After weeks of heated discussion and back and forth over both revenue and expenditures, the Macon County Commission approved the 2023-24 budget with just a few deviations from the draft version proposed last month. It maintained the proposed tax rate that will be the lowest property tax rate in the state of North Carolina for the coming fiscal year.

There will be legal penalties for camping on the Little Tennessee River Greenway in Macon County after the County Commission updated the ordinance that regulates use of the greenway last week.

Skaters in Sylva finally have a place to ride in their own backyard after the opening of Sylva Pipes — a set of temporary skateboarding amenities constructed downtown.  

Two organizations committed to helping individuals and families in the community officially opened new offices in Sylva on Thursday, June 1. Mountain Projects and Center for Domestic Peace often work in tandem to help clients, and now that work will be facilitated by connected office space.

For the third year in a row, First United Methodist Church in Waynesville is teaming up with community partners to celebrate Juneteenth — the federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. But while the event has taken place at Lake Junaluska in past years, this year, the community is invited to celebrate on Academy Street just outside of FUMC for a day of music, games, storytelling, food and good company.

A group of Smoky Mountain High School seniors could be facing criminal charges for what administrators see as taking a senior prank a step too far.

The proposed 2023-24 Fiscal Year general fund budget for Jackson County totals just over $88.1 million, an increase of about 5.9% over the current fiscal year amended budget. It is balanced with a tax rate of $0.38 per $100 of value.

Macon County is the latest in Western North Carolina to address the rise in cryptocurrency and its disruptive mining practices with a change to its high-impact ordinance.

Macon County has experienced incredible growth over the past several years, both in population and property values. Despite this increase in the tax base, county administration is recommending a revenue neutral tax rate that would leave Macon residents with the lowest property tax rate in the state, but with a public school system in need of more funding.

Thanks to a set of grants, the Sylva Police Department will be able to continue its Community Care Program with a paid, full-time Community Care Liason.

The superintendent of Macon County Schools announced his retirement earlier this year, and now the Macon County Board of Education has chosen his replacement.

As the weather warms and we have access to more local produce, I am craving all things fresh. With a light lemon/ dill dressing, this salad satisfies that craving completely. It works perfectly as a side dish in a larger meal, but with protein from the chickpeas and almonds, it can also serve as a light lunch or dinner on its own. Try it served over fresh greens for a hearty salad. To make vegan, just leave out the feta cheese. 

An application to use Bridge Park and Main Street for the annual Pride event has led the Town of Sylva to a larger discussion about safety and the use of town resources for events held downtown.

Town Manager Paige Dowling officially presented the proposed 2023-24 budget to the Sylva Board of Commissioners during its May 11 meeting. Next, the public will have its opportunity for input during the 5:30 p.m. T, May 25 meeting of the town board.

Sylva has approved a zoning map amendment request in order to allow for the possible construction of an affordable housing development on Savannah Drive.

Haywood Community College has long been a foundation of education and job training in the region; the college will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2025.

Three Jackson County programs will receive funding from the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council to help reduce and prevent juvenile crime.

The Town of Sylva has decided that only town-sponsored events can warrant closing Main Street. Now, the town board will consider folding Sylva Pride into its list of sponsored events.

At the April 24 meeting of the Macon County School Board, confusion surrounding the county’s intent to purchase the Higdon property came into focus.

As Haywood County Schools hammered out its 2023-24 budget, administrators faced declining student population and the imminent end of COVID-era relief funds, both of which will diminish the amount of money available for the public school system.

Last week, the Jackson County Commissioners approved a GREAT Grant agreement that will fund a project to connect more than 1,000 homes with broadband internet access.

Residents in the Town of Sylva will be able to keep poultry in the downtown business district after commissioners voted to adopt an ordinance amending town code earlier this month.

“I’d like to add one more thing,” Marigold Showers said.

She is sitting with her back to the garage-style window in Santé Wine Bar that looks out onto Sylva’s Main Street. It is a cool, cloudy day and the sun hasn’t made an appearance since early morning. But inside the cavernous bar, there is a bright, palpable energy.

After a contentious meeting with an outpouring of input from the public, Macon County commissioners have decided to work with the Fontana Regional Library system on the terms of its agreement rather than pulling out of the system altogether.

Sylva has received the results of an in-depth botanical survey of Pinnacle Park revealing that the property is a bonanza of biodiversity. Now, the town is partnering with Jackson County and the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority to fund a master plan implementing survey recommendations.    

The paper mill has long been a staple of the Canton community, offering generations of residents the opportunity for regular work and steady pay. So it’s no coincidence that Pisgah High School offers three levels of Pulp and Paper Technology classes — a curriculum that provides students the opportunity to learn the basics needed to enter the paper industry.

A bill introduced in the North Carolina House of Representatives would require middle and high school athletes to compete on the team of their sex assignment at birth. Last week lawmakers held a press conference in support of the legislation and multiple speakers cited an instance involving athletes in Macon and Cherokee counties to bolster their case.

Within hours of birth, fur seal mothers and pups can recognize each other’s voices.

Shining Rock Classical Academy is pressing criminal charges against a school parent who previously accused the school of abusive disciplinary tactics.

The Macon County School Board has signed a resolution in opposition to a bill that would greatly expand the ways in which charter schools have access to locally appropriated public school funding. While the bill’s supporters tout equal funding for charter schools, board members worry the legislation would further strain public school systems that are already strapped for cash.

Jackson County will hold a public hearing on two amendments to its Unified Development Ordinance this month.

The Jackson County Schools Health Advisory Council has been conducting research into vape use among students and its findings have prompted the school board to sign a resolution in support of stricter tobacco laws in North Carolina.

What started as a group of citizens concerned about certain LGBTQ books in the Macon County Library has turned into an effort to pull the library from the Fontana Regional Library system, a move that could get very complicated and very expensive, very quickly.

Tuscola High School has found a new head football coach in former NFL quarterback Jonathan Crompton.

After pressing the brakes on Sylva’s municipal grant application, county commissioners have decided to approve a portion of the grant, none of which will go toward a public mural that had been cause for concern among commissioners.

Jackson County is losing long-time county attorney Heather Baker, but it has already selected a new attorney to serve as an interim while the county searches for a replacement. 

Sylva taxpayers may be looking at a one-cent tax increase in the coming 2023-24 fiscal year. In return for that increase, the town would see the Main Street Sylva director’s position move from half-time to full-time with greatly expanded responsibilities. 

Several Highlands residents converged on a recent Macon County commissioners meeting to voice their opposition to the county commission cancelling a project that would have expanded Highlands School.

The start date for construction of the Franklin Skatepark is approaching quickly, and now the project has all the funding it needs.

After more than 30 years in education, Superintendent Chris Baldwin will retire from his position at Macon County Schools.

When Pactiv Evergreen shuts its doors in a few short months, about 1,000 employees will be out of work. And while that number is devastating, it doesn’t begin to show the full picture.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has applied for a grant to fund a Medication Assisted Treatment program in the county’s detention center. This comes after the Jackson County Detention Center has had five deaths in less than eight years, two of which occurred in 2022.

School boards across Western North Carolina are signing resolutions in support of flexibility and local control when it comes to school calendars. While this has been an issue for North Carolina public schools for many years, it is gaining traction again with new legislation introduced in the state senate.