Black gold in them thar hills?
WLOSers buried probably the best story of the day Friday – Holly Headache’s dumb report about a guy who says there’s 8,000 acres of oil fields in the Snowbird Mountains of Macon County.
Holly said that Darren Free looked up a nearly 100-year-old U.S. Geological Survey report while he was doing research during the manhunt for Olympic bomber Eric Rudolph. Holly didn’t give us any more credentials on this Darren dude. But he says that the Nantahala Forest is ripe with oil.
So then Holly goes an interviews a young gas station cashier, who says yeah, it would be great if there was oil in the moutains because gas prices suck, and especially if, like, they could protect the environment while sucking out the oil.
Then Holly quotes a Blue Ridge Parkway visitor, who says oil rigs in the mountains really wouldn’t look good. Then Holly ends her report by saying that she couldn’t reach anyone with the parkway or the U.S. Geological Survey or the Department of Health and Natural Resources for comment.
Thanks, Holly. Thanks for that.
Gibson trial
The trial of Michelle Gibson wrapped up Friday. She’s the woman charged with second-degree murder in the death of her 8-year-old son, Devin, last year. The testimony ended with friends testifying that Gibson was a loving mother who cared for her son. A social worker said Devin loved his mother, and Devin’s pediatrician said that, knowing Devin and his mother, that “this was nothing more than a tragic accident,” in her opinion. But Michelle Boudin told us that the jury didn’t hear that testimony, but didn’t explain why the judge wouldn’t allow it.
So the jury will hear closing arguments on Monday, then start deciding Gibson’s fate. Boudin said the jury will have the option to consider manslaughter, a lesser charge than the murder rap. And they’ll have to decide Gibson’s guilt or innocence on two felony counts of child abuse.
We predicted earlier that the jury will find Gibson guilty of second-degree murder, and we’re sticking to that guess.
Lockdown
WLOSers had a lame story about Estes Elementary School going into lockdown after a threat was made to someone at the school.
WLOSers didn’t tell us what the threat was, or who threatened whom. Was it a child? An adult? What was the big deal? We got no detail. Absolutely none.
Property tax increase in Henderson County
There could be a 5-cent property tax increase in Henderson County, Sheraldo said. The county’s been growing like crazy, commissioners said, and they need the money for new schools and stuff. O, and there’s a new leash law in Henderson County that went into effect on Friday.
Downtown After 5
Julie Blunder did a little stand-up from Pack Square, during the first Downtown After 5. Julie said, “The turnout’s really well.” She also said, “The weather is really holding out.” And she said, “The food here is smelling fantastic.”
Then she said there’s been some “controversy” over the fact that the Downtown After 5 parties will be split between Pack Square and the Grove Arcade. But she never explain what the controversy was. What’s the controversy, Julie? Explain. That’s your job, remember?
Awww, what’s the use…