Maggie officials not pleased with DOT report
 

Maggie officials not pleased with DOT report

Maggie Valley leaders aren’t taking no for an answer after the North Carolina Department of Transportation said nothing could be…
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Mobile vendors finding permanent homes in WNC
 

Mobile vendors finding permanent homes in WNC

As the food truck fad filters into counties west of Asheville, local governments are trying to find a fair balance…
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Food trucks offer different flavors
 

Food trucks offer different flavors

Mobile vending is no longer limited to fast food staples like pizza, hamburgers and hotdogs.
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Gaming the system: Hunters snared in Operation Something Bruin claim legal proceedings were unjust
 

Gaming the system: Hunters snared in Operation Something Bruin claim legal proceedings were unjust

By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern Hunters accused in a sweeping bear poaching sting in Western North Carolina have turned the…
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Bryson City considers closing Fry Street
 

Bryson City considers closing Fry Street

The Bryson City Board of Aldermen is formally asking for public input after mulling over the idea of closing Fry…
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Jackson hires new attorney position
 

Jackson hires new attorney position

After more than four years as Jackson County’s attorney, Jay Coward will soon yield his spot as the county’s legal…
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Feds arrest Sylva businessman
 

Feds arrest Sylva businessman

A longtime Sylva business owner was arrested on federal charges after agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and…
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Jackson County approves additional greenway bridge costs
 

Jackson County approves additional greenway bridge costs

Jackson County commissioners approved moving forward with the installation of the Locust Creek pedestrian bridge even though the cost is…
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The steep slope rewrite, now a shadow of its former self, is back for a final chapter in Jackson
 

The steep slope rewrite, now a shadow of its former self, is back for a final chapter in Jackson

The rollicking steep slope debate in Jackson County may finally be put to rest next month after three years of…
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Cherokee court hands out first-ever sentence to non-Indian
 

Cherokee court hands out first-ever sentence to non-Indian

What in most courts would have been a simple case of violating a domestic violence protective order was a landmark…
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Shining Rock hires local lawyer for land negotiations
 

Shining Rock hires local lawyer for land negotiations

Despite resistance from surrounding landowners, Shining Rock Classical Academy is moving forward with plans to set up Haywood County’s first…
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Charter school enrollment a moving target as opening day approaches
 

Charter school enrollment a moving target as opening day approaches

The guessing game of how many students will jump ship from Haywood County Schools to attend a new charter school,…
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A murder story unlike any other you’ve read
 

A murder story unlike any other you’ve read

In recent years, literary works that are classified as “investigative reporting” have not only become best sellers, but have lingered…
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Art, craft festival in Dillsboro
 

Art, craft festival in Dillsboro

The Dillsboro Arts & Crafts Market will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, on Front…
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Student film festival in Highlands
 

Student film festival in Highlands

The second annual Best of Controlled Chaos Film Festival will be held Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Martin Lipscomb Performing…
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Blueberry lovers unite in Cherokee
 

Blueberry lovers unite in Cherokee

The Blueberry Festival will be held fro 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Cherokee Indian Fair…
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This must be the place
 

This must be the place

It’s the only place I feel at home. The open road. Once it gets into your system, you’ll spend the rest…
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All’s fair in beer and lore
 

All’s fair in beer and lore

Is Stacy J. Cox disliked by Western North Carolina craft beer lovers? “I think so, but I don’t know why,”…
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Another constitutional crisis for Obama
 

Another constitutional crisis for Obama

To the Editor: Dear House and Senate national representatives: Are you going to allow Obama to precipitate another constitutional crisis…
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Ashamed of Cherokee Bear Zoo
 

Ashamed of Cherokee Bear Zoo

To the Editor: I am a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee who has not lived in Cherokee since…
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Some concerns about charter school
 

Some concerns about charter school

To the Editor: Since the proposed Shining Rock Classical Academy Charter School has been in the news lately, I would…
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The public – not the newspaper – deserves to know
 

The public – not the newspaper – deserves to know

I’m sure the founders of Haywood County’s new charter school — Shining Rock Classical Academy — never imagined a week…
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Fly fishing museum aims to spur tourism, preserve angling history in Cherokee
 

Fly fishing museum aims to spur tourism, preserve angling history in Cherokee

It’s been more than 10 years since Alen Baker decided, while recuperating from surgery, to pass the time by writing…
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A look inside the museum
 

A look inside the museum

Step inside Cherokee’s newest museum, and the scent of freshly cut wood and tranquil lighting will immediately greet you with…
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From pies to model planes, Haywood Fair calls entries
 

From pies to model planes, Haywood Fair calls entries

It’s that time again — get together your best garden produce and crafty handiwork to enter in the Haywood County…
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Smokies offers hands-on science for high school interns
 

Smokies offers hands-on science for high school interns

Several local teenagers were among those who recently completed a six-week internship in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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Bird flu fears trigger precautionary measures
 

Bird flu fears trigger precautionary measures

Fears that the bird flu could spread to North Carolina have prompted the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services…
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Ash killer arrives in WNC, firewood must stay put in Graham
 

Ash killer arrives in WNC, firewood must stay put in Graham

Emerald ash borers recently found in a Graham County trap mark the invasive insect’s first appearance in Western North Carolina…
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Panthertown gets improved parking area
 

Panthertown gets improved parking area

Improvements to the crowded trailhead parking on the east side of Panthertown Valley, a recreation area in the Nantahala National…
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Public comment open for state wildlife plan
 

Public comment open for state wildlife plan

A plan to guide wildlife management in North Carolina for the next 10 years is being developed and public input…
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Company for coffee
 

Company for coffee

Due to the generosity of great friends Bill and Elaine Cave of Asheville, my family has enjoyed a summer respite…
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Missing Haywood man found dead
 

Missing Haywood man found dead

The body of a missing Haywood County man was found in Richland Creek near Lake Junaluska on Aug. 3. Johnnie…
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La Crosse Encephalitis case confirmed in Macon
 

La Crosse Encephalitis case confirmed in Macon

A child from Macon County has been diagnosed with La Crosse Viral Encephalitis according to Macon County Health Director Jim…
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Criminal past overlooked for latest hero named to Jackson Sports Hall of Fame
 

Criminal past overlooked for latest hero named to Jackson Sports Hall of Fame

A new plaque coming soon to the Jackson County Sports of Hall Fame will no doubt raise some eyebrows of…
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Sylva considers fencing in Scotts Creek
 

Sylva considers fencing in Scotts Creek

To build a fence or to not build a fence?  It might not seem like such a portentous question, but…
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Demand grows for off-duty officers to work special events
 

Demand grows for off-duty officers to work special events

The rising tide of triathlons, foot races and cycling events in Haywood County is stretching the capacity of spare deputies…
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Maggie mayor seat won’t be filled until election
 

Maggie mayor seat won’t be filled until election

The mood was somber at Maggie Valley town hall last Wednesday as Alderwoman Saralyn Price called a special board meeting…
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Planning board takes another look at indoor gun ranges
 

Planning board takes another look at indoor gun ranges

Allowing indoor gun ranges within the Franklin town limits is still on hold as the town planning board has been…
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Gas station annexation approved in Franklin
 

Gas station annexation approved in Franklin

Plans for a new gas station on the outskirts of Franklin will be moving ahead now that the town board…
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Former deputy pleads guilty to obstructing justice
 

Former deputy pleads guilty to obstructing justice

A former Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstructing justice following an Oct. 25 party…
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Horseplay results in fired Jackson detention officer
 

Horseplay results in fired Jackson detention officer

A Jackson County detention officer was fired this summer after firing a Taser gun on a coworker.
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Murphy casino on track for September open
 

Murphy casino on track for September open

A new casino under construction outside of Murphy is coming along on schedule and on budget, according to General Manager…
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Bear hunting guide brought down after failing to rein in reckless ‘client’
 

Bear hunting guide brought down after failing to rein in reckless ‘client’

fr bruinBy Katie Reeder • SMN Intern

When Chad Arnold pulled into War Paint Kennels during fall bear season in 2011, Jerry Parker pegged him as just another flat-lander willing to fork out big dough to bag a bear.

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Lake Logan triathletes bring a decade of tourism boost to Haywood
 

Lake Logan triathletes bring a decade of tourism boost to Haywood

It’s been 10 years since the Lake Logan Triathlon made its debut in Haywood County, drawing a field of 162…
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Charter school to face opposition over special use permit for new location
 

Charter school to face opposition over special use permit for new location

Neighbors who live near the proposed site of a new charter school in Haywood County plan to oppose a special…
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Shining Rock hit with ‘no trespassing’ order
 

Shining Rock hit with ‘no trespassing’ order

A damaged corn crop and a no trespassing order from a farmer’s lawyer could thwart Shining Rock Classical Academy’s goal…
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Plant gall formation is somewhat of a mystery
 

Plant gall formation is somewhat of a mystery

When it rains it pours. Within the past week or so, I received two emails about plant galls. That’s two…
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Race Waynesville’s Main Street Mile
 

Race Waynesville’s Main Street Mile

A 1-mile race through downtown Waynesville on Friday, Aug. 21, will benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Greenville, S.C.
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Franklin gardens a home for wildlife
 

Franklin gardens a home for wildlife

Several Franklin property owners have made it a priority to garden with wildlife in mind, earning recognition from the National…
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Feds decide to put hold on wolf program
 

Feds decide to put hold on wolf program

Reintroductions of endangered red wolves in eastern North Carolina will cease for the rest of 2015 following a decision by…
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