WCU donates equipment to Haywood mission trip

When Western Carolina University alumnus Greg Boothroyd of Haywood County issued a call for donations of soccer equipment for a…
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Swain trash site changes go into effect Sept. 1

Beginning Sept. 1, Swain County residents will notice some big changes when they go to drop off their trash and…
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Key personnel change at Waynesville City Hall

After almost three years with the town of Waynesville, Amie Owens is out as administrative services director.
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Swain left off SCC priority funding list

Southwestern Community College is receiving $7.17 million from the Connect N.C. bond to make major infrastructure improvements to its three…
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Council shortens term of casino board member

Tribal Council narrowly passed a resolution last month that would shorten the term of embattled Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise board…
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Former Sequoyah Fund director pleads guilty to embezzlement

The former director of an organization charged with spurring community development on the Qualla Boundary has pled guilty to embezzling…
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Silence-filled service puts a unique frame on spirituality

Evening is suspended over Lake Junaluska as doors open for the 8 p.m. Taizé service, its coming fall foretold by…
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Animal advocates get a boost in Jackson County

A newly purchased cargo van has animal advocates in Jackson County applauding — and rolling up their sleeves to load dogs…
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Animal control plan presented to Swain commissioners

It’s been more than a year since the Swain County commissioners charged a newly formed ad hoc committee with tackling…
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Sylva mulls public art program

There’s something missing from the streets of Sylva, the town’s board has been noticing, and lately they’ve been talking about…
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Renewed steam engine service excites Bryson, Dillsboro business owners

Spirits were high in Dillsboro last week as Steam Engine No. 1702 chugged noisily to a stop on the Great…
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Voter ID law struck down in N.C.

Ruling that North Carolina’s 2013 voter identification law purposely targets African-Americans with “almost surgical precision,” the U. S. Court of…
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Tale of the tape

If you find yourself charged with a crime and can’t afford an attorney, one will be provided to you; if…
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Downtown Waynesville Association gets five-year deal

A new state law calling for more competition and transparency in how Municipal Service Districts are managed sent shudders down…
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Waynesville property owner sees bumps in the road to MSD exit

The same 2015 law that robs local governments of control over how and for how long they can contract with…
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Folkmoot moments

Peru: We travel to different countries. It’s our fifth festival this year, already two in France. We like a lot…
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Folkmoot dance party at Asheville’s Orange Peel gives a peek below the cultural waterline

After talking with staff, volunteers and last year’s groups, Folkmoot Executive Director Angie Schwab decided that this year, she wanted…
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Sam Love Queen and the values of Folkmoot

In May, the auditorium in the Folkmoot Friendship Center was dedicated to a man instrumental in establishing Waynesville and its…
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Faith alone: Ugandan group changes lives through performance

Just prior to the 2016 Folkmoot Wanderlust Gala, Folkmoot staff, sound technicians, photographers and performers scurried about behind the stage.
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Meet ‘Mr. Folkmoot’: Rolf Kaufman has played a large part in festival’s success

Rolf Kaufman has been a fixture on the Folkmoot scene since before it even began, bringing people from foreign lands…
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New music director takes over at Folkmoot

Dillon Ingle will only be the third music director in Folkmoot’s 33-year history.
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Below the waterline: Folkmoot 2016 looks at more than just the tip of the iceberg

Everyone in Western North Carolina knows that once the Smokies shed their winterwear and the trees begin to bud, summer’s…
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GALLERY: Folkmoot “Wanderlust” Gala

The annual Folkmoot USA The "Official" North Carolina International Folk Festival once again has touched down in Western North Carolina.
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WNC artist visits Cuba in search of its political and cultural meaning in the 21st century

It’s about 855 miles between the quiet mountain town of Waynesville, North Carolina and the urban hustle and bustle of…
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Many countries, one community
 

Many countries, one community

Ongoing coverage of the 33rd year of Folkmoot — an international folk dance festival based in Waynesville.  • Folkmoot 2016 looks at…
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SCC launches ‘PEAK’ initiative
 

SCC launches ‘PEAK’ initiative

PEAK, which stands for “Professional Expectations, Attendance and Knowledge,” is the name of Southwestern Community College’s new Quality Enhancement Plan…
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New beer to benefit conservation trust
 

New beer to benefit conservation trust

Mainspring Conservation Trust will benefit from a collaboration with Lazy Hiker Brewing Company to create Needmore Ale, which will be…
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HCC hosts free Latino Business Start Up series
 

HCC hosts free Latino Business Start Up series

The Small Business Center at Haywood Community College in partnership with The Support Center and the Western Women’s Business Center…
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Ethics rules passed in Cherokee

Tribal government is expected to gain on openness and accountability following passage of a pair of laws in Cherokee Tribal…
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Swain officials discuss houseboats with TVA

Members of the Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors recently requested a meeting with Swain and Graham County officials to…
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Lead cleanup poised to start at SCC

After more than two years of tests and evaluations, the end is now in sight for an effort to remove…
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No decision yet on Jackson hospital appeal

The jury is still out on a property tax challenge being waged by Harris Regional Hospital, which claims its property…
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High stakes in hospital tax dispute

Haywood Regional Medical Center and county officials  are locked in a dispute over how much the hospital should pay in…
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Jackson’s new industrial ordinance limits fracking, emphasizes traffic considerations

After sixteen months of meetings, a change of planning director and a nearly complete turnover of membership on the Jackson…
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Western works to address low salaries
 

Western works to address low salaries

When Bill Yang decided to leave the world of private industry to join Western Carolina University’s School of Engineering and…
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Plaintiff suffers setback in school board lawsuit
 

Plaintiff suffers setback in school board lawsuit

Arguments were heard in Haywood County Superior Court July 19 in the matter of Melrose v. The Haywood County Board…
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Ghana, Romania denied Folkmoot visas
 

Ghana, Romania denied Folkmoot visas

Earlier today it was announced that Ghana and Romania will not be joining in on the Folkmoot festivities as planned.
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Evergreen Foundation gives away half million
 

Evergreen Foundation gives away half million

The Evergreen Foundation has provided $507,995 in funding to 13 agencies providing programs and services for individuals with behavioral health,…
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Franklin bike walk projects revealed, ranked
 

Franklin bike walk projects revealed, ranked

Franklin is one step closer to outlining a plan to provide better connectivity throughout the town for pedestrians and bicyclists.
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Jackson health department gets new leadership
 

Jackson health department gets new leadership

Jackson County’s health department is gearing up to start millions of dollars of construction for its animal shelter and health…
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Business owner wants out of downtown tax district
 

Business owner wants out of downtown tax district

At least one local property owner plans to take advantage of a new law allowing for withdrawal from Waynesville’s Municipal…
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New DSS director hired in Jackson
 

New DSS director hired in Jackson

After 20 years with the department, Jackson County’s director of social services will be retiring from county employment at the…
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Charters of freedom coming to Sylva
 

Charters of freedom coming to Sylva

After months of fundraising, cash is now in hand to get a monument to the country’s founding documents in place…
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Secluded country store can’t hide from time
 

Secluded country store can’t hide from time

The pungent aroma of morning dew was still in the air and Kelly Sutton had just opened the Big Creek…
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Waynesville to formalize policy for pro-bono utility work
 

Waynesville to formalize policy for pro-bono utility work

Waynesville utility crews will no longer donate labor to run power, water and sewer connections for community projects on a…
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Cherokee council votes to extend dog running season
 

Cherokee council votes to extend dog running season

Bear hunters on the Qualla Boundary may be able to run their dogs through tribal reserve land for a full…
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Tourism entities have same goal, different focus
 

Tourism entities have same goal, different focus

If a rising tide lifts all boats, it only makes sense for organizations with common goals to work together, but…
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Opportunity for change: Three seats open on Maggie Chamber board
 

Opportunity for change: Three seats open on Maggie Chamber board

As three members of the Maggie Valley Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors rotate off the board next month,…
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