Thundering sounds of drums entertained and thrilled the audience who came to the DRUM TAO returned performance at WCU despite empty containers for the ear plugs. The bats hiding in the Bardo ceiling were less happy, but Bardo staff said they are doing everything to catch them and get them out. DRUM TAO made their anticipated return to Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University as […]
Preserving the promise of the Jackson County Library Complex
February 24, 2026 by
Story originally published in The Sylva Herald, Feb. 18 edition The primary focus of discussion at the Feb. 12 meeting of Sylva’s town board was the future of the Jackson County Public Library complex, where a longtime volunteer asked town officials to help keep the Courthouse and library together under one lease. Antoinette MacWatt, who has volunteered […]
Project ADAM Heart Safe comes to Jackson County
February 24, 2026 by
Fairview Elementary School has earned the designation as “Project ADAM Heart Safe,” the only school here in Jackson County and this part of Western North Carolina to achieve this special recognition. For someone suffering from sudden cardiac arrest, the best chance of saving a life is within the first four minutes. It can happen to […]
DRUM TAO: The anticipated return to WCU’s Bardo Arts Center
February 18, 2026 by
WCU Bardo Arts Center welcomes back DRUM TAO to perform their brand new show “The Best” on Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. DRUM TAO is Japan’s elite Taiko drumming ensemble and is currently on their highly anticipated 2026 North American tour in over 40 cities and among them is WCU. DRUM TAO has sold out shows in 26 countries, and their performance is […]
Democrats sense opportunity in storm-ravaged NC-11
February 17, 2026 by
Story written by Written by Cory Vaillancourt, published at Smoky Mountain News, Feb. 10. Republished Voters in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District have endured years of disaster and instability, just as national trends are shifting hard against Republicans. Democrats believe this is their best chance in years to flip the gerrymandered seat currently held by Rep. […]
Man on a mission: In NC-11, former Green Beret confronts GOP incumbent he says fell short
February 15, 2026 by
Story written by Cory Vaillancourt. Published at Smoky Mountain News. Republished Over the past decade or more, Western North Carolina Republicans have proven that the only candidates that can beat incumbent Republican congressmen are other Republicans. Adam Smith talks like someone who has already settled on that outcome and is now working backward to make it […]
