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Crash Involving Jackson County Schools Bus
Several people were injured Tuesday afternoon in a multi-vehicle crash involving a school bus in Jackson County. According to Jackson County Emergency Management, no one on the school bus was hurt. Officials said the reported injuries were in another vehicle involved in the crash. Those occupants were treated at the scene before being transported to the hospital. The crash happened along Skyland Drive near Fisher Creek Road. That stretch of roadway was shut down for several hours while emergency crews responded and the scene was cleared.
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Temporary Lane Closures Along The Spur
Temporary lane closures are scheduled along the Spur in Great Smoky Mountains National Park beginning Monday, May 11. Park officials say crews will be conducting essential maintenance, including mowing and pruning, ditch and culvert cleaning, litter pickup, and removal of tree and rock debris. Northbound lanes will be affected from May 11 through May 14. Southbound lane closures are planned from May 18 through May 21. The closures will be in place each day from 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., and visitors traveling through the area may experience delays. Motorists are encouraged to check nps.gov for the latest information on road closures and construction before heading into the park.
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Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Charges
Jackson County deputies say a routine traffic stop led to a significant drug bust along U.S. 441 near Ridge Point. According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the stop happened May 6th, when Senior K-9 Deputy Ares alerted deputies to the possible presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. Deputies then obtained a probable cause warrant to search the vehicle. That search reportedly turned up about 49 grams of suspected methamphetamine, seven grams of suspected THC marijuana wax, drug paraphernalia, a Mossberg Maverick shotgun and just over 600 dollars in cash. Two men, Nicholas Ray Reneau and James Parker Bryson, were arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including trafficking methamphetamine by possession and transportation, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine, maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance, possession of synthetic cannabinoids and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. Both were also charged with misdemeanor drug and weapon offenses. Authorities said one of the individuals arrested is currently on federal parole. Both suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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Harris Regional Hospital Earns Second consecutive Leapfrog ‘A’
Harris Regional Hospital has received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national organization focused on patient safety. The spring 2026 grade marks the hospital’s second consecutive “A,” following an “A” grade in fall 2025. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade assigns letter grades to hospitals across the country based on evidence-based measures of patient safety, including how well hospitals protect patients from preventable errors, accidents, injuries, and infections. Grades are updated twice annually in the fall and spring. Earning consecutive “A” grades reflects sustained performance across multiple reporting periods and continued focus on the systems, practices and teamwork that support safe patient care. “At Harris Regional Hospital, patient safety is not a single initiative or a one-time effort. It is part of the work our teams carry forward every day,” said Ashley Hindman, CEO of Harris Regional Hospital. “Earning a second consecutive ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group is a meaningful reflection of that consistency and commitment. I am incredibly proud of our physicians, nurses, staff, board members and volunteers for the role they play in creating a safe, high-quality environment for our patients and families.” The recognition also comes as North Carolina continues to perform strongly…
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Hurricane Prepardness Week May 3rd-9th 2026
With the 2026 hurricane season quickly approaching, June 1 through November 30, Jackson County Emergency Management officials encourage residents to take action during Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 3–9) by reviewing and updating their emergency plans and supply kits. “With hurricane season right around the corner, May is the perfect time to get ready for tropical storms and severe weather,” said Zeb Holland, Emergency Management Director, Jackson County. “Being prepared, by creating an emergency plan and assembling a supply kit, may make the difference between being a storm victim or a storm survivor.” What You Can Do Now 1. Make a Plan – Write down your family’s emergency plan. Include evacuation routes, emergency contacts, and meeting locations. Be sure every family member knows the plan and how to access it. 2. Build or Update Your Emergency Supply Kit. Stock your kit with enough non-perishable food and water to sustain each person in your household for at least one week. Other essential items include: · First-aid kit · Battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio with extra batteries · Prescription medications · Sleeping bags or blankets · Extra clothing · Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant) · At least $200 in cash ·…
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Next Phase of the Highway 107 Project Begins
The NCDOT 107, R5600 project team met on April 30, 2026 with local government and other key stakeholders last week to discuss the status of the road project. Utility setback work is currently in process and when completed, the stream bank widening portion will begin near Lowes with pre-cast stormwater units. The NCDOT Construction Team is working with contractors to ensure safety and minimize disruptions. Road widening construction should begin in June of 2027 beginning on the West side of the corridor from the Coffee Shop towards Burger King, and will be done at night to minimize traffic disruptions. Some smaller parts of the project may be addressed earlier than scheduled in the timeline in order to speed up the construction process. NCDOT will be presenting at the Rotary Club meeting on May 7 at 12 pm at Creekside Oyster House in Sylva. If you would like to attend, please email Rotary President, Jay Spiro at Jay@4Smokies.com. R-5600 NC 107 Road Construction Project Status Update Note: This information is provided by the Town of Sylva in cooperation with NCDOT to provide our community with a general understanding of what to expect during the construction of NC 107. This bulletin reflects…
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Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Jackson County Administration Building
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday afternoon for the construction of the Jackson County Administration Building at the 800 block of Skyland Drive next to the Skyland Service Center in Sylva. County Manager Kevin King, Jackson County, said he is excited to see the construction of the new building as a place for residents to come and take care of several county services. “Being located next to the Skyland Service Center where other county services are already provided will certainly make this new location more convenient for our residents to efficiently manage their county needs and services.” King was joined by John Smith, Jackson County Commissioner, District 2; Odell Thompson, Architect; Erin Renwick, senior project manager, Vannoy Construction; and other construction representatives for the ceremony. Also in attendance were various department heads of the county departments that will be housed in the new building. Those county departments currently in the Jackson County Justice and Administration Building located at 401 Grindstaff Cove Road in Sylva that will locate to the new building include Jackson County Administration, Human Resources, Economic Development, Information Technology, Finance, Tax Administration, and Register of Deeds. The License Plate Agency will also relocate to the…
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