In the first of what will be many additional expenditures of taxpayer funds related to the withdrawal from the Fontana Regional Library system, Jackson County commissioners have formally engaged a library consulting firm to help them understand what it takes to run an independent public library and to facilitate the transition if necessary. 

Indivisible Commonground WNC will host a free candidate forum for the upcoming Sylva Board of Commissioners municipal election on Thursday, Aug. 21, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.  

UPDATE: The initial version of this story noted that the resolution passed unanimously. Due to poor video and audio quality of the meeting, Commissioner Blitz Estridge's "no" vote appeared to be a "yes" vote. The story has been updated to reflect the true vote tally. 

Two weeks after spearheading the removal of a resolution in support of the Fontana Regional Library system from the Sylva Board of Commissioners agenda, a move he later called a “rookie mistake,” Commissioner Jon Brown made good on his promise to introduce a new resolution of support, which passed July 24 — more than a month after Jackson County commissioners voted to leave the system over LGBTQ+ content. 

The Town of Sylva was selected to be the host of the 2025 CycleNC Mountain Ride August 1-3, 2025, hosted by North Carolina Amateur Sports. Approximately 400 cyclists and their families from across the state will be attending. For this event, cyclists will be enjoying “go at your own pace” riding tours on country roads throughout Jackson County (and Swain County on Sunday). 

As the Fontana Regional Library sizes up a monumental change coming into the focus over the hill like a band of Vandals looking to sack Rome, its outgoing attorney, Rady Large, offers a simple piece of advice. 

Two weeks after instigating the removal of a resolution supporting the Fontana Regional Library from a Sylva Board of Commissioners meeting agenda — and just moments after scorching public comments delivered by a longtime local — a first-term Sylva commissioner says he regrets his decision and hopes to move forward. 

A popular hiking destination in Jackson County will soon see expanded access and new trail construction, thanks state funding awarded to the Town of Sylva. 

At its July 10 meeting, the Sylva Board of Commissioners approved a resolution authorizing town staff to accept a $92,000 grant from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Recreational Trails Program.

In a move that evokes imagery from the biblical battle between David and Goliath, the tiny Jackson County municipality of Forest Hills is fighting back against county commissioners for their vote to withdraw from the Fontana Regional Library system late last month. 

Editor's note: this story has been updated with a statement from Cynthia Mason Womble, acting chair of the Fontana Regional Library system board. 

In a historic decision that will reshape the future of public library services in Jackson County, commissioners voted Tuesday night to withdraw from the Fontana Regional Library system after months of controversy over content and control.

Citizens and constituents of Sylva, I’d like to offer you an apology. In fact, I owe you two.

All Sylva residents are also Jackson County constituents — Sylva is the county seat, and county-level decisions affect us directly. The Jackson County Public Library is a clear example.