The popular “Concerts on the Creek” summer music series at Bridge Park in Sylva has once again been nominated for the prestigious USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards in the category of “Best Outdoor Concert Series.”

This national recognition highlights the series’ continued impact as a beloved community event and regional attraction. Voting is now open to the public and runs through 11:59 a.m. Monday, May 11. 

Brian Byrd, Western Carolina University’s professor of environmental health sciences and resident “skeeter man,” was awarded the 2026 University of North Carolina System Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching. 

Byrd has been with WCU since 2008 and has taught thousands of Catamounts over his tenure. His most recent courses include “Epidemiological Methods,” “Vector-borne Disease Control,” “First Year Seminar” and “Global Health.” 

The 2026 Assault on BlackRock trail race has been set for Saturday, March 21 in Sylva.  

All proceeds from this race will go to the Sylva Art & Design Committee with a focus on bringing more art (outdoor murals) to downtown Sylva. 

Balsam Mountain Preserve received its first platinum award from the Association of Golf Merchandisers.

The award recognizes clubs and facilities for their superior skills and innovative approaches in the golf retail sector. Entries were judged on various categories including creative ideas, revenue-generating initiatives, promotions and visual displays.  

The nature of growth requires counties to constantly develop and improve to keep facilities safe, reliable and up to fulfilling the needs of communities.

Voters in Macon County will have a chance to pass the buck, in a sense, on vital projects looming not far on the horizon. Some are so close you can smell them.

The Nantahala Racing Club and Nantahala Outdoor Center announced they have been honored with the American Canoe Association’s 2025 “Event of the Year” award for hosting the 2025 Junior Olympics and Regional Teams Development Camp. 

Michelle Harris, director of engagement & marketing and public information officer at Haywood Community College, has been named the 2025 District 2 Communicator of the Year by the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations.

This award recognizes outstanding achievement and leadership in two-year college communications. 

Dispatchers are an often overlooked part of a county’s overall emergency response, but their role is as vital as any other. 

This was made clear all across the region during Hurricane Helene, as thousands of 911 calls poured in from people in their most desperate hour. More recently, on Sept. 28, Haywood County Emergency Communicator Kaylin Greene again proved the point by thinking fast with a life on the line to get responders where they needed to go. 

Four Western North Carolina sheriffs were honored with a congressional recognition from Sen. Ted Budd. 

Transylvania County Sheriff Chuck Owenby, Haywood County Sheriff Bill Wilke, Henderson County Sheriff Lowell Griffin and Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller received the honor — which was read aloud on the Senate floor  — for their participation in Operation Uptown Funk earlier this year, which led to the seizure over 30 pounds of methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl, as well as 30 arrests related to drug trafficking. 

The Women’s History Park in east Franklin has received statewide recognition as a “Great Place for Public Art” for its Sowing the Seeds of the Future sculpture.

The North Carolina chapter of the American Planning Association presents the “Great Places Across NC” awards. The annual awards range from public recreation parks, downtown redevelopment areas, com-prehensive plans and public art.