Community stewardship awards given
 

Community stewardship awards given

Everyone wants to live in a beautiful and litter-free place, and six winners were recognized for their efforts to that…
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The Cullowhee Dam, built in 1930, straddles the Tuckaseigee River. Donated photo
 

Dam removal possible for Cullowhee: Draft report gives optimistic findings, but questions remain

A recently released draft report bodes well for the possibility of removing the dilapidated Cullowhee Dam without compromising the water…
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Congress votes to reauthorize Conservation Fund
 

Congress votes to reauthorize Conservation Fund

Congress voted to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund following a 363-62 vote of the U.S. House of…
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Birch catkins. Donated photo
 

Birch stills were more common than moonshine stills

Editor’s note: This was first published in 2003. All this spring, golden birch catkins were dangling throughout the woodlands of…
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My church embraces LGBTQ members
 

My church embraces LGBTQ members

By Nina Dove • Guest Columnist When I walked into a Reconciling Ministries meeting at my church (First United Methodist Church…
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An aging Walter still rules the roost
 

An aging Walter still rules the roost

When Walter comes trundling down the driveway, he always reminds me of what a camera tripod might look like if…
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Medicaid expansion needed in N.C.
 

Medicaid expansion needed in N.C.

To the Editor: North Carolina is one of 14 states that has chosen not to expand Medicaid, which provides health…
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Something to believe in: A conversation with Citizen Cope
 

Something to believe in: A conversation with Citizen Cope

Since he first burst out on the music scene with his debut album in 2002, soul/rock singer-songwriter Citizen Cope has…
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Meadows’ action is unconscionable
 

Meadows’ action is unconscionable

To the Editor: Unbelievable that Rep. Mark Meadows (R-Brevard) chose to use a black female HUD employee as a token,…
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We must do better, for our children
 

We must do better, for our children

To the Editor: Like Andrew Morgan (see Mountaineer, Feb. 25, Guest Columnist), I too am alarmed by the rhetoric from…
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A book for those who love books
 

A book for those who love books

Yes! Yes! YES! YES! Lest you think I am wallowing in some bed of literoticism or celebrating Molly Bloom from…
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The right path: Beloved Woman Ella Bird reflects on life marked by family, tradition
 

The right path: Beloved Woman Ella Bird reflects on life marked by family, tradition

For the past 79 years, Ella Wachacha Bird has lived a life defined by seasons and relationships rather than months…
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Committee works to establish guidelines for Beloved titles
 

Committee works to establish guidelines for Beloved titles

Traditionally, the title of Beloved Man or Beloved Woman was reserved for Cherokee people who had proven themselves valiant warriors…
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Funding available for Macon nonprofits
 

Funding available for Macon nonprofits

Macon County nonprofit organizations have until March 29 to apply for county funds allocated in the county’s current fiscal year…
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Overdose prevention training offered
 

Overdose prevention training offered

The North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition (NCHRC) is a statewide grassroots organization dedicated to implementing harm reduction interventions, public health…
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Cashiers starts leadership program
 

Cashiers starts leadership program

The inaugural Leadership Cashiers class recently launched its seven-month program with an opening retreat at Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club.…
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Swain County finally received the final $32.8 million payment from the federal government for the North Shore settlement.
 

Trying to get most out of North Shore funds

Now that Swain County has finally received the entire $52 million from the federal government for the North Shore Road…
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Every county in Western North Carolina has at least one opportunity zone. N.C. Department of Commerce photo
 

‘Opportunity zone’ could bring business to poor areas

When President Donald Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law on Dec. 22, 2017, proponents hailed it…
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Vandals broke into the Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center on Feb. 25 and destroyed at least $2,500 worth of food. Donated photo
 

Pigeon Center vandalized by intruders

A broken window, classrooms in shambles, irreplaceable items destroyed, kitchen coolers left open and perishable food thrown all over the…
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Skaters engage in some light horseplay at Maggie on Ice. Holly Kays photo
 

‘Maggie on Ice’ falls flat

What was hoped to be a slick new attraction designed to bring more visitors to Maggie Valley during wintertime has…
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Franklin Town Council is considering deeding the Nikwasi Mound over to the nonprofit Nikwasi Initiative. File photo
 

Nikwasi Initiative wants deed to Cherokee mound

In a historic decision, the town of Franklin voted Monday to move forward with the process of deeding the Nikwasi…
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Haywood County bond rating inches up
 

Haywood County bond rating inches up

Thanks to the hard work and prudent fiscal decision making of both elected officials and administration, Haywood County’s been rewarded…
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Quashing the uproar over Waynesville’s Green Hill Cemetery is a top priority for the town this year. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Ten years gone: Waynesville board weighs progress, prospects

On Friday, Jan. 29 at the Lake Logan Conference Center, Waynesville Mayor Gavin Brown convened a board retreat where he…
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Michael Cleveland & Flame Keeper will kick-off the ‘An Appalachian Evening’ concert series on June 29.
 

Over the hills and far away: Music, heritage comes alive at Stecoah Valley Center

Way out in Graham County, high up in the rugged wilderness of the Nantahala National Forest, is a lonely stretch…
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Miles Davis during the ‘Kind of Blue’ sessions.
 

This must be the place: Don’t play what’s there, play what’s not there

It was 60 years ago this past weekend (March 2, 1959) when Miles Davis’ seminal “Kind of Blue” album was…
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Defense Attorney Mark Melrose speaks during a rally to show support for Scott Knibbs’ family, who he represented after Scott was shot and killed by a Macon County Sheriff’s deputy in 2018. Donated photo
 

Melrose claims fellow lawyer defamed him on Facebook

Waynesville defense lawyer Mark Melrose filed a civil lawsuit against fellow defense lawyer and Clyde Mayor Pro Tem Frank Lay…
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Lisa Hendy. NPS photo
 

First female chief ranger hired in the Smokies

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park will have its first female chief ranger following the hire of Lisa Hendy, who…
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Letts reverses retirement decision
 

Letts reverses retirement decision

Two days after announcing a midterm retirement from the bench, Superior Court Judge Bradley Letts reversed his decision in a…
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Town Manager Paige Dowling and outgoing Public Works Director Dan Shaeffer embrace following Dowling's presentation of an award of recognition. Holly Kays photo
 

Shaeffer recognized for service to Sylva

The Sylva Board of Commissioners recognized longtime public works director Dan Shaeffer for his nearly 20 years of service to…
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Meningitis outbreak confirmed in Macon
 

Meningitis outbreak confirmed in Macon

  Macon County Public Health has confirmed an outbreak of meningitis.
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Public records requests shed light on closed sessions
 

Public records requests shed light on closed sessions

In its role as government watchdog, The Smoky Mountain News submitted public record requests to county and municipal governments in…
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Behind closed doors: Public records laws have exceptions
 

Behind closed doors: Public records laws have exceptions

Woe to those public bodies that fail to comply with North Carolina’s sunshine laws; transparency underpins American democracy to the…
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Opened meeting minutes are organized in a binder, with staff reviewing past minutes twice per year for any discussions that should now be considered open. Holly Kays photo
 

Closed sessions easily accessible in Jackson

Of all the local governments in The Smoky Mountain News’ coverage area, Jackson County has some of the most complete…
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Detail varies in Sylva minutes
 

Detail varies in Sylva minutes

Of the nine closed-session discussions Sylva commissioners held last year, only three — all attorney-client privilege conversations related to an…
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Bryson City tackles personnel issues in closed meetings
 

Bryson City tackles personnel issues in closed meetings

Personnel issues have been the only reason why Bryson City Aldermen have held closed meetings in 2018. 
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Swain uses closed meetings for contract talks
 

Swain uses closed meetings for contract talks

Swain County commissioners typically hold two meetings per month, and it’s not unusual for them to have a closed session…
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Franklin Mayor Bob Scott, a former journalist and open government proponent, says there has to be a compelling reason for the town council to go into closed meetings. Donated photo
 

Franklin business rarely out of public view

Of all the town and county governments in The Smoky Mountain News coverage area, the Franklin Town Council had the…
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Closed meetings the norm in Macon
 

Closed meetings the norm in Macon

A vast majority of Macon County Board of Commissioners meetings end with a closed session. In fact, commissioners spent more…
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Comment

Development, personnel drive Haywood closed sessions
 

Development, personnel drive Haywood closed sessions

As the largest local government unit in The Smoky Mountain News’ four-county coverage area, Haywood County sees more action —…
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Waynesville closed sessions boring, but by the book
 

Waynesville closed sessions boring, but by the book

The Town of Waynesville Board of Aldermen meets every two weeks, or about 24 times a year, depending on the…
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Comment

Small-town closed sessions few, far between
 

Small-town closed sessions few, far between

Haywood County’s five local governments more or less fall into two tiers — there’s the county and there’s Waynesville, and…
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Comment

Chris Gaubatz (left) speaks to a group of Haywood Republicans Feb. 19. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Hometown hate: Haywood Republicans welcome anti-Muslim speaker

Aided by the left and abetted by the media, violent jihadists are slowly but surely infiltrating our government, our schools…
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Bradley Letts has served as Superior Court Judge of District 30B since 2009. Donated photo
 

Judge Letts to retire: Superior Court will see vacancy four months after Election Day

Amid widespread speculation about plans to run for principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Superior Court Judge…
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Comment

Slide shifts traffic on U.S. 74
 

Slide shifts traffic on U.S. 74

A slide on the westbound side of U.S. 74 on Sunday morning in Jackson County temporarily diverted traffic just west…
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Comment

I-40 slide cleanup causes closure
 

I-40 slide cleanup causes closure

Cleaning a rockslide on Interstate 40 near the Tennessee State lane will require the N.C. Department of Transportation to keep…
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Comment

Jackson County’s 40-year-old animal shelter building is in sore need of replacement. SMN photo
 

Animal shelter planning to start in Jackson County

Jackson County is facing a plethora of capital projects over the next several years, and a new animal shelter will…
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Students in the Waynesville Civilian Police Academy inspect tactical gear. Donated photo
 

Citizens Police Academy still seeking applicants

Not long after retired U.S. Air Force officer and former teacher Mary Ford moved to Waynesville with her husband, she…
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Open government is part of who we are
 

Open government is part of who we are

Whereas the public bodies that administer the legislative, policy-making, quasi-judicial, administrative, and advisory functions of North Carolina and its political…
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Comment

Great schools, staff are community assets
 

Great schools, staff are community assets

Both my parents were teachers. My earliest memories are of my dad sitting at our dining room table grading papers…
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