Archive for December, 2009

Smoky Mountain Coach Jimmy Cleaveland won his 200th career game Wednesday as the Mustang men’s basketball team defeated Erwin 57-47 in the West Henderson Holiday Invitational. Cleaveland is in his fourth year at SM after coaching six seasons at Pisgah. His career mark is 200-47 (.810). Jackson Simmons scored 26 points for the Mustangs (9-1),… »

A former office administrator for Sylva Orthopedics has been charged with embezzling more than $100,000, which is a Class C felony. A warrant was issued Wednesday, Dec. 30, charging Tracey Ann Curtis, 43, of Beechwood Drive, Sylva, with embezzling $230,482.48 from July 2007 through September 2009. According to the warrant, Curtis used a company credit… »

After a protracted legal battle with Jackson County that has played out over half a decade, Duke Energy may have the final approvals it needs to begin demolition of the Dillsboro Dam. A three-judge panel of the District of Columbia Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals yesterday (Dec. 22) handed down a decision in… »

Smoky Mountain’s men’s basketball team finished the pre-Christmas portion of its season at home Monday with a 66-47 Appalachian Athletic Conference victory over Franklin. Jackson Simmons scored 15 points for the Mustangs (8-0, 3-0). Tanner Cogdill added 13, and Jacob George had 11. Franklin won the women’s game 48-34. Erika Henson led the Lady Mustangs… »

Commissioners will discuss ongoing issues with the Jackson County Airport and the proposed comprehensive transportation plan during their regular meeting tonight (Monday). Discussion of the airport comes after news that Airport Authority Chairman Greg Hall will be stepping down at the end of the year, which would leave Jason Kimenker and county Manager Ken Westmoreland… »

-photos by Nick… »

If you have photos of the snow in Jackson County, send the high-resolution/large images to news@thesylvaherald.com . Include a contact name, location, date/time and who appears in the… »

Above: Vehicles without four-wheel drive are being turned around at Balsam in this submitted photo at 1:45 pm on Friday A winter storm moved into Jackson County Friday morning. A rain/sleet mixed turned to snow before changing back to rain around 9 a.m. The precipitation changed back to snow about 12:15 p.m. Some two inches… »

Smoky Mountain’s home basketball games with Franklin, which were scheduled for Friday, have been postponed to Monday due to snow. The games will have regular start times of 4 p.m. for the JV women followed by the JV men, varsity women and varsity men. The Mustangs were originally scheduled to play at Asheville on Monday…. »

Western Carolina University’s fall commencement scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, will go on as planned, regardless of the inclement weather that is forecast to strike the region, university officials said. “It is not possible to postpone commencement to a later date, and so we will hold the ceremony for those students and families… »