelines_Ship_Refinery_Products_to_Pump

###

End Press Release

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


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

Read More

Gas Shortage Hits Macon County Due to Leak in Alabama

GAS SHORTAGE
OPEN THREAD #1
September 19, 2016



We're all aware that there is a gas shortage in the region due to a combination of factors. On September 9th, a pipeline leak was discovered in rural Shelby County in Alabama. The pipeline that supplies over 100 million gallons of fuel to the eastern United States and it had to be shut until repaired or replaced. Right now, efforts are underway to bypass the damaged section. Until that can be done, fuel is being transported via over the road trucks and railroads, and our infrastructure isn't built to handle that amount of traffic, even if we could find enough trucks to haul the fuel.

A press release from Colonial Pipeline is posted at the end of this article and the photo included is from Colonial Pipeline.

There will be delays in keeping area gas stations supplied. What you can do to help alleviate the problem is not to top off your fuel tank every time you see a station with fuel. Just get fuel when your tank drops below a quarter of a tank and don't make unnecessary trips for the next few weeks until the situation is resolved and the flow of fuel through the pipeline returns to normal.



Until then, each day, Macon Media will post an open thread for people to let each other know who has fuel, what kind and the current price of that fuel. Please remember to keep the stations from running out of fuel quickly, please limit your visits to refuel only when necessary and don't bring every gas can you have to hoard fuel.

Use this post as the first open thread and we'll see how it goes. Good luck and please remember to be kind to one another. 

To add information and to see what information people are sharing, please visit Facebook.




PRESS RELEASE

Helena, Alabama Incident Update – September 18, 3:45 p.m., CDT Update #18

Posted on September 18, 2016
SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. – Colonial Pipeline issued the following update this afternoon regarding its ongoing response to a product release in Shelby County, Alabama, and the interruption of service to Line 1.

Yesterday evening, Colonial Pipeline began implementation of its plan to construct a bypass around the impacted segment of Line 1. Work conditions were favorable overnight and into today for bypass construction. The projected restart of Line 1 remains unchanged.

Recovery efforts at the initial release site will continue along with bypass construction. The safety and protection of the public, responders and the environment remains paramount in all activities.

Monitoring of the Cahaba River and a tributary, Peel Creek continues daily. Preliminary results, from both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Colonial Pipeline environmental contractors, have shown no impact to either waterway as a result of this release.

The Cahaba Wildlife Management Area between State Highway 270 and Copperhead Road will remain closed to all non-local residents and is expected to remain closed during this response effort. The Cahaba Wildlife Management Shooting Range and access to ATV trails in the area also remain closed.

Colonial Pipeline today captured additional photos from the response site. Please click on the “Images/Video” button on the top right of this page.

About the incident: On Friday, September 9, 2016, a mining inspector in Shelby County, Ala., detected a gasoline odor on mining property. He alerted Colonial Pipeline, which operates two pipelines in the immediate vicinity. Both pipelines were shut down as a precaution and Colonial employees were dispatched for a visual survey of the site. Upon confirmation of a release, Colonial Pipeline mobilized a coordinated response effort with federal, state and local agencies as well as local emergency responders. Colonial Pipeline has more than 700 employees and partners on site working as safely and expeditiously as possible to repair the impacted segment of pipe and return to normal operations.

About Colonial Pipeline Company: Colonial Pipeline delivers more than 100 million gallons of refined products each day to markets between Houston and New York City, serving more than 50 million people. We transport refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, home heating oil and fuels for the U.S. military. Our pipeline system consists of more than 5,500 miles of underground pipe and above ground storage tanks and pump stations. The company is based in Alpharetta, Ga. For additional information visit www.colpipe.com.



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

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



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Read More

Gasoline in Asheville Cheapest in North Carolina?

Or so says WGHP-TV.

I'm guessing they don't count us in the western part of North Carolina as part of the state. I have seen gas for $2.79⁹ a gallon. Of course, diesel is higher, around $3.09⁹.

Read More

Gas Prices Plunge When Idiots Aren't Rushing The Pumps

We have had a month-long ordeal because of idiots in our state government , and an idiot running for governor, interfering in the action of the once free market, and because of idiots who panicked, and topped off everytime they saw a gas station with fuel.

Now, people aren't panicking (as much) and the market is relecting the drop of oil prices world-wide.

Read More

Sylva Still Short

One of several gas stations I passed this morning that were out of gas when I passed through Sylva on my way to Cullowhee. I hope that doesn't mean idiots will be clogging up the roads this evening on my way home.

Read More

West of the Balsams News Update for a Rainy Friday

To read and hear the folks in Asheville, you'd think the state ended there. Well, it does not and here are a few news items from the real western North Carolina:

Some Cherokee County gas stations were out of gas and others had limited supplies Monday, but the price of gas was significantly lower than on Sept. 12, when prices surged toward $5 a gallon as hurricanes Ike and Gustav churned up the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Big D Convenience stores were selling gas for 94 cents less than on Sept. 12, when prices rose briefly to $4.99 a gallon. The Big D on Hill Street in Murphy was issued a subpoena on Sept. 15 by the N.C. Attorney General’s office for allegedly gas gouging and charging customers $5.49 a gallon or more.

The attorney general’s office has subpoened 23 gas stations for alleged gas gouging. However, manager Elizabeth Hughes agreed with owner Sam Duncan Sr. that the station never charged more than $4.99 a gallon. The station hasn’t run out of gas as many other stations did, she said. All Big D Convenience stores were selling regular for $4.05 Monday.

Customers were at every gas pump at Wal-Mart at 9:45 a.m. Monday as a couple of cars waited in line. Regular gasoline was selling for $3.93.

Source: Cherokee Scout

The Sylva Herald has a photo of vehicles lined up for gas at the Enmark.

If you have trator and $20, you can participate in the 2nd annual Tractor Parade at the Hayesville High School on Saturday. There are a slew of other events taking place also.

At least the government and citizens of Swain County are not acting like lemmings every time they see an open gas station:

Swain County Manager Kevin King said Tuesday that county gas supplies were being monitored, and department employees told to cut unnecessary travel.

Yesterday morning (Wednesday press day), Bryson City's BP was continuing to pump gas, with a posted $3.99 per gallon charge for regular unleaded. There were no vehicles waiting in line at 8:15 a.m.

At the same time, Mountain Energy's Shell was gasoline-dry for the second straight day. Convenience store manager Lynn Wade said all Mountain Energy's sites were out of gas, although diesel fuel was available.

She said at that time she didn't know when the next gas shipment would arrive.

Most of Western North Carolina counties from McDowell County west have been reporting gas supply problems in the past week following Hurricane Ike's landing on the Texas Coast the weekend of Sept. 13.

Gulf Coast refineries closed down to weather Ike, then had to restart, a process that the industry says takes a week to 10 days. It also takes additional time for the fuel in the pipelines to build up to a normal volume flow.

Source: Smoky Mountain Times

The board of Sylva-based Smoky Mountain Center for Mental Health accepted the resignation of agency director Tom McDevitt last week (Sept. 16) following a six-hour, closed-door interrogation into allegations that McDevitt had abused his power and taken advantage of his position for financial gain.

The Smoky Mountain Center provides mental health care to 15 western counties and is the state’s largest such agency geographically.

The 30-member Smoky Mountain board in July began questioning some of McDevitt’s actions, including the salary he earned as director of the agency’s non-profit Evergreen Foundation, the employment of his daughter, and profits his wife made from property transactions through the Foundation.

The Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 entity that exists solely to further the interests of the Smoky Mountain Center. It buys, sells and leases properties to mental health providers and distributes low-interest loans. Of the state’s 25 mental health agencies, Smoky is one of just a few to have a non-profit arm.

The Smoky Mountain News investigated the allegations against McDevitt and published the findings in an Aug. 20 article. At the following board meeting on Aug. 28, the board demanded McDevitt address some of the questions raised by the story.

The board compiled a list of questions that McDevitt responded to at the Sept. 16 meeting. Board members expressed varying levels of satisfaction with McDevitt’s answers, but agreed unanimously that it was best for McDevitt and the Smoky Mountain Center to part ways.

Source: Smoky Mountain Times

And there was a massacre in Franklin last Friday night:

Fan frenzy week for energized Panther supporters culminated Friday night with a solid 55-0 pounding of Franklin’s biggest rival. With Smoky Mountain’s season off to a slow start (1-3) and coming off a 36-0 thrashing by Murphy last week, the Panthers showed no mercy as they convincingly avenged last year’s close 27-24 loss to the Mustangs.

Scoring early and often, the Panthers held the Mustangs to only 127 total yards on offense while piling up 442 yards. Blaine Clark led the Panther scoring machine with 223 yards and two touchdowns despite being used sparingly in the third quarter and not touching the ball in the final period.

Source: Macon County News

And in the Franklin Press, there is an account of a manhunt for a fugitive who attempted to run over a deputy in Iotla Valley.

And in Fontana Village, the news is that Dolly Parton will be a feature part of the 75th Anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and is penning a song for the event:

FONTANA VILLAGE – About two dozen people gathered to join in final preparations for the 75th Anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from 1934 to 2009.
There was polite discussion about plans at several entrances to the park, volunteers working to spruce up trials, fundraisers and other meaningful events.
But the biggest news was from park superintendent Dale Ditmanson who announced that country music legend Dolly Parton is writing a song about the mountains and plans to donate the first year of proceeds to the national landmark.
“We’re developing the ambassador program, of individuals capable of taking about the parks mission, communicate it to the public,” Ditmanson said. “I’m really excited to hear that Dolly Parton is involved.”
The concept started when park officials were looking for someone who could capture the rural and nostalgic feel of the park, while honoring the natural beauty inherent in the mountains in a musical presentation.
“Imagine that song being written and sung by Dolly Parton,” Ditmanson said. “She has agreed to be an ambassador for the Great Smoky Mountains Park 75th Anniversary.”
They anticipate there could be a welcome written by Parton on the inside cover of brochures that visitors to the park could read.
“We’re in conversation with her management team – a lot of things are very preliminary,” said Ditmanson, who added that he believed Parton felt so strongly about the Smoky Mountains that the park could receive proceeds from the first year recording sales.
Tennessee Department of Tourist Development commissioner Susan Hinchcliff Whitaker said that many other parks and managers of natural resources are actually coming to the area to see how her state and North Carolina officials are working together for the good of the park.

Source: Andrews Journal

And the annual flu scare is starting to heat up in Cashiers, hot on the heels of the current Gas Panic.

There are blogs in the far west, but they are all lefties (save for me), and it depresses me too much to pass along right now. Maybe next week. Right now, the rain is making a pleasing sound on the tin...and I think I will take a nap since I have been up about 4 hours already.

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Gas Crunch: Don Yelton Position Statement

After hearing the press conference in Asheville today it is apparent that we have not planned for or considered an interruption in our gas flow. We are victims of oil allocations and refineries located in a prime spot for hurricanes. We in Asheville depend upon tourist trade especially at this time of year. We do not need to be captive to one pipe line or a few distributors.

The following is offered with some thought to a location that would be ideal..



Please consider and pass along to those that make up the slow acting power structure in this county and state. We do not need a study we know what the problem is therefore we need solutions.



Don Yelton

Position Statement to Solve Our Gas Lines Long Term

Senators Burr and Dole join with Representative Shuler and ask both McCory and Purdue to step up to the plate and promote the following:



Ø Drilling for oil and gas just off the coast of North Carolina

Ø Create incentives to encourage construction of oil refineries in the Wilmington area

Ø Create a petroleum reserve in Western North Carolina



The steps can be done by the private/public partnership and provide a solution to our problem without regard to politics and glory. We need to get back to service for the people.



I will as a County Commissioner, or more importantly a private citizen, push for and promote this idea from this day forth. The press conference today shows us that we do not need another committee but we need to be about the above solutions.



Any committee formed should be to promote and bring this about.





Don Yelton

County Commissioner Candidate

828-775-7212

yelton221@charter.net

www.citizensspeak.com

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Gas Crunch: Logistics, Logistics, Logistics

Aside from sniping at the panic-filled consumers and our criminally ignorant Governor Mike Easley and Attorney General Roy Cooper, I can relay to you the problems in the logistics of this temporary fuel supply crunch.

Most of our fuel in western North Carolina comes from a pipeline that runs from the Gulf of Mexico to Spartanburg, South Carolina. [see map in a previous post] The fuel is brought to WNC by means of tanker trucks on journeys that can take several hours, further reducing the rate at which fuel can be delivered to the gas station.

According to the latest DOE Sitrep [see pdf here], the Colonial Pipeline is operating at a reduced capacity and others are as well. Read the whole report to get a feel for the big picture, and the serious nature of this temporary crunch in supply. Daily Sitreps are available.

Shipping is reduced in the Intra-coastal Waterway (see pdf above):

As of 8:00 AM EDT September 23, vessels with drafts over 34 feet are limited to daylight transit only from Sims Bayou to the Houston ship channel turning basin. The Sabine and Neches Channel going into the Port Arthur area is now open to vessels to project depth for daylight transit and limited to drafts of 33 feet at night. Part of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) in TX has re-opened, but it is still closed from mile marker 350 to 319 and has some closures in LA as well. The Calcasieu Channel into Lake Charles, LA is open to vessels with a draft of 38' or less.

US Inventories are down:

U.S. crude oil refinery inputs averaged 11.5 million barrels per day during the
week ending September 19, down more than 1.7 million barrels per day from the
previous week's average. Refineries operated at 66.7 percent of their operable
capacity last week. Gasoline production fell last week, averaging about 8.0
million barrels per day. Distillate fuel production decreased last
week, averaging nearly 3.3 million barrels per day.

U.S. crude oil imports averaged 7.1 million barrels per day last week, down
nearly 1.4 million barrels per day from the previous week. Over the last four
weeks, crude oil imports have averaged 8.5 million barrels per day, about 1.8
million barrels per day below the same four-week period last year. Total motor
gasoline imports (including both finished gasoline and gasoline blending
components) last week averaged 1.2 million barrels per day. Distillate fuel
imports averaged 199 thousand barrels per day last week.

Source: Weekly Petroleum Status Report







And out at sea, there are still problems:

 Market sources said about 32 gasoline cargoes were on their way to
the New York Harbor from Europe, and nearly half of them were unsold. In
normal circumstances, these unsold cargoes would be diverted to the U.S.
Gulf Coast market since there's no storage space left in the Harbor.
However, ports along the Gulf Coast, especially the Houston Channel,
currently have a huge backlog of ships delayed by Hurricane Ike. And
because recovery is still underway in the region, there are limitations
on what types of ships can be accommodated by these Gulf ports and when
they are allowed to come in.

Source: Murphy Oil


So, no matter how much Asheville Mayor Bellamy or Carl Mumpower or Congressman Heath Shuler or Governor Mike Easly, or even local bloggers cry for whatever solution they see fit...they can do nothing about the continued crunch in supply that will continue for a period of two weeks or so.

All Mayor Bellamy or Governor Easley will accomplish by diverting supplies here is a continued masking of the problem, which will add to the problem, not take away...as it will lower inventories in other areas and encourage people here to delay lowering their consumption. It is robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Chill, people. Stay at home, read a book or watch TV. Don't run around like a chicken with your head cut off because you can't get gasoline so you can eat out or get drunk at a bar.

People in Texas and Louisiana have lost their family members, their homes, their jobs and you are freaking out because you can't go cruising? Get a grip, and quit being so selfish.

Previously:

Gas Crunch: AB-Tech Closes Until Monday

Update on Gas Crunch: Causes and Solutions

Gas Lines and Toilet Paper During The Gas Panic of 2008

Leaf Looking Season Cancelled in WNC Due to Lack of Fuel

Price Gouging Laws Are Evil

Gas Panic in Jackson County North Carolina !!!

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Gas Crunch: AB-Tech Closes Until Monday

ASHEVILLE – Due to the gas shortage, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College will close at 4:30 p.m. today,

The college will remain closed for students and staff through Sunday. This includes all academic, continuing education, GED, English as a Second Language, and any other programs.

The college will make a decision about opening next week on Sunday. Announcements will be made through the A-B Tech website, e-mail accounts, radio, TV and newspapers.

Source: Asheville Citizen-Times

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