Nantahala Community Library Soft Opening on July 22nd, Reception on August 6th

PRESS RELEASE (07-12-2024)

MACON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Nantahala Community Library is moving to its newly renovated location. The week of July 15-20th the Nantahala Community Library will be closed to the public. During this time the library’s materials, furnishings and equipment will be packed and moved to the new location at 36B White Oak Lane in Topton. The library will reopen to the public at the new location on Monday, July 22nd. The library will operate with the same hours as the current location, Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The new location will offer all the same services and resources, including Wi-Fi, computer access, print and copy services, and access to print and digital materials for all ages. 

Come celebrate the new library location and Fontana Regional Library’s 80th anniversary at an open house reception with refreshments on Tuesday, August 6th from 2-4 p.m. This will be followed by the Macon County Public Library’s Board of Trustees meeting at 4 p.m. The Nantahala Community Library is a member of the Fontana Regional Library System. For more information or driving directions please call the library at 828-321-3020 or visit www.fontanalib.org.

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Nantahala Community Club Hosts Candidate Forum

The Nantahala Community Club hosted a forum for candidates running for office in the Nantahala Public Library. Macon Media was the only news outlet present. The video of the forum has been divided into two parts. Part One for the introduction of the candidates and Part Two for the forum itself.

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.

The participants were:

NC Senate 50th District

incumbent Kevin Corbin
challenger Karen McCracken

Macon County Commissioner District I

challenger John Shearl
challenger Jerry Moore

Macon County Commissioner District II

incumbent Ronnie Beale
incumbent Gary Shield
challenger Danny Antoine

Macon County Board of Education District 02

challenger Stephanie Lassiter

Macon County Board of Education District 04

incumbent Carol Arnold
challenger Diedre Breeden

Part One: Introductions



Part Two: Forum

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Support Macon Media

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Published at 3:50am on Thursday, August 18, 2022
Author: Bobby Coggins

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Daily Weather Briefing for Sunday, January 5, 2020

Outlook

Dry high pressure will build over the region today through Monday. A low-pressure system, and associated moisture, will return to the southern Appalachians Monday night and sweep quickly east across the region on Tuesday. Dry high pressure will return once again Wednesday through Thursday before a deep fetch of moisture from the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico sets up Friday into the weekend.

Rockslide in Nantahala Gorge

A rock slide resulted in the closure on US Highway 19 near Hewitt Road for most of the day yesterday. There were no injuries reported. Nantahala VFD reported the NCDOT had one lane open for travel late in the afternoon. [LINK]



As of 3am Sunday, the NCDOT Traveler Information Management System still listed the road through the Nantahala Gorge closed with an expected re-opening time of 5pm on Monday, January 6th, so travell at your own risk, or call 511 to see if the road has been opened. [LINK]

Public Safety Log

Today's log is available and will be updated as needed. [LINK] 

Yesterday's Log is also online. [LINK]

Franklin Town Council Meets Monday Night


The Franklin Town Council will be holding their regular meeting for January 2020 in the lower level of the town hall on Monday, January 6, 2020, at 6pm. Copies of the public agenda and the agenda packet are posted below.


Town of Franklin Council Meeting
Agenda
January 06, 2020 | 6:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order - Mayor Bob Scott
2. Pledge of Allegiance - Vice Mayor Barbara McRae
3. Adoption of the January 6, 2020 Town Council Agenda - Town Council

4. Approval of the Consent Agenda for January 6, 2020
A.) Approval of December 2, 2019 Town Council Minutes
B.) Budget Amendments
C.) Tax Release

5. Public Session

6. New Business
A.) Board Action on Re-Zoning Petition for Dryman Road - Town Council
B.) Street Closing Request for Mardi Gras Parade and Event - Susie Colbert
C.) Re-Appointment of Alton Sutton to the Alcohol Beverage Control Board - Town Manager Summer Woodard
D.) Discussion on FEMA Fire Grant Budget Amendment - Finance Officer Kyra Doster and Town Manager Summer Woodard
E.) Discussion on Strategic Planning Meeting - Town Manager Summer Woodard
F.) Discussion on Committee Appointments - Mayor Scott and Town Council

7. Legal
A.) Discussion on Data Breach Policy - Town Attorney John Henning Jr.
B.) Resolution for Release and Conveyance of NCDOT Property - Town Attorney John Henning Jr. and Town Manager Summer Woodard
C.) Discussion on Amended Memorandum of Transportation Agreement - Town Attorney John Henning Jr.
D.) Closed Session pursuant to G.S. §143-318.11(a) (5), to establish, or to instruct the public body's staff or negotiating agents concerning the position to be taken by or on behalf of the public body in negotiating the price and other material terms of a contract or proposed contract for the acquisition of real property by purchase, option, exchange, or lease.”

8. Announcements
A.) Town Offices will be closed Monday January 20, 2020 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
9. Adjourn

Jan 2020 Franklin Town Council Agenda Packet by Bobby Coggins on Scribd

THREE DAY GFS FORECAST
This animated image shows a forecast of precipitation, air pressure and thickness level (cold-air damming) for three days in six-hour increments.
Green, Yellow, and Red indicate rain. Orange and Purple Indicate Freezing Rain or other freezing precipitation. Blue indicates snow.

---

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.

---

Weather Hazards

A Wind Advisory is in effect from 6am this morning until noon tomorrow for locations above 3500 feet. Details are in the advisory posted below.

We had some snow flurries and snow showers last night, so there may be some roadways (and sidewalks) that are slick, so please drive (or walk) with caution this morning. A wind advisory will remain in effect until noon today.

---

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

---

WEATHER FORECAST MAPS

Forecast maps for 7 am, 1 pm, and 7 pm.
[click on any image in this article to enlarge]

---

FRANKLIN AREA FORECAST

Today

Temperatures will start off around the mid-30s and will rise to near 50. Sunny. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Clear, with lows around 30. Calm winds increasing to come out of the northwest around 5 mph after midnight.

Monday

Sunny, with highs in the mid-50s. Calm winds.

Monday Night

A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-30s. Calm winds.

Tuesday

A chance of showers before noon, then a chance of rain, mainly between noon and 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with highs near 50. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy, with lows in the mid-to-upper 20s.

---

OTTO AREA FORECAST


Today

Temperatures atrting off in the mid-30s and increasing to around 50. Sunny. WInds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Clear, with lows around freezing. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph.

Monday

Sunny, with highs in the mid-50s. Light winds out of the north.

Monday Night

A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-to-upper 30s. Calm winds.

Tuesday

A chance of showers before noon, then a chance of rain, mainly between noon and 4pm. Partly sunny, with highs near 50. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy, with lows in the upper 20s.

---

HIGHLANDS PLATEAU FORECAST

Today

Sunny, with temperatures starting out around 30 and with highs in the low-to-mid 40s. WInds out of the northwest 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Tonight

Clear, with lows around 30. Winds out of the northwest 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Monday

Sunny, with highs in the mid-40s. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Monday Night

A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 5am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-30s. Winds out of the west 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday

Partly sunny, with highs in the lower 40s. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear, with lows around 30.

---

NANTAHALA AREA FORECAST


Today

Temperatures starting of near freezing and increasing to the mid-40s. Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny. WInds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with lows around 30. Winds out of the west 5 to 10 mph.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with highs near 50. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the west around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Monday Night

A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-30s. Calm winds in the evening increasing to come out of the southwest around 5 mph after midnight.

Tuesday

A chance of showers before noon, then a chance of rain, mainly between noon and 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with highs in the mid-40s. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy, with lows in the upper 20s.

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Published at 4:10am on January 05, 2020

Read More

Daily Weather Briefing for Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Local News Brief

The NCDOT opened the road through the Nantahala Gorge last night, a day earlier than anticipated.


Outlook

A cool wedge of high pressure will linger across the region today, but will break down ahead of an approaching cold front that will cross the area Wednesday. Drier weather is forecast behind the front until late in the weekend.


THREE DAY GFS FORECAST
This animated image shows a forecast of precipitation, air pressure and thickness level (cold-air damming) for three days in six-hour increments.
Green, Yellow, and Red indicate rain. Orange and Purple Indicate Freezing Rain or other freezing precipitation. Blue indicates snow.

---

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.

---

Weather Hazards

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms today will pose a threat of cloud-to-ground lightning and heavy rainfall.



**Note** A Tropical Weather Outlook section has been added to the daily weather briefing for the Atlantic Hurricane Season, and since those tend to run long when there is activity, that section has been added between the daily forecasts for the four regions of the county and the almanac section so people can get to their daily forecasts with minimal interference.

---

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.

Patreon Subscriber History May 2014 to Present



Become a Patron!
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.

---

WEATHER FORECAST MAPS

Forecast maps for 7 am, 1 pm, and 7 pm.
[click on any image in this article to enlarge]

---

FRANKLIN AREA FORECAST

Today

Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Light winds out of the southeast. Chance of rain is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then a slight chance of showers after 5am. Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Calm winds. Chance of rain is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 2pm, then a slight chance of showers after 2pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 85. Calm winds increasing to come out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low in the upper 50s. Winds out of the north 3 to 5 mph.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 85. Calm winds.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low in the upper 50s.

---

OTTO AREA FORECAST

Today

Showers likely, mainly before 2pm. Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high in the mid-to-upper 70s. Calm winds increasing to come out of the southeast around 5 mph. Chance of rain is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tonight

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a slight chance of showers. Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Calm winds. Chance of rain is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 3pm, then a slight chance of showers after 3pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 85. Calm winds increasing to come out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain is 20%.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low in the upper 50s. Winds out of the north 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 85. Light and variable winds.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 60.

---

HIGHLANDS PLATEAU FORECAST

Today

Showers, mainly before 2pm. Patchy fog before 3pm, then patchy fog after 4pm. Highs in the mid-to-upper 60s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.

Tonight

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Patchy fog after 8pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Winds out of the south 5 to 10 mph shifting to come out of the northwest after midnight. Chance of rain is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low in the mid-to-upper 50s. WInds out of the north 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high in the low-to-mid 70s. Calm winds increasing to come out of the southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low in the upper 50s.

---

NANTAHALA AREA FORECAST

Today

Showers likely before 11am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm into the afternoon hours. Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high in the mid-to-upper 70s. Winds out of the southeast 3 to 6 mph. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5am. Patchy fog after 9pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low in the low-to-mid 60s. Light winds out of the southwest. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday

A slight chance of showers before 10am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10am and 2pm, then a slight chance of showers after 2pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 80. Winds out of the northwest 3 to 7 mph. Chance of rain is 20%.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Winds out of the north 3 to 6 mph.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 80. Winds out of the north 3 to 5 mph.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low in the upper 50s.

---

TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK Things are starting to heat up




Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Tue Aug 27 2019

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

The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Tropical Storm Dorian, located just west of Barbados and heading toward the Windward Islands.

The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Tropical Depression Six, located a few hundred miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 5 days.

---

Weather Extremes for Macon County for the month of August
Data available from 1872 to 2018

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 July
Data available from 1870 to 2018

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

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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Published at 7:05am on August 27, 2019

Read More

Daily Weather Briefing for Monday, August 26, 2019

Local News Brief

A heavy and persistent rainstorm late Saturday afternoon that dumped over 3 inches of rain in a three hour period resulted in several landslides in the area of the Nantahala Gorge, trapping some people for a time before they were rescued. NCDOT crews are working to clear the slides and stabilize slopes before re-opening the road on Tuesday. If this area is between you and your planned destination, you should plan to detour around the area. Updates on the progress of the cleanup are posted below.

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.

NCDOT crews have started rebuilding the embankment and shoulder by the a slide in the Nantahala Gorge. The slide washed out a section 80-feet wide and knocked down branches 25 feet high above the road. These rocks are being placed at what used to be the edge of the river. pic.twitter.com/DaLPHW8FdL

— NCDOT Western Mts (@NCDOT_Westmtn) August 25, 2019

Press Release from the NCDOT dated Sunday Night at 6:32 pm



NCDOT Crews Clearing Four Slides in Nantahala Gorge
Officials anticipate opening the road Tuesday


BRYSON CITY – N.C. Department of Transportation crews are working around the clock on U.S. 19/74 until the highway is open through the Nantahala Gorge.

A severe deluge dropped 3.5 inches of rain in the gorge on Saturday and triggered slides that covered the road in four locations within a half-mile stretch on the western side of the gorge and spread debris from the mountainside into the river at three locations.

Transportation officials anticipate opening the road to traffic on Tuesday afternoon or evening.

“Slides one, two and three had no structural damage to the road, but at slide four, we need to build it back and that should take two more days,” Division 14 Maintenance Engineer Wesley Grindstaff said. “We will be working 24 hours a day because this is a critical roadway.”

More than 50 NCDOT employees and contract employees are removing mud, trees and rocks from the road from at three largest locations after clearing the smallest debris pile early Sunday. Those employees are utilizing 15 trucks, four front-end loaders, three track-excavators in addition to chainsaws and hand tools.

Three locations are expected to be cleaned by Monday morning in time to begin repairing small sections of guardrail and patching asphalt in spots.

The largest site — where the debris flow washed away 80 feet of guardrail and shoulder while rocks broke limbs 25 feet above the road — requires additional repairs.

Two excavators dug out loose soil beside the road Sunday morning and began rebuilding the embankment between the road and the river Sunday afternoon. Two more days of work remain to rebuild the support, the road surface and safety features.

NCDOT crews from four counties — Cherokee and Graham from the west, with Swain and Jackson from the east — on Saturday night. They cleared a path to remove between 12-15 vehicles that had been stuck between slides around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Engineers arrived on site at sunrise Sunday to assess the damage and develop the plan employees are enacting now. Early estimates indicate that repairs will cost around $500,000.

“Sometimes we’ll be out here cleaning up a little mud or small trees in this gorge after rain events,” Grindstaff said. “But nothing like this. With an average of 4,500 cars per day on this road — there’s more in the summer and rafting season — we know how important is to get the road open quickly.”

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.


###
Here are a press release and images provided by the USFS regarding the slides that were received via email at 1:01pm on Sunday, August 25th.





Landslides temporarily close US 19/74 and Nantahala River

Franklin, NC - August 25, 2019 - Several landslides on the Nantahala Ranger District have temporarily closed US 19/74 and the Nantahala River in the Nantahala Gorge in Swain County.

Crews from the North Carolina Department of Transportation are clearing debris from US 19/74. Their operations are expected to continue into Tuesday. A detour has been established. Westbound vehicles will take NC 28 West to Steccoah then NC 143 South to Robbinsville then NC 129 South to Topton and US 19/74. Eastbound traffic goes in reverse. Follow @NCDOT_Westmtn on Twitter (twitter.com/NCDOT_Westmtn) for traffic updates.

All river rafting and kayaking operations on the Nantahala River have been temporarily suspended. Debris from the landslides has entered the river making passage extremely hazardous.

Visitors should avoid these areas to ensure their own safety and that of crews assessing and clearing debris. Follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook (www.facebook.com/nfsnc) or Twitter (twitter.com/NFsNCarolina) for updates and photos.


###
Outlook

A cool wedge of high pressure will linger across the region into Monday. Warmer air and increased shower chances are on tap ahead of an approaching cold front Tuesday and Wednesday. Drier weather is possible behind the front to end the work week.


THREE DAY GFS FORECAST
This animated image shows a forecast of precipitation, air pressure and thickness level (cold-air damming) for three days in six-hour increments.
Green, Yellow, and Red indicate rain. Orange and Purple Indicate Freezing Rain or other freezing precipitation. Blue indicates snow.

---

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.

---

Weather Hazards

Hazardous weather is not expected today. Isolated to scattered showers and thundertorms are likely.



**Note** A Tropical Weather Outlook section has been added to the daily weather briefing for the Atlantic Hurricane Season, and since those tend to run long when there is activity, that section has been added between the daily forecasts for the four regions of the county and the almanac section so people can get to their daily forecasts with minimal interference.

---

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.

Patreon Subscriber History May 2014 to Present




Become a Patron!
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.

---

WEATHER FORECAST MAPS

Forecast maps for 7 am, 1 pm, and 7 pm.
[click on any image in this article to enlarge]

---

FRANKLIN AREA FORECAST

Today

A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. WInds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Monday Night

Rain likely, mainly after 4am. Patchy fog after 9pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low in the low-to-mid 60s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday

Rain likely before 8am, then showers likely between 8am and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Winds out of the southeast around 5 mph becoming light and variable by midmorning. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Calm winds. Chance of rain is 40%.

Wednesday

A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of rain is 40%.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.

---

OTTO AREA FORECAST

Today

A chance of rain, mainly between 11am and 4pm, then a chance of showers after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high in the low-to-mid 70s. WInds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight

Rain likely, mainly after 2am. Patchy fog after 9pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low in the low-to-mid 60s. WInds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday

Rain likely before 8am, then showers likely, mainly between 8am and 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high in the mid-to-upper 70s. Winds out of the southeast around 5 mph becoming calm by midmorning. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Calm winds. Chance of rain is 40%.

Wednesday

A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 9am. Partly sunny, with a high in the low-to-mid 80s. Chance of rain is 40%.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.

---

HIGHLANDS PLATEAU FORECAST

Today

Patchy fog after 5pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high in the low-to-mid 60s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Monday Night

Rain likely, mainly after 2am. Patchy fog after 7pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low in the upper 50s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday

Rain likely before 8am, then showers likely, mainly between 8am and 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 65. Winds out of the southeast 3 to 8 mph. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Light winds out of the west. Chance of rain is 30%.

Wednesday

A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 9am. Partly sunny, with a high in the lower 70s. Chance of rain is 40%.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low in the upper 50s.

---

NANTAHALA AREA FORECAST

Today

A chance of rain, mainly between 11am and 4pm, then a chance of showers after 4pm. Patchy fog in the morning. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high in the low-to-mid 70s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Monday Night

A chance of showers before 7pm, then rain likely, mainly after 5am. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 60. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday

Rain likely before 8am, then showers likely between 8am and 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high in the mid-70s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph shifting to come out of the southwest in the afternoon. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday Night

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low in the low-to-mid 60s. Calm winds.

Wednesday

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with lows in the upper 50s.

---

TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK Things are starting to heat up




Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Mon Aug 26 2019

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

The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Tropical Storm Dorian, located several hundred miles east-southeast of the Lesser Antilles.

1. An elongated area of low pressure centered about 280 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina has become a little better organized this morning. Environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development, and a tropical or subtropical cyclone is likely to form today or Tuesday while the system moves slowly northeastward well offshore of the southeastern United States. Interests along the coasts of South and North Carolina should continue to monitor the progress of this system. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system later today, if necessary.

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

---

Weather Extremes for Macon County for the month of August
Data available from 1872 to 2018

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 July
Data available from 1870 to 2018

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

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

---

Published at 4:10am on August 26, 2019

Read More

Daily Weather Briefing for Sunday, August 25, 2019 Slides Briefly Trap People in Nantahala

Local News Brief

A heavy and persistent rainstorm late yesterday afternoon resulted in several landslides in the area of the Nantahala Gorge, trapping some people for a time before they were rescued. Macon Media and several other groups on Facebook posted information about the event as it was happening. Some of the links are below.

Macon Media [LINK]

WNC Road Warriors [LINK]

WNCScanning [LINK] [AUDIO FEEDS]

Tri-State Area Traffic Weather & News [LINK]

WLOS-TV [LINK]

Here is a loop of the thunderstorm as it sat over the area. The loop is from 5:49pm to 8:01pm.



Press Release from the NCDOT dated Saturday Night at 10:55pm

Slides Close Nantahala Gorge

BRYSON CITY – A heavy rainstorm Saturday evening and four subsequent mudslides have closed U.S. 19/74 in the Nantahala Gorge through the night, and traffic is being detoured around the area.

A 2.8-inch deluge spilled debris into the road at four locations in the five miles between Hewitts Road on the western side and the Nantahala Outdoor Center on the eastern side.

N.C. Department of Transportation officials anticipate crews clearing enough space for all vehicles located between slides to exit the gorge tonight.

“This is unprecedented in the Nantahala Gorge,” Division 14 Engineer Brian Burch said. “We have engineers on site, equipment on site, and crews on site working with state highway patrol and local responders to help get people out as quickly and safely as possible tonight.”

The slides occurred between Ferebee Park on the western side of the gorge and the Nantahala Outdoor Center eight miles to the east.

NCDOT crews from Cherokee and Graham counties are preparing to remove debris from a slide at the western end of the gorge. Crews from Swain and Jackson counties are moving into remove slide debris from the eastern side of the gorge.

“The road will not open tonight for through traffic, but we’ll get folks out,” Division 14 Maintenance Engineer Wesley Grindstaff said after examining westernmost slide. “We will not know the entire severity of the slides until we have daylight on Sunday morning.”

Engineers will be on location Sunday morning to help assess the damage and design a plan to clear the road of all debris. At least one slide will take several days to be cleared.

A temporary detour has been established around the Nantahala Gorge. Westbound vehicles will take N.C. 28 West to Steccoah, then N.C. 143 South to Robbinsville, then N.C. 129 South to Topton and U.S. 19/74. Eastbound traffic will follow those routes in reverse — from Topton to Stecoah to Robbinsville to U.S. 19/74.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.

Outlook

A cool wedge of high pressure will linger across the region into Monday. Warmer air and increased shower chances are on tap ahead of an approaching cold front Tuesday and Wednesday. Drier weather is possible behind the front to end the week.


THREE DAY GFS FORECAST
This animated image shows a forecast of precipitation, air pressure and thickness level (cold-air damming) for three days in six-hour increments.
Green, Yellow, and Red indicate rain. Orange and Purple Indicate Freezing Rain or other freezing precipitation. Blue indicates snow.

---

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.

---

Weather Hazards

Hazardous weather is not expected today. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely.



**Note** A Tropical Weather Outlook section has been added to the daily weather briefing for the Atlantic Hurricane Season, and since those tend to run long when there is activity, that section has been added between the daily forecasts for the four regions of the county and the almanac section so people can get to their daily forecasts with minimal interference.

---

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.

Patreon Subscriber History May 2014 to Present




Become a Patron!
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.

---

WEATHER FORECAST MAPS

Forecast maps for 7 am, 1 pm, and 7 pm.
[click on any image in this article to enlarge]

---

FRANKLIN AREA FORECAST

Today

A 20 percent chance of rain after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight

A slight chance of rain before 11pm, then a slight chance of rain after 3am. Cloudy, with a low around 60. Light winds out of the southeast. Chance of rain is 20%.

Monday

A chance of rain, mainly between 7am and 2pm, then a chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Winds out of the southeast 3 to 5 mph. Chance of rain is 50%. rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Monday Night

Cloudy, with a low in the low-to-mid 60s. Calm winds. Chance of rain is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday

Rain likely before noon, the showers are likely after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high in the upper 70s. Light winds out of the southeast. Chance of rain is 60%.

Tuesday Night

A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.

---

OTTO AREA FORECAST

Today

A 20 percent chance of rain after 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high in the lower 70s. Calm winds increasing to come out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight

A slight chance of rain before 1am, then a slight chance of rain after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Winds out of the southeast around 5 mph. Chance of rain is 20%.

Monday

Cloudy, with a high in the lower 70s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Monday Night

Cloudy, with a low in the lower 60s. Light winds out of the southeast. Chance of rain is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday

Rain likely before 11am, then showers likely after 11am. Cloudy, with a high in the upper 70s. Light winds out of the southeast. Chance of rain is 60%.

Tuesday Night

A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.

---

HIGHLANDS PLATEAU FORECAST

Today

A 20 percent chance of rain after 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Winds out of the east 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

A 20 percent chance of rain. Patchy fog before midnight. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 55. Winds out of the east 5 to 10 mph.

Monday

A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 65. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Monday Night

A chance of rain before 11pm, then a chance of showers between 11pm and midnight, then a chance of rain after midnight. Cloudy, with a low in the upper 50s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 7 mph. Chance of rain is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday

Rain likely before 11am, then showers likely after 11am. Cloudy, with a high in the upper 60s. Winds out of the south around 6 mph. Chance of rain is 70%.

Tuesday Night

A chance of showers before 11pm, then a chance of rain between 11pm and midnight, then a chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of rain is 40%.

---

NANTAHALA AREA FORECAST

Today

A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly between 10am and 5pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high in the lower 70s. Light and variable winds. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight

A slight chance of rain before 11pm, then a slight chance of rain after 4am. Cloudy, with a low around 60. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 20%.

Monday

A chance of rain, mainly between 7am and 2pm, then a chance of showers after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 70. Winds out of the southeast around 7 mph. Chance of rain is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Monday Night

A chance of showers before 8pm, then a chance of rain after 8pm. Cloudy, with a low in the lower 60s. Winds out of the southeast around 5 mph. Chance of rain is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday

Rain likely before 10am, then showers likely between 10am and 3pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Winds out of the south 3 to 5 mph. Chance of rain is 60%.

Tuesday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers between 8pm and 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low in the low-to-mid 60s. Chance of rain is 40%.

---

TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK Things are starting to heat up




Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Sun Aug 25 2019

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

The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Tropical Storm Dorian, located several hundred miles east-southeast of the Lesser Antilles.

1. Showers and thunderstorms remain disorganized in association with a trough of low pressure that extends from south-central Florida northeastward over the western Atlantic for a few hundred miles. Environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development, and a tropical or subtropical depression is likely to form within the next few days while the system moves northeastward offshore of the southeastern United States. Interests along the coasts of South and North Carolina should continue to monitor the progress of this system. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the disturbance later today, if necessary.

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

---

Weather Extremes for Macon County for the month of August
Data available from 1872 to 2018

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 July
Data available from 1870 to 2018

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

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

---

Published at 5:15am on August 25, 2019
Radar Loop of Nantahala Storm added at 5:35am

Read More

Video of the August 6, 2018 Candidate Forum Hosted by the Nantahala Community Development Club

The Nantahala Community Development Club hosted a candidate forum last night in the combined Nantahala Library and Nantahala Community Center located behind Nantahala School. Candidates for NC Senate District #50, Macon County Sheriff, Macon County Commissioner, and Macon County Register of Deeds participated. Dorie Leland volunteered to operate a camera for Macon Media at the event because Bobby Coggins was filming a meeting of the Franklin Town Council [LINK] that was occurring at the same time. Thank You, Dorie, for ensuring this event was covered so the voters of Macon County could see and hear exactly what took place at the forum. No other local media outlet was able to send reporters due to low staffing and they were also present at the town board meeting.


VIDEO



MEDIA ROLL CALL

Macon Media represented by Dorie Leland

PREVIOUSLY

Candidate Forum Held on April 25th [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.



Become a Patron!
If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only. Macon Media rewards early sponsors/underwriters with lifetime guaranteed low rates while newer sponsors/underwriters pay higher rates based on the date they first support Macon Media.

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


Published at 7:26 am on August 7, 2018

Read More

Daily Weather Briefing for Wednesday, April 26, 2018

APOLOGY

I apologize for being so late with the daily weather briefing. I grossly overslept this morning. --Bobby

LOCAL NEWS

The Macon County School System became aware of a potential suicide pact among some Mountain Valley Intermediate students who were members of an online group on Instagram and they took steps to investigate it and they reached out to parents asking them to monitor their children's activities online. More on this incident may be read on the blog. [LINK]

Candidates who are challenging the incumbent county commissioners met with residents of the Nantahala Community on Tuesday Night to answer questions and speak with them about their visions for Macon County. Video of that event is on the blog. [LINK]

LOCAL OUTLOOK

An area of low pressure will cross the region today through early Friday, bringing rain chances back to the area. High pressure will build across our area this weekend and persist into early next week.


WEATHER SPONSOR



Adams Products, a Division of Oldcastle is underwriting the daily weather briefing & public safety updates for the month.

Open 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, M-F, located at 895 Hickory Knoll Road, Franklin, NC. Visit our Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/Adams.Oldcastle.Franklin.NC/

All your masonry needs are available. Our phone number is 828.524.8545, the public is welcome, we’ll help with your with your next project.





Weather Almanac for April 26th (1872-2016)

Record weather events for this date in Macon County

Highest Temperature 91°F in Franklin in 1986
Lowest Temperature 23°F in Highlands in 1919
Greatest Rainfall 3.2 inches in Highlands in 1939
Greatest One-Day Snowfall No snowfall has been recorded on this date since record keeping began in 1872

Record Weather Events for April (1872-2017)

Highest Temperature 91°F in Franklin on April 26, 1986
Lowest Temperature 13°F in Highlands on April 1, 1987
Greatest Rainfall 7.00 inches in Highlands on April 7, 1895
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 9.5 inches in Franklin on April 4, 1987



THREE DAY OUTLOOK

The images below represent the daily forecast at 8 am for today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. Click on any of them to enlarge.



----------------------------------
FRANKLIN AREA

TODAY

Showers, mainly after noon. High near 63. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

TONIGHT

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 11pm, then a chance of showers. Patchy fog after 11pm. Low around 46. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

FRIDAY

A 20 percent chance of showers between 10am and 11am. Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 69. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

SATURDAY

Sunny, with a high near 70. Light northwest wind becoming west northwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

SATURDAY NIGHT

Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
-----------------------------------------
OTTO AREA

TODAY

Showers, mainly after noon. High near 63. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

TONIGHT

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 11pm, then a chance of showers. Patchy fog after 11pm. Low around 46. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

FRIDAY

A 20 percent chance of showers between 10am and 11am. Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 69. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

SATURDAY NIGHT

Sunny, with a high near 70. Light northwest wind becoming west northwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

SATURDAY NIGHT

Mostly clear, with a low around 42.

---------------------------------------------
HIGHLANDS AREA

TODAY

Showers, mainly after noon. High near 62. Calm wind becoming south southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.


TONIGHT

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers. Patchy fog after 11pm. Low around 46. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.


FRIDAY

Partly sunny, with a high near 69. North northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.


FRIDAY NIGHT

Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.


SATURDAY

Sunny, with a high near 70. West northwest wind 5 to 9 mph.

SATURDAY NIGHT

Mostly clear, with a low around 42.

--------------------------------------------
NANTAHALA AREA

TODAY

Showers, mainly after noon. High near 58. Light and variable wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

TONIGHT

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 11 pm, then showers likely. Patchy fog after 11pm. Low around 45. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

FRIDAY

A 20 percent chance of showers before 11am. Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 62. West northwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph.

SATURDAY

Sunny, with a high near 62. Northwest wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.


SATURDAY NIGHT

Mostly clear, with a low around 41.

----------------------------------------


GOES 16 - Band 15 - 12.3 µm - Dirty Longwave Window - IR
2:37 am to 5:32 am this morning


HAZARDS

Hazardous weather is not expected today.


Macon Media maintains a Severe Weather Preparedness Page at http://thunderpigblog.blogspot.com/p/breaking-news-hub.html for those who are interested.

As always, you can check to see what advisories, watches, and warnings are in effect for Macon County by visiting http://is.gd/MACONWARN



5:32 am this morning



MACON CALENDAR

If you have an event you wish to be added to this calendar, please send the information, along with a flyer in pdf format or a high-quality photo, to editor@maconmedia.com. If you want text published, please include a paragraph with your photo, flyer or graphics. Please include date(s) and time(s).
There is no charge for civic, educational or nonprofit groups, except for groups or events that receive funding from the TDA, TDC, and EDC, where full rates apply.



OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

I am writing to thank the residents of Franklin, Highlands, and Macon County for spreading joy to children around the world this Christmas. Through the generosity of the Macon County community, 4,636 shoeboxes were collected; and the Western North Carolina Area Team was able to exceed our goal by collecting 20,038 shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind. The International total for 2017 was 11,012,840 shoeboxes!

As National Volunteer Week (April 15 – 21) approaches, I wanted to pass along information about an opportunity for Macon County residents to join a local volunteer team with Operation Christmas Child. This project of the international Christian relief organization, Samaritan’s Purse, sends gift-filled shoeboxes to millions of children in need each year and gives local residents the opportunity to make a worldwide impact. “National Volunteer Week is a great time to become a part of this international project,” said June Trull, who heads up the Western North Carolina Area Team of Operation Christmas Child.“Joining an Operation Christmas Child Area Team is an amazing way to give back year-round and share God’s love with children in need.”



Operation Christmas Child has delivered more than 157 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries since 1993. This year, the local Western North Carolina Area Team hopes to collect 21,000 shoebox gifts to contribute to the 2018 global goal of reaching more than 11 million children in need.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Thank You
Brenda Hackett
Samaritan's Purse
Media Support
Western North Carolina Area Team
Operation Christmas Child
828-369-6674/ bjandhack@hotmail.com
samaritanspurse.org/occnewsroom



COMMUNITY WALK ON THE GREENWAY

The Friends of the Greenway invites the community to participate in a "Walk on the Greenway" on April 21, 2018 at 10:30 AM beginning at the Macon County Library (on Siler Rd). Sunny Himes will lead about a 2 mile walk, highlighting several natural communities including a Red Cedar-Hardwood Woodland, Montane Alluvial Forest, and Floodplain wetlands. Discussion points will be historic and current uses of the land around the Greenway, how these uses shaped today's terrain and plant community compositions, and the challenges of wildland restoration in a popular urban park. Ms. Himes is a lecturer at Western Carolina University in botany, ecology and introduction biology. She is a past FROG Board member and continues to manage restoration projects on the Greenway. A $5 donation is suggested for this benefit walk. Send email of your interest in participating on the walk to: frog28734@gmail.com.




From Bully to Buddy, A Community Forum
Please note this forum is now taking place on the 26th of April

Bullying affects us all in different ways. Let’s work this out together.
Sincere invitations to the bully, the bullied and those in between — all ages — all genders Featuring: interaction, role playing, dialogue, discovery and direction (and some fun!)

This forum will be taking place on Wednesday, April 26 at 6 PM - 8 PM
pin in Tartan Hall at First Presbyterian Church, 26 Church Street, Franklin, NC

Join the event page on Facebook to find out more and to receive updates. [LINK]




Uptown Gallery classes
(These are on-going classes – repeat weekly)

Free classes and open studio times are being offered at the The Uptown Gallery in Franklin. Join others at a painting open studio session every Tuesday from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm or on Thursday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. 

Bring your own materials and join an on-going drawing course led by gallery artists on Fridays, from 11am – 2 pm. For information on days open, hours and additional art classes and workshops, contact the gallery on 30 East Main Street at (828) 349 – 4607.




National Alliance on Mental Illness
Appalachian South

Meets each Thursday at 7pm
The First Methodist Church Outreach Center
at the intersection of Harrison Ave. and West Main Street
(directly across from Lazy Hiker Brewery)

Come join our weekly support group for anyone suffering from mental illness and their family or friends. This includes Depression, Bipolar,8chizophrenia, PTSD, Substance Abuse, Etc.

Here you will find:
— others living with mental health challenges YOU ARE NOT ALONE
- learn coping skills and ?find hope in shared experience
- help learning how to break down stigma and guilt surrounding mental health
- how to live life with the expectation of a better a better future

Kay (706)970-9987 Denise (828)347-5000)

SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM

On January 1, 2017, the Syringe Exchange Program of Franklin began operating a comprehensive harm reduction program to address the opioid epidemic that is impacting western NC. Opioid overdose reversal kits including naloxone are available free of charge. If you have any questions about our services or if you know someone interested in volunteering, please contact Stephanie Almeida at 828-475-1920.



Sun and Moon


Sun

Begin civil twilight 6:22 a.m.
Sunrise 6:49 a.m.
Sun transit 1:31 p.m.
Sunset 8:14 p.m.
End civil twilight 8:41 p.m.


Moon

Moonset 4:29 a.m.
Moonrise 3:56 p.m.
Moon transit 10:35 p.m.
Moonset 5:06 a.m. tomorrow morning


Phase of the Moon on April 25, 2018: Waxing Gibbous with 79% of the Moon's visible disk illuminated.
Closest Primary Moon Phase: First Quarter on April 22, 2018 at 5:46 p.m. (local daylight time)




Sky Guides for this week


Sky and Telescope Magazine 
Astronomy Magazine


There will be three solar and two lunar eclipses in 2018. [LINK]

Heavens Above has an Android App that will assist you in observing the sky and even has a satellite tracker that will let you know when the International Space Station and dozens of other satellites are overhead. [LINK]

Stellarium is also an app that will assist you in observing the sky. It is available in both Android [LINK] and iOS versions. [LINK]

CROWDFUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

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

If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only. Macon Media rewards early sponsors/underwriters with lifetime guaranteed low rates while newer sponsors/underwriters pay higher rates based on the date they first support Macon Media.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online. You have made it possible for Macon Media to begin purchasing state of the art equipment and begin work on building a real website with features not employed by any local news outlets.

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

Published at 5:45 am on April 26, 2018

#WNCscan #MaconWx #MaconSafety

Data and information sources: Sources (except where otherwise credited): heavens-above.com, Ian Webster's Github, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, The National Weather Service, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, Penn State University Electronic Wall Map, The State Climate Office of North Carolina, Storm Prediction Center, U.S. Naval Observatory, and the Weather Prediction Center.

Read More