Clampitt and Queen to face off once more in November for state house seat
After taking home 59 percent of the vote in last week’s election, Mike Clampitt, R-Bryson City, is looking toward a…
Read More
New candidates allowed to sign up in congressional race
North Carolina will hold a separate election on June 7 for the congressional primary, which means it’s not too late…
Read More
When duty calls: A critical shortage of volunteer firefighters threatens a time-honored American tradition
Little boys worship them. Bruce Springsteen memorialized them. The helpless count on them. Volunteer firefighters are a symbol of American…
Read More
Desperate for recruits, volunteer firefighters hope to change the perception that their brotherhood is a boys’ club
Despite the stereotype of volunteer firefighters as Type A alpha males, knowing your Nascar drivers and driving a pick-up truck…
Read More
Envisioning Sylva’s future: Town leaders talk economy, recreation and civic engagement
Sylva’s town leaders spent a sunny Saturday indoors armed with pen, paper and heads full of ideas for bringing the…
Read More
Canton sets up incentives for downtown businesses
Even though the money isn’t yet in place, the town of Canton is considering several options for economic development incentives…
Read More
Canton proposes downtown pedestrian improvements
When Canton town officials were notified that the North Carolina Department of Transportation would be repaving all of Main Street…
Read More
Public input wanted on Savannah park plan
A public meeting will gauge support for a plan to give Jackson County’s Savannah community its first public park at…
Read More
Tribe looks to strengthen preference laws for tribal businesses
Change is likely coming to the ordinance outlining preference rules for tribally owned businesses. The rules come into play when…
Read More
‘Big Slow Movers’ plague Cowee Mountain route
It’s easy to spot the unstable embankments as you drive over Cowee Mountain between Macon and Jackson counties.
Read More
New district lines unveiled for Central Elementary students
Students who attend Central Elementary School in Waynesville learned this week what their new school will be come fall. SEE…
Read More
R-5000 contractor under suit: DeVere being sued by bonding company
There’s another kink in the knot surrounding the ill-fated R-5000 road project connecting N.C. 107 and N.C. 116 in Jackson…
Read More
‘Seed money’ being raised for new Swain library
The community support behind getting a new public library in Swain County has been impressive, but the fundraising efforts have…
Read More
Director of regional planning commission resigns
After being at the helm of Region A’s Southwestern Commission, Executive Director Ryan Sherby tendered his resignation on March 1…
Read More
New UNC president promises to fight for higher salaries, engage WCU faculty on policy
The mood was jovial as Western Carolina University’s Faculty Senate waited over cookies and coffee for their hour with Margaret…
Read More
Plan advances to convert old hospital to affordable lofts
Haywood County commissioners will hold a public hearing next Monday on whether to give away the “old hospital” to a…
Read More
Haywood visitor center makes the move to Maggie
The primary visitor center for Haywood County will be moving this spring from downtown Waynesville to Maggie Valley.
Read More
2016 Election Primary Results
Preliminary results are current as of March 15. Look for more in-depth coverage of the local and state races online Wednesday,…
Read More
WCU police need help identifying suspects
CULLOWHEE – The Western Carolina University Police Department is asking for assistance in an ongoing investigation into recent property damage…
Read More
Little help from lottery: N.C.’s education games falling short of promises
As people across North Carolina daydream about what they would do if they won millions from playing the lottery, they…
Read More
Franklin banner issue causes tempers to flare
Franklin officials thought the controversy over banners would end when the board of aldermen passed an ordinance last year allowing…
Read More
Congressional primary moved to June 7
North Carolina will now have two primary elections in 2016 as lawsuits challenging the state’s districting maps continue to play…
Read More
Leap Day baby born at Haywood Regional
Only 200,000 people in the United States have their birthdays fall on Feb. 29, and one of those lucky babies…
Read More
REACH celebrates opening of new shelter in Macon
The staff of REACH of Macon County understands how difficult it is to leave your home, even under the most…
Read More
$7 million price tag on Maggie’s downtown dream
Maggie Valley’s dream of having a viable downtown inched closer last week when a $7 million town center plan was…
Read More
Sound off: Haywood candidates talk animal shelter
Haywood County commissioner candidates were asked whether they think the county should spend $3.5 million on a new animal shelter.
Read More
Numbers down at animal shelter, but space still doesn’t add up
On paper, the case for a new, bigger Haywood County Animal Shelter is hard to justify.
Read More
Tenants announced for Western’s mixed-used facility
A full-service restaurant, an outdoor equipment outfitter, a combination bookstore and coffee cafe, a popular convenience store and a nationally…
Read More
Capital priorities get sorted in Jackson
The animal shelter and health department are in, and the swimming pool and Green Energy Park expansion are out, Jackson…
Read More
Sylva writer’s historic cabin purchased by county
In a tiny cabin on a sliver of property adjacent to the Jackson County Historic Courthouse, Sylva author John Parris…
Read More
Community collaborates to help Jackson’s uninsured, groom future medical professionals
When someone shows up to a medical clinic, sick and suffering, the hardest words to say can be, “Sorry, but…
Read More
In state House race, Dems think viability
Two Democrats squaring off in the primary for the state House seat spanning Haywood, Madison and Yancey counties claim they’re…
Read More
Sales tax on Jackson’s June ballot
Sales tax in Jackson County could rise to 7 percent if voters approve a referendum vote that would add a…
Read More
Jackson County begins county manager search
It’s been two months since Jackson County Manager Chuck Wooten announced his impending retirement, and county commissioners are beginning the…
Read More
A look at the races
• Republican reboot on tap for House 119 primary• Rep. West’s retirement leads to Republican primary tussle• Congressional primary moved to June 7• Meet…
Read More
Swain sees Hepatitis B cases skyrocket
The Swain County Health Department is concerned about the number of Hepatitis B cases confirmed in 2015.
Read More
NOC considering Dillsboro location
If discussions between Nantahala Outdoor Center and Jackson County continue to move forward, the outdoor recreation giant could start work…
Read More
Blurred lines for Haywood commissioner race
On the right track or wrong track? That question was posed to candidates running for Haywood County commissioner and could…
Read More
Some say time is right for land-use discussions
The controversy over a proposed gun range in a rural farming community in Haywood County has raised questions about the…
Read More
Republican reboot on tap for House 119 primary
The March ballot might feel a bit like déjà vu for Republican voters in N.C. House District 119, as Aaron…
Read More
Rep. West’s retirement leads to Republican primary tussle
Rep. Roger West’s, R-Marble, announcement that he wouldn’t be running for re-election left a void in N.C. House District 120,…
Read More
Voting begins March 3
The 2016 Primary Election will be held March 15 and polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.…
Read More
Meet the candidates in Haywood County’s commissioner primary
Over the past two weeks, The Smoky Mountain News has explored where Haywood County commissioner candidates stand on education, economic…
Read More
Higher education leaders push for Connect N.C. bond
With $120 million at stake, higher education leaders in Western North Carolina have taken every opportunity in the last month…
Read More
Referendum on sales tax increase possible in Jackson
Jackson County Commissioners will vote this week on whether to approve a referendum vote for a quarter-cent sales tax increase…
Read More
How about them apples?
The Smoky Mountain News won more awards in the large circulation, non-daily newspaper category than all but one newspaper in…
Read More
Murphy’s Law turns simple water line repair into quagmire
Residents and business owners in Hazelwood have grown increasingly frustrated by the slow pace of water-and-sewer line work that has…
Read More
Champion Credit Union donation gives teachers a deserved boost
Champion Credit Union donated $100,000 last week to nine local school systems in the communities it serves — including Haywood,…
Read More
After 19-year run, Meadowbrook to end its year-round school experiment
Meadowbrook Elementary in Canton is ending its long run as a year-round school.
Read More
Oscar winners to film movie in Sylva
Sylva is going to hit the big screen next year, made over as the fictional town of Ebbing, Missouri, and…
Read More