Jackson to install new baseball field lights
Jackson County Public Schools announced it is officially going out for construction bids to install lighting systems on its baseball and softball fields. This significant project aims to enhance the athletic experience for student-athletes, improve safety, and support the broader community.
Commissioners funds free lunches for all Macon students
The Macon County Commission decided last week in a split vote to fund a $200,000 request from the school system that will ensure all students in Macon County receive free lunch for the coming school year.
Catamount School makes its move
“History repeats itself” and “Everything comes full circle,” are just two examples of a myriad of sayings that could describe the Catamount School starting the 2024-2025 school year on Western Carolina University’s campus.
‘An Imaginative Proclivity’: Gary Carden and “Stories I Lived to Tell”
In “Stories I Lived to Tell: An Appalachian Memoir” (The University of North Carolina Press, 2024, 152 pages), 89-year-old storyteller and writer Gary Carden spends much of his time revisiting his youth and childhood.
Porch 40 returns to the stage
After an extended hiatus, one of Western North Carolina’s most popular rock acts, Porch 40, will host a special performance at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Lazy Hiker Brewing outpost in downtown Sylva.
Sylva revisits panhandling ordinance
New changes are being proposed to Sylva’s panhandling ordinance, and although a public hearing is not required for the Sylva Town Board to amend the ordinance that governs its streets and sidewalks, the town will hold a public hearing on the proposed changes next month after one board member urged the town to do so.
Sylva approves Economic Development Advisory Committee
Last week, the Sylva Town Board approved rules and procedures for the new Economic Development Advisory Committee, an advisory committee to the Economic Development Director and to the Sylva Town Board of Commissioners.
Visitor spending Increases by 3.4 percent to $468 million in Jackson County
Domestic and international visitors to and within Jackson County spent $468 million in 2023, an increase of 3.4% from 2022. The data comes from an annual study commissioned by VisitNC, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.
Youth soccer camp comes to Jackson County
Jackson County Parks and Recreation is hosting a youth soccer camp. The camp is open to boys and girls ages 8-14. Camp will be held from 4-5:30 p.m. Aug. 19, 21 and 23.
WCU School of Nursing receives UNC System grant
To help address the critical workforce shortage in health care, nursing in particular, the University of North Carolina System initiated a call for grant proposals to distribute $40 million over a span of two years to UNC System schools.
