Lake Junaluska fire district in the works
The recent addition of eight full-time firefighters to the town of Waynesville — at a cost of $530,000 per year…
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A fix-it list for the record books
Think your honey-do list is long? Wait until you meet Jack Carlisle.
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Lake Junaluska forges go-it-alone path after abandoning merger with Waynesville
After five years of trying to merge with the town of Waynesville, the Lake Junaluska community has given up and…
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Tracing the fire’s path
Now that the wildfires that ravaged Western North Carolina a couple of months ago are no longer active, U.S. Forest…
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The art and activism of Panhandle Slim
Savannah, Georgia-based artist Scott “Panhandle Slim” Stanton was born in Maryland and raised in Pensacola, Florida, but he has been…
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WNC marches for women’s rights
“Care more, judge less,” “Love trumps hate” and “Rise up” were just a few of the battle cries heard in…
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The pink hats are coming
By rain-slicked granite sidewalks they came, early that morning. In rubber boots, sneakers and sandals they came, not knowing exactly…
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Congressman Meadows optimistic about Trump
Although Rep. Mark Meadows, R-Asheville, has been Western North Carolina’s Congressman for only two terms, constituents in his heavily Republican…
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North Carolina GOP celebrates inauguration
Inaugurations make for early mornings. Getting into or out of the tangle of security and Humvees blocking the streets of…
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WNC supporters, opponents mark Trump inauguration
• North Carolina GOP celebrates inauguration• Congressman Meadows optimistic about Trump• The pink hats are coming• WNC marches for women’s rights• The art and activism…
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Jackson Health Department project to cost less than expected
Upgrading the Jackson County Health Department could prove a much less expensive undertaking than originally anticipated, if estimates contained in…
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Sylva considers reduced-size residential lots
The town of Sylva took a tentative first step this month toward easing residential zoning restrictions that some credit with…
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Sanitary district policy remains suspended
After listening to the concerns of property managers in its service area, the Junaluska Sanitary District board has decided to…
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Verizon proposes new tower at Lake Junaluska
Verizon Wireless has approached Haywood County commissioners once again about installing a new cell tower near Lake Junaluska to improve…
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Warm weather forces Cataloochee Ski closure
Unseasonably warm weather and the drought have combined to temporarily close Cataloochee Ski Area.
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Inaugural Photo Gallery
Photos from the inaugural week's ceremonies in Washington D.C., Jan 18-21, 2017. All photos by Cory Vaillancourt/Smoky Mountain News. …
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Casino announces expansion: $250 million project will add fourth hotel tower, event space
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort is stepping into its 20th year of operation with plans for a massive expansion that will…
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DC dispatch: Saturday, Jan. 21
What a difference a day makes. After a Friday that left both protestors and police bruised and bloodied – and…
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Public survey could make or break Haywood library expansion
Hopes for a major renovation and expansion of the Waynesville library were temporarily shelved by county commissioners last year and…
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DC dispatch: Friday, Jan. 20
Hillary Clinton emerged from the west front of the U.S. Capitol Building this morning, clad in white and looking out…
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DC dispatch: Thursday, Jan. 19
Amidst heavy security and a conspicuous law enforcement presence, Washington, D.C. is hoping for the best but preparing for the…
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Missing Clyde man found deceased
A Clyde man who has been missing since Jan. 3 has been found deceased.
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Sylva shoe duo upholds the last of a dying trade
Mike Fitzgerald rarely skipped a beat as he darted spryly between his cobbler’s bench and the vintage, grime-coated machines anchoring…
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Macon urges proper disposal of used needles
Sanitation workers in Macon County are worried about dangerous items that could be lurking in the household trash bags being…
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Increased density coming to Howell Mill Road?
An oft-repeated concern expressed during meetings of the Haywood County Affordable Housing Task Force is the scarcity of buildable land…
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Bryson City removes trees on Everett Street
Many Bryson City business owners were caught off guard last week when they noticed massive holes all along Everett Street…
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Street trees replaced in Sylva
The streets of downtown Sylva are newly treeless after town crews excavated the red maples earlier this month, but the…
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Town to pursue Calvary Street purchase
The town of Waynesville will move forward with plans to purchase three vacant, blighted lots straddling Calvary Street, despite interest…
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Russ fuss prompts resolution
After holding two public hearings that drew large crowds of opposition, Waynesville Mayor Gavin Brown and the board of aldermen…
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Painting helps Swain County artist heal
Barbara Robinson can find artistic inspiration wherever she may be. Sometimes it’s looking out over Frye Mountain from her art…
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Illegal dumping plagues Swain
Swain County recently spent more than $350,000 in order to better secure its trash site and cut down on sanitation…
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Former gaming enterprise chairwoman to rejoin board
The Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise’s newest member will be anything but new to the business of casino management when she…
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Cherokee hospital will see funding cut due to infection rates
According to a recent ranking from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority is one…
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Board member removed from TWSA mid-term
Joe Ward’s term on the Tuckasegee Water and Sewer Authority board came to an abrupt end last week when newly…
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SMN reporter to cover Presidential Inauguration
Starting this week, The Smoky Mountain News will begin issuing a steady stream of coverage from the nation’s capital as…
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Still time to sign up for ACA insurance policy
The planned repeal of the Affordable Healthcare Act doesn’t seem to be impacting the numbers of people in Western North…
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Rally to ‘save health care’ draws crowd to downtown Sylva
A crowd of more than 150 people took to the streets of downtown Sylva Sunday joining protestors in cities across…
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Haywood struggling to retain teachers
For months now, a committee created by the Haywood County Board of Education has been looking for ways to entice…
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Central Elementary generating interest from buyers
The building that once housed Central Elementary School may soon find new life in the private sector, if and when…
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Another runway extension in the wings for Macon airport
With the last Macon County Airport runway extension project barely in the rearview, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has…
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Dilapidated structures plaguing Franklin
Overgrown brush, rotting floors, collapsing roofs, vermin and asbestos. Dealing with deteriorating structures isn’t a new issue for the town…
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Haywood Habitat accepting homeowner applications
Haywood Habitat for Humanity is seeking qualified homeowners for homes located in Haywood County.
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Honor MLK with day of service
Citizens recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day since it was established in 1986, are encouraged to volunteer on the third…
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Franklin facelift: Changes are coming to downtown Franklin
Downtown Franklin will be undergoing plenty of changes in 2017 and for the next few years as the town works…
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Volunteers, athletes sought for Special Olympics
Haywood County Special Olympics officials are forming a Local Program Committee so that the program can reach more potential athletes…
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WCU professor gets award for archaeological excellence
Western Carolina University’s Ben Steere, assistant professor of anthropology and co-director of Cherokee Studies Programs, is recipient of the Principal…
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To tax or not to tax? Waynesville considers adding another tax-exempt parcel
It isn’t often that citizens avail themselves of the public comment session offered by local governments.
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Only opposition heard for Walnut Street widening
Although work on the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s proposed improvements to Russ Avenue won’t begin until 2022, Waynesville residents…
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Canton dives in to pool project
Town of Canton officials faced a “sink or swim” moment Jan. 3 when, in a special public hearing, they had…
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Neglected Canton dogs still need homes
In a case that stunned Western North Carolina residents last November, 137 dogs were found being kept in varying states…
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