Five compete for Highlands Commission
 

Five compete for Highlands Commission

Highlands will have at least one new member on its Board of Commissioners after Election Day this November. 
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Jackson County is one of two North Carolina counties joining the Foster Care Reinvestment program. File photo
 

Jackson joins Foster Care Reinvestment program

Jackson County will soon join four other North Carolina counties taking part in a pilot program that aims to support…
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Summit Charter School broke ground on phase II of its high school expansion on Aug. 25. Kevin Nealey photo 
 

Summit Charter School asks county for loan

This year, the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation that allows charter schools to request capital funding from their local…
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Medical cannabis cards come in three colors — green for patients, blue for agents and red for Cannabis Control Board members. Holly Kays photo
 

Cannabis funding decision expected soon

Cherokee issues first medical ID cards; tribe continues to work on product transport plan 
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Ashley Sessions addressed Tribal Council Thursday, Oct. 12. EBCI Communications photo
 

Former Tribal Council candidate seeks compensation for 2017 election outcome

A former Tribal Council candidate is seeking $800,000 from the tribe in compensation for “physical, mental and financial despair” allegedly inflicted…
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According to a police report, the SRO responded to a report of a disorderly student at Shining Rock Classical Academy when he broke that student’s wrist. File photo
 

Incident at Shining Rock results in student injury

A disciplinary incident at Shining Rock Classical Academy last month resulted in a fractured wrist for one student. 
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Four individuals will be given awards during the annual Chancellor’s Brunch during WCU’s Homecoming weekend. Donated photo
 

WCU to honor individuals as part of Homecoming

Members of the Western Carolina University family will come together to recognize three prominent alumni for their career accomplishments and…
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HRMC announces Lunch and Learn for October
 

HRMC announces Lunch and Learn for October

Join Haywood Regional Medical Center for a Lunch and Learn this Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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I-40 lane closing for repair in Buncombe County
 

I-40 lane closing for repair in Buncombe County

A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation began a project to repair the left lane of I-40 West between…
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Great Smokies Health Foundation Announces 2023 Grants
 

Great Smokies Health Foundation Announces 2023 Grants

The Board of Directors of the Great Smokies Health Foundation has awarded $539,235 to 24 organizations for a variety of…
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American Rivers Southeast Conservation Director Erin McCombs stands next to the recently cut notch in the Beaverdam Creek dam. Holly Kays photo
 

Clearing the creek: Dam removal project frees Beaverdam watershed

Beaverdam Creek is easy to miss. Tree-lined banks shield the small, shallow stream from view as it runs toward the…
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A dusting of snow Sunday, Oct. 15, marked the first flakes of the season. LeConte Lodge photo
 

Snow falls in the mountains

The first snow of the season has fallen in the Southern Appalachians.
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Excitement high about Pisgah View State Park
 

Excitement high about Pisgah View State Park

About 185 people attended a Sept. 26 public input session to chart the future of Pisgah View State Park, and…
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Maps are released every Thursday based on data collected as of the previous Tuesday.  U.S. Drought Monitor of N.C. map
 

Drought conditions grow

Drought is strengthening in southwestern North Carolina, with 14 counties now in moderate drought and an additional 58 labeled abnormally…
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Celebrate native plants
 

Celebrate native plants

The seventh annual North Carolina Native Plants Week is underway, running Oct. 16-22, and Audubon North Carolina is encouraging people…
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Jawbone Falls in Panthertown Valley. File photo
 

Friends of Panthertown plans open house

Friends of Panthertown will celebrate the grand opening of its first ever official headquarters and office space during a drop-in…
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Help available for failing septic systems
 

Help available for failing septic systems

Funding is available to help homeowners fix failing septic systems, preventing both financial and environmental hardship.
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Listed as missing in action for more than 54 years, Capt. Fred Hall, a native of Waynesville, was laid to rest in historic Green Hill Cemetery on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
 

Home at last, Capt. Fred Hall is now at rest

The four of them lumbered along the logging road until finally reaching the old fox hunting cabin about a mile…
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Jackson continues consolidation conversation
 

Jackson continues consolidation conversation

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing over the possible consolidation of the Department of Health and…
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Three seats are up for election on the Sylva Town Council this election cycle. Hannah McLeod photo
 

Three seats up for Sylva Town Council

Three seats are up for election this November on the Sylva Town Council, and six candidates are competing for those…
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The town of Clyde (in pink) is relatively small compared to its extra-territorial jurisdiction (grey). Canton’s ETJ looms just to the east. Haywood GIS photo
 

Hemmed in and busting out: The town of Clyde faces challenges alongside opportunity

Things are changing in Haywood County’s smallest incorporated municipality. Although there are only 754 registered voters in Clyde, the town…
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Principal Chief Michell Hicks presents his request to Tribal Council Oct. 9. EBCI Communications photo
 

Hicks proposes loan to fund cannabis enterprise

In one of the first pieces of legislation of his new term, on Monday, Oct. 9, Principal Chief Michell Hicks…
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Silver Bluff Village. File photo
 

Documents reveal how Waynesville woman allegedly embezzled $1.6 million

A week after Amy Elizabeth Curry was charged in federal court with wire fraud and money laundering, search warrants reveal how…
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The new logo uses colors and design elements that represent the unique culture  and homeland of the Cherokee people. Museum of the Cherokee People logo
 

Reclaiming the name: Cherokee museum chooses new name, branding

When Shana Condill  stepped in as Cherokee’s new museum director, she expected questions about the museum’s name — and her…
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Tickets available for forum with Pulitzer winning author
 

Tickets available for forum with Pulitzer winning author

Macon County residents will not have to travel far to attend Pisgah Legal Services’ 13th Annual Justice Forum. A special…
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Kathleen “Merritt” Tongen (right) of Waynesville was named by the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina as the Young Agent of the Year. Donated photo
 

Waynesville resident receives statewide award

The Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina has named Waynesville resident Kathleen “Merritt” Tongen of L.N. Davis Insurance Agency in…
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Medicaid expansion passes
 

Medicaid expansion passes

More than half a million low-income, uninured North Carolinians will gain access to comprehensive health coverage when Medicaid expansion launches…
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Forever Places crew member John Smith removes rotten rafter tail sections from the Mt. Cammerer Fire Tower. Holly Kays photo
 

Keeping watch: Mt. Cammerer fire tower restoration marks Friends of the Smokies’ 30th birthday

Gary Wade grew up in Pittman Center, Tennessee, just 7 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park trailhead leading…
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Red wolves have been listed as endangered since 1973. USFWS photo
 

Red wolf recovery plan complete

A final recovery plan for the red wolf, a document from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that will guide…
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Apple snails reach a large size and lay  bright pink egg masses. NCWRC photo
 

Invasive apple snails found in N.C.

A new invasive species has been found in North Carolina.
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Drought arrives in the mountains
 

Drought arrives in the mountains

Drought has re-entered the western region, with the most recent drought conditions map labeling Transylvania and Henderson counties as experiencing…
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A family takes it all in during a previous fishing clinic. NPS photo
 

Fish the Smokies

A free youth fishing clinic will coincide with an Old Time Music Jam 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct.…
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Tie your own flies
 

Tie your own flies

Learn the art of Southern Appalachian fly tying with an eight-week course taught by local expert Tommy Thomas.
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Winter Lights tickets now on sale
 

Winter Lights tickets now on sale

Tickets are now on sale for Winter Lights, an open-air walk-through light show of more than 1 million lights running…
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A detachment from Shaw Air Force Base prepares to escort Capt. Fred Hall’s remains to a waiting hearse.  Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

‘We never leave anybody behind:’ Vietnam veteran’s remains returned to Waynesville

For the first time in nearly 55 years, a Waynesville native and Air Force captain who didn’t return from his…
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Fred Hall is the only MIA listed on the monument outside the old courthouse.
 

Waynesville proclaims 'Fred Hall Week'

Days before the remains of Capt. Fred Hall are to be returned to Waynesville for burial after he went missing…
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Jackson continues consolidation conversation
 

Jackson continues consolidation conversation

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing over the possible consolidation of the Department of Health and…
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Jim Avett rolls into Andrews
 

Jim Avett rolls into Andrews

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Jim Avett will hit the stage at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at The Blue Stage in Andrews.
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Shift workers leave Pactiv Evergreen's Canton paper mill for the final time. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Assistance available for dislocated workers

A substantial grant from the U.S. Department of Labor has already provided help for more than 50 dislocated workers in Western…
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Gov. Roy Cooper announces the December launch date for Medicaid expansion  with DHHS Sec. Kody Kinsley on Sept. 25, 2023. NC Health News photo
 

Medicaid expansion for North Carolina will go into effect on Dec. 1

For North Carolina Health News  After being held up for months by the General Assembly’s protracted dispute over a state…
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Newman, Phillips vie for Mayor of Sylva
 

Newman, Phillips vie for Mayor of Sylva

When Sylva residents go to the polls, they will be choosing a mayor to lead the town through several big…
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The Webster Town Council has two seats up for election this cycle. Hannah McLeod photo
 

Several towns to have uncontested elections

Franklin, Webster, Bryson City and the Village of Forest Hills all have multiple seats up for election this year on…
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WCU currently enrolls 11,628 students. Allen Newland/A Shot Above photo
 

State budget delivers wins for WCU

The newly adopted state budget is good news for Western Carolina University, according to Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Mike…
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Contention over the results of the 2021 municipal election in Lake Santeetlah continues, as another one approaches.  Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Lake Santeetlah voter fraud allegations remain at a standstill

It’s been more than a year since residency challenges were filed against six Democrats who registered to vote at a…
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Principal Chief Michell Hicks addresses the hundreds of people who attended his inauguration Oct. 2. Holly Kays photo
 

Cherokee inaugurates new leaders

More than 700 people filled the Cherokee High School basketball arena to celebrate the inauguration of new tribal leaders Monday,…
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Obama-King Park has become a community  gathering place. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Bathrooms finally coming to Obama-King Park

After years of delay, the tiny half-acre park off Pigeon Street in the heart of Waynesville’s Black community should soon…
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Established in 1908, Canton’s paper mill ceased operations this year. Pactiv Evergreen photo
 

Paper mill logs new violation: Investigation continues into black liquor seep

The now-shuttered paper mill in Canton has received a new violation for exceeding permit limits on toxicity for water released…
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Tourism is the largest industry and economic driver in Swain County. Allen Newland photo
 

Clampitt ceases effort to legislate Swain TDA changes

New bill includes 2% occupancy tax increase
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SCC student Kari Putnam of Sylva works with a simulation mannequin in a lab on the college’s Jackson Campus. Donated photo
 

SCC launches Practical Nursing career path

For anyone looking to get into the field of nursing, Southwestern Community College will offer a Practical Nursing program starting…
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Opposition heard for non-residents on Maggie Valley board
 

Opposition heard for non-residents on Maggie Valley board

A candidate for Maggie Valley alderman who dropped out and resigned her seat on the town’s zoning board when opponents filed…
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