Haven ousted; Shields top vote-getter
The Macon County Board of Commissioners will soon see a new face at the table, and it will be that…
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Queen shuts down Clampitt, again
After winning re-election in the N.C. House District 119 race, Rep. Joe Sam Queen sounded more glum than one might…
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Davis pulls out a win, pledges to continue Republican direction in Raleigh
N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, pulled out a sizeable win over Democratic challenger Jane Hipps. Davis has represented the mountains…
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HCC student spearheads effort to restore East Street Park
When Katie Messer first presented her plan to improve water quality and generally spruce up a little-used park in Waynesville,…
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Dockie Brendle bridge now official
A dedication ceremony last week, held by the N.C. Department of Transportation, officially named a bridge at the intersection of…
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Iranian-born journalist to speak Nov. 20 at WCU
A native of Iran who is a former Rotary Peace Fellow and past editor of publications now banned or shut…
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HCC awarded forestry grant
Haywood Community College was recently awarded a Tennessee Valley Authority Ag & Forestry Fund Grant through the N.C. Department of…
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Haywood’s new economic development commission is ‘on the move’
The newly minted Haywood County Economic Development Commission has hit the ground running in its first three months following a…
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Signs of a new cell tower rush on the horizon
After a several-year lull in new cell towers being built in the mountains, a new wave of tower construction could…
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WCU adopts sophomore residency requirement
It’s official. Starting with the 2016-17 academic year, sophomores attending Western Carolina University will be required to live on campus.…
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Benefit concert aids WNC veterans
It’s been two years since Bruce Yarrington and his Knights of Columbus buddies started volunteering at the Veterans Restoration Quarters…
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Haywood launches survey to access internet availability
The folks spearheading the effort to expand broadband access in Haywood County are thinking big. Gigabyte big. “Our goal is…
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YMCA camp coming to Swain County
Swain County will soon be home to a YMCA camp. The camp — called YMCA Camp Watia — will be…
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Franklin residents debate Nikwasi
Of the shoppers polled while coming and going from the Bi-Lo parking lot in Franklin on a recent Thursday, none…
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Davis vs. Hipps debate video
On Oct. 30, Sen. Jim Davis and challenger Jane Hipps squared off in a debate at Southwestern Community College. It…
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Winter weather causes Parkway closures
The first winter weather closures of the season will be in effect on the Blue Ridge Parkway this weekend.
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Blue Ridge Parkway closes section for Devil’s Courthouse Tunnel repairs
A small section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, between Milepost 420 (near Black Balsam Road) and Milepost 423 (at Hwy.…
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Ebola panel discussion offered at WCU
A panel discussion and question-and-answer session on the Ebola crises and the risk it poses will take place 4-5:30 p.m.…
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Early voting has begun
Registered voters who can't wait until Election Day to vote now have the opportunity to vote in person across North…
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Canton economic initiative strives to hold on to past while looking to the future
Hanging out at the confluence of crossroads that embraces downtown Canton, two young skateboarders while away a lazy afternoon. They’re…
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Mill town riddle: Bearing the burden and reaping the rewards
Canton exists against the backdrop of the paper mill. Both literally and figuratively. For generations, the paper mill — currently…
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Seven years war for the mountainsides rages on in Jackson
Controlling mountainside development is a universal issue grappled with across Western North Carolina. But Jackson County’s residents have wrestled more…
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Steep slope ordinance rewrite timeline: The inopportune arrival of a slow but steady train
When Jackson County commissioners halted the controversial rewrite of the steep slope development rules earlier this year, critics were both…
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Cullowhee proposals in for a tweaking
They weren’t thrilled about it, but members of the Cullowhee community did show an appetite for possible development standards during…
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Dealing with violence: Children the focus of nonprofit’s $1 million grant
Domestic violence in Haywood County — and its effect on children — could take a hit as the Thirtieth Judicial…
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All OK after bomb threat clears Tuscola
Things are back on track at Tuscola High School after some threatening graffiti found in a boys bathroom last week…
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Forest Hills hosts workshop, explores planning issues
The Village of Forest Hills is about to go on a vision quest. The quest begins Nov. 3 with a…
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Macon approves $1.5 million for landfill expansion
With its landfill nearing capacity, Macon County is taking steps to add a new cell before the existing area fills…
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Swain’s museum offers new attraction, old relics
Inside and out, the Swain County Heritage Museum is an ode to history. The very building that houses the museum…
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Haywood looks to start Friends of the Parkway chapter, clear overlooks
With park funding falling and visitation increasing, keeping those iconic views open along the 46 miles of Blue Ridge Parkway…
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Jackson TDA laying groundwork for hiring director
The Jackson County Tourism Development Authority is pursuing a leader, someone to act as the organization’s executive director. The workload…
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Cherokee fly fishing museum sets opening day, fundraising dinner
It’s been two years since Alen Baker, the self-described “instigator” of the effort to create the Fly Fishing Museum of…
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Business notes
• The 2014 Apple Harvest Festival, held Oct. 18 in Waynesville, was a tremendous success. The estimated attendance was 50,000-plus…
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Economic development summit set for Nov. 12
Leaders from government, business and nonprofits across Western North Carolina will gather with economic development experts and others to discuss…
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Waynesville Soda Jerks win national award
The Waynesville Soda Jerks, an independent artisan beverage company, recently won first place at the National Association of Community Colleges…
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Election Day countdown
Early voting turnout is outpacing the last statewide, non-presidential election year of 2010. And in the seven western counties, early…
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The GOP’s new normal in Raleigh — Are you for it or against it?
North Carolina has rarely seen an election where the candidates matter so little, but who wins matters so much. This…
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March to the polls
With elections nearing, some groups are already making plans for how to cast their ballot. In Sylva, a group will…
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Cullowhee community meeting tonight
Tonight will be the last of two public input meetings concerning the proposed Cullowhee Planning Area development standards. Tonight’s meeting…
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Take a stroll with Webster’s residents and leaders
The Town of Webster invites the public to attend its Oct. 27 Community Stroll to help identify ways to improves the community's health,…
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Confused about voting procedures? Democracy North Carolina offers these 15 quick tips
By Bob Hall As an independent watchdog group, Democracy North Carolina receives all kinds of reports on our hotline at 888-OUR-VOTE.…
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Dockie Brendle’s bridge dedication
Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient Dockie Brendle will have a bridge officially named in honor of him this month.…
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New roof for Waynesville middle
Waynesville Middle School is set to get a new roof, following a vote by Haywood County Commissioners to approve a…
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Meet the candidates for district attorney
Two candidates are competing for the job of top legal prosecutor in the seven western counties. The seat came up…
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Evergreen negotiations ‘worked out fine’
Evergreen Packaging has been in talks with its employees since the spring, trying to hammer out a new contract. This…
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County votes ‘yes’ on hospice grant
Hospice House of WNC passed a hurdle in its fundraising effort when the Macon County Board of Commissioners voted to…
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Folkmoot gets $25,000 donation
Folkmoot USA got some cash toward its expansion of education programs with a $25,000 donation from Wells Fargo & Company. …
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Franklin, Macon County debate taxes on old town hall
When a property tax bill for the old town hall building showed up in the Town of Franklin’s mail, John…
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House 118th seat showdown
Hicks: Getting off the sidelines Dean Hicks is still a coach at heart. “I’m an old coach, I don’t want to…
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A day in the life: Sen. Jim Davis makes the rounds, confident of outcome
Editor’s note: The Smoky Mountain News spent a day on the campaign trail with Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, as he…
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