News Headlines
General Assembly overrides governor’s veto of controversial flood relief bill
After decades of paying for hurricane recovery operations along the North Carolina coast, Western North Carolina taxpayers finally had a reason to ask the rest of the state to return the favor in the wake of Hurricane Helene. On Dec. 11, the rest of the state answered with a resounding “no.”
Saving the storm's silent victims: Helene stressed animal care infrastructure to its limits
Mary Garrison and her husband, Fairview Fire Department Battalion Chief Tony Garrison, awoke around 4 a.m. on Sept. 27 to a darkened home with no electricity, torrential rainfall pounding the ground and high winds from Hurricane Helene screaming through their tiny, isolated Craigtown community.
Pactiv merger leaves questions about Canton mill site
According to a press release issued Dec. 9, a merger between Pactiv Evergreen and Charlotte-based Novolex will provide better customer service, increased product innovation and additional distribution capabilities across North America, but what the merger means for Pactiv’s lawsuits, its languishing 185-acre parcel in Canton and the future of the town’s wastewater treatment, isn’t yet clear.
Maggie Valley responds to former chief's lawsuit
Two months after former Maggie Valley Police Chief Russ Gilliland filed a lawsuit against the town for wrongful termination, the town has responded by requesting either a dismissal or a jury trial.
Commissioners claim conflict of interest in TDA board appointment
When a routine appointment to the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority came up last week, commissioners decided to table the issue claiming there was a conflict of interest.
SCC Executive VP Thom Brooks announces retirement
As a young boy, maybe 10 or 11 years old, Thom Brooks set foot onto Southwestern Community College’s campus in Sylva for the first time.
His mother, Rhonda Brooks, worked full-time and had enrolled in some evening classes to better her life. Not only did young Thom have a front-row seat to his mother’s life-changing journey, he also got to participate in a class activity.
Jackson appoints two new members to library board
The Jackson County Commission, with two new commissioners seated this month, chose to appoint two new members to the public library board, despite requests from two incumbent board members for reappointment and comments in support of them from the public.
Jackson considers investments in walkability
Two projects underway in Jackson County are set to expand walkability and access to green spaces for residents.
“The park is more than a green space; it is a hub for connection, culture and commerce,” said Matthew Tornow, chair of Cullowhee Revitalization Endeavor, also known as CuRvE.
New Century Scholars inducted at SCC
Walking across the same stage on which they’ll one day receive their college degrees, seventh graders from Jackson, Macon and Swain Counties were inducted into the New Century Scholars program on Thursday, Nov. 7, in Myers Auditorium on Southwestern Community College’s Jackson Campus in Sylva.
