GALLERY: Snow Storm Jonas in Haywood County
 

GALLERY: Snow Storm Jonas in Haywood County

Allen Newland with A Shot Above aerial photography took these shots on Sunday, Jan. 24, showing the aftermath of Snow…
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Canton working to restore water to residents
 

Canton working to restore water to residents

Many residents in Canton and Clyde were without water overnight as a result of an 8-inch waterline break yesterday and…
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Can I move?
 

Can I move?

Remember the scene in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” where the Kid was asked by an old miner (I…
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Power plant plans to be discussed at public hearing
 

Power plant plans to be discussed at public hearing

A public hearing on Duke Energy’s plan to build two new power plants to replace its soon-to-retire Asheville coal plant…
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Date set for Smokies Half Marathon
 

Date set for Smokies Half Marathon

The Gateway to the Smokies Half Marathon will send runners all around Waynesville on Saturday, May 14 — and for…
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Hike 100 miles of Smokies trail in 2016
 

Hike 100 miles of Smokies trail in 2016

Smokies Superintendent Cassius Cash has issued a challenge to all hardy souls wishing to join him in celebrating the National…
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To hunt or not to hunt: Elk season proposal debated at public hearing
 

To hunt or not to hunt: Elk season proposal debated at public hearing

Should North Carolina start thinking about a hunting season for elk?  If the crowd that turned out to the N.C.…
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Voters will ultimately decide if firing was a mistake
 

Voters will ultimately decide if firing was a mistake

Former county commissioner, mayor and longtime Haywood County political player/observer Mary Ann Enloe was dead on in her column last…
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Believe it or not, fear can kill you
 

Believe it or not, fear can kill you

To the Editor: Startling new findings show that if you are a middle-aged white person, your life expectancy is dramatically…
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Thankfully, we are about over Obama’s reign
 

Thankfully, we are about over Obama’s reign

To the Editor  Closing the stable after the horse has bolted describes Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech last…
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If it means reconnecting with my gypsy soul, I’m in
 

If it means reconnecting with my gypsy soul, I’m in

One Friday night in October my husband and I were dining at the bar at Frog’s Leap when I realized…
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Nine apply for Maggie Valley alderman seat
 

Nine apply for Maggie Valley alderman seat

In a surprising last-minute turnout, nine Maggie Valley residents have submitted applications to be considered for a board of aldermen…
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Fallen officer to be namesake of new justice center
 

Fallen officer to be namesake of new justice center

Tony Lossiah was a good man, a quiet guy with a caring heart. He loved his family and worked hard…
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No charges will be filed in Jackson jail suicides
 

No charges will be filed in Jackson jail suicides

No charges will be filed following suicides at the Jackson County Detention Center in November 2014 and March 2015, District…
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What’s next in the Waynesville town manager debate
 

What’s next in the Waynesville town manager debate

Waynesville leaders interviewed two potential candidates Tuesday night to serve as an interim town manager following the dismissal of Town…
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Low morale cited in vote to fire Waynesville town manager
 

Low morale cited in vote to fire Waynesville town manager

Waynesville Town Manager Marcy Onieal was fired last week in a 3-2 split vote by the town board following a…
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Comment

Koch money at WCU remains under scrutiny
 

Koch money at WCU remains under scrutiny

A Western Carolina University professor with ties to the ultra-conservative Koch brothers political network worked behind the scenes with outside…
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A yes or no please: Has the state school budget been cut?
 

A yes or no please: Has the state school budget been cut?

Democratic candidates who pledge to fight for more education funding could resonate with parents witnessing the impacts of the funding…
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Comment

Blame game flares up in school closure debate
 

Blame game flares up in school closure debate

Alert: A public meeting on the possible closure of Central Elementary School has been moved from Tuesday to Wednesday due to concerns over lingering hazardous road conditions. The new meeting time is 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27. The potential closure…
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Update: Massive cuts on the way for Haywood schools
 

Update: Massive cuts on the way for Haywood schools

News that a beloved elementary school might close next year grabbed headlines last week, but shuttering Central Elementary School in Waynesville won’t be enough to make up for the $2.4 million budget shortfall Haywood County Schools is facing next school…
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Fired WCU worker wins wrongful termination suit
 

Fired WCU worker wins wrongful termination suit

After a former employee won a lawsuit claiming that Western Carolina University had fired him without cause, the university is…
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Community colleges also stand to benefit from bond passage
 

Community colleges also stand to benefit from bond passage

Though community college leaders aren’t allowed to take an official position on whether they support the $2 billion Connect NC…
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Bond could give higher education an influx of funds
 

Bond could give higher education an influx of funds

Despite the large number of politicians that will be on the ballot March 15, Western Carolina University in Cullowhee probably…
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Infrastructure bonds garner bipartisan support
 

Infrastructure bonds garner bipartisan support

On March 15, North Carolina voters will be asked whether they support borrowing $2 billion to fund a backlog of…
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Macon commissioners pass on wilderness resolution
 

Macon commissioners pass on wilderness resolution

Macon County commissioners maintained their stance against creating more wilderness areas in the county despite The Wilderness Society’s attempt to…
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Free clinic to serve uninsured in Swain County
 

Free clinic to serve uninsured in Swain County

Dr. Frank VanMiddlesworth is on a mission to bring free medical care to the uninsured in Swain County and improve…
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Start off with something old, something new
 

Start off with something old, something new

With the new year now upon us, it strikes me that “something old” and “something new” is appropriate for this…
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This must be the place
 

This must be the place

There are singers, there are performers, and then there’s Laura Reed.  Wandering the numerous floors and stages of New Mountain…
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Healing the mountains, healing the people
 

Healing the mountains, healing the people

Byron Ballard is one misunderstood witch. “There is this whole cultural mythology that witches aren’t human. They’re seen as these…
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Comment

Suspects sought in Canton armed robbery incident
 

Suspects sought in Canton armed robbery incident

The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance from the public in locating two suspects in an armed robbery that…
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Comment

It’s a great plan, just work on the free throws
 

It’s a great plan, just work on the free throws

I was in my early twenties before I knew what I wanted to do with my life. My son, Jack,…
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Comment

Proposed Koch gift to WCU a bad idea
 

Proposed Koch gift to WCU a bad idea

By Mark Jamison • Guest Columnist The proposed $2 million gift from the Charles Koch Foundation to Western Carolina University…
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Beware the politics of the anglerfish
 

Beware the politics of the anglerfish

To the Editor: The political season has kicked in full bore, and what we are about to witness is politics…
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Comment

Let’s stand up to injustice, hatred, fear
 

Let’s stand up to injustice, hatred, fear

To the Editor: The Civil Rights Movement of the 20th century brought about real positive change: the end of legalized…
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Comment

Ban on poultry shows and sales lifted
 

Ban on poultry shows and sales lifted

A state ban on poultry sales and shows in place since August was lifted a week earlier than anticipated, as…
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Comment

Dairy farmers to vote on mandatory sales contribution
 

Dairy farmers to vote on mandatory sales contribution

Haywood County dairy farmers may soon be required to give a portion of their proceeds for dairy-related education, research and…
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Comment

LTLT name change becomes official
 

LTLT name change becomes official

The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee started off the new year with a new name, officially launching its new…
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One park at a time: WNC hiker explores the South’s natural and human history through national parks
 

One park at a time: WNC hiker explores the South’s natural and human history through national parks

For Danny Bernstein and her husband Lenny, trips south to visit Lenny’s family in Miami Beach are a regular feature…
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Comment

Work beginning on access trails along the Chattooga
 

Work beginning on access trails along the Chattooga

Work has started on new trails and signs along the Chattooga River aimed at improving access for paddlers.
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Learn to use a stand up paddleboard
 

Learn to use a stand up paddleboard

People wanting to get in on the stand up paddleboard craze will have a chance to learn the basics at…
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Ironwood is piquing the interest of WNC residents
 

Ironwood is piquing the interest of WNC residents

There seems to be an upsurge of interest in ironwood in Western North Carolina of late. It’s curious how reader…
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Comment

A look at religion and the ‘misfits for Jesus’
 

A look at religion and the ‘misfits for Jesus’

Nadia Bolz-Weber is the founder of the House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver, Colorado. She defines herself as…
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Brewing success, crafting a brand
 

Brewing success, crafting a brand

Thirty-eight is Noah McIntee’s favorite number these days. “For a lot of folks, we’re not the sleeper hit anymore,” he said.…
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Comment

This must be the place
 

This must be the place

The alarm went off on my phone. Monday morning. 6:45 a.m.
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Nantahala purchases new facility, expands production
 

Nantahala purchases new facility, expands production

In a long-awaited strategic move, Nantahala Brewing in Bryson City will soon be putting the final touches on the purchase…
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Comment

HART to present Ephron hit, new café
 

HART to present Ephron hit, new café

The production of the Nora Ephron play “Love Loss and What I Wore” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Jan.…
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Comment

If Central Elementary closes, then what?
 

If Central Elementary closes, then what?

The sudden announcement this week that Central Elementary School in Waynesville could be closed in Haywood County has prompted a swirling litany of questions for both parents and the public at large. SEE ALSO:• Parents shocked over Central Elementary closing• Closing Central…
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