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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Holley, Robinson vie for Lt. Gov. post
Even though it’s largely a ceremonial post, North Carolina’s lieutenant governor has an important role in state government — especially…
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Sen. Tillis fights to retain seat
There are few races in North Carolina this cycle that hold more consequence than that for the United States Senate…
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Jackson voters to speak on indoor pool issue
Like voters across the country, Jackson County residents are electing representatives for offices ranging from congressman to commissioner, but this…
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Haywood school board race draws 12 candidates
A dozen candidates are running to fill five open seats on the Haywood County School Board. Among them, four are…
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Two-year delay expected for N.C. 107 project
After years of planning, public meetings and emotionally charged back-and-forth, right-of-way acquisition for the N.C. 107 project in Sylva was…
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Haywood fitness center reopens Oct. 5
Following a phased reopening plan, the Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center is pleased to announce it will reopen (some…
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Dogwood Health Trust CEO steps down
The Dogwood Health Trust Board of Directors announced today that Antony Chiang is stepping down from his role as Chief…
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Jim Moore rejoins the DA's office
District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch announced Thursday that Jim Moore has joined the 43rd Prosecutorial District as an assistant district…
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Equity advocates resign amid racial reckoning
City director quits, cites resistance, lack of support By Sally Kestin AVL Watchdog The CEO of the YWCA of Asheville…
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WCU announces spring semester schedule
Western Carolina University has announced changes to the spring 2021 schedule related to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
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Clampitt, Queen face off for fifth time
They’ve now run against each other five times in 10 years so there’s not much voters don’t know about them…
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Election ordinance changes approved in Cherokee
During its Sept. 3 meeting, Tribal Council voted unanimously to approve a slate of changes to its election ordinance ahead…
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Letson and Jones vie for seat as southern Jackson County’s commissioner
There’s no incumbent on the ballot for Jackson County’s District 4 commission seat, but voters will still find themselves choosing…
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Important voting deadlines draw near
The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, and there are plenty of ways to vote early, or vote from the…
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Presnell's open seat draws competitors
After eight years in office, Burnsville Republican Rep. Michele Presnell will probably be better remembered for the things she didn’t…
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Strong support for Cawthorn outside NC-11 debates
Updated 9/11/20, 12:30 p.m. While N.C. Congressional District 11 candidates Moe Davis and Madison Cawthorn got into a heated debate…
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N.C. 11 candidates face off
Congressional candidates Moe Davis and Madison Cawthorn clashed last week in a pair of debates spanning two days and three…
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Debate Fact-Checker: Zingers, Jabs and Lies
Congressional candidates’ claims rated for truthfulness By Sally Kestin and Peter H. Lewis AVL Watchdog In their first public face-off,…
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War of words: Race to replace Mark Meadows takes an ugly turn
The major party candidates seeking the NC11 congressional seat recently left vacant by former Rep. Mark Meadows spent much of…
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Cawthorn mingles with far-right fringe
By Sally Kestin, Tom Fiedler and Peter H. Lewis | AVL Watchdog | Conservative congressional candidate Madison Cawthorn, scheduled to speak Wednesday at…
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Heath Shuler steps off the political sidelines
Even Hollywood screenwriters would be hard-pressed to craft a more quintessentially American story.
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Republicans campaign on support for law enforcement
Rallies expressing support for law enforcement officers and agencies are starting to become commonplace in Western North Carolina, but as…
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Candidate’s claim creates false impression
Cawthorn rejected from Naval Academy By Tom Fiedler AVL Watchdog The narrative created by Republican congressional-candidate Madison Cawthorn paints a…
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Jackson County man will go to prison following traffic accident
A Jackson County man who crashed into an Ohio couple’s car last year along U.S. 23/441, seriously injuring both, must…
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