Student housing in Cullowhee hosts signing day

As the fall semester gets close to its end, many Western Carolina students are starting their search for housing for the next school year. Many students choose to live in off-campus apartments or small homes around the WCU campus. Students have options all around the Cullowhee area, many of them within walking distance to classes, all […]

COVID-19 cases see new jump across Jackson County

By Dave Russell Story published in The Sylva Herald in Oct. 15 edition.  Western Carolina University reported 30 new cases of COVID-19 over the last week. The bump contributed to a 7.6 % increase in Jackson County from last week. The county currently has 66 people isolating due to COVID-19 infection. That’s up from 50 […]

Chancellor takes oath of office, outlines WCU priorities for new academic year shaped by pandemic

This story is from the WCU Public Relations office.  CULLOWHEE – Western Carolina University Chancellor Kelli R. Brown was sworn into office Wednesday, Aug. 12, an action delayed nearly five months by the COVID-19 pandemic. Brown urged the university community not to allow the disruptions of the global health crisis to stop the institution from […]

Sylva leaders move to address statue issue

By Dave Russell Originally published in The Sylva Herald on July 30, 2020.  The decision to remove the Confederate monument on the Courthouse steps overlooking Sylva belongs with Jackson County and the state. That didn’t stop Sylva’s town board from making its feelings known Monday by 3-2 vote approving a resolution asking county commissioners to […]

COVID-19 cases here sail past the 370 mark

By Dave Russell Originally published in The Sylva Herald on July 30, 2020.  Jackson County COVID-19 cases rose by 22.1 percent over the last week. As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the Jackson County Department of Public Health reported 376 cases of full-time residents and 8,203 tests reported to the agency. The county has had three […]

Monumental issue: Debate over statue draws varied perspectives

Originally published in The Sylva Herald on June 25, 2020.  As signatures increase on dueling change.org petitions – one to remove Sylva’s Confederate monument and one to leave it alone – and the number of marchers grows, government officials and others have responded to the issue. Sylva has seen a vigil and two marches supporting […]