Archives for October 14, 2016

Helen, GA, Oktoberfest offers more than a good beer

Crowds gathered in Helen, Georgia, to celebrate the 46th annual Oktoberfest on Sunday, Oct. 9. Helen, located about two hours away from Western Carolina University, was packed full of people from all over who made the trip out just for that special German feel of the event. In 1969, the Georgia mountain town, originally a […]

North Carolina’s districting problem

The North Carolina General Assembly may soon redraw the state’s congressional districts again for 2018. But will that have an impact on elections? Todd Collins, Director of Public Policy Institute at Western Carolina University, says it depends on voter turnout. A panel of federal judges ruled North Carolina’s congressional districts unconstitutional in February 2016, forcing […]

Debate for NC House District 119 highlights

This story was co-written with Charles Hadley.  North Carolina State Rep. Joe Sam Queen (D-Haywood) and challenger Mike Clampitt (R-Swain) engaged in a substantive debate Wednesday night, Oct.12, on the campus of Western Carolina University. About 60 people attended the debate between Clampitt and Queen in the Health and Human Sciences building at WCU. The […]

Is change coming? Candidates battle it out

This story was written by Tanner Hall, originally published in The Sylva Herald. Some of Jackson County’s most pressing issues – the ones current officials have been working to solve for the better part of the past year – are helping to shape the upcoming local election. Candidates running for the Jackson County Board of Commissioners […]

Clown sighting sets off frenzy in Cullowhee

This story was written by Jason Farmer, originally published in The Sylva Herald.  When Patrick Turner stood next to Old Cullowhee Road in a red-haired clown costume and waved at passing cars, he said he had no idea mass hysteria would ensue. Turner, a 22-year-old senior at Western Carolina University, said he did it for […]