The current pandemic has shown the importance of widespread broadband access in rural communities and the inequalities that result when that access is not available. Transylvania County Schools estimates that at least 10 percent... — Updated 1/6/2021

When the North Carolina General Assembly basically nullified involuntary annexation, cities were forced to grow within their own boundaries. The only choices have been to build taller structures, renovate unusued spaces or fill in... — Updated 1/6/2021

I’ve spent my life studying, teaching and writing about American history, but there is no historical precedent for what we are now witnessing. Hours after its release, I listened to the audio tape of President Donald Trump as he... — Updated 1/6/2021

I was disappointed but not surprised by the results of the Transylvania County Commissioners election. I had really hoped that Page Lemel and Mike Hawkins would be elected. Both of them had been lifelong Republicans but had the... — Updated 1/6/2021

For anyone who has not yet reviewed the updated CDC guidance, it is beyond repugnant and possibly dangerous. For clarity: we all need to get vaccinated. It is the rollout plan we need to address. The updated guidance from the CDC... — Updated 1/6/2021

First of all, I didn’t know that the last time you did something you really like or enjoy would be the last time. But then, I deeply miss my volunteer gigs and I miss hugging. If we all behave and wear our masks and... — Updated 1/6/2021

I live in a house with one car among three adults, and sometimes we need a transit service to Asheville. However, upon calling the Transylvania County Transportation Department, they told us there is no transit service to Asheville... — Updated 1/4/2021

Madison Cawthorn, even before being sworn in, has indicated he will vote to overturn the election results. The results have been challenged in court over 50 times, but since there is no evidence of either error or fraud, all the... — Updated 1/4/2021

Well, well, well. We have finally found compelling evidence of election fraud and a blatant effort to steal the election. Trump was right, it is happening in Georgia but it isn’t the Democrats. Now we know beyond a shadow of... — Updated 1/4/2021

I am a physician with 50-plus years of experience (over 35 years in Brevard). I am writing to encourage everyone to get vaccinated for COVID-19 as soon as the vaccine is available. COVID-19 is a virus; understanding and trying to... — Updated 1/4/2021

The Shop of St. Philip’s has made the decision to close for the month of January, in hopes that the spike in COVID-19 cases will ease by the end of the month. We thank our customers, donors and volunteers for their support in... — Updated 1/4/2021

One of the more discouraging aspects of 2020 was the willingness of millions of Americans to abdicate their ability to reason and accept, without question, false or misleading information. The widespread acceptance of... — Updated 1/4/2021

When thinking of my wish for the New Year, the following lyrics come to mind from the 1967 hit “Get Together” by The Youngbloods: Come on, people now Smile on your brother Everybody get together Try to love one another right... — Updated 12/30/2020

As a physician I wish to offer my thoughts on the Corona vaccine. I think we all should both take the vaccine and encourage others to take it. The most important reason is not to protect ourselves (although it will do that) but to... — Updated 12/30/2020

In many ways, it would be accurate to say 2020 was the year that wasn’t. There were no spring sports. There were no high school graduations. There were none of the special events and festivals we enjoy – no Assault on the... — Updated 12/30/2020

I lived in Hendersonville from 1947-54. Ours was a Christian home, where we read the Bible and had family prayer around the breakfast table every morning before I set off on foot with a couple of classmates for Rosa Edwards... — Updated 12/28/2020

The men who are trying to take over our government in Washington are the same men, or the sons of the men, who flunked out to fight in Viet Nam. Yes. This is the 4-F Party. They had flat feet or some physical or mental flaw that... — Updated 12/28/2020

Nancy Pelosi has done/said a number of things that should prompt criticism from even the staunches Democrats. One of the most egregious actions was when she ripped up the state of the union speech in front of the whole world. You... — Updated 12/28/2020

There have got to be some sane Republicans out there who are in utter disgust and mortified by President Trump’s outrageousness in his last days of office. Everything he is doing, which is not much, is an attempt to destroy our... — Updated 12/28/2020

What will the New Year bring? Who knows? “Que Sera Sera, whatever, will be, will be, the future’s not our to see.” The future may not be ours to see but it is ours to build. We don’t have to be passive victims of the... — Updated 12/28/2020

I am puzzled by the insistence of a rather large minority of the population, which I assume is reflected in this county, which refuses to wear masks and seems to be resistant to vaccinations, all as an expression of their personal... — Updated 12/28/2020

Early last week Congress overwhelmingly passed a combined bill to fund the government ($1.4 trillion) and provide economic relief from the impacts of the coronavirus ($900 billion). Both portions of the bill needed to be passed... — Updated 12/28/2020

Editor’s Note: In Sept. 1897, an eight-year-old girl named Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of The New York Sun asking, “Is there a Santa Claus?” An editorial writer of the Sun Staff, Francis Pharcellus Church... — Updated 12/23/2020

Not one person would argue the fact that this year, 2020, has been one for the books. So much about how we live our lives is unrecognizable when compared to nine months ago. As we approach the end of 2020, one thing that keeps us... — Updated 12/23/2020

My neighbors have seen some strange things this year. Having school with my son using sidewalk chalk and our driveway as the blackboard. My son in his blow up pool with a parade of cars wishing him a happy birthday. Myself, in that... — Updated 12/23/2020