WCU, Morris partnering to provide high-speed internet to Cullowhee Valley

Western Carolina University has reached an agreement with Morris Broadband to expand high-speed internet service to rural, underserved areas of the Cullowhee Valley area near campus through the use of existing power poles owned by the university’s electricity distribution service.

Sneed vetoes power bill assistance program

Principal Chief Richard Sneed has vetoed legislation that Tribal Council passed in July setting up a program to pay power bills for tribal elders.

Utility bills to disappear for Cherokee elders

Cherokee elders will no longer have power, water or sewer bills to worry about following a divided Tribal Council vote July 6 to pass legislation that former Principal Chief Patrick Lambert had put forward during his term.

TWSA rates to rise

Customers of the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority will see their rates increase if the 2017-18 budget is adopted as proposed Monday, June 26.

Developer to extend water and sewer access in Cullowhee

The Jackson County Commissioners have unanimously approved an easement through county land that will allow plans for a 72-bedroom development adjacent to Cullowhee’s Speedwell Acres Road to move forward.

Jackson leaders debate whether utility hookup fees are too high

An unusual number of building vacancies has peppered downtown Sylva this winter, and as town leaders have scratched their heads to figure out why, the fee structure of the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority has come under fire as a possible culprit. And that’s led to a larger discussion about whether that fee structure is inhibiting the area’s overall economic development. 

A fix-it list for the record books

Think your honey-do list is long? Wait until you meet Jack Carlisle.

Waynesville to formalize policy for pro-bono utility work

fr utilitiesWaynesville utility crews will no longer donate labor to run power, water and sewer connections for community projects on a handshake agreement.

Tribal Council approves $10 million for new tech, organizational overhaul

fr broadbandScanty wireless networks, outdated computer equipment, slow servers — technological woes have been a centerpiece of discussion at Cherokee Tribal Council meetings for quite some time. After months of introducing resolutions only to table them and hours-long meetings with finance, technology and broadband leaders, Council this month took action on a slate of legislation designed to give some direction to the technology overhaul and designate funds with which to do it. 

Replacing power poles a never-ending job

If you come across men in bright orange vests directing traffic around crews handling a towering power pole into the ground, steer clear and drive slow.

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