Look before you leap!
 

Look before you leap!

To the Editor: Now that the Republican Party has temporary political control over America a strong push is being made…
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Meadows once again fighting the wrong fight
 

Meadows once again fighting the wrong fight

The chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus says there could be a government shutdown if money isn’t included in…
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Trumpcare debacle means health care woes will remain
 

Trumpcare debacle means health care woes will remain

Half a year into his presidency, it seems pretty clear that Donald Trump would rather continue campaigning — or golfing,…
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Early book gives vivid descriptions of WNC
 

Early book gives vivid descriptions of WNC

Those who read this column regularly are aware of my interest in the early descriptive literature of Western North Carolina.…
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Under the Pigeon: Snorkeling workshop gives an up-close look at aquatic diversity
 

Under the Pigeon: Snorkeling workshop gives an up-close look at aquatic diversity

The clear water of the West Fork Pigeon River tumbling from its mountain headwaters takes on a yellowish hue through…
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Endangered snail thrives after wildfire
 

Endangered snail thrives after wildfire

After the fall 2016 wildfires concluded, biologists feared that the flames had devastated populations of the rare noonday globe snail…
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A friendship forged in faith helped change the world
 

A friendship forged in faith helped change the world

On Nov. 5, 2001, not quite two months after the 9/11 attacks, Lech Walesa spoke at Western Carolina University. Walesa…
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Heinzelmannchen Brewery to close
 

Heinzelmannchen Brewery to close

After a couple years of uncertainty, Heinzelmannchen Brewery in Sylva will close its doors on Thursday evening.
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This must be the place: ‘Would you like to know a secret, just between you and me?’
 

This must be the place: ‘Would you like to know a secret, just between you and me?’

Those who forget history, tend to... Well, you know the rest. Nowadays, it seems each morning we awaken into another…
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‘Galaxy of Stars’ now ‘WCU PRESENTS’
 

‘Galaxy of Stars’ now ‘WCU PRESENTS’

The “WCU PRESENTS” performance series, previously known as “Galaxy of Stars” brings professional artists from around the world to the…
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Theme for a celebration: Empire Strikes Brass to headline Folkmoot ‘Sunday Soiree’
 

Theme for a celebration: Empire Strikes Brass to headline Folkmoot ‘Sunday Soiree’

At the heart of Asheville is a funky soul. And providing the soundtrack to that carefree and self-less attitude of the…
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Community spirits: First craft distillery opens in Maggie Valley
 

Community spirits: First craft distillery opens in Maggie Valley

Dave Angel hasn’t wasted any time becoming part of the Maggie Valley community and in return, they’ve welcomed Haywood County’s…
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New law gives alcohol entrepreneurs a boost
 

New law gives alcohol entrepreneurs a boost

Residents and visitors may soon be able to enjoy a mimosa or bloody Mary during their Sunday morning brunch. A…
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What’s in the cards? Health care, social services provide double impact
 

What’s in the cards? Health care, social services provide double impact

A robust and vigorous health care sector is the cornerstone of any community; convenient access to health care facilities is a make-or-break issue for many, including the elderly, the disabled or even young families expecting children.
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Youth movement: younger candidates seek office
 

Youth movement: younger candidates seek office

As North Carolina’s candidate sign-up period approaches its midway point, preliminary indications in Haywood County point toward some big changes,…
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Dems getting along just fine: Party schisms a non-issue, Chair says
 

Dems getting along just fine: Party schisms a non-issue, Chair says

The schism between the Haywood County Republican Party and the Haywood Republican Alliance isn’t unique to this party, this county…
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Local GOP mum on closed session disloyalty resolution
 

Local GOP mum on closed session disloyalty resolution

Allegations made last week by a member of the Haywood Republican Alliance that the Haywood County Republican Party recently passed…
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Sylva considers food truck rules
 

Sylva considers food truck rules

More than a year after the food truck controversy in Waynesville prompted Sylva to review its own regulations, a proposed…
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Mission threatens to cancel BCBS contract
 

Mission threatens to cancel BCBS contract

Mission Health System is threatening to cancel its contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina if they can’t…
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Bridge work to start on Moses Creek
 

Bridge work to start on Moses Creek

The fruits of a yearlong bridge project will make it easier for residents of Moses Creek Road east of Cullowhee…
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Tribal Council talks salaries
 

Tribal Council talks salaries

A resolution that would have negated a 2007 vote to up Tribal Council’s pay by $10,000 was withdrawn last week…
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O’Malley’s closes, plans to reopen
 

O’Malley’s closes, plans to reopen

Sylva’s pub-lovers got a shock this summer when a closed sign appeared on O’Malley’s Sports Bar and Grill June 2.
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Raleigh Roundup: Recess edition
 

Raleigh Roundup: Recess edition

During the long session of the North Carolina Legislature that recently concluded, hundreds of bills were again proposed, studied and…
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Making it awesome — Cherokee unveils 10-mile mountain biking system
 

Making it awesome — Cherokee unveils 10-mile mountain biking system

When Ed Sutton first came to Cherokee in November to break ground on a new trail system, his directive was…
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The American Museum of The House Cat
 

The American Museum of The House Cat

It took over 30 years, but Harold Sims can now show the world. “It’s been very rewarding,” he said. “I…
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Under the Bright Lights: Smoky Mountain Community Theatre
 

Under the Bright Lights: Smoky Mountain Community Theatre

It’s the heartbeat of a town. Coming into its 37th year, the Smoky Mountain Community Theatre has become a beacon…
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Creating a community: Haywood Arts celebrates 40 years
 

Creating a community: Haywood Arts celebrates 40 years

In her short tenure, Executive Director Lindsey Solomon has righted the unknown direction of the ship that is the Haywood…
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Bryson City’s Nantahala Brewing launches restaurant, open-air taproom
 

Bryson City’s Nantahala Brewing launches restaurant, open-air taproom

Surrounded by piles of debris, old wood and gravel, Joe Rowland sees opportunity. “This is the inevitable next step for…
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Hop, skip and a pour away: Waynesville’s Leap Frog Tours
 

Hop, skip and a pour away: Waynesville’s Leap Frog Tours

Stepping out of a large passenger van into the sunshine last Saturday afternoon, a group of around 10 people entered…
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Pouring passion: Andrews welcomes second brewery
 

Pouring passion: Andrews welcomes second brewery

Turning onto 2nd Street from the hectic U.S. 19/74 highway, you find yourself cruising through downtown Andrews. It’s Saturday afternoon,…
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Becoming a trail town: Sylva embraces the Mountains-to-Sea Trail
 

Becoming a trail town: Sylva embraces the Mountains-to-Sea Trail

White dots will soon pepper the sidewalks of downtown Sylva as the town sets out to claim its identity as…
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Brownfield lands a beehive
 

Brownfield lands a beehive

A restored brownfield property in Franklin is now home to a hive of Carniolan honeybees.
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Water quality projects receive Pigeon River Fund grants
 

Water quality projects receive Pigeon River Fund grants

Environmental groups working to improve water quality, aquatic habitat and recreational access recently saw $182,000 in grants from the Pigeon…
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WNC water plants honored for extra-clean water
 

WNC water plants honored for extra-clean water

The N.C. Division of Water Resources has honored 49 water treatment plants statewide for surpassing federal and state drinking water…
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The Naturalist's Corner: Escargot — no
 

The Naturalist's Corner: Escargot — no

There was much concern regarding the noonday globe snail, Petera clarkia nantahala, after the Tellico Fire burned through the Nantahala…
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Was this all a dream?
 

Was this all a dream?

The other night while channel-surfing I stumbled upon an online Sunday School class sponsored by a host of Baptist churches…
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Health bill critics ignore facts
 

Health bill critics ignore facts

To the Editor: Last week’s letters to the editor were critical of the proposed healthcare reform. HRMC executives write, “Without…
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Trump pushes boundaries of legality
 

Trump pushes boundaries of legality

To the Editor: On Sunday morning, July 2, Donald Trump tweeted a short doctored video clip of him attacking an…
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Finding daily adventure in a place I love
 

Finding daily adventure in a place I love

I call myself an adventurer. While I do love to travel, adventuring isn’t just about experiencing new places and seeing…
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Politics may fail us, but our ideals endure
 

Politics may fail us, but our ideals endure

As I sit to write a day before Independence Day, it seems I keep hearing voices questioning whether the shared…
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Beaches and great mysteries go hand in hand
 

Beaches and great mysteries go hand in hand

For many people, summer means vacation, and vacation means beach. For readers, the beach in turn means packing books to…
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This must be the place: The year is half-over, my cup half-full
 

This must be the place: The year is half-over, my cup half-full

I remembered those places, and those faces. Scrolling through Facebook — through the “fun in the sun” Fourth of July…
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The next chapter: Blue Ridge Books celebrates 10 years
 

The next chapter: Blue Ridge Books celebrates 10 years

Sitting at a booth in the back of her store on recent morning, Allison Lee remembers the days long ago…
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Religion in early America
 

Religion in early America

The World Methodist Museum in Lake Junaluska announces its participation in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History exhibit. The…
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State tries to curb indigent defense expenses
 

State tries to curb indigent defense expenses

Court-appointed lawyers are the crux of the U.S justice system because it is their duty to ensure every U.S. citizen…
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State charges dropped in Gatlinburg fires
 

State charges dropped in Gatlinburg fires

State charges against the two teenagers arrested in connection with November’s deadly Gatlinburg fires have been dropped, but prosecution could…
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TDA fine-tunes its approach
 

TDA fine-tunes its approach

Double-digit increases in both monthly and year-to-date tourist spending have the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority flush with cash, but…
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‘It’s five past five and time to jive’: Moonlighting mailman’s star won’t fade
 

‘It’s five past five and time to jive’: Moonlighting mailman’s star won’t fade

As the sun rises over Papertown one bright morning in 1958, a 30-year-old African-American by the name of Nathaniel Lowery…
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Frog Level facelift: Funds flowing into streetscaping
 

Frog Level facelift: Funds flowing into streetscaping

With all the attention paid to downtown Waynesville’s bustling Main Street, the Frog Level Historic District is often overlooked by…
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