Crowe announces run for Cherokee chief

Bo Crowe, a fifth-term Tribal Council member representing Wolfetown and Big Y, has announced his intention to challenge Principal Chief…
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Waynesville veteran pinned in special ceremony

A special veteran pinning ceremony was held last week in honor of Air Force Veteran Edward Tobin of Waynesville. The…
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Major I-40 bridge project starting in Haywood County

A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation will launch a two-year project to completely replace two bridges on Interstate…
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Committed to community: WCU grad wins national journalism award

Focused on cleaning up her inbox, Sara Stanley, a May graduate from Western Carolina University’s journalism program, was about to…
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$10 million in capital improvements approved for Macon Schools

Macon County Commissioners approved a slew of capital improvement projects totaling almost $10 million during a joint meeting with the…
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Council approves $55 million for Kituwah LLC investments

Following a 90-minute closed session discussion Monday, Oct. 24, the Cherokee Tribal Council voted to allocate an additional $55 million…
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Waynesville man pleads guilty to sex crimes, adds time to active sentence
 

Waynesville man pleads guilty to sex crimes, adds time to active sentence

Timothy Connor, of Waynesville, pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of a child adding 26-41 consecutive months to his existing…
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Jackson County man to spend life in prison after jury verdict

A 40-year-old Jackson County man will spend the remainder of his life behind bars for the repeated sexual assault of…
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Maggie Valley gets new elk crossing signs

Folks driving up or down Soco Mountain on the Haywood County side may notice some new signage indicating elk could…
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Macon moves along with new high school planning

The Macon County Board of Commissioners and Board of Education have authorized architectural firm LS3P to submit designs for the…
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Legal Aid of North Carolina debuts new website

Legal Aid of North Carolina has fully launched its new website at the existing legalaidnc.org address. Designed and developed by Charlotte-based Kelso Communications and Priceless…
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With replacement complete, century-old WCU steam plant to retire

After nearly a century in operation, years of inspiring trepidation at winter’s approach and $33 million from the state legislature,…
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Dec. 15 special election to fill Tribal Council vacancies

A special election Thursday, Dec. 15, will seat new Tribal Council members to fill vacancies left by the death of Painttown…
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Feds prosecute sexual abuse case in Cherokee

A woman is facing five federal charges stemming from two alleged incidents of sexual abuse of a minor on tribal…
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WCU partners with Statesville school for mentorship program

For many students at Statesville High School, stepping onto the campus of Western Carolina University was their first college experience. 
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Franklin announces next chief of police

Town Manager Amie Owens announced that Devin Holland will be appointed as Franklin’s next Chief of Police effective Dec. 1.
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Moody fails to appear for hearing, taken back into custody

A Haywood County woman arrested by the FBI on Sept. 7 for making threats to public officials is back in custody after…
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Complaint to DPI alleges abuse at 
Shining Rock Classical Academy

A parent at Shining Rock Classical Academy has filed an official complaint about discipline at the school with the North Carolina…
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Panhandling public hearing planned for Sylva

Sylva plans to hold a public hearing on a panhandling ordinance after residents raised concerns about its growing prevalence at…
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Cherokee approves election law changes

During a special called meeting Thursday, Sept. 29, the Cherokee Tribal Council passed an update to the tribe’s election ordinance that…
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Admin shuffle following Nolte’s retirement

Earlier this school year, Haywood County Schools Superintendent Dr. Bill Nolte declared his impending retirement. Shortly thereafter, the school board…
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Following criminal charges, Taylor resigns Council seat

Wolfetown Rep. Dennis Edward “Bill” Taylor has resigned his seat on Tribal Council following an Oct. 6 incident that led…
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Sylva awards contract for Allen Street repair

Sylva has taken the next step in the long process of repairing Allen Street after slope failure destroyed parts of…
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Folkmoot USA hosts inaugural ‘Field Summit’
 

Folkmoot USA hosts inaugural ‘Field Summit’

Folkmoot USA hosts the inaugural Field Summit in the Queen Auditorium, 112 Virginia Ave. Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, from 9…
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Scholarship to serve as final curtain call for WCU professor

Although the footlights have fallen dark on an influential Western Carolina University theatre professor and director, a final curtain call…
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Support Ukrainian humanitarian relief Oct. 31

The community is invited to a Gatsby-style event, with a cause — supporting humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. The fundraising…
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Council Rep. Taylor faces domestic violence charges

Dennis Edward “Bill” Taylor, a fourth-term Wolfetown representative on the Cherokee Tribal Council, is facing a trio of criminal charges…
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SCC’s Boots, Blue Jeans & Bling annual gala sets records

For the last two years, Southwestern Community College’s Boots, Blue Jeans and Bling gala had to be canceled due to…
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Away from home: Indian boarding schools leave lasting legacy

Mary Smith Sneed was just four or five years old the day a wagon rolled up as she played outside…
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Chief Sneed to seek 
re-election

Just four days after the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ election season officially began, Principal Chief Richard Sneed announced his…
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Haywood County Animal Services offers ‘Free ride home’ for lost pets
 

Haywood County Animal Services offers ‘Free ride home’ for lost pets

Haywood County Animal Services is offering a free ride home for lost pets they find wandering the county if there…
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BPR announces ‘Big Switch’
 

BPR announces ‘Big Switch’

Blue Ridge Public Radio announced an upgrade to its services that will expand its capacity to provide 24/7 news and…
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Sarge’s honors community with ‘Furrst Responder Hero Calendar’
 

Sarge’s honors community with ‘Furrst Responder Hero Calendar’

Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation is introducing a new way to help furry friends in its care by creating the first…
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Council Rep. Saunooke dies in office

Painttown Rep. Tommye Saunooke, 82, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 9, in the midst of her 12th consecutive term on…
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SMAC brings in two new coaches

Smoky Mountain Aquatic Club has not one, but two new coaches at the helm that know a thing or two…
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Defamation suit filed in North Carolina against Colorado congresswoman Lauren Boebert

American Muckrakers, the North Carolina political action committee that has hounded Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-Henderson) throughout his tenure, filed suit in North Carolina today…
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Bombshell report claims NC law enforcement interference with syringe service programs, including in Haywood

A General Assembly-backed initiative to prevent opioid overdoses, provide linkages to care and stem the spread of communicable diseases through the…
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More misinformation: Miller’s 'missing' millions

After a marathon misinformation session at an August Haywood County Commissioners meeting during which commissioners fought back against comments from the public…
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Shetley wins national book award

The NYC Big Book Award recognized “The Jolt Felt Around the World” in the category of Childrens Environment as a…
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Officials break ground on Corridor K project

State and local officials celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony Monday for Corridor K, a project that will improve mobility in Western North…
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Tribe begins $275 million expansion at Murphy casino

One day after the seven-year anniversary of the Valley River Casino’s grand opening just outside of Murphy, tribal officials and casino…
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Stadium snafu: After a rumored County Clash venue change, Tuscola to host rivalry game

Heated speculation lit up social media the night of Oct. 3. The rumor: The 2022 County Clash wouldn’t take place…
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Haywood will lease parking spots for forthcoming Waynesville hotel

A Raleigh-based hospitality corporation that wants to build a new hotel at the corner of Depot and Montgomery streets in…
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Haywood needle exchange resolution would have statewide impact

After first discussing the matter almost a month ago, Haywood County commissioners are now calling upon the General Assembly to…
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‘In perpetuity’: NPS director celebrates National Public Lands Day in the Smokies 


National Public Lands Day dawned crisp and cool Saturday, Sept. 24, a celebration of everything most beloved about fall in…
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A new sculpture for downtown Sylva

As part of its public art initiative, Sylva will host a large, interactive cat sculpture in Bridge Park this fall…
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WCU student worker fired following union creation

Aiás Magitas, a 20-year-old forensic anthropology student from Charlotte, had been working the guest services desk at Western Carolina University’s…
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Public asked to help shape Maggie land use plan

The Town of Maggie Valley is encouraging residents to participate in developing its upcoming land-use plan. 
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Tribe explores pathway to tax-free casino distributions

Starting in March, members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians may have the chance to sign up for a…
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Public notice requirements for voter challenge hearing may not have been met

A meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. on Sept 28 by the Graham County Board of Elections to hear voter registration challenges against…
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