Haywood County officials opened an emergency shelter on Paragon Parkway during Winter Storm Diego. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Wintry weather tests regional response to those seeking shelter from the storm

As many residents of Southern Appalachia stocked up on necessaries in advance of a powerful winter storm that ended up…
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Stalemate leaves homeless caught in the middle
 

Stalemate leaves homeless caught in the middle

Not far from the historic homes nestled along Waynesville’s Church Street sits a small plot of land that’s home to…
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Little candies make for big friendships
 

Little candies make for big friendships

Somewhere on the outskirts of Cleveland, Ohio, about 18 months ago, Waynesville resident Peg Harmon — who notes her first…
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Cherokee election ordinance nears finish line
 

Cherokee election ordinance nears finish line

Efforts to overhaul Cherokee’s election ordinance will come down to the wire following Tribal Council’s unanimous decision to table a…
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SCC SWAT robot donated to sheriff
 

SCC SWAT robot donated to sheriff

After a year-long process of designing, SCC Mechatronics student Scott Mitchell donated his SWAT Robot project to Jackson County Sherriff’s…
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A tree in Maggie Valley sags under the weight of snowfall accrued during Winter Storm Diego Dec. 9.
 

Winter Storm Diego prompts state of emergency in Haywood County

Around a foot of heavy, wet snow that started yesterday afternoon and continued through the night brought down trees, snapped…
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Nurturing the ties that bind
 

Nurturing the ties that bind

I’ve spent most of my career at small newspapers, and one thing I’ve learned is the value of making connections.…
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Danny Davis.
 

No regrets after a clean, heartfelt campaign

By Danny Davis • Guest Columnist I wish to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of you who…
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Finding anchors in seasons of change
 

Finding anchors in seasons of change

When the winds rage the sea, we look for an anchor.  As my life continues to unfold, I’m learning there…
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President’s lies are simply sad
 

President’s lies are simply sad

To the Editor: Paul Manafort, President Trump’s former campaign chairman, continues to lie, even after he pled guilty to 175…
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Sochan leaves emerge from the ground in early spring. NPS photo
 

Sochan in springtime: Cherokee looks to reclaim plant gathering traditions in the Smokies

For centuries and even millennia, the early spring greens of the sochan plant have served as a celebration of spring…
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Paddlers to save Green River hemlocks
 

Paddlers to save Green River hemlocks

An $8,000 grant will benefit hemlock trees growing in the Green River Gorge, hopefully saving them from the deadly hemlock…
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New Sylva outdoors store to hold grand opening
 

New Sylva outdoors store to hold grand opening

Sylva’s newest outdoors store will hold a grand opening party noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at 562 West…
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Red wolf management decision delayed
 

Red wolf management decision delayed

In response to a Nov. 5 federal court ruling that found the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s rollback of protections…
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Photo of Camp Fire. NASA photo
 

The Naturalist's Corner: At last

Those radical environmentalists and their aiding and abetting scientists are finally called out.  After the deadliest wildfire in history —…
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Playing with a net: ‘Formal Salutations’
 

Playing with a net: ‘Formal Salutations’

When I was teaching homeschool students in AP Literature, I would on occasion ask them to write a sonnet. The…
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‘The Coffee Shop’ in downtown Sylva. Quintin Ellison photo
 

The face behind the lens: Longtime journalist to hold photo showcase

For over 25 years, journalist Quintin Ellison has roamed our region documenting the people, places and things that make up…
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Louie Bing.
 

This must be the place: ‘I will walk alone, by the black muddy river’

Many folks here in Waynesville knew Louie Bing as “the homeless guy with the dog.” Well, Louie and his Australian…
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Gayle Woody is sworn in for her first term as a  county commissioner. Holly Kays photo
 

Jackson swears in commissioners, sets meeting schedule

The Jackson County commissioners said goodbye to a longtime member, welcomed a new member and changed their meeting schedule during…
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State releases annual economic tier rankings
 

State releases annual economic tier rankings

Macon and Jackson counties will be considered less economically distressed in 2019, according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce. 
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This $250 million expansion, expected to be complete in early 2021, will add 750 hotel rooms, a parking deck and 83,000 square feet for event space to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. Donated rendering
 

Casino profits set records

Tribal members received the largest per capita distribution ever released from casino profits when payments of $7,007 were released Monday,…
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Patrick Lambert speaks to his supporters in front of the Cherokee Council House after Tribal Council voted to remove him from office in May 2017. Holly Kays photo
 

Lambert not giving up on future run for chief

Patrick Lambert was removed from office following a controversial impeachment process in 2017, but with the 2019 election season underway…
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A parody image is at the heart of Debbie King’s lawsuit. Monroe Miller photo
 

Haywood Meme lawsuit escalates with arrival of First Amendment attorneys

Months ago, just after he finished mopping the floor with pro se defendant Eddie Cabe, Haywood County attorney Rusty McLean…
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ACLU files suit against state for ADA violations
 

ACLU files suit against state for ADA violations

A magistrate judge recently recommended that a federal district court judge order the North Carolina Department of Public Safety to…
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Pay for court-appointed lawyers remains stagnant
 

Pay for court-appointed lawyers remains stagnant

Under the Sixth Amendment every criminal defendant has a constitutional right to legal representation — and if you can’t afford a…
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The first sawmill at Sunburst was located not far from where this sign is today. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Sunburst — a short history

It was a struggle from the start — getting in, getting people and supplies up and getting the lumber down…
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Bethel Rural Community Organization works to preserve the past
 

Bethel Rural Community Organization works to preserve the past

After nearly 245 years, Haywood County’s Bethel community remains just a small part of a relatively small county, but the…
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Haywood’s two new commissioners (front, left to right) Tommy Long and Mark Pless are joined by incumbents (rear, left to right) Brandon Rogers, Chairman Kevin Ensley and Kirk Kirkpatrick. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Historic Haywood commission sworn in

It was fitting that District Court Judge Donna Forga was on hand Dec. 3 to swear in the two new…
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Ghosted: Clock runs out on latest Ghost Town redevelopment plan
 

Ghosted: Clock runs out on latest Ghost Town redevelopment plan

The strange saga of Maggie Valley’s Ghost Town amusement park has more twists and turns and more highs and lows…
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Commissioner Ron Mau took issue with a post on the Jackson County Democratic Party’s website that said his campaign signs made the writer think of the Chinese dictator Chairman Mao. Holly Kays photo
 

Campaign rhetoric criticized in Jackson

A May blog post titled “Chairman Mao or is it Chairman Mau?” was the topic of an impassioned statement Jackson…
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Anti-gunners endanger their fellow citizens
 

Anti-gunners endanger their fellow citizens

To the Editor: As I have said on many occasions, anti-gunners like to ignore the very important comma sign in…
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Animal control went beyond call of duty
 

Animal control went beyond call of duty

To the Editor: This is a shoutout for the folks at Haywood County Animal Services. Last Sunday (Nov. 19) late…
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Get rid of Trump?
 

Get rid of Trump?

To the Editor: A recent letter writer said that the Democrats will do almost anything to get rid of Trump.…
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Meadows reacts too lightly to ethics rebuke
 

Meadows reacts too lightly to ethics rebuke

It sure would be nice for his constituents to hear Rep. Mark Meadows come out with a mea culpa regarding…
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Out of touch with the Black Friday banshees
 

Out of touch with the Black Friday banshees

I’ve set my phone on vibrate so that I can watch the game while enjoying my holiday concoction of Chex…
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Dan Pittillo instructs a friend’s young children in the ways of botany. Stan Hammer photo
 

Planted in the mountains: WNC botanist reflects on a lifetime of discovery

Dan Pittillo has made his name as a botanist, but he could easily have ended up a dairy farmer instead. …
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A new solar microgrid has been installed at Mt. Sterling. NPS photo
 

Power line to be removed at Mt. Sterling

Duke Energy is working on its final phase of a solar project at Mount Sterling, removing utility poles and overhead…
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The property is easily visible from the Appalachian Trail. SAHC photo
 

Key land conserved in Roan Highlands

A 324-acre property in the Highlands of Roan is now in public ownership thanks to the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. 
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Recycling and sustainability success at WCU is partially a result of good communication about shared responsibility, say members of the student group Eco CATS. WCU photo  
 

WCU recognized as a green college

For the eighth year running, Western Carolina University has been named one of North America’s most environmentally responsible colleges by…
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What a woman! Why I love Camille Paglia
 

What a woman! Why I love Camille Paglia

Fierce. Honest. Libertarian.  Those are just three of the reasons why author and professor Camille Paglia has fascinated me for…
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Drake takes Macon airport under its wing
 

Drake takes Macon airport under its wing

Drake Enterprises is spreading its wings further into the community as it takes over management of the Macon County Airport. …
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Rick Bryson, owner of Bryson’s Car Wash, tells commissioners and audience members why he opposes the road plan. Holly Kays photo
 

Sylva residents speak out against road plans

A Sylva town meeting this month drew a crowd of people to speak against the N.C. 107 road plan, but…
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Speedy’s Pizza and the Valero Gas Station & Convenience Store are both on the N.C. Department of Transportation’s preliminary list of businesses that could be displaced. Holly Kays photo
 

TWSA to develop ideas to help displaced businesses

With the N.C. 107 project continuing to move forward, the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority is beginning to talk about…
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President Jimmy Carter (right) and wife Rosalynn sit in the sanctuary at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

The essence of power is a towel

There, in Sumter County, Georgia, not far from the Alabama line lies the tiny town of Plains (pop. 784), a…
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A graphic rendering from design company LS3P shows what SCC’s new health sciences building will look like upon completion in 2021. Donated image
 

Contractor selected for SCC health building

The Michigan-based Christman Company will carry out a $17.66 million contract to construct a new health sciences building at Southwestern…
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Amanda Swimmer stands surrounded by family after she is named a Beloved Woman in February. Holly Kays photo
 

Cherokee loses treasured tribal elder

Cherokee has lost its second honored member in the space of a month with the Nov. 24 death of Amanda…
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Macon wants out of flat fee defense program
 

Macon wants out of flat fee defense program

While the North Carolina Legislature included Macon County in a pilot program to change the way court-appointed lawyers are paid,…
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Tom Maher, executive director for Indigent Defense Services Office of North Carolina, speaks to lawyers Brad Ferguson and Karla Wood about the pretrial release program. Jessi Stone photo
 

Lawyers needed for pretrial pilot program

The success of a pretrial release program being piloted in Jackson and Haywood county’s judicial district hinges on a handful…
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Chris Hillman.
 

This must be the place: ‘We’ll climb that hill, no matter how steep’

There was something so cozy about that navy blue 1992 Toyota Camry. With my mother behind the wheel of her…
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Health departments investigate cases of Legionnaires
 

Health departments investigate cases of Legionnaires

The Jackson County Department of Public Health and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Public Health and Human Services are…
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