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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Macon to consider waiving environmental health fees
In the coming months, the Macon County Commission will consider waiving environmental health fees, and possibly building inspection fees, after…
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Early voting ends this weekend
In-person early voting ends Saturday, Nov. 2 at 3 p.m., but voters will still have one last opportunity to cast…
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Grant program assists Jackson businesses post-Helene
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Jackson County Economic Development has put together a grant opportunity for businesses impacted by…
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How to deal with damaged wells and septic systems
North Carolinians who lost access to water through a private well or damaged septic system as a result of Hurricane Helene may…
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Israeli delegation visit highlights international concern over Helene
When Hurricane Helene slammed into the Gulf Coast on Sept. 27, the storm’s destructive capabilities instantly grabbed national headlines. Now,…
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Canton, still recovering from 2021 flood, moves forward
Lost in the aftermath of the damage Hurricane Helene dealt to Canton is the fact that when the storm hit…
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NCGOP chair tours hard-hit western counties
As Western North Carolina recovers from one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the state, residents alongside local…
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Cooper, Tillis pledge joint response to Helene’s economic impact
Western North Carolina’s small businesses, even those that suffered no damage, now occupy an unenviable position — struggling to rebuild…
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State and feds look to head off economic disaster from Helene in Haywood
With the North Carolina General Assembly’s preliminary $273 million relief bill in the rearview mirror, Western North Carolina Sen. Kevin…
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The long road ahead: NCDOT begins process toward massive I-40 repairs following Helene
As the rain from Hurricane Helene mercifully subsided around noon on Sept. 27, smaller creeks in Haywood County receded fairly…
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Macon selects interim county manager
At its October meeting the Macon County Commission said goodbye to long-time County Manager Derek Roland and announced its selection…
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Officials break ground on new FHS
Construction on the first phase of the new Franklin High School is officially underway after years of advocating and planning…
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Jackson increases occupancy tax rate
With a short but proven track record of funding capital projects, Jackson County will increase its occupancy tax rate to…
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Haywood schools face repair work, shifting student enrollment
Following the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, Haywood County Schools reopened its doors to students and staff last week.
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Tax cuts, vouchers, abortion drive western legislative races
North Carolina’s four westernmost state legislators are all seeking reelection this year, but their campaigns are about much more than just…
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Voter Guide 2024
N.C. Governor Josh Stein - D Josh Stein earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Dartmouth College in 1988 along…
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Two men plead guilty to trafficking meth
District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch announced that in separate cases, two Macon County men pleaded guilty this month to trafficking…
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JCPS announces district winners
Blue Ridge School Principal Kheri Cowan was named Jackson County’s Principal of the Year during a surprise announcement last week.…
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On the table: agriculture race more important than ever
North Carolina’s commissioner of agriculture is responsible for leading an agency that plays a vital role in one of the…
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‘Operation Airdrop’: Volunteers take to the skies to deliver disaster aid
Anyone on the internet knows that it can be a place of negativity and division. But it’s also a powerful…
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Green, Morrow battle for state superintendent
The race for state superintendent will determine who will support and advocate for the state’s 2,500 public schools and lead…
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General Assembly’s Helene relief bill ‘a first step’
After a series of emotional speeches by western legislators during an Oct. 9 press conference and assurances from Senate President…
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Three, including two incumbents, seek two Haywood Commission seats
Kevin Ensley and Brandon Rogers, respectively chair and vice chair of the Haywood County Board of Commissioners, both ran for…
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Long road to recovery ahead for Waynesville’s post-Helene businesses
A region largely dependent on the tourism industry is now asking a question not heard since the COVID-19 pandemic —…
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Early voting starts this Thursday
Voters can cast their ballots in-person starting Thursday, Oct. 17. Same day, in-person registration is also available at polling locations.
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ASPCA launches animal assistance efforts in wake of hurricane
In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene on communities throughout North Carolina, the ASPCA® is announcing the launch of…
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Jackson awarded $52 million for traditional middle school
Jackson County Public Schools is finally on track to building its first traditional middle school after securing $52 million in…
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Haywood County releases election update amid Helene recovery
Haywood County’s board of elections released a statement discussing the status of elections as early voting approaches. This comes following…
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Haywood County revises curfew
Effective 5 p.m. today, Haywood County will still be under a state of emergency; however, the countywide curfew will be…
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Waynesville Apple Harvest Festival proceeds
After discussions and consulting with the Town of Waynesville and partner organizations, The Haywood County Chamber of Commerce’s 36th Apple Harvest…
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Soul Sisters Depot full of hope after losing business to Helene
Around 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, Haley Ramey, co-owner of Soul Sisters Depot in Frog Level, began receiving calls…
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Putting in the work: Responders of all stripes converge on Haywood County following Helene
On the morning of Sept. 27, as rain fell steadily from the pre-dawn sky, Travis Donaldson took a drive around…
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Falsehoods vs. facts: Debunking lies about Helene
Let’s not sugarcoat it anymore. To call it “misinformation” is, in itself, misinformation. Let’s just call it what it is…
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Federal, state officials tour Haywood County after Helene
Where once were surging floodwaters, now elected representatives from both the federal and state level are pouring into Western North…
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Developer still pursuing Pactiv parcel despite Helene damage
Hurricane Helene has dealt serious damage to Pactiv Evergreen’s shuttered Canton paper mill, but the St. Louis-based demolition and development…
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Tillis, Cooper spar over military response to Helene
Despite criticizing ridiculous conspiracy theories that came in the wake of Hurricane Helene — and supporting state Sen. Kevin Corbin…
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How to Apply for FEMA Assistance After Hurricane Helene
North Carolina homeowners and renters in 25 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who had uninsured damage or…
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Attorney general warns public about storm scammers
Josh Stein, North Carolina’s attorney general, visited Canton today to survey damage, to talk with local leaders and first responders…
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Helping the helpers: Waynesville institute offers respite post-Helene
Just a half-mile from the Historic Frog Level District in Waynesville — whose streets were once home to burgeoning, eclectic shops…
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Hurricane Helene can’t deter Haywood’s volunteer spirit
Throughout Hurricane Helene, the slogan going around Haywood County has been, “neighbors helping neighbors.” The personification of those words is…
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After Helene, North Carolina is racing to ensure a fair election
Amid the devastation and human suffering caused by Tropical Storm Helene, it’s only natural to lose sight of the fact…
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EDITORIAL: Ode to Asheville, ode to WNC
I ventured down there today: the River Arts District.
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Developer still pursuing Pactiv parcel despite Helene damage
Hurricane Helene has dealt serious damage to Pactiv Evergreen’s shuttered Canton paper mill, but the St. Louis-based demolition and development…
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Infrastructure, resiliency and a flood of aid: Gov. Cooper tours Haywood County
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, with FEMA Administrator Deanna Criswell in tow, continued his multi-day western swing today, making stops…
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Federal, state and local officials decry Helene conspiracy theories
The head of FEMA, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, Republican Haywood County Sheriff Bill Wilke and Republican Haywood County Commission Chair…
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In the face of flood needs, Canton businesses come together
Over the last few days, the Southern Porch restaurant in downtown Canton has been averaging between 200 to 300 free…
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AGAIN: Horrific storm damage will remake Western North Carolina
AGAIN. For the second time in three years, Haywood County, the highest east of the Mississippi River, experienced devastating flooding…
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WNC hospitals challenged in Helene’s wake
Hospital staff work through communication disruptions, water system failures and their own storm-induced uncertainty to keep caring for patients.
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One life lost in Macon flooding
While Macon County may have been spared the catastrophic flooding experienced by so many of its Western North Carolina neighbors…
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