Mountain Heritage Center: A regional heart of Appalachian traditions

Story co-written/produced with Charles Gadie Walking through the door, visitors are greeted with a smile from the student workers at the front desk and a sense of curiosity. Many wondering ‘what is this hidden place’. The Mountain Heritage Center is Western Carolina University’s museum of southern Appalachian history and culture.  Currently in their gallery exhibit, the […]

The quilts in the Mountain Heritage Center tell a story of traditions

Story co-written/produced with Charles Gadie There are 21 quilts displayed in the Mountain Heritage Center’s main room, each with a story behind it. Whether it’s a story on the pattern, the fabric or the maker, each quilt is original.   Generally, a quilt is made up of a decorative top, a warm filler called batting or […]

Ave-O: A hip-hop artist hidden in the mountains

Western North Carolina is not known for its world famous hip hop artists, but they are here and rocking. One hard working, up and coming rapper residing in Cullowhee is Avery “Ave-O” O’Connell. Ave-O is a Myrtle Beach native who was originally pursuing an entrepreneurship degree from WCU. He withdrew from university in 2020 because […]

Election 2020: Super Tuesday

Super Tuesday, March 3, is the biggest day of the primary campaign and crucial for the Democratic presidential candidates. Fourteen states from Virginia to California, Tennessee to Texas, as well as North Carolina are up for grabs. These states have significant black, Latino and Asian populations that can be an important factor in who will get […]

Could WCU’s tuition reduction prove enrollment boon for SCC?

This story was written by Tanner Hall, originally published in The Sylva Herald. Administrators at Southwestern Community College say that upcoming tuition cuts at Western Carolina University might help – not hurt – enrollment at their smaller school. N.C. Promise, designed to make college more affordable, beginning in August 2018 lowers the per-semester tuition cost for in-state […]

Firefighters tame 15 fires in Cherokee; arson blamed

This story was written by Quintin Ellison, originally published in The Sylva Herald on Nov. 17. In 26 years as the Nantahala District ranger for the U.S. Forest Service, Mike Wilkins has fought a lot of wildfires in Western North Carolina. The veteran firefighter has never seen anything quite like this, however, at least not in […]