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Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Presents: Friends Night Out
The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce invites residents and visitors to join us for Friends Night Out in downtown Sylva on Thursday, October 15th, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. This special evening celebrates local shopping, dining, and community spirit — all while supporting our hometown businesses. Guests can stroll through Sylva’s charming shops and galleries, enjoy refreshments, and take part in raffles and prizes throughout the evening. For every $25 spent, shoppers will receive one raffle ticket, and the first 20 shoppers to spend $50 will receive a free tote bag courtesy of our event sponsors. Along with a special Sylva Shop Local tote bag a variety of prizes are available. This event is made possible through the generous support of Jackson Savings Bank whose partnership helps us bring together our community for a fun, engaging evening that highlights the best of Jackson County. Jackson Savings Bank’s purpose is clear: reinvesting in the community. When you entrust your funds, they don’t sit idle. Instead, they put them to work immediately by reinvesting them into the community that empower individuals to purchase, construct, or enhance their homes. “Friends Night Out is a great reminder of how special downtown Sylva is from our shops…
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Delayed Fall Color
Fall color is getting a slower start in parts of Western North Carolina following an unusually warm September. The average high at Asheville Regional Airport was just over 83 degrees last month, making it the fourth-warmest September on record for daytime highs. Howard Neufeld, known as the “Fall Color Guy,” says warmer September temperatures can delay peak foliage. He expects peak color at middle elevations could arrive about a week later than usual this year. The warmth can also cause trees to change at different times, making the overall display less vibrant. Color is already increasing at higher elevations, including Grandfather Mountain. The highest peaks typically see their best color first, with the transition moving downhill through October. Neufeld says sunny days and cool nights provide the best conditions for vibrant leaves. Cooler weather is expected this weekend, with mountain highs dropping from the 80s into the 70s.
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Ginseng Poaching in GSMNP
Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers have contacted two separate suspects who have illegally harvested ginseng roots in the park. One suspect was found with 167 poached ginseng roots, and another was found with 521 poached roots, weighing 8 lbs. Collecting or possessing ginseng in the park is illegal and may result in fines of up to $5,000 and/or as much as six months in prison. Thanks to the quick action of law enforcement rangers, many of the undamaged roots will be replanted in the park by the natural resources team. Long‑term data shows that only about one‑third of replanted roots will survive. This means that while replanting helps replace some of what is lost, many roots are still unlikely to survive. Ginseng is a slow‑growing plant that can take 7–10 years to mature and make seeds, with some plants living more than 75 years. Wild ginseng is often taken illegally due to its use in traditional medicine. This illegal harvesting harms delicate habitats, takes away food that animals need, and reduces genetic diversity. As consumers, we can help protect ginseng by paying attention to where ginseng products come from and choosing ones grown sustainably, rather than from the wild.…
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Franklin’s Lodging Tax Soars
Franklin’s lodging tax collections have reached their second-highest level on record. The town’s Tourism Development Authority collected nearly 189-thousand dollars during the fiscal year that ended June 30th. That’s up from about 181-thousand dollars the previous year, and just below the record set in 2023. The three-percent tax applies to overnight accommodations within Franklin’s town limits, including hotels, campgrounds and vacation rentals. The authority spent nearly 154-thousand dollars last year, with most going toward tourism marketing and advertising. Another 23-thousand-300 dollars supported local events and related projects. Board members are reviewing their funding process, with a renewed emphasis on attracting visitors who stay overnight. They’re considering hearing funding requests quarterly instead of monthly. At their September meeting, members approved five-thousand dollars for the Macon County Farmers Market and 16-hundred dollars for the inaugural Plein Air Art Festival, scheduled for October 22nd through the 24th. The authority’s next meeting is October 12th at 5:30 p.m. in the lower-level board room at Franklin Town Hall.
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Rabies Vaccine Bait Drops Begin
Rabies vaccine bait distribution begins this week in western North Carolina, as federal and state agencies work to keep raccoon rabies from spreading westward. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says ground crews will distribute baits by vehicle inside Asheville city limits through October ninth. Helicopter drops are scheduled October ninth through the thirteenth in the greater Asheville area, Burnsville, Mars Hill and Waynesville. From October fifteenth through the twenty-second, low-flying airplanes will distribute baits across rural areas of seventeen mountain counties, including Jackson, Haywood, Swain, Macon, Graham, Cherokee and Clay. The scented baits attract raccoons, which receive the oral vaccine when they eat them. More than six hundred thousand baits are planned for North Carolina, with the schedule depending on weather and other conditions. The USDA asks residents to leave any baits they find undisturbed. The agency says people and pets cannot get rabies from the baits, but anyone who comes into contact with one should immediately wash the affected area with warm water and soap. Residents are also reminded to avoid feeding or handling wildlife and keep their pets’ rabies vaccinations current. For more information, go to : https://www.aphis.usda.gov/national-wildlife-programs/rabies
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Arrest Made After Macon County Resident Reportedly Loses More Than $200,000 to Fraud
A fraud investigation involving a loss of more than $200,000 has led to an arrest in Macon County. The Macon County Sheriff’s Office began investigating after receiving a report from a county resident in mid-August. Because of the size and apparent complexity of the case, the Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the FBI. Investigators subsequently arrested 31-year-old Tsou Ming-Hsuan, a citizen of Taiwan who authorities said was in the United States on a visa. Ming-Hsuan was charged with felony obtaining property by false pretense and felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense. Authorities have not publicly described the precise method allegedly used to obtain the money or disclosed whether investigators believe other people were involved. The charges remain allegations. Ming-Hsuan is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The case comes as law-enforcement agencies across Western North Carolina warn residents about financial schemes involving impersonation, fraudulent investment opportunities and callers claiming that money must be withdrawn or transferred immediately. Authorities advise residents to independently verify unexpected financial requests before sending money, providing account information or meeting someone to hand over cash. A bank should be contacted through a known telephone number…
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Waynesville Police Warn of Elaborate Phone Scams After Resident Loses More Than $100,000
Waynesville police are warning residents about increasingly sophisticated telephone scams after one local victim reportedly lost more than $100,000. Investigators say the schemes frequently begin with a text message designed to look like an alert from a bank or financial institution. The message may claim suspicious activity has been detected and direct the recipient to call a telephone number or respond immediately. Once contact is made, another person may call while posing as a member of the bank’s fraud department. The scammer attempts to gain the victim’s confidence by creating a sense of urgency and claiming the victim’s money must be moved or withdrawn to keep it safe. Some recent schemes have gone beyond requests for gift cards or electronic transfers. According to Waynesville Police Detective Eric Batchelor, victims have been instructed to withdraw tens of thousands of dollars, place the cash in an envelope and leave it for a supposed courier. An unidentified driver then arrives to collect the money. Police say legitimate banks and law-enforcement agencies will not send an anonymous driver to a customer’s home to retrieve cash. Residents should also avoid calling telephone numbers contained in unsolicited text messages. Anyone receiving a suspicious alert should stop…
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