Commissioners review comments on draft ordinances - County leaders sat down with attorney Michael Egan and Planning Director Linda Cable June 26 to discuss written comments submitted about the proposed steep-slope and subdivision ordinances. Egan told commissioners he had compiled a list of common complaints and suggestions people had made about the ordinances and offered ways such concerns could be included into a final draft if commissioners so choose. “There were a few comments requesting that family subdivisions be excluded from the ordinances,” Egan said. “So I’ve drafted some language that excludes...

Construction continues at SMHS - Construction work is proceeding at Smoky Mountain High School as tons of earth are being moved to create footprints for a future fine arts center/gymnasium and a new softball field. Dirt from the Jones Street tract is being added to the senior parking lot to raise it to the level of the main entrance to accommodate the new building. The $3.3 million contract was awarded to Phillips and Jordan, and the contractor is required to complete the excavation and clear...

Architect to look at Courthouse Hill as library site - After appropriating funds to build a new library in the next fiscal year, county leaders are ready to take another look at Courthouse Hill as its future home. County officials with a 4-1 vote appropriated between $5,000 and $7,000 for architect Donza Mattison of the Spartanburg, S.C., firm McMillan Smith to conduct an in-depth study of the site. Chairman Brian McMahan and Commissioners Tom Massie, William Shelton and Mark Jones voted in...

Traditional musician Mary Jane Queen is dead at age 93 - A legendary mountain musician has succumbed to complications associated with cancer. Old-style banjo player and balladeer Mary Jane Queen of Caney Fork’s Johns Creek community died Friday (June 29) at her home. She was 93. Queen achieved national recognition through her traditional music and storytelling. A character in the 2001 feature film “Songcatcher” was based on her, and she was the recipient of both regional and statewide folklore awards. Queen had worked extensively with Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage...

Trailer park motion may be heard during July 16 court - A Town of Sylva motion seeking the dismissal of an appeal filed by a local trailer park owner is expected to be heard by Judge Marlene Hyatt during the July 16 session of Jackson County Superior Court. Kirby Ensley, owner of Virna Lisa Mobile Home Park at the intersection of Skyland Drive and Hospital Road, was found by Sylva officials in November to have dilapidated and unsafe trailers in his park, some of which were rented. Eleven of the 12 trailers were found to be in such bad shape that...

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