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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Step up, or step down: Whatley blames Democrats after calls to resign grow louder
Hurricane Helene recovery czar Michael Whatley is blaming Democrats for the growing chorus of criticism over his job performance —…
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Cancer researcher Paul Maddox targets NC-11’s ills
Paul Maddox has spent decades studying sickness. A cancer researcher, tenured professor and lifelong learner, he’s spent much of his…
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Haywood clerk of court announces resignation
Haywood County’s elected clerk of superior court Hunter Plemmons has announced that he is resigning from his position effective Nov.…
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Violent threats lead Henderson County Democratic chair to resign
As chair of the Henderson County Democratic Party, Leslie Carey has spent years helping to build the county’s progressive infrastructure…
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Moving mountains: REACH of Haywood County | Preventing abuse, supporting survivors
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month in the United States. This week, the Smoky Mountain News has partnered with REACH…
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REACH of Haywood County
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month — a time to honor survivors, remember those lost to violence and recommit to…
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In our mountains, behind closed doors
Every October, we see purple ribbons, social media posts and brief mentions on the news about Domestic Violence Awareness Month.…
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Women of vision: Celebrating resilience and community
More than 180 guests gathered at Chestnut Ridge Wedding Venue in Canton for REACH of Haywood County’s third annual Women…
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Mistaken perceptions
Domestic violence is widely misunderstood. Most individuals who have not had the unfortunate experience of living through it often hold…
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The cycle of healing: Finding wholeness after violence
The natural world moves in cycles, each step following another, just as the seasons change or a wound slowly mends.…
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Getting free: Terror, violence and … finally freedom
For close to four decades, I’ve been an advocate for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse. It…
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When love becomes a weapon
For many of us, pets are family. They greet us at the door, comfort us when we are sad and…
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Martha: A life silenced by domestic violence
Not all domestic violence victims escape. Some are too ashamed or fearful to leave. Some are bound by cultures or…
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Legal aid is a crucial lifeline
“Why doesn’t she just leave?” It’s a question asked countless times when trying to rationalize why someone in an abusive…
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From enforcement to empathy: How law enforcement has evolved through the years
When Jeff Haynes entered the law enforcement academy in 1990, empathy wasn’t a word heard often in the ranks. Officers…
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Just a piece of paper?: The effectiveness of a domestic violence protective order
A Domestic Violence Protective Order, sometimes called a restraining order, is one of the most important legal tools available to protect…
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Breaking the cycle: Protecting survivors, strengthening families
Behind closed doors, domestic violence and child abuse often unfold side by side, feeding off the same roots of fear…
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Shining a Light: Honoring the missing, protecting the living
Across the United States, Indigenous women face an epidemic of violence that is as urgent as it is often overlooked.…
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Tea that warms the heart
In today’s world, success in business is no longer measured by profit alone. More and more companies — large and…
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Remember When?
Remember your young teen years, seventh and eighth grade — hopeful, scared, blooming, awkward, wondering. Sound familiar? How about shyly looking…
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Somebody, do something!: WNC leaders plead for fixes to broken justice system
It was supposed to be a routine public safety forum, and in a way, it was — the faces were…
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Fundraising picks up in NC-11 congressional race
With third-quarter fundraising reports now filed, campaign finance records show sharp contrasts in both fundraising totals and donor bases among…
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Early voting continues through Nov. 1
In-person early voting continues through Saturday, Nov. 1. Voters can vote in-person at their county board of elections and are…
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Jackson commissioner skips key board meetings
Minutes from the Dec. 3, 2024, meeting of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners show that newly elected Commissioner Jenny…
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Jackson County park system review shows strength, needs
Jackson County’s parks and recreation system is in solid condition overall but faces notable shortfalls in land, staffing and key…
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Clyde loses out on debris deal
It’s not a lot of money, but it’s the principle — the hurricane-ravaged Town of Clyde is out more than…
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WCU Cherokee Center to hold 50th anniversary celebration
Western Carolina University’s Cherokee Center will celebrate five decades of outreach and partnership with the Cherokee community on Tuesday, Nov.…
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Camp Hope rebuild moves forward under new design proposal
After Brevard-based Domokur + Associates outlined a plan to complete design and construction management services for rebuilding and renovating several…
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Governor encourages eligible residents to apply for housing recovery assistance before deadline
Gov. Josh Stein is highlighting Renew NC’s work to repair and rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Helene. Western North Carolinians…
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Play ball: Waynesville little league field opens up over a year after Helene
Last September, when Hurricane Helene brought flooding to much of the region, the little league baseball field behind the Waynesville…
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Waynesville incumbents look to steady recovery
Waynesville isn’t just another mountain town still recovering from Hurricane Helene — it’s Haywood County’s economic, cultural and governmental hub.…
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Canton candidates confront years of crisis
This cycle, Canton’s ballot carries the weight of five hard years. A global pandemic. Tropical Storm Fred in 2021. A…
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Clyde candidates consider plans for smart growth
Clyde is a small town surrounded by bigger ambitions. Tucked between Canton and Waynesville, hemmed in by interstate lanes and…
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Gift from alumna will help provide support to WCU students in their mental health journey
Universities and colleges across the United States are finding that an ever-increasing number of students are dealing with a variety…
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Scholar, author Imani Perry headlines Pisgah Legal’s justice forum
Nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services will welcome Imani Perry as its 14th Annual Justice Forum keynote speaker on Oct. 23 in Asheville with a free watch…
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Amazon to close Franklin warehouse, open new site in Hayesville
When Amazon drivers in Franklin showed up for work Oct. 8, they were met not with their usual routine but…
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Shutdown halts federal government, WNC braces again
On Oct. 1, Republican-controlled Congress shut down the federal government, bringing a renewed round of confusion, finger-pointing and uncertainty to…
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Franklin candidates weigh in on local issues
Like many municipalities this year, Franklin will have competitive races on its ballot, as five people are running for three…
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Newcomer, incumbents vie for Bryson City Board of Aldermen
Three candidates — incumbents Tim Hines and Ben King, and newcomer W. Kent Maxey — are vying for two open…
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Local housing initiatives impacted by shutdown
Last week, Mountain Projects’ Amanda Singletary was convinced she’d be calling all 250 Section 8 landlords with bad news: they…
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White Oak landfill report highlights record tonnage, long-term capacity
An update on the White Oak Landfill presented to Haywood County commissioners by landfill operator Republic Services Oct. 6 shows…
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Voter registration deadline nears
Municipal elections will soon take place across North Carolina, so now is a great time to check your voter registration…
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Forest Hills election offers voters clear choice
The Village of Forest Hills, home to about 350 residents, faces an election that will decide who leads the small…
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Federal shutdown brings patchwork closures across WNC
As the federal government shutdown continues, North Carolina residents may be left with a patchwork of closures, service limitations and…
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FEMA says operations will continue as normal during shutdown
As Western North Carolina settles in for what could become a protracted federal government shutdown, a Federal Emergency Management Agency…
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Whatley backs away from Helene role during first WNC visit
Michael Whatley’s first trip to Western North Carolina as President Donald Trump’s hand-picked Hurricane Helene “recovery czar” was not the…
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‘A flip of the switch’: Library switches sparks confusion and concern
Seeking guidance, Jackson County Public Library board members met with County Manager Kevin King last week hoping to learn more…
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Sylva faces tight budgets, deep division
The small Jackson County town of Sylva faces challenges similar to other Western North Carolina communities — balancing quality of…
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