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Local News

BearWise keeps bears wild in Waynesville

Originally published by The Mountaineer Kim Parker was spending a normal weekend afternoon with family in the living room when she spied something out the window that left her speechless.  “I looked out and at first I couldn’t get the words out. I’m just pointing at the yard. The bear […]

Featured Local News

Drugs in Jackson County: A history of the issue

Originally published by The Sylva Herald  “The investigation led to 15 arrests on charges stemming from illegal guns, drug possession, trafficking and setting up places from which to deal drugs…” (The Sylva Herald Nov. 2022).  “Three men from outside Jackson County were arrested with multiple pounds of drugs and charges […]

Featured Local News

Settlement sends county money to fight drugs

Originally published by The Sylva Herald The US Government reached a historic $56 billion cumulative settlement agreement following the aftermath of various lawsuits concerning opioid exploitation by American pharmacies. The state of North Carolina is set to receive $1.5 billion in total according to Attorney General Josh Stein.  Jackson County […]

Local News

Why primaries are important

Election season is upon us and with that “vote for me” signs have started making their appearance.  But the election isn’t until November 5, so why is voting starting in February?  Primary elections are hosted every election cycle as a “pre-election”. Each party, mainly the Republican and Democratic parties, have […]

Local News

Landing the big one: Rise in trout fishing supports outdoor economy

Originially published by The Mountaineer  Haywood County ranks in the top five most popular counties for trout fishing in North Carolina, which contributes $1.38 billion annually to the state’s economy, according to a comprehensive study that analyzed the economic impact of trout fishing.   The newly-released study was developed by the […]

Local News

N.C. 107: The economic impact of the work

Originally published by The Sylva Herald.  America runs on Dunkin and Sylva lost the only one in town. Dunkin Donut s closed shop in November and more businesses will be closing permanently or moving to a new location soon. With all of this change, Sylva’s economy is expected to take […]

Featured Local News

N.C. 107: Pain, but eventual gain

Originally published by The Sylva Herald  Businesses along Highway 107 lay stark and empty as the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) prepares to widen the route between Cullowhee and Sylva. Graffiti coats the sides of once well-loved buildings and community staples as many businesses have closed or relocated to […]

Campus Features Local

“We are still here”: Western Carolina University remains a Cherokee place

Originally published in The Western Carolina Journalist  November is Native American Heritage Month, but it’s not just a heritage for the Cherokee people of Western North Carolina. It’s a living, vibrant culture.    There are 547 federally recognized tribes in the United States. Native Americans were not automatically afforded U.S. citizenship […]