We are fortunate to live in a community in which most people are respectful of one another. People do not cut in line when waiting to get into the movies or a restaurant. There are no altercations when two drivers simultaneously... — Updated 5/13/2020

In the last two weeks, more than half of the states in this country have begun to loosen restrictions regarding COVID-19. Unfortunately, nearly all of those states are taking those measures without meeting the guidelines... — Updated 5/12/2020

If you spent more than 10 minutes with Will Cathey, you would not forget him. His personality was larger than life, of which his ended all too soon last week. His list of positions included assistant district attorney, mayor of... — Updated 5/6/2020

When 2020 rang in four months ago, we assumed it would be much like 2019. We were certain that we would probably have jobs and that if we ate right and exercised, we would be healthy. We were fairly certain of our future. That... — Updated 5/4/2020

Last Thursday afternoon, Gov. Roy Cooper extended the stay-at-home order from April 29 until next Friday, May 8. The decision was based on compliance with the federal guidelines announced earlier this month. Dr. Mandy Cohen, head... — Updated 4/29/2020

During this coronavirus pandemic, access to accurate and trustworthy information in your community is as critical to life under quarantine and as sought after as hand sanitizer and facemasks. Your local newspaper provides the news... — Updated 4/27/2020

Earlier this week, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced that several types of businesses – gyms, nail and hair salons, tattoo parlors, etc. – in that state would be reopening Friday with restaurants and theaters able to open... — Updated 4/22/2020

People over the age of 65 are in one of the high-risk groups for becoming seriously ill or dying from COVID-19. Unfortunately, that is the only thing some people are hearing, which is leading some people below the age of 65 to... — Updated 4/20/2020

From a health standpoint, Gov. Roy Cooper and state health officials seem to be doing a good job of handling the COVID-19 crisis. As of last Friday, April 17, the state reported the following: •COVID-19 tests: 72,981... — Updated 4/20/2020

The Brevard Music Center Board of Trustees made the right decision for the right reason when its members voted unanimously on April 4 to cancel this summer’s music festival. The decision was based wholly on consideration of the... — Updated 4/15/2020

Since Gov. Roy Cooper decided to close all K-12 schools through May 15, the state has decided to waive its end-of-grade and end-of-course standardized tests. School systems also should not give students grades, especially lower gra... — Updated 4/14/2020

Within the last week we have received a few notes from readers requesting that we no longer print any critical letters or editorials during the current COVID-19 crisis, that we put aside our differences and stand together. We... — Updated 4/8/2020

On Feb. 29, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams tweeted, “Seriously people – STOP BUYING MASKS! They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if health care providers can’t get them to... — Updated 4/6/2020

This is the first major, nationwide crisis for the majority of Americans. Certainly there have been events since 1960 that have had a tremendous impact on this nation – the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, the seemingly... — Updated 4/1/2020

A few months ago when the COVID-19 outbreak began, many Americans wondered why it was receiving so much attention when the regular flu killed approximately 32,000 Americans last year. It was a legitimate question. Since that time,... — Updated 3/31/2020

(Editor’s Note: At this time it is crucial for residents to listen to the advice of medical professionals. The following information is from local doctor Ray Dunkelberg.) Facts 1. COVID-19 is a new virus. No one on the planet... — Updated 3/26/2020 Full story

When Gov. Roy Cooper announced on Saturday, March 14, that all K-12 schools in the state would be closed to students beginning March 16, it did not leave local school officials much time to make preparations. Prior to that... — Updated 3/23/2020

The failure of the federal government to have enough kits to accurately test people for the coronavirus (COVID-19) has helped foster an air of uncertainty and, in some cases, panic. Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National... — Updated 3/16/2020

It’s becoming a recurrent theme: government agencies that are seeing an increase in services are receiving less funding. Last month we reported the U.S. Forest Service in North Carolina has fewer employees but the number of... — Updated 3/12/2020

“We can’t teach them if they’re not here,” more than one teacher has been known to say. Unfortunately, teachers in Transylvania County Schools are unable to teach many students because they are chronically absent. In the... — Updated 3/9/2020

Just over two weeks ago Chad Roberson, an architect with Clark Nexsen, told the Transylvania County Board of Education, “There has been a ton of input that we have gotten on these projects.” Roberson was referring to the plans... — Updated 3/4/2020

There have always been rumors and misinformation campaigns. However, the advent of dark money and social media have made it easier for these malicious practices to have a greater impact. Two incidents in the past few weeks... — Updated 3/2/2020

There are two kinds of grievous injustice: the conviction of an obviously innocent person and the acquittal of an obviously guilty person. Prior to World War II, it was common in the Deep South for all-white juries to find... — Updated 2/26/2020

There is not a government agency or private enterprise that would not like to have more revenue. However, the U.S. Forest Service, and in particular the Pisgah Ranger District, truly needs more revenue. Three factors are driving... — Updated 2/24/2020

When Republicans in the U.S. Senate decided they were going to acquit President Trump of any charges long before the House of Representatives had finished its inquiry, they set in motion a series of events that are eroding our... — Updated 2/19/2020