“Why doesn’t she just leave?” It’s a question asked countless times when trying to rationalize why someone in an abusive relationship continues to remain in that relationship.

Besides blaming the victim, the question also makes some strong assumptions: 

A Domestic Violence Protective Order, sometimes called a restraining order, is one of the most important legal tools available to protect survivors of domestic violence. A DVPO is a court order that forbids an abuser from contacting their victim. If that order is violated, the abuser can face criminal charges. 

As tension develops among Fontana Regional Library trustees and a seismic shift lies ahead in about nine months, the board is plugging ahead without an attorney. 

The July FRL meeting was the last for former board attorney Rady Large, who had offered his services pro bono for about the last two years but had to resign upon taking a job with Western Carolina University.

Citizens and constituents of Sylva, I’d like to offer you an apology. In fact, I owe you two.

All Sylva residents are also Jackson County constituents — Sylva is the county seat, and county-level decisions affect us directly. The Jackson County Public Library is a clear example. 

To the Editor:

I am sending this in hopes that it might save some of my neighbors in Franklin and other WNC communities some aggravation and some money.  My wife and I travel south on U.S. 23/441 through Clayton and then Tallulah Falls on our way to the Atlanta airport fairly often. 

It’s been almost a decade in the making, but anyone over 21 with a valid ID can purchase THC products in Western North Carolina. 

Sales began last Saturday morning, Sept. 7, at 10 a.m. at the old bingo hall on the western end of the Qualla Boundary. The dispensary is owned by the Great Smoky Cannabis Co., operated by Qualla Enterprises, LLC, an Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians-owned company that also operates a 22.5-acre cannabis farm.

Members of the public interested in Western North Carolina court cases now have better access than ever to criminal and civil files. 

The public in Western North Carolina is about to have more access to the courts than ever before, assuming all goes to plan. 

The 21st annual Business of Farming Conference is coming up Saturday, Feb. 24, at the A-B Tech Conference Center in Asheville. 

Not all heroes wear capes.

At least not Amanda Seay. She seems more the utility pants and boots type.