Lawsuit filed over closure of Central Elementary

fr melroseA lawsuit was filed this week against the Haywood County School Board alleges ulterior motives were at play for closing Central Elementary School and that school officials engaged in a concerted, secretive effort to keep the impending closure of the school off the public’s radar, ultimately violating state statutes.

Haywood’s best kept secret: Bosu’s Wine Shop opens new space

art frWith the quiet evening sun fading behind the Great Smoky Mountains last Thursday evening, a single building glowed bright at the bottom of Miller Street in downtown Waynesville.

Saving Preacher

pets preacherIt was a chilly pre-spring day when Olivia Hickman ventured to the Waynesville Recreation Park, looking for nothing more than an hour or so of play with her 2-year-old son on the wooden jungle gym. But a dog lying on the outskirts of the area soon became the center of attention.

Connecting displaced cats with FUR-ever families

pets FURJamie Powell has a special talent. She can not only tell the 100 cats living at FUR’s feline sanctuary apart, but can even remember their names — despite the revolving door of cats being continually rescued and adopted out.

$1 million pledged for new Haywood facility

pets shelterIn a perfect world, an animal shelter is just a temporary stopover for pets in search of a new owner.

Jellybean loses sight, finds new home

pets jellybeanJellybean is a 31-year-old blind miniature horse. Not being able to see her surroundings may seem like an insurmountable obstacle, but Star Ranch in Haywood County has made it possible for Jellybean to have a second chance to find a family.

Budget cuts for assistant coaches reconsidered following backlash

fr coachesBudget cuts impacting assistant coaches at the middle and high school level will likely be restored in Haywood County Schools following public outcry from the youth athletics community.

Emergency management changes move forward

haywoodHaywood County is continuing with efforts to update and improve its emergency management ordinance — a local regulation that came under fire last year by a group of residents who thought the language violated their constitutional rights.

Haywood Schools aim to keep standards high despite budget challenges

haywoodHaywood County commissioners are once again standing by their commitment to public education, making good on a long-standing pledge to be one of the top counties in the state in local school funding.

Haywood County passes outdoor shooting range rules

haywoodNew rules are now in place to govern commercial outdoor gun ranges in Haywood County.

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