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Standoff in Waynesville Neighborhood Wednesday
The Waynesville Police Department reported an incident at 211 Prevost Street around 3:15 p.m., involving a civil disturbance. Upon their arrival, a suspect initiated gunfire towards the responding officers. The said suspect then retreated into the residence at 211 Prevost Street, barricading themselves inside. Waynesville Police Chief David Adams stated that officers forcibly entered the home where the suspect, identified as Darren Tate, 44, had barricaded himself. Law enforcement deployed five rounds of CS gas, commonly known as “tear gas,” and discovered Tate in a bedroom, where he had attempted to shield himself from the effects of the gas by using a mattress. Chief Adams disclosed that Tate was receiving medical attention for a gunshot wound, though it remained uncertain whether the injury was self-inflicted or inflicted by the police. Additionally, at approximately 4:10 p.m., electrical service was temporarily disconnected for Town of Waynesville customers residing on Prevost Street and in the nearby vicinity. The suspect, who had fired shots at officers during the standoff lasting three and a half hours, was observed being transported via ambulance on Wednesday evening at around 6:40 p.m.
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15th Annual ColorFest is October 7th
The 15th annual ColorFest is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 7th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. right in the heart of downtown Dillsboro. Experience a delightful day in this charming mountain town steeped in both vibrant colors and rich history. Revel in a day filled with enjoyment, delectable food, live musical performances, captivating artisan demonstrations, entertainment, and an array of shopping opportunities. Numerous skilled artisans will be showcasing a wide range of authentic Cherokee artwork, pottery, jewelry, photography, loom beading, handmade soaps, various forms of needlework, exquisite Christmas ornaments, pinecone wreaths, candles, rustic furniture, chair caning, baskets, and much more. The best part? ColorFest is completely free and open to the public. For additional details and a comprehensive schedule of events, please visit visitdillsboro.org.
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Domestic Violence Charges for Sylva Man
A Sylva resident, Joshua Moore Duls, aged 40 and residing on Allen Street, is currently facing a series of domestic charges, which include allegations of using bear repellent on three individuals, one of whom is a 2-year-old child. Duls is confronted with three felony charges of kidnapping, two felony charges related to child abuse resulting in serious injury, and one misdemeanor charge of assaulting a female. According to court records, on Sunday, September 24th, at 5:52 p.m., the Sylva police responded to 183 Allen St., a three-bedroom home spanning 2,000 square feet located just above Town Hall. Duls is accused of unlawfully detaining an adult woman and two underage individuals. According to the arrest warrants, he confined the minor victims without the consent of their parent or legal guardian, and this act was intended to cause fear and distress. Duls was booked into the Jackson County Detention Center at 9:10 p.m. on Sunday and was initially held on a 48-hour domestic hold, with no bond required. However, his bond was later set at $25,000 secured before the completion of the 48-hour period, and as of Wednesday morning, he remained in custody. Sylva Police Chief Chris Hatton stated that the investigation…
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Spectrum Awarded NC Grant Money for Haywood
Spectrum today announced it has been awarded a North Carolina Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) Program grant of more than $1.25 million to bring gigabit high-speed internet access to more than 300 homes and small businesses in Haywood County. Combined with the state grant of more than $1.25 million, the total project investment, including more than $500,000 from Spectrum, is nearly $1.8 million. The CAB grant is one of seven awarded to Spectrum to expand fiber-optic broadband infrastructure to areas of the state that currently lack access to high-speed connections. “These awards will help ensure that more North Carolinians can access affordable and reliable high-speed internet to participate in today’s digital world,” said North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. “We will continue to collaborate with county leaders and all grantees to close our state’s digital divide.” Spectrum is already North Carolina’s largest broadband provider, serving 2.8 million customers and employing more than 11,800 residents in the state. “Gov. Cooper, his administration, and the North Carolina Legislature have shown tremendous leadership in embracing public-private partnerships as a vital strategy for connecting unserved communities,” said Brian Gregory, Vice President of Government Affairs at Charter Communications, which operates the Spectrum brand of connectivity products…
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Park reports 5-10 acre wildfire on Fontana Lake shore
Great Smoky Mountains National Park firefighters are suppressing a 5-10 acre wildland fire near backcountry campsite 87 on Fontana Lake’s shore. The Lake Fire was reported at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26. Firefighters were on the scene early this evening and will remain in the area overnight to monitor and continue to suppress the fire. No structures are threatened by the fire. Smoke may be visible. The fire is smoldering and creeping through timber and brush understory with significant leaf litter. Firefighters are using a full suppression attack and there is no threat to fire lines at this time. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Backcountry Campsite 87 has been closed to all use.
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Annual Fall Color Forecast for WNC
Fall, the time of year when Western Carolina University’s campus is bustling with activity, classes, football and of course, the brilliant color of autumn leaves. The fall colors across Western North Carolina are a seasonal sensation that draw thousands of visitors and locals alike to the mountains each year. Beverly Collins, professor emeritus at WCU, has been the resident leaf expert for WCU and has again offered her prediction for the 2023 leaf season. “Because it has been dry, we might see some leaves turning earlier, which sounds incongruous, but it’s because the dryness also brings on stress and it’s basically end of season stress that causes the leaves to change color,” Collins said. “The second factor is how cold it gets at night. The thing that brings on color really quickly is having it get cold and down into the lower 40s with bright sunny days.” Collins combines her knowledge of forest ecology with observations of weather trends to assess the leaf color season. “The main factor is that the days are getting shorter,” Collins said. “With it getting darker earlier in the fall, chlorophyll production slows down and then stops and eventually all the chlorophyll is destroyed. They are…
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Annual Mountain Heritage Day, September 30th
Mountain Heritage Day, the annual celebration of Southern Appalachian culture presented by Western Carolina University, will take place Saturday, Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on campus. “This family-oriented festival shows how much we value this incredible, beautiful region we call home and its diverse culture and history,” said WCU Chancellor Kelli R. Brown. “I am honored, like the Chancellors who came before me, to continue this heritage celebration gift to our community.” The music of Mountain Heritage Day, which ranges from bluegrass to folk to gospel, is a vital part of the free and open event which celebrates Southern Appalachian history and culture. This year’s headline musical act set to perform on the Ingles Blue Ridge Stage is Michael Cleveland and his band Flamekeeper, who will bring a dynamic stage presence and an excellent fiddle-led bluegrass sound. Other performances include the Bluegrass Allstars featuring Audie Blaylock, Marc Pruett, Reed Jones and Darren Nicholson. The world champion Mars Hill clogging team and Zeb Ross with the J Creek Clogging team will also perform. In addition to the performances, live entertainment will be provided across the festival grounds in the Jackson County Tourism Balsam Circle Tent and the Running…
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