Count for Christmas: In 123rd year, annual bird count yields critical conservation data

As Christmas 1900 approached, ornithologist Frank Chapman hatched an idea. 
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Word from the Smokies: Reunion brings Cataloochee descendants home to the valley

Shadows and seasons are the main markers of time in Cataloochee Valley, a remote corner of Great Smoky Mountains National…
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Word from the Smokies: Iconic arch returns to downtown Waynesville

The air buzzed with excitement as the crowd gathered in downtown Waynesville, North Carolina, on Saturday, June 1. A standing-room-only…
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Smokies' first dispensary to open: Cherokee's long-awaited marijuana venture to finally generate some green

The path to cannabis legalization on the Qualla Boundary has been riddled with roadblocks, some of which the Eastern Band…
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EBCI Tribal Council approves adult recreational cannabis

About nine months after members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians voted overwhelmingly to legalize the sale of marijuana…
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Recreational marijuana coming next month: Cherokee announces adult-use cannabis date

Beginning, Sept. 7, anyone over the age of 21 will be able to purcha se and use marijuana on the…
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Trump urges full federal recognition for Lumbee: Eastern band continues its opposition

After over a century since receiving recognition from the state of North Carolina as an Indian Tribe, the Lumbee appear…
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Cherokee celebrates first day of adult recreational cannabis use

It’s been almost a decade in the making, but anyone over 21 with a valid ID can purchase THC products…
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Jan. 6 participant speaks to Macon Republican Women’s Club

On Jan. 6, 2021, Nathan Baer stormed the Capitol in Washington, D.C. On April 26, 2023, he was arrested in…
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Legislators tag-team proposal for professional wrestling museum

North Carolina lawmakers are stepping into the ring with a $500,000 proposal to grapple with the idea of establishing a…
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Macon Early College to field its own athletic teams

The Macon County Board of Education approved funding to permit Macon Early College in Franklin to apply to become a…
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Sylva aims to maintain current tax rate

As Sylva closes in on a final proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, it looks like the town will…
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KARE hosts events to recognize child abuse prevention month

In recognition of April as child abuse prevention month, KARE is inviting the community to join in celebrating the strength…
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DA rebukes Cherokee County deputy after new filings in 2022 shooting

New filings in the civil suit Jason Harley Kloepfer filed seven months after he was shot by police in the…
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Kitchens Branch Fire in Sylva mostly contained

As of 10 a.m. this morning, the Kitchens Branch fire in Sylva is 94 acres and 60% contained.
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Silenced: 307 words, phrases and acronyms Trump doesn’t want you to use

Whether you’re Black, Hispanic, Indigenous or White — LGBTQ+ or cisgender — if you’re thinking about promoting equity and inclusion…
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HCS grapples with tight budget

Haywood County Schools Board of Education passed its budget for 2025-26, and despite multiple years of contraction and yet another…
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Tough budget discussions ahead for Waynesville

Preliminary projections from Town of Waynesville show a tight budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Elected officials don’t want to…
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Solar panels proposed for Waynesville town facilities

Two members of Waynesville’s Town Council, Chuck Dickson and Jon Feichter, have come forward with a bold proposal that could…
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Bill would cut red tape in lumber industry

A bill introduced by Macon County Republican Rep. Karl Gillespie that seeks to bolster North Carolina’s local sawmill industry has garnered…
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Waynesville wants input on street paving priorities

The Town of Waynesville has released its proposed list of street paving work for 2025, including 41 locations and nearly…
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Social worker program lauded by Waynesville police chief

Waynesville Police Chief David Adams had a simple answer when Town Council Member Jon Feichter asked him if he thought…
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Governor’s Advisory Committee for WNC Recovery holds meeting at WCU

Nearly six months after Hurricane Helene ravaged Western North Carolina, the region's recovery efforts continue. Gov. Josh Stein's advisory committee,…
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Utility customers in Waynesville may get budget billing option

Seasonal billing surprises can leave utility customers sweating summer spikes or shivering in anticipation of winter surges, but a budget…
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359 homes and businesses in Haywood County to receive high-speed internet

The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity announced a $1.2 million Completing Access to Broadband…
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VA secretary greeted by demonstrators during visit to Asheville

Less than a week after a raucous congressional town hall where Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards faced intense criticism over cuts…
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Progress on storm recovery, broadband highlighted at town hall

On Friday, March 14, Representatives in the North Carolina General Assembly hosted a town hall to update the public and…
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‘I can’t do it alone’: Green invites community engagement in education

The aim of newly-elected State Superintendent of Public Schools Mo Green’s “Mo Wants to Know” tour is simple — to…
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NC attorney general warns of Helene-related fraud

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is warning Western North Carolina residents of ongoing scams related to Hurricane Helene recovery.
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Federal appropriation will shore up Canton water infrastructure

The Town of Canton is about to receive a huge economic development boost after Rep. Chuck Edwards announced a $41…
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Chuck Edwards' longest day: Asheville congressman faces fierce opposition at town hall

It had been a warm spring day that finally gave way to twilight of cobalt-grey, sharpening the flashing red and…
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Cabe appointed Macon County manager

Commissioners appointed Warren Cabe as the new manager for Macon County after he had served just over four months as…
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Macon Commission changes rules on public comment

In a split vote during its March 11 meeting, Macon County Commissioners decided to reduce the time limit for people…
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Learn about ham radio in Haywood

Ham radio is both a fascinating hobby and a great tool during a disaster, as folks recently found out during…
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Edwards dodges questions on Medicare, Franklin Social Security office closing

In what could very well be a sneak preview of his in-person town hall in Asheville later today, Rep. Chuck…
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Maggie Valley residents look to de-annex from town

A small group of property owners in Maggie Valley are taking advantage of Rep. Mark Pless’ offer to de-annex them from…
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The state of JCSO: Overdoses decline, detention center at max capacity

Jackson County Sheriff Doug Farmer gave his annual report to his county commissioners last week, and while overdose deaths have…
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Congress may mandate AM radios in every car, for safety and security

A bipartisan collaboration to bolster critical communication resources during natural disasters is gaining momentum in Congress after lessons learned during the…
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Jackson County one step closer to partisan school board elections

On March 6 Jackson County Representative Mike Clampitt filed a local bill in the North Carolina House of Representatives to make…
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General Assembly considers fourth Helene relief bill

Nearly six months after Hurricane Helene killed 106 people and caused more than $60 billion in damage across Western North…
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Commissioners address library security

A Jackson County commissioner brought up the issue of library security during the commission’s March 4 meeting, citing safety concerns for…
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All down the line: Bill seeks to help local railroads affected by Hurricane Helene

Highways, roads and bridges weren’t the only components of transportation infrastructure impacted by Hurricane Helene last fall. Now, a pair…
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State education superintendent to visit Haywood County

State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green is set to be in Western North Carolina next week as part of his “Mo…
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Rep. Edwards to host in-person town hall

Western North Carolina Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards will host an in-person town hall on Thursday, March 13, from 6-7:30 p.m.…
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Haywood Democrats host precinct meetings

Haywood County Democrats are gathering at precinct meetings beginning March 16 and ending March 30. A precinct is an area…
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Haywood Health Foundation grants available

Haywood Health Foundation (HHF) announce its Request For Proposals (RFPs) for grants relating to unmet healthcare needs in Haywood County. 
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Waynesville gives fire chief position to interim

He now has big shoes to fill, but Waynesville officials think interim Fire Department Chief Chris Mehaffey has what it…
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As budget looms, Community Care is a top priority for Sylva

With the impending sunset of grants that have sustained the Community Care Program in Sylva Police Department, town officials have…
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Waynesville Rotary turns 100: Local service, global impact

Few volunteer service organizations can claim a century of community engagement alongside world-changing influence, but as Waynesville’s Rotary club rolls…
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