Mosquitoes in WNC can infect community

Mosquitoes are one of the most common pests in Western North Carolina, but they bring a greater risk than itchy bites. Western Carolina University environmental health professor and public health biologist Brian Byrd has a passion for insects, particularly mosquitoes.   Though he has also worked with tics and mites, Byrd specializes in mosquito-borne diseases […]

WCU students prepare for life in the ‘real world’

Western Carolina University is about to send its largest-ever class of graduates out into the world of real life jobs, but the job market for new college graduates has not improved in recent years. This discouraged this class of WCU students. They all have plans and aspirations for after they graduate. Some plan to further […]

ARF uses transport to save unwanted animals in Jackson County

The Jackson County Humane Society uses all of its resources and volunteers to help the growing population of unwanted and homeless animals in the community. Currently, there are no programs in the area to deal with this problem, but ARF volunteers have literally taken to the road to find a solution. ARF has created a […]

Fishing: a line and a lure

Every spring, the white bass converge on the rivers in North Carolina, gliding upstream to participate in spawning rituals that result in waters overflowing with the silver-bodied fish. If fishermen calculate correctly, they will find themselves ripping these fish out of the water faster than they can reel. “I’ve had days when I’ve literally caught […]

WCU students share their gun violence ‘number’

After losing a dear friend, Dr. Roger Hartley, associate professor of political science at Western Carolina University, created a Facebook group called “What is Your Number? Our Network of Gun Violence.” The group has gained national attention through MSNBC and The Washington Post. Dr. Hartley spoke with WCJ about his project. Read the full story […]

Sylva Heinzelmannchen Brewery turns nine

by Randy Conn and Kathleen Kiser Heinzelmannchen Brewery turned it’s ninth birthday on Saturday and for that occasion they provided a dry and tasty place during the rainy Greening Up the Mountains 2013 Festival in Sylva. See the video story we’ve prepared and read some more information about it’s owner and the brew he makes. […]