A version of the story was published in the Sylva Herald, April 15 edition Working parents don’t have it easy in North Carolina. The state has lost childcare facilities and parents are forced to either bring them to their workplace or work with the employers for accommodations. The economic impact of the childcare crisis and […]
Archives for April 2026
Whee Life: Artemis missions and taking humans back to the Moon
April 18, 2026 by
NASA accomplished something historic in April. We are step closer to stepping again to the Moon. Artemis II mission to orbit the moon and come back in 10 days was successful and as NASA says on their website “the first crewed Artemis flight marks a key step toward long‑term return to the Moon and future […]
Bridging the gap of the digital divide
April 17, 2026 by
Spencer Davis, a senior English major at WCU, saw a need for a human-centered, user-friendly website to provide greater access to services during his internship with Circles of Jackson County. Davis and Drew Virtue, a professor in the English Department at WCU, worked together to improve the Circles of Jackson County website to help more […]
HERE committee seeks funding after embezzlement scandal
April 16, 2026 by
The story was published in The Sylva Herald, April 15 edition. Jackson County leaders heard a presentation from the HERE Committee at the Board of Commissioners meeting on April 7, as the organization seeks continued funding while recovering from a recent financial controversy. Cris Weatherford, HERE’s board chair, and Paul Phillips, interim director, shared an overview of the committee’s […]
WCU trumpet professor Brad Ulrich retirement swan song performance
April 16, 2026 by
The classical works of Vivaldi, Debussy and Bach matched perfectly with more contemporary works of Horowitz and Turrin during the final concert of Dr. P. Bradley Ulrich which was worthy of the name “Final Trumpet Extravaganza.” The matching tones of Paul Merkelo and Ulrich’s trumpets reverberating throughout Coulter’s Recital Hall were coordinated with the expertise […]
Tuck River clean-up opportunity for fun and doing good
April 13, 2026 by
It’s time for the 42nd annual Tuck River clean-up. The Tuck River cleanup 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, April 18. The registration starts from 9 a.m. in front of the Catafount (transportation will be provided). Due to a limited amount of gear, registration will be limited to about 500 volunteers. There are alternative walking routes […]
