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Winter Storm Hits WNC
The latest round of winter weather continues to impact western North Carolina, including Jackson, Haywood, Macon, and Swain counties. Across the mountains, snow and ice are still creating hazardous travel—especially on secondary roads, shaded stretches, bridges, and higher elevations. Road crews are continuing to clear and treat routes, but drivers should expect slick spots and the risk of black ice. If you can, delay travel and give crews room to work. If you must be on the roads, slow down, increase following distance, and keep a winter kit in the vehicle. For the latest road conditions statewide, check drivenc.gov or call 5-1-1. Local emergency declarations have been issued in parts of the region, including an emergency declaration in Franklin and a local state of emergency in Jackson County. Power outages have also been reported across the area, with several thousand customers without electricity at times. If you are without power, report outages to Duke Energy at 800-769-3766 or Haywood EMC at 800-951-6088. Emergency officials also remind residents not to call 9-1-1 for power outages or routine road-condition questions. Cold is now a major concern. Bitter temperatures and dangerous wind chills are expected, especially overnight and in the high country. Dress…
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Jackson County School Projects Will Cost More
Jackson County Public Schools proposed school building projects and renovations are now projected to cost far more than originally estimated, according to updated figures presented during a joint meeting of the Jackson County Board of Education and Jackson County Board of Commissioners on January 22nd, 2026. County leaders had budgeted about $34 million for the work. Updated projections from Vannoy Construction put the total at roughly $65.2 million, creating a funding gap of nearly $30 million. The most urgent priority remains a new middle school, tied to a $52 million state Needs Based Grant awarded on Sept. 27, 2024. The grant requires construction to begin by Sept. 26, 2026. Project partners said a final cost estimate is not yet available as assessments continue on the recently purchased site along N.C. 107. Several other projects have also climbed significantly in projected cost. Renovations at Smoky Mountain High School increased from an estimated $4.2 million to nearly $11 million. Fairview Elementary renovations rose from $4.2 million to about $9.6 million. The Blue Ridge School and Early College project increased from $15.2 million to nearly $39 million, while the county bus garage renovation grew from $2 million to nearly $6 million. Commissioners and…
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WNC Power Outages Climb
Power outages continued to climb across Western North Carolina Sunday afternoon, according to ReadyNC’s power outage map. As of 5:35 p.m., ReadyNC reported more than 26,000 outages across Western North Carolina, with Henderson County leading the region at more than 11,000 outages. Transylvania County followed with 9,845, Buncombe County reported 1,596, and Macon County had a little over 1,000 outages. Statewide, ReadyNC listed more than 28,000 outages at that time. Earlier in the afternoon, at 4:45 p.m., ReadyNC showed more than 16,000 outages across Western North Carolina. Transylvania County was reporting more than 9,000 outages, with Macon at 3,128, Haywood at 2,546, and Buncombe County a little over 1,000. Statewide outages at 4:45 p.m. were reported at more than 17,411. Emergency management is also reminding residents not to call 9-1-1 for power outages or road conditions. For outages, contact your provider: Duke Energy at 800-769-3766, Haywood EMC at 800-951-6088, or Western Carolina University at 828-227-7224. For the latest road conditions, call 5-1-1 or 877-511-4662.
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Town Of Waynesville Water Line Break
A water main break early Sunday caused widespread water issues in the Town of Waynesville Water System. Town officials said a 12-inch main line broke at 6:57 a.m. Sunday, January 25, draining more than half of the town’s water tank storage. Crews responded quickly and isolated the leak, and the storage tank was in the process of being refilled. Officials said once the tank is filled, water pressure is expected to be restored. In the meantime, Camp Branch Road remained closed between Browning Road and Allens Creek Road while repairs are made. Residents were asked to conserve water for essential use, or use bottled water, for the next 48 hours—or until the town issues an update—so the tank can refill as quickly as possible. A Boil Water Advisory remained in effect for customers on the Town of Waynesville Water System. When service is restored, customers were advised to boil all water used for human consumption—including drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation—or use bottled water. Officials said bringing water to a vigorous boil for one minute should kill organisms that may be present. As of 8pm Sunday, the boil water advisory was lifted.
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SCC To Host Two Job Fairs In February
Area residents searching for a new job or exploring a different career path will have two opportunities to connect with employers and colleges next month at Southwestern Community College. SCC’s Career Services will host a Healthcare Job Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, followed by a Spring Job and Transfer Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26. Both events will be held in the Burrell Building on SCC’s Jackson Campus in Sylva. The Feb. 12 healthcare fair is designed for job-seekers interested in medical and health-related careers. SCC officials said attendees can meet with area healthcare providers about current job openings, and representatives from the college’s Health Sciences division will be available to discuss training options across 17 career fields. Two weeks later, the Feb. 26 event will combine hiring and college transfer resources in partnership with SCC’s Undergraduate Transfer Advising Center (UTAC). SCC said employers from multiple sectors will be on site recruiting for a wide range of positions, including full-time professional roles, part-time and seasonal work, internships and more. The fair will also include representatives from colleges and universities for those interested in transferring. UTAC Coordinator Vicki Todd said at least 15 colleges…
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State of Emergency Enacted Ahead of Winter Storm
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein And Other State Officials Met Thursday To Review Preparations For A Major Winter Storm Expected To Hit The State This Weekend. In Much Of Western North Carolina, Officials Say The Biggest Threat Will Be Ice—Creating Slick, Hazardous Travel Conditions. Higher Elevations In The Mountains Could See Heavier Snow Accumulation. The North Carolina Department Of Transportation Says Crews Have Already Pre-Treated Roads, Bridges And Overpasses With More Than 300,000 Tons Of Brine. Stein Warned That Road Conditions Are Expected To Worsen On Saturday And Could Remain Dangerous For Several Days Afterward, As Temperatures Are Expected To Stay Below Freezing. Stein Is Urging People To Avoid Travel When Possible So Ncdot Crews Can Work Safely To Clear And Treat Roads. “Starting Saturday, Please Do Everything You Can To Stay Off The Roads,” Stein Said, Adding That Anyone Who Is Not A First Responder Or Essential Personnel Should Avoid Driving Unless It Is Necessary. Officials Also Say Now Is The Time To Prepare—By Gathering Emergency Supplies, Including Non-Perishable Food, Water, And Needed Medications. State Emergency Management Leaders Say They Are Distributing Supplies, Mobilizing The National Guard, And Deploying “Hot Spot” Teams—Combination Crews Made Up Of Ncdot Workers And…
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JCSO Cadet Dies in Medical Emergency During Training
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Is Mourning The Loss Of One Of Its Own. Officials Say 26-Year-Old Cadet Ryan Philip Ferreira Suffered A Medical Emergency Thursday Morning, January 22, While Taking Part In Basic Law Enforcement Training—Blet Class 93—At Southwestern Community College’s Jerry Sutton Public Safety Training Center. Instructors And Fellow Cadets Began Lifesaving Efforts, And Macon County Ems And Fire-Rescue Crews Arrived Within About Seven Minutes. Ferreira Was Transported To Angel Medical Center, Where He Later Died. Sheriff Doug Farmer Called It A Devastating Loss For Ferreira’s Family, The Sheriff’s Office, Fellow Cadets, And The Wider Western North Carolina Community, And Asked The Public To Keep Them In Their Thoughts And Prayers. Ferreira Was Originally From Franklin, A 2019 Graduate Of Franklin High School, And A 2023 Graduate Of Southwestern Community College, Where He Earned A Degree In Criminal Justice. The Sheriff’s Office Says He Was Hired January 12, The Same Day He Began Blet. County Leaders Say More Information Will Be Released As It Becomes Available.
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