Count for Christmas: In 123rd year, annual bird count yields critical conservation data
As Christmas 1900 approached, ornithologist Frank Chapman hatched an idea.
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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.
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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,…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
Out of the lion's den: A Christian author with a long list of abandoned business deals and unpaid creditors finds a new home for his work in Macon County. He says it's a chance for redemption. Others aren't so sure.
Most novelists dedicate their books to loved ones, sources of inspiration or the memory of someone who has passed away.…
Read More
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…
Read More
‘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…
Read More
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.
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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.…
Read More
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…
Read More
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.
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More