Studying the future: With public sewer on the way, Jackson aims to temper the tide of uncontrolled development along U.S. 441 corridor
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer
The rural landscape of U.S. 441 heading into Cherokee is changing. Drivers can see numerous realty signs touting “land for sale” along the four-lane roadway that leads into the Qualla Boundary’s business district.
Highlands prepares for mixed drinks, beer
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer
Restaurant patrons in Highlands will soon be able to sip on rum and coke while eating a steak or order a pitcher of beer while eating pizza now that citizens voted “yes” to an alcohol referendum.
Tuckasegee quarry permit denied
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer
Tuckasegee community members are at ease now that the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources denied a quarry permit to Carolina Boulder and Stone.
Jackson Airport study OK’d
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer
Jackson County commissioners have decided to invest money in the county’s airport.
Commissioners voted 4-1 on Monday (Nov. 5) to award $65,000 to the airport authority to conduct a feasibility study of the mountaintop airport. Commissioners Tom Massie, Mark Jones, William Shelton, and Brain McMahan voted in favor of the award. Commissioner Joe Cowan opposed the vote.
Smart Roads Alliance seeks answers on Southern Loop
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer
In their fight to stop progress to the proposed Southern Loop, members of the Jackson County Smart Roads Alliance filed a public records request last week with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to obtain all written material pertaining to the road.
Decision expected soon on quarry permit
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer
Tuckasegee community members will learn next week if a rock quarry gets state approval to be placed in their neighborhood.
Jackson library group needs to raise up to $1 million
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer
Now that a site has been chosen for the new Jackson County library, the Friends of the Library have a huge undertaking — raising up to $1 million for furnishing the interior of the building.
Dillsboro dam debate rages on
A plan by Duke Energy to tear down the century-old Dillsboro dam drew a crowd of opponents to a public hearing last week held by the N.C. Division of Water Quality.
Jackson library to go atop courthouse hill
A decade of debate over where to build a new library in Jackson County was put to rest this week.
County commissioners voted 3-2 Monday night (Oct. 1) to build a new library next to the historic courthouse overlooking downtown Sylva. The vacant courthouse will be renovated in conjunction with the library addition. An architect will get to work immediately. Money for construction has been budgeted for 2008.
What’s in a permit?
Duke Energy must get a permit from the N.C. Division of Water Quality before it can tear down the Dillsboro dam.
There has been a good deal of confusion over whether the state already issued this permit or not — with Duke, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Jackson County’s lawyer and even the Division of Water Quality itself under oscillating assumptions as to whether a permit is still pending or has been issued.
