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Wednesday, 28 November 2012 14:12

Red wolf exhibit gets upgrades at WNC Nature Center

A $50,000 grant will fund improvements to the red wolf exhibit and build a covered pavilion at the Western North Carolina Nature Center in Asheville.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 14:11

Hometown biologist honored for saving quail

A biologist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, who hails from Haywood County and has played a leading role in establishing bobwhite quail habitat in the state, has been honored for his work.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 14:10

Mingus Creek and more on guided hike

A guided hike of the Mingus Creek Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be held Saturday, Dec. 15, followed by a trip to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center for history lessons and holiday shopping at the gift shop.…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 14:04

Endangered red wolves on the line in lawsuit over night hunting

After four endangered red wolves were killed by hunters who possibly mistook them for coyotes while night hunting, a North Carolina judge has temporarily halted spotlight hunting of coyotes in five eastern counties where the world’s only wild population of…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 14:03

Park bracing for devastation of ash trees

The first backcountry emerald ash borer infestation has been confirmed in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 14:01

Power birding at Tessentee (again)

Don’t know why, but the last two birding trips to Tessentee Bottomland Preserve in Macon County — one last Sunday and one in November a year ago — have been rushed affairs, allowing about two-and-a-half hours of birding from 9:30…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 13:56

Sweet single-track coming to WCU

Outdoors enthusiasts and diehard mountain bikers are waiting in anticipation the winter opening of a seven-mile mountain biking and hiking trail in the Sylva and Cullowhee area. The trail will be the first of its kind accessible by foot, or…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 13:51

Books for holiday gifts can be a risky business

Think of the times someone has said to you: “You’ll love this book!” This well-intentioned person then shoves a book into your hands and dances off, leaving you gripping a volume, white-knuckled, you are now required to love. Though occasionally…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

Congressman Shuler trades U.S. House for Duke Energy job

Congressman Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, who is stepping down this year after spending six years in D.C., announced his next career move this week: directing the lobbying arm of Duke Energy in Washington. As senior vice president of federal affairs with…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

WCU has its fair share of misdemeanors, but thankfully devoid of violent crime

Although college for many is an oasis of learning, fun and social interaction, it is also a sprawling crime scene for everything from drug busts to rape. Despite its idyllic mountain setting, Western Carolina University is no exception. Last month,…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

Billboard ban could stymie scenic byway in Jackson

A group of Western Carolina University students are leading a charge to get N.C. 107 from Cullowhee to Cashiers designated as a scenic byway, but they first must appeal to skeptical county commissioners for their backing.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

Jackson County seeks input in crafting a recreation wish list

Jackson County is crafting a new long-range recreation master plan to set priorities and guide spending for its parks, open spaces and recreation centers during the next five years. But, the process can be a tug-of-war between residents with varied…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

Lack of shelters leaves transit riders out in the cold

For the elderly, disabled and carless residents of Haywood County, the public transit bus is an indispensable resource that keeps them mobile.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

Political events

Governor-elect to headline holiday dinner North Carolina Governor-elect Pat McCrory (R) will be the keynote speaker at the 20th annual Charles Taylor Holiday Dinner at 7 p.m. Dec. 8, at Grove Park Inn in Asheville. The event will be McCroy’s…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

From down-and-out to up-and-coming, former factory town undergoes transformation

Patty Atkinson took a short break from helping the constant flow of customers at a local family pharmacy in the heart of Hazelwood to talk about the evolution of the community around her — from a bustling blue collar factory…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

In a Main Street mood: Shoppers trade Black Friday chaos for downtown charm

She is every Main Street merchants’ dream. With a penchant for the eclectic and a passion for supporting independent businesses, Carolyn Phinizy worked downtown Waynesville’s shopping district during the post-Thanksgiving spending days like it was her civic duty, not calling…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

As Black Friday morphs into Grey Thursday, shoppers trade in the turkey in hopes of huge savings

Before the gravy had turned cold and the Thanksgiving Day turkey had been packed away in Tupperware, shoppers were already lining up at the Walmart in Waynesville for one of the earliest Black Friday door busters ever — Thursday night.
Wednesday, 03 April 2013 00:00

News in brief

WCU to offer courses at Harrah’s Western Carolina University is taking its masters in business degree on the road to Cherokee, offering MBA coursework at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino for part-time students over a three-year period starting in spring 2014.  WCU…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

Vying for foot traffic: The Holy Grail of downtown commerce

Try scaring up a parking space, hunting down an empty bench or pushing a double-stroller along the crowded sidewalks on peak days, and the popularity of downtown Waynesville’s quaint, tree-lined shopping district is obvious. But for merchants, getting those browsers…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

Student shuffle creates space crunch at Pisgah High

A $2.5 million expansion at Pisgah High School in Canton will relieve chronic overcrowding and a classroom shortage that forces some teachers to spend their days as “floaters.”
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

Haywood to sort its own recycling again — this time with machines

Haywood County is making plans to bring recycling operations back in-house — a move that would eventually mean dollar signs for the county.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

Early education no substitute for old-fashioned parenting

To the Editor: Doctor Raymond Turpin’s opinion of Michele Presnell, Mike Clampitt and Jim Davis seems based on the premise they “don’t get it” regarding the value of childhood programs (Oct. 24 edition of The Smoky Mountain News, www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/item/9154) To…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

Tourism overhaul was the right thing to do

To the Editor: Democracy is working in Jackson County! This week’s passage of the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Resolution is a much-welcomed newly sprouting seed in the political landscape in the national drought of our country’s overall political climate. Our…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

When the cat’s away, the boys will play

We had been dreading it all week, and now, as we stood there on a brisk Friday morning waiting on the school bus in front of our mailbox, my seven-year-old son and I had time to confront the reality of…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

Robbinsville native creates art scholarship

Students from the far western counties of North Carolina majoring in music, fine arts or industrial arts at Western Carolina University can tap into a $10,000 scholarship fund set up by Robbinsville native Elaine Howell, a retired U.S. Air Force…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

Scotch-Irish exhibit seeks donations

North Carolina Arts Council has provided initial funding for the research and development of the Scotch-Irish exhibit at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center outside Robbinsville. The Arts Council is now matching funds for the printing, mounting and placement of…
Tuesday, 18 December 2012 00:00

Holiday music

Choir to perform Christmas story in Canton Dec. 23 The choir of Rockwood United Methodist Church will present a cantata titled “Silent Night, Holy Night” at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, in Canton. Written by Russell Mauldin and Sue C.…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

Voices in the Laurel events

Songs from ‘Polar Express’ to be performed Dec. 8 Voices in the Laurel will perform a special Christmas concert featuring the poetry of Robert Frost, traditional and international Christmas carols and a medley from “The Polar Express” at 2:15 p.m.…
Tuesday, 18 December 2012 00:00

Upcoming Christmas events

Waynesville Christmas parade to be televised WNC Television will broadcast the Waynesville Christmas Parade held on Monday, Dec. 3, several times during the coming week. The parade will be aired on Charter cable channel 16. The schedule is 10:30 to…
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

Canton homes put their finest Christmas décor on public display

The Canton Annual Christmas Tour of Homes will take place from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

NC glass exhibit showcased at WCU

The North Carolina glass community will hold an exhibit from Oct. 28 to Feb. 1, at the Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

Balsam Range, friends kick off concert series

Nationally acclaimed Western North Carolina bluegrass group Balsam Range will be kicking off their winter concert series at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at The Colonial Theatre in Canton.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

Mountain Faith to host bluegrass Christmas concert

A free Christmas Concert with award-winning bluegrass and gospel band Mountain Faith will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

An Appalachian Christmas comes to Lake Junaluska

An annual Appalachian Christmas Celebration will run from Dec. 6-9 at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

Lights & Luminaries to bring holiday glow to Dillsboro

Dillsboro Festival of Lights & Luminaries will be held on Dec. 7 and 8 and Dec. 14 and 15. The celebration begins each evening at dusk and runs until 9 p.m.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012 00:00

Quality over quantity in Appalachia

Downtown Franklin is all sunshine, but it’s the calm before the storm. Drifting through an array of stores and restaurants lining Main Street, the scene is quiet, but soon, with Thanksgiving falling into the rearview mirror, shoppers determined and curious…
Wednesday, 21 November 2012 15:56

Upcoming music

WCU partners with Asheville Symphony  Western Carolina University’s School of Music has initiated a new artist-in-residence program this semester, formalizing a partnership with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra to bring professional string musicians to campus for performances with WCU’s woodwind, brass…
Wednesday, 21 November 2012 15:54

WCU, Warren Wilson ensembles to perform

WCU, Warren Wilson ensembles to perform Western Carolina University’s Low Tech Ensemble will perform a gamelan degung from Western Java with Warren Wilson College’s Gamelan Ensemble, playing Central Javanese gamelan, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, in the recital hall…
Wednesday, 21 November 2012 15:53

Craft fair to be held in Clyde

A “Show & Sale” craft fair will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at the MedWest Health and Fitness Center in Clyde. Local crafters are invited to purchase a table for a small fee to display…
Wednesday, 21 November 2012 15:44

Upcoming holiday events

Wednesday, 21 November 2012 15:44

'Hard Candy Christmas' celebrates 25 years

The “Hard Candy Christmas” Craft Art and Show will celebrate 25 years as a “Mountain Christmas Tradition” in Western North Carolina from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 23-24, in the Ramsey Center at Western Carolina University. With original work…
Wednesday, 21 November 2012 15:41

Orchestra presents holiday concert

The Blue Ridge Orchestra will present this year’s annual family holiday concert twice, at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 at the Colonial Theatre in Canton and at 4 p.m. onn Dec. 9 at the Folk Arts Center in East Asheville.…
Wednesday, 21 November 2012 15:40

WCU to host Madrigal Dinners

The annual Madrigal Dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 1, in the Grandroom of the A.K. Hinds University Center at Western Carolina University.
Wednesday, 21 November 2012 15:39

Aztec group performs for students 

Swain County Schools celebrated Native American heritage on Nov. 8-9 by having Aztec dancers perform for students at the Swain County Center for the Arts. 
Wednesday, 21 November 2012 15:33

Christmas parades roll into WNC

Snowflakes sprinkle the high peaks, while a stiff breeze cascades into the valleys. Elaborate decorations are being put up in downtowns across Western North Carolina. It’s that time of the year — Christmas is around the corner and the region…
Wednesday, 21 November 2012 15:18

Byer’s book brings us a sense of place

Kathryn Stripling Byer lives in Cullowhee. Poet Laureate Emeritas of North Carolina for a number of years, she was this year inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame. I’ve known her since 1973 … so I’m going to…
Wednesday, 21 November 2012 15:09

Internet businesses do benefit community

To the Editor: In a recent column, writer Jeff Minick implored holiday shoppers to consider shopping locally and using the Internet only as a last resort so that the money will stay in our local economy. If only life were…
Wednesday, 21 November 2012 15:08

Cowee School project part of a larger plan

To the Editor: I’ve been a fan of The Smoky Mountain News for 12 years since you very ably reported on the Needmore Tract conservation story: a locally-led campaign to conserve 27 miles of Little Tennessee River. The then-Macon County…
Wednesday, 21 November 2012 15:07

Any act of appreciation is worthwhile

To the Editor: After reading your piece this week, “Speaking too loudly sometimes belittles the message,” my reaction was “let’s err on the side of appreciation.” One of my most poignant memories came from a Memorial Day visit to Arlington National…
Wednesday, 21 November 2012 15:04

The right to a job does not exist

By Ken Jacobine • Guest Columnist The idea of the United States of America was born during the Age of Enlight-enment (17th and 18th centuries). The great philosophers of that time challenged the divine right of kings by enunciating a…
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