Written story produced by Elise Holbrook. Podcast episode produced in collaboration with Drue Stinnett. Take a moment and think about your upbringing. Were you constantly and consistently taught to pay attention to your surroundings, or to be cautious in public, whether it be sticking to well-lit areas, having a friend of family member with you at […]
WCU: The Herald will defend the public’s right to know
The Sylva Herald is a small publication with limited resources. We intend to do what’s necessary, however, to ensure local governments and institutions abide by state transparency laws. As a last resort, that can mean getting a lawyer to fight with us for the public’s right to know. This week, we asked Sylva attorney Kim […]
WCU drags feet on records request. The Herald examines legal options
The story was originally published in The Sylva Herald on Feb. 21, 2019 by Dave Russell The Sylva Herald has taken steps to pursue civil legal action against Western Carolina University. The actions came just prior to going to print Wednesday. The Herald contends a report prepared by Asheville-based engineering firm McGill & Associates about […]
Jackson County courts enter the digital age
Story originally published in The Sylva Herald on Feb. 14 Jackson County has implemented the Court Date Notification and Reminder Service that will allow users to gain easy access to criminal court information via email or text messaging. The North Carolina Judicial System launched the statewide service in October 2018. “The court system is trying […]
WCU Bouldering Competition returns for its 12th year
Western Carolina University’s annual “Rock n’ Rumble” bouldering competition is ready to rock the spring of 2019. The competition, hosted by Basecamp Cullowhee, is held at WCU’s Campus Recreation Center (CRC) climbing wall on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and will feature expert and amateur rock climbers from across the region. […]
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in Western North Carolina
The story was originally published in The Sylva Herald on Feb. 7, 2018. A new front in the war against a destructive black and brown insect, the hemlock woolly adelgid, has been opened by Western Carolina University. Research focused in Jackson and Macon counties started last fall, led by Peter Bates and Angela Mech from […]





