Frances, Ivan were big names in 2004's news - As 2004 draws to a close, a look back reveals a year when weather events dominated the news as back-to-back September hurricanes slammed Jackson County. The remnants of Hurricane Frances, packed with torrential rains, arrived Sept. 8 and sent the Tuckaseigee out of its banks, forcing some 50 people to spend the night in emergency shelters. Just nine days later, Hurricane Ivan unleashed its winds and rains, causing more flooding and adding numerous slides. N.C. 107 was damaged so badly that it was closed between Tuckasegee and Glenville for more than six weeks, forcing motorists traveling south onto narrow, steep Cullowhee Mountain Road. An entire section of N.C. 281 disappeared into the cow pasture below, leaving jagged edges of asphalt jutting out over....Read More