Alison Lyn Miller will discuss her new book, “Rough House: A Father, a Son, and the Pursuit of Pro Wrestling Glory,” with Robert Alan Grand at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

The book follows Hunter James, an aspiring wrestler from a Georgia wrestling family, as he pursues success in the grueling world of independent pro wrestling. Praised as a powerful look at ambition and identity, “Rough House” blends immersive reporting with cultural insight. 

Jackson County Recreation is hosting a class for those wishing to learn more about birding.

The class will be provide an interactive presentation, and prior experience isn’t necessary. Those who participate will learn about the “four keys to bird identification” and how to recognize species unique to the region. 

Longtime Western Carolina University supporters and friends have come together to honor the legacy and dedication of the university’s former sports information director, Steve White, a man many affectionately refer to as “the walking encyclopedia of Catamount athletics.”

WCU alumni David and Joy Wiggins have made a lead gift to the university’s “Fill the Western Sky” comprehensive fundraising campaign and chosen to direct their gift toward the naming of the football stadium’s new Western Skybox media center in White’s honor.

A week and a half after Fontana Regional Library Director Tracy Fitzmaurice tendered her resignation, the board is moving forward to find a replacement. 

At a specially called Feb. 9 meeting at the Jackson County Library’s community room, the board went into a closed session to discuss details. 

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Fine Art Museum within the Bardo Arts Center is hosting an exhibition of artwork highlighting the long history of art collecting at the museum at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.

Step into a visual timeline celebrating the anniversary of the museum, featuring a dynamic exhibition showcasing decades of WCU’s dedication to collecting and curating contemporary art. 

Ralph Ellis will discuss his new novel, "The Accident Report," in conversation with Susan Puckett at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.

Set in the summer of 1974, the novel follows rookie reporter Ronald Truluck, stuck covering petty crimes in a North Carolina textile town until he uncovers a possible police cover-up involving a drunken city councilman.

To the Editor:

I want to address the financial issues involved with the decision by the Jackson County commissioners to leave the Fontana Regional Library System. 

This past June citizens of Jackson County experienced a significant tax increase. The commissioners made a show at the June meeting of “lowering” the tax rate.

To the Editor:

I’m sorry to read that Tracy Fitzmaurice resigned as head of the Fontana Regional Library System, and I want to say something clearly in defense of Tracy.

Tracy has given decades of steady, public-minded service to the Fontana Regional Library community — she’s been with the system since 1991 and stepped into the director role in January 2023. That kind of institutional knowledge and calm competence isn’t replaceable on a 30-day timeline. 

As Jackson County heads toward the March 3 primary election, voters are being asked to assess a governing record shaped by rising costs, cultural conflict, a steady expansion of county government and mounting public concern. 

Over the last four budget cycles, Jackson County’s general fund has grown from $71.7 million in fiscal year 2021–22 to $106.9 million in the adopted 2025–26 budget — an increase of about 49%.

Fontana Regional Library Director Tracy Fitzmaurice has tendered her resignation letter.