More than a building: Legacy of healing continues during Sexual Assault Awareness Month
As Sexual Assault Awareness Month comes to a close, Haywood County is witnessing a powerful moment of continuity, collaboration and…
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From silence to prevention: Rethinking sexual violence, healing and the future we build
As of April 1, I marked my first full year as the Executive Director of REACH of Haywood County. After nearly…
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Buffy Queen makes a mark: Longtime advocate helps middle-schoolers navigate relationships
Safe Dates is a three-to-four-day Hazelton Betty Ford Foundation course about healthy relationships, and for nearly 20 years, Buffy Queen…
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Hidden in plain sight: Recognizing grooming and protecting our children
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. REACH advocates routinely work with victims and survivors of all forms of sexual assault…
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Kindness is not weakness — it’s prevention
My high school English teacher might have had a love-hate relationship with the phrase “hurt people hurt people,” challenged by…
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When communities unite: Protecting children from abuse
Protecting children from harm requires a coordinated, informed, and proactive approach. KARE House, a children’s advocacy center in Haywood County,…
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The things we never said: Growing up, sex and silence in Appalachia
In the part of southern Appalachia where I was raised, there were certain things you learned early: how to be…
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Supporting a friend: What to do when someone confides in you
It usually doesn’t start with a report or a formal complaint — it starts with a conversation. A friend, a…
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A RAD mother-daughter journey
In the quiet moments of a morning at Panacea Coffee House, a chance conversation with Waynesville Police Chief David Adams…
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As one Haywood volunteer fire department celebrates a big win, others struggle
As the sun set behind the Saunook fire station in west Haywood County, members of the community gathered in the…
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Listen up: Dogwood Health Trust uses local ties to assess Helene's aftermath
Five days isn’t enough time to process a disaster like Hurricane Helene, yet as uncertainty swirled and rescue operations still…
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DOT outlines I-40 rebuild: With environmental permitting process over, real work begins
The signs are still there lining the fragile bank separating Interstate 40 from the Pigeon River — chunks of jagged…
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Mom wins court fight with charter school, defamation countersuit backfires
Rebecca Fitzgibbon hasn’t breathed easy since her 11-year-old son was put in the back of a police car by his…
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One more show: Ric Savage’s last pinfall
Heavy Metal Ric Savage couldn’t stand it. He was helpless, sidelined while his tag-team partner, Shane Austin, took a beating…
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Shutdown disrupts some services, spares most of WNC
As the federal government shutdown drags into its second week, Western North Carolina has so far escaped major impacts —…
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Fontana Regional Library addresses upcoming issues ahead of split
As the Fontana Regional Library sizes up a monumental change coming into the focus over the hill like a band…
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Fontana library trustees get bogged down on small changes
The Fontana Regional Library Board of Trustees is again struggling to implement changes as it trudges forward without legal representation. …
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Attorney finds Hooper violated Jackson TDA attendance policy
Jackson County Commissioner Jenny Lynn Hooper made a rare appearance at a Jackson County Tourism Development Authority meeting last week…
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Professor secures funding for new medical device
Martin Tanaka, a professor of engineering and technology at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, has a knack for creating innovative…
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Protest group funds local hunger relief
A weekend rally organized by Hands off Haywood commenced with the presentation of a $2,500 check to Haywood Christian Ministries…
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WCU navigates budget uncertainty, prepares for what’s ahead
Six months after the North Carolina General Assembly’s deadline to produce an annual budget, Western Carolina University in Cullowhee is…
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EBCI chief criticizes Lumbee as federal recognition nears finish line
The National Defense Authorization Act cleared the House with bipartisan support last week, prompting the Senate’s Dec. 15 procedural vote…
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Pisgah Legal’s bind: IOLTA funding freeze leaves nonprofit’s leader uncertain
Nonprofits that provide legal services are calling for North Carolina’s General Assembly to unfreeze funds necessary to their operations. In…
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Macon OKs $10 million landfill expansion
The decision to secure over $10 million to build two new landfill cells was, in a sense, an easy one…
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WCU grapples with cost, resources amid changes in NCAA policy
For decades, college athletes generated millions of dollars in revenue for universities in exchange for a full tuition scholarship, at…
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SCC student’s diligence, attention to detail lead to early cancer discovery
Throughout her first two-and-a-half semesters in Southwestern Community College’s Medical Sonography program, Emma Dao heard her instructors repeatedly emphasize the…
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Sylva ups its selfie game
The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, in collaboration with the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority (TDA), announced…
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Federal gridlock continues to stall Helene recovery
Nearly 15 months after Hurricane Helene tore through rural Appalachia, North Carolina recovery officials said in a Dec. 15 meeting…
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Swain Animal Services meeting filled with public shock, disapproval
Swain County’s standing animal services ordinance dates back to late 2019, pending the establishment of an animal services center and…
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Ethics violation prompts removal of tribal ABC Commissioner
Travis Smith began his career with the Tribal Alcohol and Beverage Control Commission on Feb. 27, 2024. He was guaranteed…
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A career of service: Former Franklin Mayor Jack Horton reflects on decades in government
Last Monday marked the likely end of a career of service for outgoing Franklin Mayor Jack Horton. But, that career…
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NCDOT awards contract for N.C. 107 reconfiguration
The N.C. Department of Transportation recently awarded a contract to improve travel conditions on N.C. 107 through Sylva. Buchanan &…
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Applications sought to operate Waynesville license plate agency
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles is seeking applicants for a commissioned contractor to operate a license plate agency in…
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Jackson Board of Elections votes to close Western Carolina University early voting site
The seemingly indiscriminate closure of an early voting site at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee prior to the March 3,…
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Newly elected Sylva councilmember shares experience, values and vision
At any given moment, Perry Matthews — caterer, culinary instructor, homeschool curriculum-builder and veteran chef of upscale restaurants — was…
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Compassionate visions, courageous leadership: Meet the women of tribal council 2025
Lavita Hill has dreamed of joining tribal council since high school. Painttown’s Shannon Swimmer feels less like she’s taking on…
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Local leaders speak out against drunk driving
Law enforcement leaders and elected officials from across Western North Carolina gathered the day before Thanksgiving to remind people about…
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Franklin swears in new council
The town of Franklin now has a new mayor, vice mayor and council member. After winning their elections in November,…
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Haywood opens new EMS base near Lake Junaluska
A new EMS base in Haywood County is now operational. The base was completed earlier this year. It is part of…
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HCC announces new university transfer agreements
Haywood Community College continues to expand university transfer agreements with North Carolina universities. HCC offers transferable degree programs and credit…
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Harris named ‘Communicator of the Year’
Michelle Harris, director of engagement & marketing and public information officer at Haywood Community College, has been named the 2025…
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Professional craft students to host holiday craft sale
Students in the Professional Crafts Program at Haywood Community College will host a holiday craft sale from 10 a.m. to…
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Western Republicans buck national trend in Nov. 4 election
Overwhelmingly, municipal officials take pride in their nonpartisan service, but once they’re elected, they don’t just leave their party hats…
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Word from the Smokies: Cherokee artist weaves strands of place and culture
In October 2019, Rhiannon Skye Tafoya was a year out of her master’s program and excited to begin an art…
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Franklin fire substation opens
A new fire substation in Franklin years in the making is now operational. After lingering in limbo following initial construction, the…
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As Border Patrol generates fear, neighbors and organizations step up
As of noon Thursday, ICE and Border Patrol have engaged in operations from Lenoir to Raleigh, largely avoiding Asheville and…
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Democrat challenges Pless for state house
Democrat Danny Davis has announced that he will challenge Republican incumbent Mark Pless for North Carolina 118th House District, made…
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Haywood man convicted of assaulting officers with a firearm
A still photo extracted from a deputy’s body-cam video shows a critical moment in the events of April 6, 2024, in…
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Speakers highlight survivorship, healing at EBCI conference
Keohana Lambert’s presentation was catalyzed by a question. “What’s one word comes to mind when you think about the intersection…
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Rural care gap drives MAHEC push west
Western North Carolina has struggled for decades with a simple problem that produces complex consequences — not enough primary care…
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