This story was written by Haley Smith, originally published in The Sylva Herald. Jackson County Emergency Management wants additional information from transportation officials on possible traffic congestion for Aug. 21 – the day of the total solar eclipse. County officials met Monday to review an initial N.C. Department of Transportation study. It compared current traffic volumes with […]
Local Meals on Wheels to roll on … budget cut or no budget cut
March 23, 2017 by
This story was written by Haley Smith, originally published in The Sylva Herald. It’s still too early to know exactly what might happen, but President Donald Trump’s proposed budget cuts could limit funding for Jackson County Meals on Wheels. Jackson County Department on Aging Director Eddie Wells said the details remain in flux. “If it were a […]
Bill would allow guns at both WCU and SCC
March 9, 2017 by
This story was written by Haley Smith, originally published in The Sylva Herald. If approved, new legislation would give people with concealed-carry permits the legal OK to bring handguns with them when visiting or taking classes at Western Carolina University and Southwestern Community College. The prospect isn’t sitting well with the 17 police chiefs in the UNC […]
What is an eclipse?
March 9, 2017 by
There are four types of solar eclipses – partial, annular, total and hybrid: • The outer shadow cast by the moon, also called the penumbra, shows a partial eclipse. • Annular eclipses occur when the moon doesn’t cover the sun entirely, leaving a “ring of fire” around the moon. • The rare celestial phenomenon that […]
Educators view eclipse as teachable moment
March 9, 2017 by
This story was written by Haley Smith, originally published in The Sylva Herald. Monday, Aug. 21 will be the first day of schools for Jackson County students, and educators couldn’t be happier about the coinciding solar eclipse. Superintendent Mike Murray, who has a background in science, has helped push all-things science in local schools. “I’m excited to […]
Getting ready for the solar eclipse
March 9, 2017 by
This story was written by Haley Smith, originally published in The Sylva Herald. Julia Wiggins has been waiting 10 years to see a total solar eclipse. On Aug. 21, she’ll finally get her wish. Although she grew up on a family farm in eastern North Carolina, she has family in Sylva. Her mother, LaRae Truckner Wiggins, spent […]
