Macon Media News, Weather and Information

25/01/2025

Cowee and Burningtown-Iotla VFDs have been requested to investigate a smoke report off Saldeer Summit Road.



Dispatched 4.07pm on Saturday, January 25, 2025

Send a message to learn more

25/01/2025

There is a report of an accident near 3300 Highlands Road near Estes Road. EMS and Cullasaja Gorge VFD have been called out.

Please use caution in this area for the next hour or so.

#

Dispatched t 2.54pm on Saturday, January 25, 2025

Send a message to learn more

25/01/2025

There is a report of an accident with rollover and entrapment on or near "Windy Croner" Road. EMS and Clarks Chapel VFD are responding.

Please exercise caution



Dispatched at 2.30pm on Saturday, January 25, 2025

Send a message to learn more

25/01/2025

Weather Briefing for Saturday, January 25, 2025

https://thunderpigblog.blogspot.com/2025/01/wx20250125.html

• Sunny and warmer
• Trump meets with North Carolina families affected by Hurricane Helene | Fox News
• Trump tours LA fire damage | NewsNation
• Estimated cost of fire damage balloons to more than $250 billion [Los Angeles Times]
• Trump pledges support to WNC residents, criticizes federal response in Swannanoa visit [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC) ]
• (video) Will President Trump's support make the difference for the Lumbee Tribe? [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC) ]
• The storm stole more than 100 lives in North Carolina. Here are their stories. [Raleigh News and Observer]
• ‘Days of betrayal and neglect are over,' Trump says during visit of Helene-ravaged WNC [Asheville Citizen-Times]

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(send your event to [email protected])

Mountain Findings
432 Spruce Street (physical)
Highlands, North Carolina 28741
Web: MountainFindings.org

Mountain Findings (a thrift store) is open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm.

Music Lineup for Friends of the Greenway, Inc.

Frog Quarters Music Schedule (located at 573 East Main Street in Franklin)

Here's our scheduled January Calendar of music. As usual, we will be closed for our normal 2 week period for Christmas and New Year's and will reopen 1/8/2025 on Wednesday. We will however be closed for the Memorial Service for Tom James, a family member of Frog Board and Staff. We're looking forward to a wonderful New Year full of music, and we couldn't do it without you. Thank you so much for your support in 2024 and previous years. As usual, we are still available for contact best by emailing us at [email protected].

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

January 2025 Schedule

1-25-25—Bloodroot—Three- and Four-part harmonies are forefront in this Americana acoustical roots band. You’ll hear oldies from the 70’s & 80’s along with songs you might remember from your childhood. Zip Robertson, Crickett Woodward, Paul Davis and Judy Kirkland.

For other Music and News follow us on Facebook at Friends of the Greenway, Inc. and Instagram at friends_of_the_greenway_inc. To find out more about the Greenway and our organization, our website is: littletennessee.org.

Frog Quarters is open 9a to 2p, Wednesdays thru Saturdays—beside the River Bridge. We are the Non-Profit supporting the Greenway with monies from sales from our Coffee & Gift Shop, Memberships and Donations. As always, thank you for your support!



January 25 is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 340 days remain until the end of the year (341 in leap years).

41 – After a night of negotiation, Claudius is accepted as Roman emperor by the Senate.
750 – In the Battle of the Zab, the Abbasid rebels defeat the Umayyad Caliphate, leading to the overthrow of the dynasty.
1573 – Battle of Mikatagahara: In Japan, Takeda Shingen defeats Tokugawa Ieyasu.
1945 – World War II: The Battle of the Bulge ends.

   
  

GENERAL OUTLOOK High pressure will weaken as the air mass gradually modifies through the weekend. Temperatur...

24/01/2025

There is a report of an accident on Dillard Road near Old Mud Creek Road, Two vehicles involved, one of them over an embankment.



Dispatched at 4.21pm on Friday, January 24, 2025

24/01/2025

There is a report of an accident in the parking lot of the Smoky Mountain Performing Arts Center. EFranklin VFD is responding.



Dispatched at 10.28am on Friday, January 24, 2025

24/01/2025

**1.54pm** Scanner audio reports Air Force One is "Wheels Up"

******(
For those of you headed to the Asheville area today, be prepared for traffic delays as President Trump will be in the area today.

WLOS Coverage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlUbPiZ9AVQ

Additional information will be posted in the comments below.

24/01/2025

**9.17am** Savannah VFD Command has terminated operations at this location and has expressed appreciation for the assistance from Mountain VFD.
Traffic is flowing again.

------------------------
Mountain Valley VFD has been requested to respond to the top of Cowee Mountain to shut down US-441 due to an accident on the Jackson County side.

Please avoid this route for what may be an hour or two.

VFD

Published at 8.27am on Friday, January 24, 2025

24/01/2025

Weather Briefing for Friday, January 24, 2025

https://thunderpigblog.blogspot.com/2025/01/wx20250124.html

• Sunny and warmer, then cloudy in the afternoon
• Trump backs full federal recognition for Lumbee Tribe, citing long-standing support [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC) ]
• Trump to visit disaster zones in North Carolina and California on first trip of second term [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC) ]
• Trump takes step toward federal recognition of NC’s Lumbee Tribe [Raleigh News and Observer]
• Trump in Asheville: What to know about Jan. 24 visit, scenes from his previous 2 visits [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• Why is this happening? When will it end? And just how dry is it? Fires, winds leave San Diego County on edge [Sand Diego Union-Tribune]
• Hughes fire scorches over 9,000 acres near Castaic; as thousands flee, 5 Freeway reopens [Los Angeles Times]
• FEMA interim director Cameron Hamilton to debut publicly during Trump's visit [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC) ]
• NC sues Trump over 'plainly wrong' birthright citizenship ban, AG Jeff Jackson says [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC) ]
• North Carolina joins lawsuit to stop Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship [Raleigh News and Observer]
• Western NC weather could cause frostbite, hypothermia: What to know [Asheville Citizen-Times]

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WEATHER SPONSOR

This space available

DAY SPONSOR

This space available

Support Macon Media

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

Become a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia
Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia

---END SPONSORED SEGMENT---


(send your event to [email protected])

Mountain Findings
432 Spruce Street (physical)
Highlands, North Carolina 28741
Web: MountainFindings.org

Mountain Findings (a thrift store) is open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm.

Music Lineup for Friends of the Greenway, Inc.

Frog Quarters Music Schedule (located at 573 East Main Street in Franklin)

Here's our scheduled January Calendar of music. As usual, we will be closed for our normal 2 week period for Christmas and New Year's and will reopen 1/8/2025 on Wednesday. We will however be closed for the Memorial Service for Tom James, a family member of Frog Board and Staff. We're looking forward to a wonderful New Year full of music, and we couldn't do it without you. Thank you so much for your support in 2024 and previous years. As usual, we are still available for contact best by emailing us at [email protected].

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

January 2025 Schedule

1-25-25—Bloodroot—Three- and Four-part harmonies are forefront in this Americana acoustical roots band. You’ll hear oldies from the 70’s & 80’s along with songs you might remember from your childhood. Zip Robertson, Crickett Woodward, Paul Davis and Judy Kirkland.

For other Music and News follow us on Facebook at Friends of the Greenway, Inc. and Instagram at friends_of_the_greenway_inc. To find out more about the Greenway and our organization, our website is: littletennessee.org.

Frog Quarters is open 9a to 2p, Wednesdays thru Saturdays—beside the River Bridge. We are the Non-Profit supporting the Greenway with monies from sales from our Coffee & Gift Shop, Memberships and Donations. As always, thank you for your support!



January 24 is the 24th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 341 days remain until the end of the year (342 in leap years).

41 – Claudius is proclaimed Roman emperor by the Praetorian Guard after they assassinate the previous emperor, his nephew Caligula.
914 – Start of the First Fatimid invasion of Egypt.
1915 – World War I: British Grand Fleet battle cruisers under Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty engage Rear-Admiral Franz von Hipper's battle cruisers in the Battle of Dogger Bank.

   
  

23/01/2025

There is a report of a three vehicle accident at 1164 Bryson City Road. EMS and Franklin VFD are responding.

Please use caution in this area for the next hour or so



Dispatched at 2.16pm on Thursday, January 23, 2025

23/01/2025

PRESS RELEASE (01-23-2025)

Mission Health implements temporary visitor restrictions because of reported flu increase

There has been an increase in reported influenza-like illnesses throughout North Carolina. According to the North Carolina Public Health Division, the influenza-like illness activity in the state has reached more than six percent, and local transmission has increased.

To help reduce the spread of respiratory illness, Mission Health is implementing temporary visitor restrictions, which means that only two visitors per patient may be in the facility and children under age 13 are asked not to visit. Exceptions will be considered as necessary.

This precaution is being implemented at all Mission Health hospitals and affiliates in the western North Carolina region including Mission Hospital in Asheville, CarePartners in Asheville, Mission Hospital McDowell in Marion, Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, Angel Medical Center in Franklin and Highlands-Cashiers Hospital in Highlands.

We understand these restrictions may pose a hardship for some, but our utmost concern is for the health and safety of all our patients and our entire community, and we implement restrictions only when absolutely necessary. We are also urging community members who become ill with symptoms of the flu to stay home and maintain helpful respiratory etiquette such as covering a cough or sneeze and handwashing. If symptoms worsen, they are advised to contact their primary care provider, seek care at a walk-in clinic such as Mission My Care Now, or call the Mission Health Consult a Nurse at 844-706-8773 for free advice on if and where to seek care. It’s important to avoid the emergency room unless there are signs and symptoms of severe illness, as it can expose the patient to other illnesses and expose others to illness as well. Visitor restrictions will remain in place until reported flu-like activity decreases. Hand sanitizing stations are available at our hospital entrances and throughout the buildings. People who have not yet received the influenza vaccine are urged to do so immediately and to ensure their children have been vaccinated.

Your efforts are truly appreciated in helping keep our patients, team members and visitors safe.



Published at 1.37pm on Thursday, January 23, 2025

23/01/2025

There is a report of a vehicle fire on Green Road. Franklin VFD is responding.

Please be cautious in this area



Dispatched at 11.38am on Thursday, January 23, 2025

23/01/2025

From a Reader:

"2015 Ford F250 stolen from residence on 01/22/2025 in upper burningtown. Please keep a look out and contact macon county sheriff's office and us on FB at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078770251438"



Published at 8.55am on Thursday, January 23, 2025

23/01/2025

Weather Briefing for Thursday, January 23, 2025

https://thunderpigblog.blogspot.com/2025/01/wx20250123.html

• Franklin area two-hour delay
• Nantahala School two-hour delay
• Highlands School no announcement
• Sunny and warmer
• Why is this happening? When will it end? And just how dry is it? Fires, winds leave San Diego County on edge [Sand Diego Union-Tribune]
• Hughes fire scorches over 9,000 acres near Castaic; as thousands flee, 5 Freeway reopens [Los Angeles Times]
• FEMA interim director Cameron Hamilton to debut publicly during Trump's visit [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC) ]
• NC sues Trump over 'plainly wrong' birthright citizenship ban, AG Jeff Jackson says [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC) ]
• North Carolina joins lawsuit to stop Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship [Raleigh News and Observer]
• Western NC weather could cause frostbite, hypothermia: What to know [Asheville Citizen-Times]

---BEGIN SPONSOR SEGMENT---

WEATHER SPONSOR

This space available

DAY SPONSOR

This space available

Support Macon Media

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

Become a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia
Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia

---END SPONSORED SEGMENT---


(send your event to [email protected])

Mountain Findings
432 Spruce Street (physical)
Highlands, North Carolina 28741
Web: MountainFindings.org

Mountain Findings (a thrift store) is open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm.

Music Lineup for Friends of the Greenway, Inc.

Frog Quarters Music Schedule (located at 573 East Main Street in Franklin)

Here's our scheduled January Calendar of music. As usual, we will be closed for our normal 2 week period for Christmas and New Year's and will reopen 1/8/2025 on Wednesday. We will however be closed for the Memorial Service for Tom James, a family member of Frog Board and Staff. We're looking forward to a wonderful New Year full of music, and we couldn't do it without you. Thank you so much for your support in 2024 and previous years. As usual, we are still available for contact best by emailing us at [email protected].

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

January 2025 Schedule

1-25-25—Bloodroot—Three- and Four-part harmonies are forefront in this Americana acoustical roots band. You’ll hear oldies from the 70’s & 80’s along with songs you might remember from your childhood. Zip Robertson, Crickett Woodward, Paul Davis and Judy Kirkland.

For other Music and News follow us on Facebook at Friends of the Greenway, Inc. and Instagram at friends_of_the_greenway_inc. To find out more about the Greenway and our organization, our website is: littletennessee.org.

Frog Quarters is open 9a to 2p, Wednesdays thru Saturdays—beside the River Bridge. We are the Non-Profit supporting the Greenway with monies from sales from our Coffee & Gift Shop, Memberships and Donations. As always, thank you for your support!



January 23 is the 23rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 342 days remain until the end of the year (343 in leap years).

393 – Roman emperor Theodosius I proclaims his eight-year-old son Honorius co-emperor.
971 – Using crossbows, Song dynasty troops soundly defeat a war elephant corps of the Southern Han at Shao.
1556 – The deadliest earthquake in history, the Shaanxi earthquake, hits Shaanxi province, China. The death toll may have been as high as 830,000
1941 – Charles Lindbergh testifies before the U.S. Congress and recommends that the United States negotiate a neutrality pact with Adolf Hi**er.
2002 – U.S. journalist Daniel Pearl is kidnapped in Karachi, Pakistan and subsequently murdered.
2003 – A very weak signal from Pioneer 10 is detected for the last time, but no usable data can be extracted.

   
  

SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS (THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2025) Franklin area two-hour delay. [ LINK ] Nantahala School two-...

22/01/2025

A reminder from the Town of Franklin:

Cold Weather Reminder – Water Lines

The Town of Franklin Water Division would like to remind citizens that with temperatures in the teens, and lower, that dripping a faucet will prevent lines from freezing and potentially breaking. Those with backflow preventer devices should use heat strips or heat tape and should turn them on to prevent damage to devices. When possible, catch and re-use the water from dripping faucets.

If you experience a water service interruption that cannot be traced directly in your home, please report it to the Town at 828-524-2516.

22/01/2025

Weather Briefing for Wednesday, January 22, 2025

https://thunderpigblog.blogspot.com/2025/01/wx20250122.html

• Franklin area two-hour delay
• Nantahala School closed, remote learning day
• Highlands School two hour delay
• Very cold in the morning, then sunny and warmer
• (videos) Trump infrastructure announcement | The Hill
• President Trump to visit WNC on Friday to assess post-Helene recovery efforts [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC) ]
• NC sues Trump over 'plainly wrong' birthright citizenship ban, AG Jeff Jackson says [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC) ]
• North Carolina joins lawsuit to stop Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship [Raleigh News and Observer]
• Western NC weather could cause frostbite, hypothermia: What to know [Asheville Citizen-Times]

---BEGIN SPONSOR SEGMENT---

WEATHER SPONSOR

This space available

DAY SPONSOR

This space available

Support Macon Media

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

Become a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia
Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia

---END SPONSORED SEGMENT---


(send your event to [email protected])

Mountain Findings
432 Spruce Street (physical)
Highlands, North Carolina 28741
Web: MountainFindings.org

Mountain Findings (a thrift store) is open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm.

Music Lineup for Friends of the Greenway, Inc.

Frog Quarters Music Schedule (located at 573 East Main Street in Franklin)

Here's our scheduled January Calendar of music. As usual, we will be closed for our normal 2 week period for Christmas and New Year's and will reopen 1/8/2025 on Wednesday. We will however be closed for the Memorial Service for Tom James, a family member of Frog Board and Staff. We're looking forward to a wonderful New Year full of music, and we couldn't do it without you. Thank you so much for your support in 2024 and previous years. As usual, we are still available for contact best by emailing us at [email protected].

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

January 2025 Schedule

1-25-25—Bloodroot—Three- and Four-part harmonies are forefront in this Americana acoustical roots band. You’ll hear oldies from the 70’s & 80’s along with songs you might remember from your childhood. Zip Robertson, Crickett Woodward, Paul Davis and Judy Kirkland.

For other Music and News follow us on Facebook at Friends of the Greenway, Inc. and Instagram at friends_of_the_greenway_inc. To find out more about the Greenway and our organization, our website is: littletennessee.org.

Frog Quarters is open 9a to 2p, Wednesdays thru Saturdays—beside the River Bridge. We are the Non-Profit supporting the Greenway with monies from sales from our Coffee & Gift Shop, Memberships and Donations. As always, thank you for your support!



January 22 is the 22nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 343 days remain until the end of the year (344 in leap years).

871 – Battle of Basing: The West Saxons led by King Æthelred I are defeated by the Danelaw Vikings at Basing.
1517 – The Ottoman Empire under Selim I defeats the Mamluk Sultanate and captures present-day Egypt at the Battle of Ridaniya.
1879 – The Battle of Rorke's Drift, also during the Anglo-Zulu War and just some 15 km (9.3 mi) away from Isandlwana, results in a British victory.
1973 – The Supreme Court of the United States delivers its decisions in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, legalizing elective abortion in all fifty states.
2009 – U.S. President Barack Obama signs an executive order to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp; congressional opposition will prevent it being implemented.

   
  

SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS (WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2025) Franklin area two-hour delay. Nantahala School closed, remote ...

21/01/2025

Readers are reporting a tractor-trailer headed down the Cullasaja Gorge from Highlands to Franklin.

If you're in the area, please use caution.



Published at 3.51pm on Tuesday, January 21, 2025

21/01/2025

It looks like a short flizzard is on the way. Y'all be careful out there.
Use this as an open thread regarding road conditions.

Disambiguation: flizzard is a portmanteau of flurries and blizzard. iT IS A blizzard of snow flurries. The snow "USUALLY" doesn't accumulate.



Published at 3.08pm on Tuesday, January 21, 2025