Sylva Bypass section named for Marcellus Buchanan - A section of the Sylva Bypass has been named for a local legend. State and local officials gathered last Wednesday (Aug. 25) at the Justice Center for a ceremony dedicating the Marcellus Buchanan III Highway, which is the section of U.S. 23/74 from Exit 81 to Exit 85. That section of roadway connects Sylva and Dillsboro and offers a view of the historic Jackson County Courthouse. Marcellus “Buck” Buchanan, who died in 2000, served as solicitor (district attorney) for the 30th Prosecutorial...

PETA calls for closure of Cherokee bear park - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is renewing its efforts to shut down a Cherokee bear park after a July 21 bear attack on a 9-year-old girl. PETA sent a letter Aug. 24 to Tom Vilsack, secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, asking that he take away the animal exhibiting license of Cherokee’s Chief Saunooke Bear Park in light of the accident. A copy of a USDA report on the incident obtained by PETA said the girl was allowed to come into close contact with a 6-month-old bear, who bit and scratched her. The report described the injuries as “scratches on the palm and back of the hand....

Scotts Creek bacteria levels show decrease - Six years ago, Scotts Creek had bacteria levels too high for human contact. But after recent tests it may soon be a safe place for good, clean, fun, said Watershed Association of the Tuckaseigee River Director Roger Clapp. Since 2004, the level of fecal coliform bacteria has dropped drastically, he said. At that time, fecal coliform, a kind of bacteria that indicates the presence of human, animal or agricultural waste, were present in Scotts Creek at about six times the safe level, Clapp said. Water safe to swim in contains 200 “colony-forming units” or less of fecal coliform per 100 milliliters of water...

Holy kudzu? - This kudzu growing behind CT Automotive was recently shown on WLOS News 13 as part of the television station’s “See it, Shoot it, Send it” feature because it’s said to resemble Jesus on a cross. Sylva’s kudzu has attracted regional media attention and is visible from the N.C. 107/Business 23 intersection. It’s not the first time a “kudzu Jesus” has been spotted in the state; one in Raleigh made the news a year ago. – Herald photo by Nick Breedlove.

Mark Brooks resigns school board seat - Jackson County school board member Mark Brooks will resign that post, effective Oct. 31. He read his formal letter of resignation at the Aug. 24 school board meeting. “It is with mixed feelings that I submit my resignation as a board member of the Jackson County Board of Education,” Brooks wrote. He said his reason for resignation was his upcoming move to Swain County. Board chairman Ken Henke said Brooks has been a valuable board member the past six years partly because of his business experience. “I hate to see him go, and I value his input,” Henke said. “I wish him the best.” Brooks said later that he....

Herald to close for Labor Day - The Sylva Herald offices and printing plant will be closed Monday, Sept. 6, for Labor Day. The display advertising deadline will remain noon Tuesday, Sept. 7. Classified and real-estate ads, normally due at noon Monday, must be received by noon Friday, Sept. 3. The news deadline for the Sept. 9 edition will be noon Friday. This includes society news, such as weddings, engagements and anniversaries, as well as church, school and civic announcements.

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