Family fun day for a good cause – stop bullying in schools

Sylva’s Mountain Mediation Services is hosting a Bridges to Peace Family Fun Day at the Jackson County Recreation Center in Cullowhee this Saturday, April 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This carnival-style family fun day is a fundraiser to support upcoming programs to spread awareness and prevention for bullying in schools. During the day, there […]

WNC communities organize Town Hall on healthcare; Mark Meadows plays hooky

People from 16 Western North Carolina counties and over a dozen organizations from North Carolina’s District 11 gathered outside of the Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville on Sunday, April 23. “Where is Mark Meadows?” was the question on many signs of an estimated 450 people standing outside the courthouse in the heavy rain. Meadows currently serves as […]

Reduce, reuse…now what?

This story was co-written with Jessica Wooten.  Every year, according to a 2015 study, North Carolinians throw away 23.6 billion pounds of trash. That is enough trash to circle the earth twice.   It isn’t spite that makes NC residents throw away their recyclables, but ignorance. Ipsos, a market research company, performed a study in 2011 during […]

Appalachian Trailhead 110: How Franklin, NC benefits from hikers

Story is co-written with Ashley Kairis and Kayla Minion Franklin, North Carolina, sits 110 miles from Springer Mountain, the starting point for most Appalachian Trail hikers. Over the years, Franklin has seen an increase in thru hikers and has welcomed them with open arms. In 2010, Franklin became the very first Appalachian Trail Community. “Every year […]

Greening Up The Mountains one tradition at a time

Every 4th Saturday in April, thousands of people from across the southeast crowd the streets of downtown Sylva for a fun-filled day of music, food, arts and crafts and more. This Saturday, April 22, is just around the corner, so get ready! Since 1997, Sylva, North Carolina, has been home to the Greening Up The Mountains festival. […]

Outhouse race to raise money for local charity

Sapphire Valley Resort is raising money for a local food bank in a very unusual way – a homemade outhouse race on the ski slopes. The tradition that started 11 years ago continues this Saturday, Feb 18, at 11 a.m. “It’s an unusual way to promote a local charity and it always get’s a lot of […]