News Staff Jackson County residents can expect to see a two-cent tax increase in the coming fiscal year, rising from $0.36 to $0.38, if commissioners accept the proposed 2022-23 budget. Much of the revenue from that tax increase will go toward the construction of a new swimming pool. -0-
A Republican proposal to change the school board elections in Haywood County to partisan is causing some pushback from both sides of the isle. During a recent [May 24] Board of Aldermen meeting, a resolution was presented opposing House Bill 998, which if passed would make all elections in Haywood County partisan. In a story … Read more
WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) – The Main Street Mile is making a big comeback. Runners will hit the road in Waynesville next month in the return of the race that went on COVID hiatus for a while, and this year the 1-mile fun run will benefit REACH of Haywood County. The eighth edition of the event, … Read more
CANTON, N.C. – A State of Emergency has been declared for Haywood County following Thursday’s heavy rains and flash flooding. The storms hit in an area devastated by floods in 2021. Haywood County Schools dismissed students early on Thursday because of flooding that “developed rapidly in some areas of the county” according to a news … Read more
Brent Holbrooks was surrounded by family and friends in Franklin Tuesday night when the final precinct in Macon County reported voting totals for the 2022 Primary Election, with Holbrooks ultimately claiming victory. With no Democratic challengers to face in November, Brent Holbrooks will serve as the next sheriff of Macon County. While the Macon County … Read more
A crack in an amphitheater canopy column at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds could lead to a complete overhaul and a two-year relocation of all events typically held there. About four years ago, a windstorm damaged the decades old canopy and dislodged one of the columns. Once a decision is made to proceed, the project … Read more
A Sylva woman is serving federal prison time following a rencent conviction that stemmed from a 2020 Jackson County Sheriff’s Office arrest for drug trafficking. A judge sentenced Ashley Kay Heatherly, 35, to serve 57 months in prison and five years of supervised probation, for trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance on … Read more
WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) – Thanks to the quick actions of a Waynesville police officer a man was rescued after his boat capsized on Lake Junaluska Tuesday morning. Detective Paige Shell wasted no time jumping into the water to bring the boater to safety after the kayak overturned on the lake. Shell pulled the man to … Read more
If the Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen accepts the proposed 2022-23 budget, taxes will not go up. The budget includes hiring two additional town employees, one assistant planner, and one administrative assistant in the police department. On top of those new roles, Maggie Valley is set to have a new town manager beginning in July, … Read more
SYLVA, NC — Blue Ridge Early College has a new leader. At their Tuesday [May 24] meeting, the Jackson County Board of Education approved Dr. Nathan Frizzell as the new principal for Blue Ridge. He will begin at college on July 1 for the 2022-23 school year. -0-