BearWise keeps bears wild in Waynesville

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 just came down from my neighbor’s yard, and then just […]

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

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 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. It dives deep and analyzes […]

2023 Sylva Pride sets up for success

The 2023 Sylva Pride festival is again here. Hosted by Sylva and WCU’s own Beulah Land, this year Pride on Sept. 9 looks to be even bigger and better than last year.   Travis Roundtree, head of the Sylva Pride board, says he expects around 300 attendees this year. Though the anticipated rain may dampen […]

WCU Spring Commencement highlights student achievement

WCU Ramsey Center was full with happy audience holding signs, flowers and balloons while the graduating class of 2023 walked the stage. And it was a big class. According to WCU site, in three ceremonies WCU awarded 2108 degrees of which 1517 were undergraduate degrees. There were 842 first generation students who walked the stage […]

“A place at the table for everyone”

Beulah Land, a local drag queen, artist and advocate for social change talks about what it’s like being a drag queen.  She begins her day as any of us. Her daily job is working as a barista in downtown Sylva. But when the day draws to a close, Land gets to a different type of werk. […]

39th annual Tuck River Cleanup highlight reel

With 405 volunteers and 2500 pounds of trash collected this year 39th Tuck River Cleanup is in the books as a success. The Tuck River Cleanup is one of the nation’s largest single day river cleanups. The event stretches 20 miles of the Tuckasegee river from Cullowhee to Whittier, NC.  This year, they removed 500 […]