Independence Day - Some 15,000 people flocked to downtown Sylva Friday for the annual Fourth of July fireworks display, which is organized by the Jackson County Recreation and Parks Department. The pyrotechnics didn’t begin until around 10 p.m. to make sure the sky was “dark enough,” Recreation Director Jeff Carpenter said. “We were really pleased with the turn out,” he said. Spectators lined Main Street....

County poised to hire EDC director - County Manager Ken Westmoreland gave an update on the hiring of a director for the Economic Development Commission during county commissioners’ regular meeting Monday (July 7). Funds for hiring a director were set aside in this year’s budget, and Westmoreland said that money became available July 1. “We hope to start advertising the position in the next week or so,” he said. “I will be on vacation, and when I get back around Aug. 1 we should be able...

Dillsboro dinner, auction to benefit family of slain trooper - The town of Dillsboro will hold a benefit dinner on Thursday, July 17, with the proceeds going to the family of slain N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Shawn Blanton. The dinner will be held in the fellowship hall of Jarrett Memorial Baptist Church and will begin at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children. Free parking will be available. Food – which includes fried chicken, barbecue, hot dogs, baked beans, coleslaw, bread, cakes...

Sylva leaders discuss downtown cross walks - Nearly two months after discussing problems with pedestrian crossings downtown, Sylva leaders July 3 heard a recommendation from the N.C. Department of Transportation on how to alleviate the problem. NCDOT Division Traffic Engineer Scott Cook attended a May Sylva Town Board meeting to discuss pedestrian issues downtown. At that time, it was decided to have Cook research the situation and send a letter to town officials recommending....

Governor-hopeful McCrory visits Sylva - Charlotte Mayor and Republican governor-hopeful Pat McCrory paid a visit to Sylva last Thursday (July 3) while campaigning in the area. McCrory will face off against Democratic nominee Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue in the November election. Being mayor of a large city has prepared McCrory to tackle the problems faced in rural areas, such as Western North Carolina, he said. “Even a larger city is often composed of many small towns,” McCrory said. “In fact, many of the small villages in the city of Charlotte are old...

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