Sylva storyteller, writer receives honorary doctorate - The strength of home and family ties were common themes heard Friday (Aug. 1) as Western Carolina University bestowed an honorary doctorate on a Sylva writer and storyteller during summer commencement exercises for approximately 430 graduating students. WCU Chancellor John Bardo presided over the ceremony, which included...

Big Ridge development - This large-scale development off Big Ridge Road near Glenville has been raising eyebrows around Jackson County since a July 20 report in the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times alleged that its owner, Domenic Rabuffo, has mafia ties and is selling lots at inflated prices. While most published reports have listed Rabuffo’s development as Blue Ridge Mountain Estates, it’s known as Hampton Springs on the erosion-control plan filed with the county, according...

Suit didn’t lead to GSMR’s Dillsboro exit, officials say - Great Smoky Mountains Railroad may be leaving Dillsboro for the time being, but it’s pulling out under the cloud of a bitter lawsuit. Though the legal wrangling shows a strained relationship between the town and the railroad, officials from both sides have stated that the ongoing suit in no way affected GSMR’s recent decision to move all of its operations to Bryson City....

County to move forward with hiring of Greenways director - With plans for hiring a director for the Jackson County Greenways Commission moving forward, officials are hoping to get many of the group’s projects off the ground. According to county Manager Ken Westmoreland, the request to hire a director was made by the Greenways Commission earlier this year. Money for the full-time position is included in this...

State ag commissioner visits - North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler, standing, sixth from left, was in Jackson County Tuesday to express support for preserving the state’s farmland. According to Troxler, the loss of agricultural acreage is a concern statewide and its important for local governments to take steps to help farmers hold...

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