Free clinic plugs mental health holes
By Marth Teater • Guest Columnist The Good Samaritan Clinic of Haywood County has served the medical needs of our…
Read More
A ray of hope in the mental health crisis
When it comes to caring for the mentally ill in North Carolina, there’s been very little good news over the…
Read More
A call to action for the Southern Appalachians
By Brent Martin • Guest Columnist In an article in Blue Ridge Country magazine, author and professor Steve Nash provided…
Read More
Closed session minutes an opportunity for openness
What a great way to earn public trust: a public body decides that minutes from closed sessions no longer need…
Read More
For Terry, the world was too much
“Unique” is a word much abused as a descriptor for human beings. I have heard many, many people described as…
Read More
Dillsboro dam is simply worth preserving
By Anna Fariello • Guest Columnist OK, so I have to admit that part of the appeal of the Dillsboro/Duke…
Read More
TVA ruling could signal beginning of a new era
A recent court victory by the state of North Carolina will require the Tennessee Valley Authority to reduce emissions at…
Read More
Electing sheriffs leaves too much to chance
By Bob Scott • Guest Columnist A municipality would never think of electing a chief of police. But in North…
Read More
A duty to protect Swain’s citizens
By Curtis Cochran • Guest Columnist As sheriff of Swain County, I would like to take this opportunity to respond…
Read More
Quieting the monster cries
For nearly a year, my 3-year-old son Jack has been obsessed with heavy machinery. We rent films from the library…
Read More
Military a strong pull in this economy
The military remains a popular employment choice for young people today, and the poor economy is probably helping steer many…
Read More
Celebrating the vision of Joe Legge
Joe Legge’s “official funeral ceremony” was held at the Estatoah Wayfarers’ Chapel in Dillard, Ga., on Jan. 17 at 4…
Read More
Special moments, a spoonful at a time
You hear it often, mostly from those of us who are guilty. I’m talking about making a promise of spending…
Read More
Not a social networking butterfly, but I’m out of the cocoon
Of course I had HEARD of Facebook. I may be well into the marrow of middle age by now, but…
Read More
This time, WCU passes academic integrity test
This time, WCU passes academic integrity test If you want a messy issue with lots of overtones, then let’s talk…
Read More
A year of opportunity
By Carl Iobst • Guest Columnist 2008 was an interesting year. Not the worst on record, but tough enough. 2009…
Read More
A second Gilded Age is upon us
By Bob Scott Steal a loaf of bread to feed your family and you go to jail. Steal $50 billion…
Read More
Here’s to a swift kick to the trash heap for 2008
The new years toasts are over, and we’re a week into 2009. If hindsight is 20-20, then it’s time to…
Read More
Memories of WCTC’s feline director of all things theater
Back in the days when WCU was WCTC (Western Carolina Teachers’ College), I was one of a few kids that…
Read More
It’s past time for land use review to get started
The acknowledgement by Waynesville’s leaders that they let a review of the town’s much-heralded land use plan languish and now…
Read More
It’s all about the kids, right?
We stood looking at the dinosaur for quite awhile. As parents of children ages 7 and 3, we are more…
Read More
Bad economy leads to a few good things
By John Beckman • Guest Columnist A lot of attention lately has been focused on how bad the economic downturn…
Read More
With each visit home, college daughter is more grown up
By David Curtis Just a short two weeks ago I was texting my daughter, who was in the process of…
Read More
That’s me on the couch, counting my blessings
The holidays are upon us, I’m walking almost normal, and I’m ready to sit on the couch and count my…
Read More
Sustainable travel makes sense
By Cynthia Deale • Western Regional Representative, Center for Sustainable Tourism Editor’s note: This series of green living tips is…
Read More
DOT meeting should have been advertised
By James McCarthy • Guest Columnist Did the N.C. Department of Transportation hold an illegal meeting on Dec. 4 at…
Read More
Public land stewardship as economic stimulus
Editor’s Note: The following is testimony delivered by Mark Singleton of Sylva, who is the chairman of the Outdoor Alliance.…
Read More
Waynesville needs to get going on land use plan update
It’s time for Waynesville to get going on its land use plan review, especially since the economic downturn has slowed…
Read More
No guns, no bikes, and no dogs
By Danny Bernstein • Guest Columnist Our national parks have been assaulted by new rulings in the closing days of…
Read More
Schools give money back, Big Three ready to take it
As the economic picture gets more and more bleak, the ironies loom larger and larger. Public school systems, community colleges…
Read More
Don’t jump up and do anything
With Clayton Cathey On a weekday afternoon the Walker Service Station in Waynesville is busy with a steady stream of…
Read More
Open yourself to the simple pleasures of the season
By Linda McFarland • Guest Columnist Here we are in the holidays, the most sacred and profane time of year.…
Read More
Come rain, snow or cold, holiday lights go up
By David Curtis If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it…
Read More
There are ways to reduce chance of getting the flu
By Dr. Allan Zacher, M.D. Flu season is here. You and your family and friends have not gotten it yet,…
Read More
A reminder to keep the public in mind
“’Official meeting’ means a meeting, assembly, or gathering together at any time or place ... of a majority of the…
Read More
Snow days are like heaven for 12-year-olds
You are 12 years old and it’s December and a school day. The days are shorter now, meaning it is…
Read More
Choices in home energy systems
By Avram Friedman • Executive Director, Canary Coalition Getting “off the grid” is more and more appealing to many of…
Read More
In high school, more than you might imagine do care about politics
By Zack Dean • Smoky Mtn. High School I had to work late on Nov. 4, so upon coming home…
Read More
Forgive yes, but first a look at HRMC’s recent past
The healing power of forgiveness is at the top of the list of things in which I believe strongly. It’s…
Read More
The politics of python invasions
By David Curtis Just when you thought you had enough to worry about here comes a news report that’s right…
Read More
Green Energy Park is not dangerous
By Timm Muth My thanks to the editor for giving me the opportunity to respond to the recent allegations about…
Read More
Signs that we are growing up
Sparta, N.C. – I am on my way to town to get a birthday cake for my son, Jack. He…
Read More
Tuning in once again
The Sweetest Sounds The sweetest sounds I’ll ever hear Are still inside my head. The kindest words I’ll ever know…
Read More
HRMC's survival vital to Haywood
Some are saying Regional Medical Center faces an uncertain future, but we believe it is vitally important for community leaders,…
Read More
Valentine's Day, often, is about survival
By David Curtis Whew ... I survived another Valentine’s Day. That is a big accomplishment if you are a man,…
Read More
In winter, the joy of gardening is the beauty of a blank slate
By Marsha Crites • Guest Columnist Whether I am working on a watercolor design, organizing a community group, decorating a…
Read More
Mental health crisis will need enlightened leadership
By Ed Seavey • Guest Columnist The recent issue of the Smoky Mountain News (Jan. 16, “WNC Confronts Mental Health…
Read More
Resisting the prospect of extinction
By Brent Martin Almost 10 years ago, science writer David Quammen published an essay in Harper’s Magazine titled A Planet…
Read More
The innate traits of the male species
By Stephanie Wampler Step-by-cautious step, the man crosses the room, casting his eyes in all directions to make sure no…
Read More
A favorite plant
By Jim Janke • Special to SMN Editor’s note: This is a regular feature on gardening by the Haywood County…
Read More