The common toothwort (left) and cut-leaved toothwort are related species of early spring flowers in the Southern Appalachians. Adam Bigelow photo
 

Long in the Toothwort

There are three species of toothwort (Cardamine spp.) in the woods of Southern Appalachia, two of which are very common…
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Ecologists found healthy populations of aquatic bugs in Pinnacle Park. Equinox Environmental photo
 

Planning for plants: Botanical survey complete for Pinnacle Park

Sylva has received the results of an in-depth botanical survey of Pinnacle Park revealing that the property is a bonanza…
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Mainspring will hold a series of events celebrating trees and the outdoors this Arbor Day weekend. Paul Rysz photo
 

Celebrate Arbor Day with Mainspring

Mainspring Conservation Trust will celebrate Arbor Day weekend with a slate of events ranging from a foraging walk to a…
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DLiA turns 25
 

DLiA turns 25

Discover Life in America, a nonprofit dedicated to learning as much as possible about the diverse species in the Great…
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View from Waterrock Knob. File photo
 

Parkway conservation project earns national recognition

The Blue Ridge Parkway has received the 2023 Byway Organization Award for Viewshed Improvement from the National Scenic Byway Foundation…
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Chronic wasting disease affects cervids, a group of animals that includes deer and elk. File photo
 

Deer, elk disease spreads to more N.C. counties

New detections of Chronic Wasting Disease, a fatal ailment affecting cervids like deer and elk, have been reported in Cumberland…
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Juanita Wilson (right) and Bob McCollum, co-chairs of the Nikwasi Initiative, plant a tree along the Barbara McRae Cherokee Heritage Apple Trail. Holly Kays photo
 

Cherokee Heritage Apple Orchard opens in Franklin

A grand opening celebration for the Barbara McRae Cherokee Heritage Apple Orchard will be held 4-6 p.m. Friday, April 28,…
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An agent handles illegal drugs.
 

The endless war: How drugs come into WNC and what, if anything, can be done about it

It’s the inevitable result of human nature. Addiction has impacted almost every American — even those who’ve never suffered from…
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The Canton paper mill, seen here from Pisgah High School, is expected to start layoffs on June 9.
 

Canton will get mill’s whistles, other historic artifacts

The town of Canton won’t quite look, feel or smell the same once the century-old paper mill finally closes later…
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Opening Day at McCormick Field in Asheville.
 

This must be the place: ‘A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz’

It was a spur of the moment decision. Cold suds and hearty banter at The Scotsman in Waynesville on an…
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Seth Taylor (center) will bring his new bluegrass super-group Grass Of ’23 to Stecoah on April 15.
 

Force of nature: WNC bluegrass star shines bright in Music City

Last weekend, guitarist Seth Taylor and his band, longtime bluegrass staple Mountain Heart, once again took the stage under the…
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First Smokies writers conference accepting applications
 

First Smokies writers conference accepting applications

About this time last year, I was asked to be involved with designing the first-ever conference for writers to be…
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Librarians are a reader’s best friend
 

Librarians are a reader’s best friend

To the Editor:  The first librarian that I remember was Sadie Luck, a grandmotherly type who dispensed Kleenex and wiped…
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Work together, resolve library controversy
 

Work together, resolve library controversy

To the Editor:  I was wrong in my previous letter (“Use common sense with library controversy,” April 5, SMN). The library…
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GOP hypocrisy is overwhelming
 

GOP hypocrisy is overwhelming

To the Editor:  Republicans defend weapons of war for civilian use even though those are only designed to take away…
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‘There’s nobody better, kid’
 

‘There’s nobody better, kid’

Ever notice how the sparkle in a kid’s eyes diminishes with age? The older I get, the more I want…
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Smoky Gap will resemble an early 1900s Main Street. Donated photo
 

Ground breaks on Exit 407 entertainment district

KK Kituwah LLC broke ground Tuesday, April 11, on a new entertainment district within its 200-acre property off Interstate 40…
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Big Cove Rep. Teresa McCoy hugs members of the Community Club Council following Tribal Council’s vote to put the proposed constitution out for referendum April 6. Holly Kays photo
 

‘For the people, by the people’: Cherokee to vote on proposed constitution

Tears, hugs and applause exploded through the Tribal Council chambers April 6 when the body unanimously passed a resolution placing…
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WCU enrolls more than 10,000 students.
 

WCU All Funds Budget Forecast gives overview of university finances

I In response to a new requirement from the UNC Board of Governors, Western Carolina University has adopted its first-ever…
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Lambert Wilson died Oct. 20, 2022, at El Camino Motel in Cherokee. Holly Kays photo
 

Autopsy rules Lambert Wilson death a homicide

A An autopsy report released by the N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has ruled the death of beloved…
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David Wheeler has his sights set on a run for insurance commissioner.
 

The making of a Muckraker: David Wheeler turns his attention back to North Carolina with council of state run

As the man behind the controversial North Carolina-based American Muckrakers PAC, David Wheeler’s had an outsized impact on at least…
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The release of “Mabel Meets a Black Bear” coincides with the bears emergence from winter hibernation. Phil Horton photo
 

New book teaches kids how to be BearWise

As days lengthen and temperatures rise, black bears begin to move around in the woods searching for insects, nuts and…
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Forest Service grant funds wildfire planning
 

Forest Service grant funds wildfire planning

The U.S. Forest Service will invest nearly $1.4 million in wildfire protection projects across the state as part of the…
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New 5K steps off in Waynesville
 

New 5K steps off in Waynesville

Run the first ever Farm Fresh 5K at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 29, in Waynesville, supporting Haywood Christian Ministry.
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North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (center) speaks to reporters in Canton on April 6 as (left to right) Clyde Mayor Jim Trantham, Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers and Haywood County Commission Chair Kevin Ensley look on from behind.
 

A Carolina crisis: state, local leaders work to lessen impact of mill closing

Last week, Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers hosted Gov. Roy Cooper and a panel of elected Democrat and Republican leaders along…
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Named for the bright red wax droplets on its wings, the cedar waxwing can be found across much of North America. Fred Coyle photo
 

Up Moses Creek: Beauty and the beast

Birds were little more than nondescript flitting things to me that afternoon in January 1973, when I lay down on…
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A pledge to protect entitlement benefits — earned by many Americans over a lifetime — remains unsigned by NC-11 Rep. Chuck Edwards.
 

Rep. Edwards silent on protecting seniors, veterans

The “Back off our Benefits” bus tour rolled into Asheville last week with one simple request — for Congress to…
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Landslide repairs have been completed on the beginning of Greenbrier Road. NPS photo
 

Part of Greenbrier Road reopens

Some areas of the Greenbrier area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are now open for the first time…
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New N.C. Science Trail launches
 

New N.C. Science Trail launches

The N.C. Science Trail, a year-round digital guidebook to North Carolina’s science adventures, launched this month.
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A mountain biker performs a midair trick at Fire Mountain. EBCI photo
 

Fire Mountain Inferno draws near

Spots are still available in the fifth annual Fire Mountain Inferno mountain biking event in Cherokee on April 22-23.
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Paddlers try out kayaks at a former Spring Fling event. NOC photo
 

Celebrate spring at NOC

Nantahala Outdoor Center will kick off its 2023 season with the annual Spring Fling Celebration Saturday, April 22, at the…
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Learning  the trade: Pulp and paper classes continue despite mill closure
 

Learning the trade: Pulp and paper classes continue despite mill closure

The paper mill has long been a staple of the Canton community, offering generations of residents the opportunity for regular…
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Bill aims to regulate trans athlete participation
 

Bill aims to regulate trans athlete participation

A bill introduced in the North Carolina House of Representatives would require middle and high school athletes to compete on…
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Children play outside at Highlands Nature Center. Colleen Kerrigan photo
 

Immerse yourself in Earth Day

Celebrate Earth Day noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Highlands Nature Center in Highlands.
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Attorney General Mike McConnell (left) addresses Tribal Council as Police Chief Carla Neadea and Cherokee One Feather Editor Robert Jumper look on.
 

Council votes to remove police cameras from tribe’s public records law

D During its April 6 meeting, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council unanimously approved an ordinance change  exempting…
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Heed the Call
 

Heed the Call

Within hours of birth, fur seal mothers and pups can recognize each other’s voices.
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Gov. Roy Cooper, seen here in Waynesville in 2021, is no stranger to Haywood County.
 

Cooper to visit Canton

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper will return to Canton on April 6 to discuss the forthcoming closure of Pactiv Evergreen’s…
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Dialing down the risk: Haywood Waterways hopes to reduce future flood risk with grant
 

Dialing down the risk: Haywood Waterways hopes to reduce future flood risk with grant

OO Over the next two years, Haywood Waterways Association will implement a $2 million grant aimed at protecting Canton, Clyde…
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In brief
 

In brief

Go birding Join birding expert Howard Browers at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, April 6, on the Waynesville Greenway to look for…
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Jim Costa
 

Professor publishes book celebrating Alfred Russel Wallace

A new book by Jim Costa, executive director of Western Carolina University’s Highlands Biological Station, showcases the life of a…
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Forage with the Museum of the Cherokee Indian
 

Forage with the Museum of the Cherokee Indian

A lecture series focusing on foraging will extend through May at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian in Cherokee.
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Linville Gorge camping permits move online
 

Linville Gorge camping permits move online

Due to increased demand leading to frequent busy signals and long hold times, overnight permits for the Linville Gorge Wilderness…
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Explore Panthertown
 

Explore Panthertown

Friends of Panthertown is hosting a series of trail work days and guided hikes this month.
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WCU photo
 

Clean up the Tuck

The annual Tuck River Cleanup will commence on Saturday, April 15, inviting hundreds of volunteers to raft or walk 20…
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Become a lifelong gardener
 

Become a lifelong gardener

Learn how to indulge your love of gardening despite age or mobility level during a two-hour program at 1 p.m.…
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Unravel the secrets of soil
 

Unravel the secrets of soil

Learn about soils and composting at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 8, at Bicentennial Park in Sylva.
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A photographer bends down to frame a wildflower. NPS photo
 

Group size limited at Whiteoak Sink during wildflower season

During the wildflower season at Whiteoak Sink in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which extends through Sunday, May 7,…
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The party everyone’s invited to: National Poetry Month
 

The party everyone’s invited to: National Poetry Month

April is the season when Chaucer’s pilgrims gathered before setting off to Canterbury and the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket.…
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Instapot Chickpea Curry
 

Instapot Chickpea Curry

This recipe doesn’t come close to an authentic curry, but it is delicious, healthy and easy. It’s a great option…
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The route will travel through downtown Bryson City. File photo
 

Race into strawberry season

The Strawberry Jam Half Marathon/5K will return for its second year Saturday, May 20, in Bryson City. The half marathon…
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