The Appalachian Craft Fair brought traditional crafts to the Mountain Heritage Days on Sept. 23 with demonstrations of fabric weaving, doll-making, stonemasonry and live music for students and the community at Western Carolina University. The Mountain Heritage Days started Sept. 21 and lasted through Sept. 26 for a week of live music, family activities, food […]
Battle of the Bands returns to WCU this Friday
September 29, 2026 by
Battle of the Bands returns to the Western Carolina University central plaza on Oct. 2 from 6 to 10 p.m. After its initial performance last year WCU bands will entertain WCU students and community, showcase their musical talents and fundraise for the Community Table. “This is supposed to be a fun event that is building […]
Sylva Pride celebrates queer voices and community
September 28, 2026 by
Sylva celebrated its sixth annual Pride festival Sunday, Sept. 20, at Bridge Park. Tents of vendors and food trucks lined up to sell handmade crafts and assorted food and beverages, while local businesses and nonprofits shared information about their work supporting the LGBTQ+ community in Sylva. The long-anticipated Pride parade started at 2 p.m. on […]
Civic Forum space for non-partisan political discourse and community engagement
September 26, 2026 by
With elections approaching Webster and Jackson County Board of Elections are organizing a civic forum as a space for the community to meet with candidates running for different offices, discuss issues and problems and how they will address them. People can register to vote, ask questions while having fun. The event is on Sunday, Sept. […]
JCPS schools improve in latest state report
September 23, 2026 by
Story originally published in The Sylva Herald, Sept. 23 Jackson County Public Schools improved their performance grades at four schools during the 2025-2026 school year. Adam Holt, JCPS director of testing and accountability, presented the district’s state test results during the Jackson County Board of Education meeting Sept. 22. All JCPS schools met or exceeded […]
The Class of 2030: Adjusting to college life in the mountains
September 23, 2026 by
Western Carolina University’s freshman class is settling into campus life one month at a time to make Cullowhee feel like home. WCU’s Class of 2030 is the largest freshman class in history. Chancellor Kelli R. Brown reported 2,385 freshmen this fall, contributing to an overall enrollment of 12,308 students. While some students have noticed changes around campus, the first month has also given freshmen opportunities to find their place at WCU. […]
