LATEST NEWS
Arc of Haywood County celebrates 50 years
An organization laser focused on helping oft-overlooked community members took a little time to allow its employees and volunteers to acknowledge their own accomplishments.
The Arc of Haywood County on Oct. 29 celebrated its 50-year anniversary while also cutting the ribbon on a second office on Boundary Street in Waynesville that will house the supported employment, community living, and community networking teams.
The new location was initially used as a pole barn for nearby Haywood Builders Supply. Over time, walls were added, and it became a mattress store. Now, after a good deal of hard work and a strong vision,…
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What $144 million looks like: Local research takes on new significance as Medicaid, SNAP changes loom
Steve Ha didn’t anticipate drawing statewide attention when he set out to calculate the local economic impact of SNAP and Medicaid funding for the Jackson County Department of…
Ground broken on Swain middle school; funding questions remain
On a shadeless Black Hill Road field just outside Bryson City, a crowd gathered Oct. 29 for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Swain County Middle School.
The building…
Coming home: Amie Owens takes over as Waynesville town manager
Waynesville’s search for a new town manager took a bit longer than expected, but by all accounts, finding a permanent administrator was worth the wait.
Late last month,…
Jackson County weighs fresh approach for delayed schools projects
Plagued by rising cost projections and months of gridlock over rugged mountain topography, Jackson County commissioners have been re-evaluating their path forward on the proposed Smoky Mountain Middle…
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Outdoors
Word from the Smokies: Cemeteries bring to life forgotten stories of the Smokies
When I was about ten years old, I stumbled onto an old homesite in a hollow near my home in Bryson City — just a small stack of…
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Smoky Mountain Storytellers to release anthology
Since its formation in August 2025, the Smoky Mountain Storytellers (SMS) series — held monthly at Outdoor 76 on East Main Street in Franklin — has become one of the most popular social gatherings for literary folks and the curious alike in Macon County and greater Western North Carolina.
“Storytellers came about as a way to gather…
This must be the place
This must be the place: Ode to receiving letters, ode to chasing the horizon
The other day, I received a letter on my desk in the newsroom. Being the rambler that I am, I’m rarely in the office anymore, save coming in on Tuesdays to put this newspaper to bed and kick it off to the printer. The letter was the only new item on the desk, so I…
This must be the place: ‘You’ll wear those shoes and I will wear that dress’
Last Wednesday afternoon, I walked onto a dock on Lake Logan and jumped in. The water held the first chill of the impending winter cold, and yet still felt soothing like it did when I immersed myself in the heavenly soak earlier in the summer. I knew, when I launched myself into the lake, that this would probably be my last swim there this year,…
Breakfast: Old Rule vs New Habits
Old Rule: “A light breakfast of a croissant or toast with black coffee is enough.”
Reality: For most of us, 100-400 calories, all coming from carbohydrates or carbohydrates and fat, is just not enough to start the day and maintain our energy level for long. If you’re not eating enough at breakfast, chances are good…
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Partner content: Taste of Local
Thursday, October 29 • 3pm-6pm Ingles Markets • 630 Champion Drive • Canton Complimentary Samples (Limited Availability)
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Partner content: Old Food Rules to Put to Rest
Old rule: “Kids should eat everything on their plate, even if they aren’t hungry.”
Reality: This was definitely a rule I grew up with, perhaps due to parents who were born at the end of the Depression and experienced food restrictions during World War II. When we force children to “clean their plates,” even after…
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Partner content: Howell for Haywood
As Haywood County continues to navigate regional growth, rural public safety needs, and changing community expectations, local law enforcement strategy has taken center stage. Experienced law enforcement professional Tyler Howell brings a grounded, policy-focused perspective to the conversation surrounding the future of the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office. With nearly two decades in active service—spanning patrol,…
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A time of transition at Smoky Mountain Living
Many readers don’t know that our company also produces two subscription-based magazines, Smoky Mountain Living and Blue Ridge Motorcycling Magazine. We don’t often market them across platforms, but…
letters to the editor
River otters a menace to trout
A highlight of my week is getting to read the…
Framers never imagined Trump
Individual rights are at the heart of the Constitution, as expressed…