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Dear reader,

Bucket list item unlocked: I got to go to a prescribed burn for the first time this month. (Find out more about the science behind prescribed burning below.) I’ve been reporting on the Forest Service for years and always hoped to go to a prescribed burn, but there is always a conflict: A deadline. The shifting wind. A surprise rainstorm. 

In other news, local county boards of election will finalize primary election results during Friday’s statewide canvass. If you’ve been following the Senate District 26 race between Senate leader Phil Berger and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, then you know that every provisional and overseas ballot will matter in deciding the close race. At the most recent count last Friday, Page had 23 votes more than Berger. No local races in Western NC met the minimum requirements for a recount, but nothing is official until the results are finalized. 

The county boards will consider timely-filed challenges to certain ballots at the canvass on March 13th, according to the NCSBE. State canvass will take place on March 25 to finalize the election.

Nearly 6,000 acres burned across WNC already this month. Here's why.

You might have seen smoke on the horizon across Western North Carolina this week. That’s because it's the prime season for prescribed or controlled burning, according to the local Forest Service. 

Controlled or prescribed burning is when government firefighters intentionally set fire to specific land in order to get rid of leaves, downed trees and small plants in the forest to reduce wildfire risks. The work is essential, especially in parts of the region with vast, dense forest land that are prone to wildfires this time of year.

Over the last week, the U.S. Forest Service has conducted 15 prescribed burns across the state in the Nantahala, Uwharrie, Pisgah and Croatan National Forest. 

In Western North Carolina, almost 6,000 acres have been burned in five prescribed fires since March 4.

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• No Pipe Dream on the French Broad (The Assembly)  

• Growing and growing: Per capita distribution approved from cannabis sales (The Cherokee One Feather) 

• NAACP claims county board broke open meeting laws (The Transylvania Times) 

• Judge tells Trump administration to comply with ruling to send disaster aid to NC (The News & Observer) “FEMA has 14 days to show the court they are complying. The clock is ticking, and we are ready to do this again if necessary,” N.C. Attorney General Jeff Jackson said, according to the N&O. 

• NC Auditor honors Hendersonville Mayor Pro Temp for transparency, Helene leadership (Hendersonville Lighting) 

• Two Cherokee County Commissioners resign, county attorney terminated at Monday’s commissioner meeting (The Cherokee Scout) 

• The federal government announced $75.8 million for the more than 300 childcare facilities damaged by Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby. This money will funnel through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (Blue Ridge Public Radio) 

My Favorite Trail: 

Sasha Schroeder is the Digital Engagement Producer at NC Local 

Welcome to a regular feature of The Trailhead: My Favorite Trail. Each installment will feature a WNC trail. This week, Sasha shared her favorite spots . Want to share your favorite trail for a future newsletter? Email me! 

The strenuous hike offers epic views all the way up the mountain. (Photo courtesy of Sasha Schroeder)  

Her favorite trail: Grandfather Trail 

Sasha recommends heading up Grandfather Trail from the east along the Daniel Boone Scout Trail on the east side of the mountain. 

This east side trail offers a number of options for shorter trips if you don't want to make the strenuous trek up to the famous peak. 

Sasha says it is her favorite hike in WNC because she and her friends got to pass through so many different forest types on the way up. 

"It was pretty challenging. We did 11 miles, and there were a lot of scary rock scrambles - I was definitely holding my breath at parts! We ate lunch on Calloway Peak," she said. She remembers it being so windy when they finally reached Macrae Peak that she laid down on the top and refused to stand up again. 

Don't worry! Sasha says it's a funny memory, and she safely made it back down the mountain. 

When she's not climbing mountains, Sasha keeps our social media channels flowing. Make sure you're following on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.