• 63°
franklin county times

County gets weather cam

By Staff
Melissa Cason
Franklin County has put itself on the map – the weather map.
The county is now home to a WAFF weather camera as Channel 48 unveiled its newest location yesterday. The camera is situated atop the new Franklin County Jail.
"I began contacting the television stations about two years ago so that we could get this camera in Franklin County," Franklin County Sheriff Larry Plott said.
Many media outlets were asking for thousands of dollars in return for the camera, but WAFF, Alfa and Stratus Station, located in Hamilton, partnered to finance its installation for Franklin County.
"This is a hallmark occasion," Becky Shores , Marketing Manager for WAFF, said. "We had been working for several years to get the camera in Franklin County when Sheriff Plott contacted us."
Shores said a camera in Franklin County is critical because the location is pivotal in tracking storms through the heart of the valley.
WAFF held a reception for the public to unveil the camera yesterday evening and the weather segment of the 5 o'clock news was broadcast from Franklin County.
"This is important for us so that we can see the weather even before it gets here," Franklin County EMA Director Roy Gober said.
Stratus Station's Alan West said the cameras can zoom out for about 10 miles and can better see the conditions on the ground.
"Radar goes straight and all they see is rotation," West said. "They cannot tell whether the tornado is on the ground. The camera can see if the tornado is on the ground."
Shores said that Franklin County's new camera is one of eight dedicated to covering the Tennessee Valley.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x