Plungers show off their costumes during the 2023 event in Canton. HWA photo
 

Take ‘The Plunge’

The 12th annual Plunge Benefit-t-t-ting Kids in the Creek and Environmental Education will take place 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.…
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Ready, set, grow
 

Ready, set, grow

Prepare for gardening season with “Learn to Grow: Vegetable Gardening,” a workshop offered 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb.…
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Adam Bigelow
 

Prune like a pro

Learn how to give your fruit trees some love with a workshop starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at…
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Wednesday is family day at Cataloochee
 

Wednesday is family day at Cataloochee

Families can visit Cataloochee Ski Area for a reduced cost on Wednesdays through the end of the season. 
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Sign up for summer camp
 

Sign up for summer camp

Registration for Spring Break Camp at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville opens at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, with Discovery…
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Plant trees in Bryson City
 

Plant trees in Bryson City

Help MountainTrue plant more than 2,500 new native plants at Bryson City Island Park during volunteer workdays 1-4 p.m. Saturday,…
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Bike Chestnut Mountain
 

Bike Chestnut Mountain

Ride the trails with an experienced mountain bike instructor at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at Chestnut Mountain Nature Park…
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Floodwaters from the Pigeon River tossed mobile homes and cars around like toys in 2021. Scott McLeod photo
 

From risk to resiliency: State waters summit highlights red tape, funding deficiencies

An annual waters summit hosted by a pair of North Carolina congressmen brought together local, state and federal administrators, experts…
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Drawings show a radical rethinking of how the parcel home to Bethel Christian Academy  in Canton will soon look, if the town is selected for a FEMA grant. Town of Canton photo
 

Canton eyes Bethel Christian Academy for flood project

The Town of Canton has taken a major step toward long-term flood recovery with an economic development project at a…
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New covid variant, flu spike in December
 

New covid variant, flu spike in December

Haywood County hadn’t logged a coronavirus-related death in the better part of a year. But since Dec. 19, 2023, it…
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State officials present Macon County with $62 million for a new high school. NCDPI photo
 

Macon receives $62 million grant for new high school

Macon County is one step closer to a new Franklin High School after state leaders awarded $62 million for the…
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Southwestern Community College completed a new health sciences building in 2021 to expand enrollment and diversify opportunities in its popular health sciences programs. File photo
 

Guaranteed college scholarship program launches in N.C.: Affordability efforts come at a critical time for higher education

Starting in the fall, North Carolina students whose families make less than $80,000 a year will receive a guaranteed scholarship…
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Public safety accounts for the largest portion of Sylva's budget. File photo
 

Sylva starts budget process with needs vs. wants

Sylva began its budget process last week with presentations from department heads about what they need in the budget, as…
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Public hearing scheduled for Sylva solicitation ordinance
 

Public hearing scheduled for Sylva solicitation ordinance

The Town of Sylva is once again considering a solicitation ordinance for the streets and sidewalks section of its code…
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Primary Election voter registration deadline draws near
 

Primary Election voter registration deadline draws near

The civilian voter registration deadline for the March 5 Primary Election is rapidly approaching, so now’s a good time to…
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‘NC-11 People’s Forum’ Saturday at A-B Tech
 

‘NC-11 People’s Forum’ Saturday at A-B Tech

William R. Robinson, a columnist for Newsmax, will moderate a Primary Election debate be-tween 11th Congressional District Republican candidates Christian…
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Samuel Owl. Donated photo
 

Tribal member to lead Kituwah LLC

Following the departure of Mark Hubble, who has led Kituwah LLC as its CEO since it was formed in 2018,…
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Human remains found in Cherokee; police decline to release identity
 

Human remains found in Cherokee; police decline to release identity

The Cherokee Indian Police Department has determined the identity of the person whose remains were found in an open field…
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Herbert "Cowboy" Coward disciplines his unruly pet squirrel, named Angel, at his home near Clyde in 2019.
 

‘Cowboy’ Coward, Deliverance actor and local legend, killed in wreck

Herbert “Cowboy” Coward, a Haywood County native who shot to stardom after his hair-raising performance as a villain in the…
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Tyler Ramsey will perform in Highlands Jan. 25. Parker J. Pfister photo
 

New lost ages: Tyler Ramsey to play Highlander Mountain House

At the core of any great singer-songwriter lies this inherent trait of stage presence, one where an entire room, no…
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Outlaw Whiskey will play Bryson City Jan. 27. Garret K. Woodward photo
 

Rock rolls into Unplugged Pub

Haywood County rock/country act Outlaw Whiskey will hit the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Unplugged Pub…
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Normally found only in the western U.S., an accidental rufous hummingbird was seen at Clingmans Dome and added to the park list in 2020. Jeff Bartlett photo
 

Off course: Strange species make 'accidental' appearances in the Smokies

Red-necked phalarope, Bonaparte’s gull, band-rumped storm-petrel and harlequin duck. If you are thinking these don’t sound like names that should be…
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Tater (left) and Yammy will share the spotlight this year during Groundhog Day at Chimney Rock State Park. Chimney Rock State Park photo
 

Celebrate Groundhog Day with Tater and Yammy

Groundhogs Tater and Yammy will make their meteorological debut during the 19th annual Groundhog Day Celebration Friday, Feb. 2, at…
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The N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council publishes a new map every Thursday  at ncdrought.org. N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council map
 

Drought continues its disappearing act

Severe drought is gone from North Carolina and moderate drought barely holding on after an extraordinarily rainy first half of…
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See the American chestnut story in film
 

See the American chestnut story in film

Experience the story of the American chestnut, a mighty wonder that once sustained all forms of life in the Appalachian…
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Kesselring has been collecting flies from all over the world over the course of four decades. File photo
 

Fly collector to display his collection

Mike Kesselring will show off his enormous fly collection and other gear gathered over 40 years of world-wide travel 6:30-8…
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Nancy Carroll has volunteered with the Southern Highlands Reserve since it first launched its volunteer program in 2019. SHR photo
 

Southern Highlands Reserve names outstanding volunteer for 2023

Nancy Carroll has been named Southern Highlands Reserve’s Volunteer of the Year for 2023 in recognition of the “life, laughter…
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Cataloochee Ski Area. A Shot Above photo
 

Spend Friday nights on the slopes

Ski Cataloochee for less this winter, with discounted night skiing available through Jackson County Parks and Recreation Friday nights, Jan.…
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Appreciation Days coming to Cataloochee
 

Appreciation Days coming to Cataloochee

Those who have spent their careers protecting others can enjoy Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley at a reduced rate…
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Plan a garden visit
 

Plan a garden visit

Tickets for 2024 Visitors Days at the Southern Highlands Reserve in Lake Toxaway go on sale Thursday, Feb. 1.
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The plant doctor is in
 

The plant doctor is in

It’s not yet time to plant for spring, but Haywood County Master Gardeners are still available to answer questions about…
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Volunteer with Mainspring
 

Volunteer with Mainspring

Help care for conserved lands by participating in a string of upcoming stewardship volunteer workdays with Mainspring Conservation Trust, held…
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Help the hemlocks
 

Help the hemlocks

Keep the hemlocks of the Pisgah National Forest safe from the invasive hemlock wooly adelgid during a volunteer workday 10…
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Coming down the pipe: EPA mandate could soak local utility customers
 

Coming down the pipe: EPA mandate could soak local utility customers

A recent update to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule directs nearly all of the nation’s water systems…
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WCU sees record-high interest from female job applicants
 

WCU sees record-high interest from female job applicants

Diversity within the Western Carolina University workforce has been inching up, with the latest report showing that the last year’s…
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Franklin High School students who will soon complete their Emergency Medical Technician classes include, front row (from left):  Alyssa Staples, Emma Worley, Hannah Montney, Lillian Whitesides, Britney Cross and Adrian McKinley. Back row: Eric Hester (SCC’s EMS Program Director), Trenton Kirchman, Josh Mason, Chris Tejki, Zach Styles, Maggie Collins and Sarah Rondel. SCC photo
 

SCC teams up with Franklin High School to train new EMTs

At a time when emergency services agencies across the country are facing a dire staffing shortage, here in Western North…
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Senator Kevin Corbin (left) and Representative Mike Clampitt (third from right) present members of the Mariana Black Library Board and the Swain County Commission with $3.2 million in state funding for the library expansion project. Hannah McLeod photo
 

Swain secures funding for library expansion

Marianna Black Library is set for a major expansion and renovation thanks to funding from several parties, including a large…
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The new law will result in most elder abuse defendants being held for at least 72 hours after arrest. Holly Kays photo
 

Elder abuse criminal law strengthened in Cherokee

In a unanimous vote, the Cherokee Tribal Council has approved an ordinance change aimed at protecting victims of elder abuse…
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New head coach for Pisgah football
 

New head coach for Pisgah football

In a rare split vote, the Haywood County School Board approved the hiring of a new head football coach for…
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HCS principals were recognized for academic success at a recent school board meeting. HCS photo
 

Haywood County Schools recognizes academic success

After the last school year, Haywood County Schools held onto its seventh-place ranking in the state, out of 115 school…
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Macon firefighters battle multiple blazes in one day
 

Macon firefighters battle multiple blazes in one day

Fire crews responded to three structure fires in Macon County over a 24-hour period. 
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Ice Festival coming this weekend
 

Ice Festival coming this weekend

Get ready to chill out at the NC Smokies Ice Festival on January 26-28 at locations throughout the county. 
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NCDOT Provides Free Bicycle Helmets
 

NCDOT Provides Free Bicycle Helmets

Applications are open to receive free bicycle helmets from the N.C. Department of Transportation. 
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This mock-up shows possible design features for Bryson Park upgrades.
 

Public input wanted for Bryson Park upgrades

With Allen Street now operational, the Town of Sylva is set to begin work on renovations to Bryson Park. But…
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Michael Yannette will perform at WCU Jan. 25-27. Joshua Norman photo
 

WCU presents ‘Fantasia on Mysterium’

A special stage production of “Fantasia on Mysterium: The Epic Immersive Theatrical Recital” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Jan.…
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Hunters wait their turn to offer their comments. Holly Kays photo
 

Shifting seasons: Hunters weigh in on proposed bear, deer rule changes

More than 100 people came to a public hearing Thursday, Jan. 11, at Haywood Community College in Clyde, that took…
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Smokies visitation increases in 2023, but N.C. side lags
 

Smokies visitation increases in 2023, but N.C. side lags

In 2023, visitation to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park grew 2.2% to reach its second-highest number ever — but…
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Get outdoors with Ice Fest
 

Get outdoors with Ice Fest

Winter hikes, winter lights, frosty runs and outdoor ice skating will offer ample opportunity for chilly fun in celebration of…
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The new facility doubles retail space of the previous location. GSMA photo
 

GSMA opens new Townsend visitor center

A new visitor center and retail space is now open just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Townsend,…
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The latest drought map, based on observations through 8 a.m. Jan. 9, shows a significant improvement in drought conditions. N.C Drought Management Advisory Council map
 

Drought washes away in winter rain

Heavy rains last week banished all but a spot of severe drought from the mountain region, with more relief likely…
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