News Staff BREVARD, N.C. (WLOS) – Masks will remain optional in Transylvania County. School board members made the decision during Monday nights meeting where parents on both sides of the issue spoke out. Superintendent Dr. Jeff McDaris made a last-minute decision Sunday night to require masks for the first day of school today, citing rising COVID cases … Read more
Haywood is listed as a COVID hotspot. Public Health officials reported 206 new cases of COVID-19 since last weeks update. As of Monday [August 16], the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has recorded over 5,000 cases in Haywood County since the pandemic began. According to the CDC, ALL of North Carolina is … Read more
A $2-million bond was set for a Sylva man facing second-degree murder charges. Dalton Grey Suttles is accused of leading police on a high speed chase that began in Haywood and ended in Jackson after the suspect crashed head on into an Asheville man on U.S. 23/74 on July 21, near mile marker 92. The … Read more
Crews with the Asheville Fire Department (AFD) worked to put out a vehicle fire near Biltmore Village Monday afternoon that spread to a nearby building. An Asheville Fire chief said a worker at Biltmore Iron & Metal Co. was drilling a hole in the gas tank of a car causing a spark with some gas … Read more
Nantahala Health Foundation announced today its intent to invest more than $204,000 in Western North Carolina nonprofits and public service organizations working to improve health and wellness outcomes for all. Needs Immediately Met (NIMble) grants have been approved for 27 organizations in support of essential organizational needs and/or health and wellness programs, said Nantahala Health … Read more
District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch today announced that she intends to seek a third term in office. Welch, 42, a Republican, has been top prosecutor since 2016 for the state’s seven westernmost counties. Prior to that, she served as an assistant district attorney for the 30th Prosecutorial District, now designated the 43rd Prosecutorial District. The … Read more
The Jackson Arts Market (JAM) takes place each Saturday from 1–5 p.m. in downtown Sylva. “Jackson Arts Market is here to be a consistent showcase of the talent and culture of Western North Carolina to connect with the community and visitors,” says glass artist Joshua Aaron Murch, founder and curator of the market. “The market … Read more
Harris Regional Hospital physicians, leaders and clinicians gathered today to recognize Harris Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Center, a recipient of the Center of Distinction award by Healogics®, the nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care services. The Center achieved outstanding clinical outcomes for twelve consecutive months, including patient satisfaction rates higher than 92 percent and … Read more
The Sylva Town Board has heard the latest developments on landslides that have taken place along Allen Street, which has now been closed for more than a year. Two slides are on town property. A third slide, which was the worst one, is not on town property. The town hired consulting firm Kessel Engineering to … Read more
Kerwin Bell has been named the 14th head football coach at Western Carolina University, Director of Athletics Alex Gary announced. His contract was approved by the WCU Board of Trustees during a special session on Tuesday evening. Bell was an accomplished player who worked his way from walk-on to All-American to the National Football League. … Read more