The new facility doubles retail space of the previous location. GSMA photo
 

GSMA opens new Townsend visitor center

A new visitor center and retail space is now open just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Townsend,…
Read More

Comment

The latest drought map, based on observations through 8 a.m. Jan. 9, shows a significant improvement in drought conditions. N.C Drought Management Advisory Council map
 

Drought washes away in winter rain

Heavy rains last week banished all but a spot of severe drought from the mountain region, with more relief likely…
Read More

Comment

Help maintain the Benton MacKaye Trail
 

Help maintain the Benton MacKaye Trail

The Benton MacKaye Trail Association will remove blown-down trees along the Tennessee/North Carolina line during a maintenance trip starting at…
Read More

Comment

Climate plan open for comment
 

Climate plan open for comment

Draft priority measures to reduce greenhouse gases in North Carolina are open for public comment through Sunday, Jan. 28. 
Read More

Comment

Retreat to explore intersection of faith and eco-justice
 

Retreat to explore intersection of faith and eco-justice

A retreat for faith leaders and people interested in inspiring their congregations and communities to care for the planet will…
Read More

Comment

Register for the Business of Farming Conference
 

Register for the Business of Farming Conference

The 21st annual Business of Farming Conference is coming up Saturday, Feb. 24, at the A-B Tech Conference Center in…
Read More

Comment

Waynesville park closed after storm
 

Waynesville park closed after storm

Allens Creek Park in Waynesville is closed until further notice while county crews clean it up following last week’s heavy…
Read More

Comment

Panthertown and DuPont seek board members
 

Panthertown and DuPont seek board members

Two organizations dedicated to stewarding beloved outdoor spaces are looking for new board members to help them fulfill their respective…
Read More

Comment

Rep. Chuck Edwards (left to right), moderator Larry J. Ford and challenger Christian Reagan hold a Republican Congressional Primary Debate on Jan. 13 in Brasstown. Clay County Republican Party/Larry J. Ford screenshot
 

Edwards, Reagan trade jabs in N.C.-11 Primary Election debate

A Republican congressional primary debate hosted by the Clay County Republican Party on Jan. 13 revealed clear differences between the two…
Read More

Comment

The Town of Sylva does not currently have a panhandling ordinance. File photo
 

Sylva considers panhandling ordinance, again

With three new members seated following November elections, the Sylva Town Council is once again considering an update to the…
Read More

Comment

A sign along U.S. 19 points the way to Cherokee’s cannabis dispensary, but the shop has not yet announced an opening date. Holly Kays photo
 

Cherokee cannabis business shows forward movement

After months of stalemate, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians appears ready to advance its cannabis enterprise.
Read More

Comment

‘Devil’s in the details:' Jackson to make adjustments to FRL proposal
 

‘Devil’s in the details:' Jackson to make adjustments to FRL proposal

Jackson County will make some adjustments to Macon County’s proposed changes to the Fontana Regional Library interlocal agreement after the board…
Read More

Comment

Rezoning hearing prompts larger questions about Russ Avenue
 

Rezoning hearing prompts larger questions about Russ Avenue

Waynesville has amended its comprehensive plan and rezoned a portion of a parcel on the east side of Russ Avenue,…
Read More

Comment

East Street study tabled in Waynesville
 

East Street study tabled in Waynesville

For some time now, Waynesville’s East Street has been a bit of a goldilocks problem for the town — too…
Read More

Comment

North Carolina’s most vulnerable children need your help
 

North Carolina’s most vulnerable children need your help

Neglected or abused children who become involved with the state’s courts or social services agencies often find themselves with nowhere…
Read More

Comment

Federal funding cuts endanger domestic violence survivors
 

Federal funding cuts endanger domestic violence survivors

The effects of reduced federal funding on nonprofits that assist survivors of domestic violence continue to reverberate across the region,…
Read More

Comment

Established in 1937, the SBI conducts criminal investigations across the state of North Carolina and are often called upon by local agencies to assist them when and where needed. SBI graphic
 

SBI Human Trafficking Unit receives Buffett grant

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) announced that its Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) has been awarded a $9.6…
Read More

Comment

A contractor will repair U.S. 64 on this stretch in the Cullasaja Gorge damaged by storms
 

Storm repairs close U.S. 64 in Cullasaja Gorge

U.S. 64 between Buck Creek Road and Brush Creek Road will remain closed for more than two weeks while a…
Read More

Comment

Badfish will play Asheville Jan. 17. Donated photo
 

When the dance gets hot: Sublime tribute act Badfish returns to WNC

Back in 2001, while students at the University of Rhode Island, bassist Joel Hanks and drummer Scott Begin had been…
Read More

Comment

An image from the “Safe and Found” documentary shows the Haywood County Search and Rescue Team in action. Jester Wallis Productions photo
 

Backcountry guardians: Documentary highlights Haywood SAR’s lifesaving impact, shows hikers how to stay safe

As 23-year-old David Crockett opened his eyes to day two of sub-freezing temperatures in the snow-covered Shining Rock Wilderness, he had…
Read More

Comment

Marne Harris (left), director of Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center, picks blueberries with former Appalachian Farm School student Cindy Anthony,  who owns the Thomas Berry Farm in Cullowhee. SCC photo
 

Appalachian Farm School returns to Sylva

An eight-week training course for anyone interested in operating an agriculture-based business will kick off Monday, Jan. 15, at Southwestern…
Read More

Comment

Southern Environmental Law Center
 

Forest Service releases 800-acre Nantahala restoration plan

The U.S. Forest Service has released its final analysis and draft decision for the Nantahala Mountains Project, which will touch…
Read More

Comment

Lake Junaluska was one of many WNC landscapes captured by George Masa. George Masa Photo. Courtesy of E. M. Ball Photographic Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, University of North Carolina - Asheville.
 

Database collects George Masa photos

A new database cataloguing the work of renowned Smokies photographer, Japan-born George Masa, is now available online. 
Read More

Comment

A snowboarder catches some air. File photo
 

Show off on snowboard

Over the next two months, snowboarders are invited to film their best moves at Cataloochee Ski Area and submit them…
Read More

Comment

Volunteers pose for a photo after a day on the trail. Friends of Panthertown photo
 

Pitch in with Panthertown

Friends of Panthertown will host a trail workday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, meeting at Salt Rock…
Read More

Comment

Plungers show off their costumes during the 2023 event in Canton. HWA photo
 

Ready for the Plunge?

The 12th annual Plunge Benefit-t-t-ting Kids in the Creek and Environmental Education will take place 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.…
Read More

Comment

Barbara Ballentine. File photo
 

Learn bird talk

Find out how birds talk to each other during a program offered at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, at the…
Read More

Comment

Environmentalists make the case for housing
 

Environmentalists make the case for housing

Hear the case for building more housing from an environmental perspective with a webinar offered 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22,…
Read More

Comment

Go hiking
 

Go hiking

Explore winter in the mountains with a trio of upcoming hikes led by Haywood County Recreation and Parks. 
Read More

Comment

Explore Rattlesnake Lodge
 

Explore Rattlesnake Lodge

The Carolina Mountain Club has started a new hiking initiative, called Leisure Hikes, with the next event scheduled for 10…
Read More

Comment

Last year was a tough one for Canton, but this year will pose serious budgetary concerns. File photo
 

Canton's post-mill budget will be about results

The Town of Canton has been through some difficult budget discussions in the past, but this year’s effort, the first…
Read More

Comment

Singleton got to meet golfing legend John Daly at a tournament a few years ago. Donated photo
 

An unforeseen journey: How J.J. Singleton’s cancer battle instilled a new sense of purpose

Challenges and trauma impact people in different ways. For Haywood County native J.J. Singleton, who has battled cancer for about…
Read More

Comment

The Canton mill works through the night during its last  weeks of papermaking in May 2023. Max Cooper photo
 

Landfill pond overflow, failed water quality test prompt new violations at Canton mill

While mountain residents were busy preparing for Christmas, the Pactiv Evergreen paper mill in Canton that until May 2023 employed…
Read More

Comment

The social district in Franklin will run along Main Street from town hall to Lazy Hiker Brewing. File photo
 

Franklin approves social district

The Town of Franklin will be the latest municipality in North Carolina to implement a social district after the town…
Read More

Comment

License plate recognition cameras coming to Jackson
 

License plate recognition cameras coming to Jackson

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is poised to deploy several cameras around the county with automatic license plate readers in…
Read More

Comment

Finance award casts further doubt on corruption claims in Haywood
 

Finance award casts further doubt on corruption claims in Haywood

Haywood County’s Finance Department has a long history of stellar performance, but a national award for excellence in financial reporting…
Read More

Comment

Western Carolina University will host a series of events celebrating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Donated photo
 

MLK celebration at WCU

Western Carolina University’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration will begin Monday, Jan. 15, with its annual Unity March. 
Read More

Comment

The highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Clingmans Dome rises to 6,643 feet above sea level.  Kristina Plaas photo
 

Cherokee approves application for Clingmans Dome name change

Tribal Council members stood to show their unanimous support Thursday, Jan. 4, for a resolution they hope will result in…
Read More

Comment

Tribal Council disciplines former cannabis board member
 

Tribal Council disciplines former cannabis board member

A former Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians official and cannabis board member accused of soliciting favors  from a contractor that was…
Read More

Comment

Haywood nurses completes five-week intensive course
 

Haywood nurses completes five-week intensive course

Sarah Banks, Emily Jenkins, Kelly Martin-Hicks, Abigail Clark, Heather Koonce and Sarah Keener at Haywood County Health and Human Services…
Read More

Comment

Co-owners of the Cultivate Garden Shop (from left) Spencer & Courtney Tetrault and Amanda & Blake Yoder. Donated photo
 

Cultivating dreams: Garden shop opens in Waynesville

Just about a year ago, Spencer Tetrault was cruising along Depot Street in Waynesville when he noticed a “For Lease”…
Read More

Comment

George Ivey, N.C. Development Director  for the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, addresses the audience at the Blue Ridge Rising Summit. Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation photo
 

Regional leaders discuss strategies for the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor

More than 130 leaders from North Carolina and Virginia gathered to discuss a strategic action plan for the entire Blue…
Read More

Comment

Park Service to focus study on Indian Reorganization Period
 

Park Service to focus study on Indian Reorganization Period

The National Park Service has announced its intention to collaborate with Native American tribes across the country on a theme…
Read More

Comment

MountainTrue recognizes all-star volunteers
 

MountainTrue recognizes all-star volunteers

MountainTrue has recognized the members and volunteers who gave the most to the waters, forests and communities of Western North…
Read More

Comment

Kids meet one of the wild inhabitants of the N.C. Arboretum grounds. N.C. Arboretum photo
 

Signups start soon for Arboretum youth programs

Registration opens soon for several upcoming outdoor education opportunities at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville. 
Read More

Comment

Drought maps are published every Thursday. U.S. Drought Monitor of N.C. map
 

Drought shrinks following Christmas rain

While some may have preferred a white Christmas, the rain that covered the region instead has proven the better Christmas…
Read More

Comment

Hike with CMC
 

Hike with CMC

Take a winter walk on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail Sunday, Jan. 7, in Asheville with the Carolina Mountain Club. 
Read More

Comment

Highlands Greenway celebrates productive 2023
 

Highlands Greenway celebrates productive 2023

During 2023, volunteers with the Highlands Plateau Greenway contributed 640 hours to create new trails and maintain the existing ones…
Read More

Comment

Bent Creek staff receive their award. EcoForesters photo
 

EcoForesters recognizes stewards of the land

The nonprofit EcoForesters has crowned its winners for the people who made a difference in forest stewardship and education during…
Read More

Comment

Workday planned at Jackson greenway
 

Workday planned at Jackson greenway

Help remove invasive plants on the Jackson County Greenway 1-4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 in Cullowhee. 
Read More

Comment

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.