Fairview Elementary School has earned the designation as “Project ADAM Heart Safe,” the only school here in Jackson County and this part of Western North Carolina to achieve this special recognition. For someone suffering from sudden cardiac arrest, the best chance of saving a life is within the first four minutes. It can happen to […]
Voter registration rises in Jackson County ahead of March Primary
February 3, 2026 by
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 […]
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 […]
Food insecurity in Jackson County is on the rise
November 21, 2025 by
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week runs from Nov. 16 to 22 this year. Here is what hunger looks like in Jackson County. Feeding America creates yearly reports on food insecurity. The 2025 data set covers the years 2019 to 2023. The report breaks down statistics by county, state and congressional district. In Jackson County, approximately 7,430 people faced food insecurity […]
Some won, some lost and many remained – 2025 election results in Jackson County
November 11, 2025 by
Story produced with Halle Stanley and Sam Scroggins Municipal elections are over. The election day saw more voters then in 2023 and a little over 29% of eligible voters who live within the limits of Sylva, Dillsboro, Webster, Village of Forest Hills and Highlands voted for mayors or town councils or boards. See more on […]
