Becki Veach contributed to the story What started as a small Earth Day Festival has now become a celebration of Appalachian culture and spring, turning the 28th annual Greening Up The Mountains Festival into one of the largest single-day festivals in the U.S. “We love coming to these festivals. We try to support local artists […]
Finding a solution on the childcare crisis in WNC
April 18, 2026 by
A version of the story was published in the Sylva Herald, April 15 edition Working parents don’t have it easy in North Carolina. The state has lost childcare facilities and parents are forced to either bring them to their workplace or work with the employers for accommodations. The economic impact of the childcare crisis and […]
HERE committee seeks funding after embezzlement scandal
April 16, 2026 by
The story was published in The Sylva Herald, April 15 edition. Jackson County leaders heard a presentation from the HERE Committee at the Board of Commissioners meeting on April 7, as the organization seeks continued funding while recovering from a recent financial controversy. Cris Weatherford, HERE’s board chair, and Paul Phillips, interim director, shared an overview of the committee’s […]
Tuck River clean-up opportunity for fun and doing good
April 13, 2026 by
It’s time for the 42nd annual Tuck River clean-up. The Tuck River cleanup 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, April 18. The registration starts from 9 a.m. in front of the Catafount (transportation will be provided). Due to a limited amount of gear, registration will be limited to about 500 volunteers. There are alternative walking routes […]
JCPS revises construction projects after costs exceed budgets
March 15, 2026 by
Version of the story was published in The Sylva Herald, March 12 edition After learning that projected construction costs are nearly double the amount allocated, the Jackson County Board of Education is reassessing its planned construction projects and prioritizing essential student needs. At its monthly meeting on Feb. 24 the board discussed these updated projects […]
Primaries are over; see the unofficial results
March 6, 2026 by
Primaries are over and we can relax from the campaign signs, TV and social media adds at least for a bit in the spring. Here are the unofficial early election results from Jackson County voters in North Carolina statewide and congressional races along with the winners in Jackson County local electoral competitions. Now we remind […]
