WCU to host modified Open House

Western Carolina University will pop up the tents for prospective students and their families and friends as the university holds…
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Eager voters flock to Haywood polls

Early voting began across North Carolina on Oct. 15, and since then, large numbers of voters have descended on their…
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Businesses adapt to survive pandemic

Despite the setbacks and challenges the COVID-19 Pandemic brought about in March, a surprising number of businesses in different industries…
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Haywood businesses become COVID-resilient

By Boyd Allsbrook • Contributing writer | When the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns hit Haywood County in March, business owners braced for…
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Jackson businesses find their place in the post-pandemic world

Lured by the promise of drivable, socially distanced adventure, visitors from across the region have flocked to Jackson County in…
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Macon merchants adapt during pandemic to stay open

During the initial pandemic panic back in March, many merchants in Macon County closed up shop while they tried to…
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Swain businesses survive, thrive during pandemic

Swain County’s economy relies heavily on the tourism industry from outdoor recreation businesses to downtown retailers, restaurants and the railroad. 
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Cherokee businesses feel pandemic impact

With the economic powerhouse that is Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort surfacing as one of the pandemic era’s most-impacted local businesses,…
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Haywood property revaluation to be presented Nov. 2

After more than a year of work, Haywood County’s property revaluation process is nearly complete and will be presented during…
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Vandalism, campaign sign thefts show deep division in Haywood

As the tumultuous 2020 election season draws to a close, partisans on both sides of the aisle are expressing anger…
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School systems seeing more COVID-19 cases, clusters

Since public school systems have returned to in-person instruction, more COVID-19 cases are being reported in Western North Carolina. 
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Fierce campaign divides Mark Meadows’ old district

Those who hadn’t learned through backchannels a day or two beforehand found out early on a cold mountain morning late…
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Swain commission incumbents face challengers

Two Republicans and two Democrats are vying for two open seats on the Swain County Board of Commissioners this year. 
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Wallace, Young seek open seat on Macon commission

After being the top vote-getters during the primary election, Democrat Betty Cloer Wallace and Republican Josh Young are seeking the…
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Jackson approves $4 million for animal shelter project

Jackson County commissioners voted 4-1 Oct. 20 to approve a $4.33 million contract to build a new animal rescue center…
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Kamala Harris to visit Asheville after COVID cancellation

Less than a week after cancelling travel to Asheville and Charlotte, Democratic vice presidential nominee and California Sen. Kamala Harris…
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Order wreaths for deceased veterans by Nov. 15

Wreath laying on the graves of veterans buried at Greenhill Cemetery in Waynesville will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday,…
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COVID-19 cluster identified at Franklin church

Macon County Public Health has identified a COVID-19 cluster of positive cases in an area church located in Franklin.
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WNC tourism numbers show quick recovery

When North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper gave the order to close bars and restaurants back on March 17, that was…
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Waynesville hires new assistant manager

Town Manager Robert Hites announced that he has appointed Jesse D. Fowler as Waynesville’s Assistant Town Manager. Fowler is currently…
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WCU to waive undergrad application fee

Western Carolina University is among the institutions of higher education that will be participating in “North Carolina Countdown to College,”…
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Macon volleyball game attendees could have been exposed

Macon County Public Health has identified possible exposure to COVID-19 among those who attended a volleyball game at Franklin High…
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Haywood schools rolls out COVID-19 dashboard

Haywood County Schools Administration announced the creation of the COVID-19 dashboard, intended to keep the public up to date on…
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Swain summer tourism dollars up 37 percent

The Coronavirus Pandemic hasn’t stopped the Swain County Tourism Development Authority from having another record-setting year in occupancy tax revenue. 
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Grants available for Dillsboro businesses

The Town of Dillsboro is launching a grant program to help struggling businesses using $200,000 it received as part of…
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Harris staff tests positive for COVID-19

Statement by Biden for President Campaign Manager Jen O'Malley Dillon:
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Election could remake Haywood County Board of Commissioners

Longtime commissioner and current Chairman of the Haywood County Board of Commissioners Kevin Ensley is seeking re-election to his seat,…
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Rural allure, strong hospitality sector set Jackson County up for success amid pandemic

Things were looking bleak for the tourism industry — for all industries, really — as coronavirus shutdowns and stay-at-home orders…
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Pandemic impacts Franklin’s tourism revenue

The Town of Franklin is one of the many local governments that saw a decrease in its occupancy tax revenue…
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Haywood tourism emerges from pandemic nearly unscathed

During the summer and fall of 2019, room occupancy tax data collected by Haywood County’s Tourism Development Authority suggested that…
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Full slate of candidates in Beaverdam school board race

This year’s race for the Haywood County School Board has had a lot of interest with 12 candidates running for…
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Early voting starts Oct. 15

Early voting runs from Thursday, Oct. 15 through Oct. 31. Early voting sites in The Smoky Mountain News coverage area…
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Tribal government modifies operations amid COVID-19 surge

Many tribal offices are closed or operating at reduced levels this week following what Principal Chief Richard Sneed called an…
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Jackson to vote on animal shelter contract

Jackson County commissioners plan to vote next week on a construction contract to build a new animal rescue center as…
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Kamala Harris to appear in Asheville, Charlotte

Less than three weeks from Election Day, California senator and Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris will visit the North…
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Haywood reports four COVID-19 deaths

Haywood County Health and Human Services is reporting four COVID-19 deaths. The individuals died within the last few weeks either…
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Two cases of La Crosse Encephalitis confirmed in Haywood

Haywood County Health Director, Patrick Johnson, recently confirmed that two residents of Haywood County has been diagnosed with La Crosse…
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New detour opens for Scotts Creek bridge project

A new detour for local traffic and passenger vehicles is now available to bypass the road closure caused by the…
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Political newcomers run for Jackson’s District 3 seat

As in the District 4 race, the ballot for the District 3 county commission seat in Jackson County is devoid…
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Sylva cancels Christmas parade

The Sylva Town Board has voted unanimously this evening to cancel this year’s Christmas Parade, citing coronavirus concerns.
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Whittier man faces charges in wife’s death

Whittier resident Billy Hicks, 48, is being held without bond in the Jackson County Detention Center after his wife Danielle…
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COVID-19 cluster identified at Macon Sheriff's Office

Macon County Public Health has identified  a cluster of employees at the Macon County Sheriff’s Office who have tested positive for…
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Free medications offered to Swain residents in need

NC MedAssist is partnering with Swain County Health Department to host a Mobile Free Pharmacy event, providing residents in need with…
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Program to use therapy dogs to aid domestic violence victims

An initiative by Cyndy Caravelis, associate professor of criminology and criminal justice at Western Carolina University, will include a pilot…
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Ongoing 2020 election coverage

As the 2020 election draws near, The Smoky Mountain News will continue to interview all willing candidates at the local,…
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Macon community center reopens

Macon County’s Robert C. Carpenter Community Building will begin to open under limited capacity.
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Charlotte man arrested for soliciting minor

William Ray Hartsell, 27, of Charlotte, was arrested in Haywood County on Sept. 23 by the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office…
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SCC to host state debate

In September, students in Dr. Bucky Dann’s Social Problems class hosted debates featuring candidates for national and local office.
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Moratorium on Waynesville utility disconnections to end

A policy adopted by the Town of Waynesville that was designed to alleviate financial hardship during the early stages of…
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Foundation provides COVID-19 testing for schools

On Aug. 21 the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation announced it would fund a weekly COVID-19 testing program for Highlands School,…
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