One of Friends of Panthertown’s upcoming programs includes a “Fireside Chat” in which it will share information about the organization and current projects with partner WATR (Watershed Association of the Tuckaseegee River), as well as educational information about stream health and monitoring in the Tuckasegee Watershed. There will be a fire and s’mores. 

A recent town hall in Cullowhee laid out a heartbreaking problem in our public schools, as well as a sensible solution. The problem is hunger. The solution is to provide free meals to all students in our public schools. But, how do we get there? 

To the Editor:

How can you connect at the community, regional, state and national level? At all levels, you can educate yourself on what can be done to improve your county.

Matt Henley has been named interim director of athletic bands at Western Carolina University and will lead the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band this upcoming season while a national search is underway for a permanent director. 

Graduates and employees will have access to personalized learning pathways to higher education 

On Friday, June 21, leaders from Haywood Community College and Western Governors University participated in a signing ceremony on campus to formalize a new transfer agreement between the tw o institutions. 

Nantahala Health Foundation will launch its next competitive grant opportunity on July 1 with a focus on investing in educational, healthcare and workforce programs that benefit youth and young adults, ages 5 to 24. 

Every student in Haywood and Jackson County Schools can expect no cost breakfast and lunch in the coming school year, and Macon County is not far behind in meeting that mark as well. 

The Jackson County Board of Education will look a little different at its next meeting after Chair Elizabeth Cooper departed and incoming board member Gayle Woody was sworn in last month. 

Ten years ago, the Southwestern Community College Foundation launched a bold new effort to create a fundraising event that everyone in Western North Carolina could enjoy and get behind. That first year was a challenge. 

The Highlands Biological Foundation (HBF) invites the community to the next installment of its Zahner Conservation Lecture series at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 18.