Skatepark Closed for Graffiti Removal

From the Town of Franklin:

SUNNYSIDE SKATEPARK CLOSED FOR CLEANING

The Town of Franklin is saddened to have to close the skatepark at Sunnyside for several days to remove the graffiti that was left on the skate surface. The park will remain closed until all of the graffiti can be removed, and the surface property cleaned and pressure washed. Cameras at the site are being reviewed to assist in identifying the individuals who have defaced this park that so many community members and skateboarders worked together to have built. If you have any information about this incident, you are encouraged to reach out to the Franklin Police Department at 828-524-2864.

Read More

Franklin Town Council Chooses Whitmire Property for Public Skatepark

The Franklin Town Council met late Monday afternoon on September 13th, to consider the merits of three locations for a proposed public skatepark in the city limits. The council started their investigation at the Whitmire Property in East Franklin. They considered three locations at Whitmire, the first being in the middle of the upper field next to Van Raalte Street, then a section of the property near Van Raalte Street and Hill Street, then the corner nearest the intersection of Van Raalte Street and First Street. During the course of their discussions, the councilors dismissed the county-owned property in Frogtown next to the dog park on Phillips Street due to the perceived delay in getting approval from the county commissioners, the property surveyed, etc.

The council then voted to move to the Town Memorial Park (formerly known as the Jaycees Memorial Park) to consider the merits of that location. Included in the discussion were concerns about flooding, maintenance due to flooding, and the potential for worsening future flooding, and the coming water and sewer project that will involve installing underground pipes in the area where the skatepark would be placed. It was also noted that the availability of construction equipment was severely time-limited due to JE Dunn Construction having to move the equipment in use at the future Angel Medical Center to new projects. 

The town council, upon consideration of all these factors, voted unanimously to place the park in the northeast corner of the White Property closest to the intersection of Van Raalte Street and First Street, on the southwest side of a parking lot being used by Tricorn.

A video of the most pertinent portions of the conversations is posted below.

Franklin Town Council Skatepark Field Trip (09-13-2021)



Some of the photos taken during the field trip:

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



Become a Patron!


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


Published at 3:20pm on Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Author: Bobby Coggins

Read More

Macon County Board of Commissioners - July 2021 Public Comment Period

Here is a segment from the July 2021 regular meeting of the Macon County Board of Commissioners. More will be added as they are completed. The full meeting can be seen at this link.

This segment is of the public comment period from the meeting. It lasted 15 minutes and 42 seconds. Three people raised concerns about a public display of material relating to Gay Pride Month targeted at minors in the public library. Two people spoke in favor of the public skatepark the Town of Franklin and JE Dunn are partnering to construct and the county was encouraged to find ways to contribute to the effort. One person, a reporter, spoke in favor of the Gay Pride Month display at the public library.

Public Comment

Ways to Support Macon Media and Unbiased Local Journalism

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



Become a Patron!


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


Published at 10:12am on Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Read More

Franklin Town Council June 2021 Regular Meeting

The Franklin Town Council met last night for their regular meeting for June 2021. An executive summary, followed by a video of the meeting and a table of contents to assist the reader in finding a section of the meeting they wish to view.

Roll Call
(Media outlets, elected critters and candidates for public office in attendance at the meeting. If an outlet is not listed, no one from that outlet was present at the meeting)

Macon Media (me, present for entire meeting)
The franklin Press (one editor, present for entire meeting)
The Macon County News and Shopping Guide, one reporter, present until completion of item 6 on the agenda)

Danny Reitmeier, candidate for Mayor


DAY SPONSOR

Macon Media is being underwritten today by "Barbarian Utopia: Encounters on the Appalachian Trail," a documentary that celebrates the history, beauty, and magic of the Appalachian Trail and the communities that support it through the stories of a recent college graduate and over 100 other hikers. You can rent or purchase it today at [https://www.amazon.com/Barbarian-Utopia-Encounters-Appalachian-Trail/dp/B0898S16FF/]

PUBLIC AGENDA
Franklin Town Council
June 07, 2021 • 6:00 p.m.


1. Call to Order - Mayor Bob Scott
2. Pledge of Allegiance - Vice-Mayor Jack Horton
3. Adoption of the June 7, 2021 Town Council Agenda - Town Council
4. Approval of the Consent Agenda for June 7, 2021 - Town Council
    A.) Approval of May 3, 2021 and May18, 2021 Town Council Minutes
    B.) Budget Amendment
    C.) Setup Revenue Fund for American Rescue Plan (ARP)
    D.) United Community Bank Signature Authorization
    E.) Street Closing Request for WYFC Car Show
    F.) Street Closing Request for Taste of Scotland Festival
    G.) Re-Appointment of Connie Gruberman to TDA Board
    H.) Re-Appointment of Candy Presley to TDA Board
5. Public Hearings:
    A.) Public Hearing 6:05 p.m. for Town of Franklin Fiscal Year 2021 – 2022 Budget
    B.) Public Hearing 6:10 p.m. for Sign Ordinance
    C.) Public Hearing 6:15 p.m. for Consideration of Economic Development Loan
6. Public Session
7. New Business:
    A.) Board Action on Town of Franklin Fiscal Year 2021 – 2022 Budget - Town Council
    B.) Board Action on Sign Ordinance - Town Council
    C.) Board Action on Consideration of Economic Development Loan to Hendon Tiller Franklin, LLC - Town Council
    D.) Gemstone Village Water and Sewer Allocation – Alec Stillwell
    E.) Resolution in Support of Closing North Carolina’s Health Insurance Gap - Town Manager Summer Woodard
    F.) Discussion on Town Sponsored Events - Town Manager Summer Woodard
    G.) Update on Skate Park Request - Chief Bill Harrell
    H.) Budget Amendment Request for New Town Hall Vehicle - Town Manager Summer Woodard
    I.) Discussion on Town of Franklin Employee Recruitment and Retention - Town Manager Summer Woodard & HR Director Travis Tallent     J.) Rules for Sunny Side Disk Golf Course - Town Manager Summer Woodard
8. Legal
    A.) Discussion on Draft Ordinance 2021-006, Police and Fire Ordinance Corrections
    B.) Discussion on Draft Ordinance 2021-007, Discretionary Warning Citations
    C.) Closed Session Pursuant to G.S. 143-318.1(a)(3), to consult with the Town Attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege.
9. Announcements
    A.) Town of Franklin Annual Fireworks and Downtown Block Party Saturday July 3, 2021. Block party starts at 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and fireworks starts at 9:30 p.m. No public entry will be allowed at the fireworks due to insurance and Fire Marshal regulations. Rain date for fireworks will be July 10, 2021.
    B.) Town Hall Offices will be closed Monday July 5, 2021 for Independence Day &
nbsp;   C.) Town Council Meeting Tuesday July 6, 2021
10. Adjourn

The agenda packet with more informmation may be downloaded in PDF Format [Download PDF]

Executive Summary

During the meeting, they held public hearings for the budget, the sign ordinance, and an economic development loan to Hendon and Tiller, LLC (Chic-Fil-A) and no one appeared in favor or in opposition, and all three measures passed with a unanimous vote.

No one appeared to address the board or the community at the Public Comment portion of the meeting.

The board voted to approve water and sewer allocation to a new adult restricted community called Gemstone Village.

The board also approved a submitted resolution calling for the "Closing of the North Carolina Health Insurance Gap." Summer Woodard, the Town Manager, updated the town council on what events the town sponsors.

The council also discussed the Skatepark concept they had been pursuing in earnest after a number of people appeared at a recent meeting. [See Video]. Representatives from JE Dunn (the construction company building the new hospital) appeared and discussed with the town council their desire to give back to the community after they are finished with the new hospital in June 2022. After a discussion of options, the option of targeting the Franklin Memorial Park (formerly the JC Memorial Park) as a location to build a park. Their estimation of the final cost would be around $100,000 with JE Dunn Corporate picking up part of the cost, matching up to a portion of the amount raised by the community and/or appropriated by the town.

The town council approved the purchase of a new vehicle for the town hall and donating the current town hall vehicle to the police department. The town approved a one-time half percent bonus to assist in the retention of employees with 5 years of service to the town.

The board discussed and approved preliminary rules for the new Sunny Side Disk Gold Course. They are, as follows:
• Use is on a first-come, first-served, basis
• Pick up trash and place trash in the provided receptacles
• Use after dark is prohibited
• Pick up after pets
• Do not throw at or toward vehicles
• Amplification equipment is prohibited
• No alcohol allowed, violators will be prosecuted
• No concealed weapons

The council had a first reading of Daft Ordinances 2021-06, Police and Fire Ordinance Corrections and Draft Ordinance 2021-07, Discretionary Warning Citations. The board is expected to further discuss and approve these in the July 2021 meeting.

The mayor made announcements concerning the schedule of the Franklin Annual Fireworks and Downtown Block Party on Saturday, July 3rd. The rain date is July 10th. The town offices will be closed on Monday, July 5th, for the observance of Independence Day. A special meeting for the proposed skatepark may be called before then.

The town council went into a closed session "to preserve the attorney-client privilege," and after 45 minutes, the meeting was called back into session. The board voted to move $60,000 in the Water and Sewer Budget from one line item to another line item.

Summer Woodard, the town manager, remarked on her leaving and expressed appreciation to the council and employees and the media for their help during her seven years as manager. Members of the council also expressed their appreciation of her time as manager.

The meeting was adjourned.

Video of Meeting



Table of Contents

00:00:00 Supporters
00:00:15 Meeting Start
00:00:40 Pledge of Allegiance
00:01:05 Adoption of the agenda
00:01:30 Approval of the Consent Agenda
00:02:05 Public Hearing for the 2021-2022 Budget
00:04:30 Public Hearing for Sign Ordinance
00:06:38 Consideration for Economic Development Loan (Chic-Fil-A)
00:09:36 Public Comment (no one was present)
00:09:35 Board Action on 2021-2022 Budget
00:11:05 Board Action on the Sign Ordinance
00:11:30 Board Action on Loan to Hendon-Tiller, LLC (Chic-Fil-A)
00:12:37 Gemstone Village Water and Sewer Allocation
00:17:48 Closing North Carolina's Health Insurance Gap
00:19:44 Town-Sponsored Events
00:22:01 Update on Skatepark
00:41:51 New Town Hall Vehicle
00:46:08 Employee Recruitment and Retention
00:50:16 Rules for Sunny Side Disk Golf Course
00:55:56 Police and Fire Ordinance Corrections
00:56:35 Discretionary Warning CItations
00:58:38 Announcements
00:59:37 Closed Session
01:00:03 Out of Closed Session (audio difficulties)
01:01:45 Town Manager Appreciation and Farewell
01:03:23 Move to Adjourn Meeting
01:03:42 Town Manager Explains the Vote of Closed Session
(the audio was not working at the time the council came back into open session)


CROWDFUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES


If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



Become a Patron!


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


Published at 12:12pm on Wednesday, June 08, 2021

Read More

Weather Briefing for Tuesday, May 4, 2021

OUTLOOK

Expect numerous showers and thunderstorms again today, as a cold front approaches from the west. The front should move across the region on Wednesday, ushering in cool high pressure for the rest of the week. The high will shift to our east over the weekend, resulting in warmer temperatures into early next week.


---BEGIN SPONSOR SEGMENT---



Weather Sponsor



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

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

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


--- END SPONSOR SEGMENT---


Local News Update
(National News is published after the Macon Calendar section)

Franklin Police Officer Devin Holland is Promoted to Captain 

[Public Comment]



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

Proponents of Public Skatepark Adress the Town Council During Public Comment



Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Angel Medical Center Facility [LINK]

Governor Orders Flags Lowered Until Sunset on May 4th [LINK]

Weather-related Video





National Weather Map for Today

General forecast through Thursday Night


Franklin area

Franklin area

Today

Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11am. Patchy fog before 10am. Highs in the mid-70s. Calm winds early increasing to come out of the southwest 5 to 10 mph by midmorning. Chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three-quarters and one inch possible. Tonight Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Patchy fog between 10pm and 3am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with lows in the upper 50s. Light winds out of the south. Chance of rain is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible. Wednesday Showers likely, mainly before 11am. Mostly sunny, with highs in the low-to-mid 70s. Light winds out of the southwest early increasing to come out of the west 5 to 10 mph by midmorning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of rain is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Wednesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers before 9pm. Mostly clear, with lows in the mid-40s. Winds out of the north 3 to 7 mph. Thursday A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Sunny, with highs near 70. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with lows around 40.

Highlands area

Today

Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11am. Patchy fog before 10am. Highs in the upper 60s. Winds out of the southwest 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible. Tonight Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Patchy fog between 9pm and 3am. Otherwise, cloudy, with lows in the mid-50s. Winds out of the southwest 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of rain is 70%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible. Wednesday Showers likely, mainly before noon. Mostly sunny, with highs in the mid-60s. Winds out of the west 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of rain is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Wednesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers before 9pm. Mostly clear, with lows in the mid-40s. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph. Thursday A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Sunny, with highs in the lower 60s. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with lows around 40.

Otto area

Today

Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11am. Patchy fog before 10am. Highs in the mid-70s. Calm winds early increasing to come out of the southwest 5 to 10 mph by midmorning. Chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible. Tonight Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Patchy fog between 10pm and 3am. Otherwise, cloudy, with lows in the upper 50s. South wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of rain is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible. Wednesday Showers likely, mainly before 11am. Mostly sunny, with highs in the mid-70s. Winds out of the west 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of rain is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Wednesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers before 9pm. Mostly clear, with lows in the mid-40s. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Thursday A slight chance of showers in the midafternoon. Sunny, with highs near 70. Chance of rain is 20%. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with lows in the lower 40s.

Nantahala area

Today

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 11am. Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs in the mid-70s. Winds out of the southwest 3 to 8 mph. Chance of rain is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible. Tonight Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with lows around 60. Winds out of the southwest 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible. Wednesday A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely after 8am. Patchy fog in the morning. Otherwise, partly sunny, with highs in the upper 60s. Winds out of the southwest 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of rain is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Wednesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with lows in the mid-40s. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph. Thursday A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with highs in the mid-to-upper 60s. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with lows in the lower 40s.

HAZARDS

A cold front approaching from the west will be the trigger for another round of strong to severe thunderstorms during mainly the afternoon and nighttime hours today. The storms will increase the threat for isolated flash flooding as well across areas that experience multiple rounds of rainfall. For those of you traveling to our east, storms are expected in the piedmont tomorrow.


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 mediumh range (6.3 out of 12) today with Maple, Birch, and Oak being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the medium range (7.1 out of 12).


Weather Extremes for Macon County on May 4th


Highest Temperature 88°F in Franklin in 1955
Lowest Temperature 25°F in Franklin in 1971
Greatest Rainfall 2.52 inches in Highlands in 1993
Greatest Snowfall No measurable snowfall has been 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

Macon Calendar

Macon County Public Library

Exploring North Carolina's Lookout Towers: A Guide to Hikes and Vistas with Author Peter Barr Thursday, May 6th, 6:30 p.m. outside the Macon County Public Library in the picnic pavilion next to Macon Early College- Exploring North Carolina's Lookout Towers: A Guide to Hikes and Vistas with Author Peter Barr Join us for a presentation by the author and a chance to purchase your own copy of his updated book on NC's lookout towers. Please call, email or visit Kristina Moe at the library to register- 828-524-3600, kmoe@fontanalib.org Friends of the Greenway

Friends of the Greenway would like to invite you to FROG FAIR, our spring arts & crafts fair on May 8, 2021 from 9-3 at FROG Quarters, 573 E. Main St, Franklin (at the Town bridge). We are excited to report that so far, 26 vendors have chosen to participate at the FAIR. As a fund raiser event for FROG, we collect a vendor registration fee, will offer a continental breakfast, lunch specials, homemade desserts and hold a 50/50 drawing with a $50 guarantee. Area musicians will perform throughout the day, with a sitting area for extra enjoyment. Mark your calendar and come enjoy the day. Stop by FROG Quarters Wednesday-Saturday between 9-2 to become a registered vendor or to purchase 50/50 drawing tickets. Hope to see you on May 8. For vendor information, email us at frog28734@gmail.com.


On This Day

May 3rd is the 124th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. 241 days remain until the end of the year. Historical Events


1256 – The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV issues a papal bull Licet ecclesiae catholicae.
1415 – Religious reformers John Wycliffe and Jan Hus are condemned as heretics at the Council of Constance.
1436 – Assassination of the Swedish rebel (later national hero) Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson
1471 – Wars of the Roses: The Battle of Tewkesbury: Edward IV defeats a Lancastrian Army and kills Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales.
1493 – Pope Alexander VI divides the New World between Spain and Portugal along the Line of Demarcation.
1626 – Dutch explorer Peter Minuit arrives in New Netherland (present day Manhattan Island) aboard the See Meeuw.
1686 – The Municipality of Ilagan is founded in the Philippines.
1776 – Rhode Island becomes the first American colony to renounce allegiance to King George III.
1799 – Fourth Anglo-Mysore War: The Battle of Seringapatam: The siege of Seringapatam ends when the city is invaded and Tipu Sultan killed by the besieging British army, under the command of General George Harris.
1814 – Emperor Napoleon arrives at Portoferraio on the island of Elba to begin his exile.
1814 – King Ferdinand VII abolishes the Spanish Constitution of 1812, returning Spain to absolutism.
1836 – Formation of Ancient Order of Hibernians
1859 – The Cornwall Railway opens across the Royal Albert Bridge linking Devon and Cornwall in England.
1869 – The Naval Battle of Hakodate is fought in Japan.
1871 – The National Association, the first professional baseball league, opens its first season in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
1886 – Haymarket affair: A bomb is thrown at policemen trying to break up a labor rally in Chicago, United States, killing eight and wounding 60. The police fire into the crowd.
1904 – The United States begins construction of the Panama Canal.
1910 – The Royal Canadian Navy is created.
1912 – Italy occupies the Greek island of Rhodes.
1919 – May Fourth Movement: Student demonstrations take place in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, protesting the Treaty of Versailles, which transferred Chinese territory to Japan.
1926 – The United Kingdom general strike begins.
1927 – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is incorporated.[1]
1932 – In Atlanta, mobster Al Capone begins serving an eleven-year prison sentence for tax evasion.
1942 – World War II: The Battle of the Coral Sea begins with an attack by aircraft from the United States aircraft carrier USS Yorktown on Japanese naval forces at Tulagi Island in the Solomon Islands. The Japanese forces had invaded Tulagi the day before.
1945 – World War II: Neuengamme concentration camp near Hamburg is liberated by the British Army.
1945 – World War II: The German surrender at Lüneburg Heath is signed, coming into effect the following day. It encompasses all Wehrmacht units in the Netherlands, Denmark and northwest Germany.
1946 – In San Francisco Bay, U.S. Marines from the nearby Treasure Island Naval Base stop a two-day riot at Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Five people are killed in the riot.
1949 – The entire Torino football team (except for two players who did not take the trip: Sauro Tomà, due to an injury and Renato Gandolfi, because of coach request) is killed in a plane crash.
1953 – Ernest Hemingway wins the Pulitzer Prize for The Old Man and the Sea.
1959 – The 1st Annual Grammy Awards are held.
1961 – American civil rights movement: The "Freedom Riders" begin a bus trip through the South.
1961 – Malcolm Ross and Victor Prather attain a new altitude record for manned balloon flight ascending in the Strato-Lab V open gondola to 113,740 feet (34.67 km).
1970 – Vietnam War: Kent State shootings: The Ohio National Guard, sent to Kent State University after disturbances in the city of Kent the weekend before, opens fire killing four unarmed students and wounding nine others. The students were protesting the Cambodian Campaign of the United States and South Vietnam.
1972 – The Don't Make A Wave Committee, a fledgling environmental organization founded in Canada in 1971, officially changes its name to "Greenpeace Foundation".
1973 – The 108-story Sears Tower in Chicago is topped out at 1,451 feet as the world's tallest building.[2]
1978 – The South African Defence Force attacks a SWAPO base at Cassinga in southern Angola, killing about 600 people.[3]
1979 – Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
1982 – Twenty sailors are killed when the British Type 42 destroyer HMS Sheffield is hit by an Argentinian Exocet missile during the Falklands War.
1988 – The PEPCON disaster rocks Henderson, Nevada, as tons of Space Shuttle fuel detonate during a fire.
1989 – Iran–Contra affair: Former White House aide Oliver North is convicted of three crimes and acquitted of nine other charges; the convictions are later overturned on appeal.
1990 – Latvia declares independence from the Soviet Union.
1994 – Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO leader Yasser Arafat sign a peace accord, granting self-rule in the Gaza Strip and Jericho.
1998 – A federal judge in Sacramento, California, gives "Unabomber" Theodore Kaczynski four life sentences plus 30 years after Kaczynski accepts a plea agreement sparing him from the death penalty.
2000 – Ken Livingstone becomes the first Mayor of London (an office separate from that of the Lord Mayor of London).
2007 – Greensburg, Kansas is almost completely destroyed by a 1.7-mile wide EF5 tornado. It was the first-ever tornado to be rated as such with the new Enhanced Fujita scale.
2014 – Three people are killed and 62 injured in a pair of bombings on buses in Nairobi, Kenya.
2020 - Countries in Europe begin cautious reopening after COVID-19 lockdown, Italy restarts construction and takeaways, Germany reopens schools
2020 - World leaders pledge $8 billion to research treatments and a vaccine for COVID-19, with the US and Russia not taking part
2020 - India begins lifting some restrictions in regions with fewer COVID-19 cases


CROWDFUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES


If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



Become a Patron!


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


Published at 4:39am on Tuesday, May 04, 2021

Read More