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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Parents shocked over Central Elementary closing
 

Parents shocked over Central Elementary closing

Parents of Central Elementary School students were shocked Tuesday morning when they heard the Haywood County School Board was considering closing down the longstanding Waynesville institution.
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Closing Central Elementary emotional for school officials
 

Closing Central Elementary emotional for school officials

Haywood County School Board members were grave and sober Monday night as they confronted the ominous prospect of closing down one of the county’s nine public elementary schools.
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Cuts widespread as Haywood faces $2.4 million shortfall
 

Cuts widespread as Haywood faces $2.4 million shortfall

A proposal to close Central Elementary School in Waynesville is only one piece of a sweeping and wide-reaching plan to close a $2.4 million budget shortfall being faced by Haywood County Schools next year, including the elimination of more than…
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Waynesville town manager fired in narrow vote of board Tuesday; Supporters question motives of those who ousted her
 

Waynesville town manager fired in narrow vote of board Tuesday; Supporters question motives of those who ousted her

Waynesville Town Manager Marcy Onieal was fired Tuesday night in a 3-2 split vote by the town board following a…
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Friday last day to apply for Maggie board
 

Friday last day to apply for Maggie board

Maggie Valley is still accepting applications from potential candidates to fill a two-year unexpired term on the board of aldermen.
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Man’s body found near Dry Falls
 

Man’s body found near Dry Falls

Rescue crews recovered the body of Sean Kasey around 1:30 p.m. Sunday from the Cullasaja River after conducting a search…
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Macon flood damage exceeds $1 million
 

Macon flood damage exceeds $1 million

Heavy rains and high waters in December have resulted in more than $1 million in flood damage in Macon County.
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Bill introduced for Swain to receive school funding
 

Bill introduced for Swain to receive school funding

Since 1940, the Federal Government has provided Impact Aid Funding to assist school districts that have lost a portion of…
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Animal shelter advocates make their case
 

Animal shelter advocates make their case

Jackson County’s animal lovers had a message for county commissioners last week, and it couldn’t have been clearer: We need…
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Council discusses the court system’s place in government
 

Council discusses the court system’s place in government

Last week wasn’t the first time since the new tribal leadership took office that the issue of separation of powers…
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Tribal council votes to create legislative office separate from executive oversight
 

Tribal council votes to create legislative office separate from executive oversight

When the Cherokee Tribal Council voted to create the Office of Legislative Support last week, it was doing more than…
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Motion to dismiss filed in lawsuit contesting Cherokee council raises
 

Motion to dismiss filed in lawsuit contesting Cherokee council raises

Defendants in a lawsuit stemming from raises and backpay the Cherokee Tribal Council voted itself in October 2014 are hoping…
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Jackson County manager announces retirement
 

Jackson County manager announces retirement

For Jackson County Manager Chuck Wooten, the time has come to shift his professional focus from managing a county to…
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Cashiers cell tower approved
 

Cashiers cell tower approved

A proposal to build a new cell tower outside Cashiers got the OK from Jackson County Commissioners last week, a…
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Howell Mill Road projects nears completion | Gallery
 

Howell Mill Road projects nears completion | Gallery

Barring any unexpected circumstances, Howell Mill Road should be open to vehicle traffic in a couple of weeks. The $11.7…
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Wilderness for all, all ways, always
 

Wilderness for all, all ways, always

To the Editor: Two happenings in the past 12 months led me to some end-of-the-year musings. The happenings were related,…
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And the 2015 award winners are ...
 

And the 2015 award winners are ...

The idea to start handing out annual spoof awards instead of the traditional year-in-review that most newspapers do was the…
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A man addicted to reading and writing
 

A man addicted to reading and writing

My name is Joe Ecclesia. On a recent December Saturday, when I interviewed Jeff Minick about his new novel, Dust…
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Folkmoot reflects on 2015, celebrates the New Year
 

Folkmoot reflects on 2015, celebrates the New Year

Dear Friends: It’s New Years Eve and I wanted to take a moment to thank you for all that you contribute…
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Waka Flocka Flame to play WCU
 

Waka Flocka Flame to play WCU

Acclaimed rapper Waka Flocka Flame will hit the stage at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, in the Ramsey Regional Activity…
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This must be the place
 

This must be the place

Throwing my father’s old Dodge Dakota into park, I stepped out of the truck and felt the crunch of snow…
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Keep On Getting Lost — Scott Low
 

Keep On Getting Lost — Scott Low

It is quite the conundrum, ain’t it? In an era where mainstream radio hits are shellacked in “sugar and spice…
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New Mountains-to-Sea guide available
 

New Mountains-to-Sea guide available

A new trail guide covering the Balsams section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is out, meaning that the trail’s route through…
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Program to prepare preschoolers for sports leagues
 

Program to prepare preschoolers for sports leagues

A sports development league aiming to teach preschoolers the skills they’ll need to succeed in the world of athletics is…
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Emissions from new vehicles decreasing, report says
 

Emissions from new vehicles decreasing, report says

Vehicles are getting greener, according to a pair of reports recently released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  In model…
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Plateau land trust conserves record number of acres
 

Plateau land trust conserves record number of acres

With more than 400 acres of land conserved through purchase and conservation easements in 2015, the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust is…
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