Archives for September 2026

Picklefest: Pickling is culture

Bryson City, N.C. – Western North Carolina locals gathered for the second annual Picklefest at Darnell Farms on Sept. 5 and 6. The community came together to celebrate pickles by listening to live music, enjoying pickled foods, and supporting local vendors. The event was inclusive, and admission was free, allowing hundreds to enjoy the festival. The […]

Why are there dead butterflies in the parking deck? 

If you’ve had a WCU commuter parking pass and parked in the parking deck, you have likely seen butterfly wings throughout the stairwells.  In case you have never walked through the parking deck, the wings I am referring to are mainly from the North Carolina state butterfly: the Eastern tiger swallowtail. You’ve likely seen them flying throughout North Carolina (or any part of Eastern U.S.).  Remnants […]

“I Voted” sticker contest recognition

The winners of Jackson County’s 2026 “I Voted” sticker contest were recognized Tuesday, Sept. 1, during the Jackson County Board of Elections meeting. Naomi Pratt, 7, took first place with a design featuring an eagle and red, white and blue lettering that reads “I VOTED.”  “I chose the eagle because there is an eagle at East Laporte,” […]

WCU College Republicans plan to bring candidates and do some cleaning up

The College Republicans at Western Carolina University will have their inaugural meeting at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 3 in the University Center Dogwood Room. Tristin Goode, the leader of the group, wants them to bring Republican candidates to talk about politics and climate change. The College Republicans club was revived in 2025, and Goode is hoping […]

Music On The Porch Festival this Saturday in Dillsboro

Story originally published in The Sylva Herald, Sept. 2 edition. The Appalachian Women’s Museum will host its seventh annual Music on the Porch festival from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at Monteith Farmstead Park in Dillsboro. The annual event celebrates Appalachia’s musical culture. live performances, local food and artisans will bring the community […]

Early voting returns to WCU campus

Western Carolina University students will have access to an early voting site with the approval of the Health and Human Sciences building as a polling location for the November midterm election. The State Board voted Thursday, Aug. 20, to approve HHS as one of five early voting sites in Jackson County. The Cullowhee Recreation Center […]