Two local call centers are joining forces to make 911 operations run more smoothly. In a move that not only saves both counties hundreds of thousands of dollars but assures continuity of service, Jackson and Swain counties have an agreement for twin 911 centers. Under the partnership, if Jackson County’s system goes down due to … Read more
A head-on collision Wednesday afternoon in Clayton claimed the lives of two Franklin, North Carolina, women. 81-year-old Judith Coolidge Hughes and 91-year-old Patricia Childers Safko died in the wreck on Highway 76 east of McWorter Lane, when Hughes’ Mercedes Benz drifted into a lane of traffic on GA 2/US 76 and struck a Ford Ranger. … Read more
(WASHINGTON D.C. – Columbus County Sheriff Jody Greene is in hot water after he allegedly made racially charged comments. The nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization called for the resignation of the North Carolina sheriff Thursday for the 2019 conversation in which he said he was tired of these “black bas–rds.” The Columbus … Read more
Jackson County is green on the CDC’s COVID-19 community level map, indicating low level spread of COVID. However, health officials are keeping a close eye on any new subvariants heading into the holidays as we gather with family and friends. Cases, deaths and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are all down, but Jackson County reported 48 … Read more
A woman who was the victim of child sexual abuse may finally receive delayed justice. A Jackson County child sex abuse ‘cold case’ has resulted in an arrest nearly two decades later. Pablo Altamirano San Juan was arrested for one felony count of statutory rape stemming from an incident in 2005, with a then 13 … Read more
An Cherokee man has been indicted by a grand jury on an array of charges, including several drug related crimes, and child endangerment. Timothy Ray Smith was arrested on more than a half dozen felony counts of trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine, stemming from a December 2020 traffic stop in which Smith was allegedly found with … Read more
Two days of family fun celebrating elk in the Appalachians are back after a two-year hiatus. Elk Fest 2022 will take place September 30-October 1 in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is among several sponsors of the community event, featuring an elk calling contest on the main stage at the Maggie … Read more
Two candidates will compete to become Jackson County’s next sheriff this fall. Democrat Rick Buchanan has announced he’ll be vying for the seat, while Republican Doug Farmer has said he’ll also run for the top post soon to be vacant with the retirement of Jackson County Sheriff Chip Hall. Both men may be on opposite … Read more
A Canton mother has filed a lawsuit against the Hospital Corporation of America after her baby was born with a brain injury that left him with disabilities. The suit, filed in Buncombe County last week [Sept.23], Ashley Smathers, wife of Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers, alleges that Mission Hospital “knowingly and intentionally” placed “profits over patient … Read more
SYLVA, N.C. (WLOS) – A Jackson County organization that provides services for abused children just got a big financial boost. The Kids’ advocacy center was recently awarded more than $60,000 in American Rescue Plan funds. Jackson County Commissioners voted unanimously to allocate the funds to AWAKE Children’s Advocacy Center who says they’ll use the money … Read more