As the primary elections approach in Jackson County election officials say voter registration activity is in full swing. The director of the Jackson County Board of Elections, Amanda Allen shared in an email data showing that the voter activity so far has largely been influenced by changes in party affiliation. In an email, Allen explains […]
Profiles of candidates for Jackson County Commissioner seats in District 1 & 2
February 2, 2026 by
Story by Cory Vaillancourt. Re-publish of The Smoky Mountain News, Jan. 27 edition Unlike some counties in North Carolina, Jackson elects its county commissioners by district. Currently, District 1 is represented by Todd Bryson, who has decided not to run again. Four Democrats have filed for Bryson’s seat — John Herrera, Julie Painter, Casey Walawender […]
Library fight, taxes shape Jackson County commission races
February 2, 2026 by
Story written by Cory Vaillancourt, re-published from The Smoky Mountain News Amid growing financial concerns, Jackson County’s four Republican commissioners have spent the last few years fighting a culture war. On March 3, Primary Election voters will weigh in on their priorities. Over the past four budget cycles, Jackson County commissioners have overseen a steady […]
Snow and freezing temperatures cancels classes … again
February 1, 2026 by
Jackson County woke up under a blanket of snow after a winter snow started Friday night, Jan. 30 and continued almost all day on Jan. 31. Many WCU students got their inner children out, spending the day sledding on campus or just enjoying the snow. According to the National Weather Service, snow is expected to […]
New House Bill reinforces immigration procedures for NC sheriffs
January 31, 2026 by
A version of this story was published in The Western Carolinian and The Sylva Herald Jan. 28 edition New North Carolina House Bill 318, called the Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act, is requiring sheriffs to work even more closely with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. According to the bill, jail administrators would be required to notify […]
JCPS construction projects estimated to be nearly $30 million over budget
January 30, 2026 by
A version of this story was published in The Sylva Herald Jackson County Public Schools’ new building projects and renovations are nearly twice as much as the county had previously allocated. This was the main topic of the regular joint meeting between the Jackson County Board of Education and the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 22 where no decision was […]
