Jackson schools consider artificial turf field

fr turfSchool officials in Jackson County will be crossing their fingers over the next few weeks, hoping to get a low number back from a study looking at the cost of putting artificial turf on the football field of Smoky Mountain High School.

Bringing back the bustle: New businesses move into downtown Sylva

fr sylvaAsk any Sylva long-timer, and they’ll tell you that Main Street today looks a lot different than it did ten, five or even just a couple years ago. There’s an energy, a bustle, and a new cohort of businesses moving in to drive the feeling.

More than just a flag: A female WWII vet reflects on the war and its impact on her family

fr mashburnWhen 91-year-old Gertrude Mashburn tells strangers she’s a World War II veteran — a topic she usually brings up early in a conversation — she’s often met with skepticism. 

Sylva election comes down to flip of a coin

election timeThe Sylva Board of Commissioners election came down to the flip of a coin — literally.

Sylva election tight to the end: Provisional ballots will determine mayor and one of three board seats

election timeThe race for Sylva town board has been crowded since filing began, and the election remained close all the way to the ballot box. 

Finding the Flavor: Sylva’s burgeoning culinary scene

art frOne gets hungry strolling downtown Sylva these days. For a town of around 2,600 residents, there sure are a lot of savory scents wafting from restaurants and cafes in seemingly every direction.

Emergency department construction started at Harris

fr harrisConstruction is now underway for a new emergency department at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva, an $11 million project that will replace the existing emergency department, nearly 30 years old.

Tires, bluegrass and tourism: Mountain Faith’s big break brings visitors to Jackson

fr mtnfaithHigh Country Tire Shop is an extra-busy place these days. Ever since Mountain Faith, the bluegrass family band whose members all work at the shop, made a splash on the national stage with their performances on America’s Got Talent, fans have been coming from all over just to see the band members at work.

Potential mayors discuss Sylva’s future

sylvaRegardless of who emerges victorious from Sylva’s mayoral election, the town will have an experienced face at the center of the table. All three candidates for the seat currently serve as aldermen and hope to guide the town toward a better future as its next mayor.

Looking toward Sylva’s future: Five race for three board seats

fr sylvaWith two of the three Sylva board members up for re-election jumping into the mayoral race, Sylva is guaranteed to get at least two new faces on the board after the November elections. The three open seats attracted a field of five candidates spanning an age range from 28 to 78.

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