Cherokee police chief resigns
After just shy of a year on the job, Cherokee Police Chief Josh Taylor announced June 13 that he would…
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Songs of Freedom: Local churches celebrate Juneteenth through gospel music
On June 19, 1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas were told of their freedom — two months after Robert E. Lee…
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Walk in their shoes: Event raises awareness for elder abuse
For the tenth year in a row, people will gather in towns across Western North Carolina on the evening of…
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Report highlights bungled aftermath of sexual abuse claims at teen rehab center
Leadership at Unity Healing Center in Cherokee failed to properly investigate or report allegations that an employee of the federally…
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NOC marks 50 years in business
In 1971, Payson and Aurelia Kennedy were living a successful, stable life in Atlanta. Payson was a librarian at Georgia…
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Ken Howle reflects on finding his path through NOC
In retrospect, it’s no surprise Ken Howle ended up at a place where lives are transformed through renewal of soul,…
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Wayne Dickert’s river life born at NOC
Wayne “Wayner” Dickert may not have started paddling until he was 18 years old, but that didn’t stop him from…
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Runoff declared for Jackson School Board
Voters in Jackson County will return to the polls July 26 to determine the winner of a runoff election for…
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Maggie distillery in foreclosure as bidders come forward
The building housing Elevated Mountain Distilling Company, a fixture in Maggie Valley for over five years, is facing foreclosure and…
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Wet Your Whiskers fundraiser
FUR’s fifth-annual Wet Your Whiskers fundraiser will be held Saturday, June 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Wells…
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Sylva settles on railroad depot restroom
Sylva residents and visitors to the town can expect to see a new public restroom at the old railroad depot…
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Greenway planning begins in Haywood
Haywood County is taking the first steps to establish a comprehensive greenway plan that could end up linking all the…
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At last, a UDO for Maggie Valley
After years of effort and several failed attempts by multiple town boards, Maggie Valley has successfully passed its Unified Development…
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Finally, Haywood gets an offer on a troublesome parcel
Haywood County may have found a buyer for a county-owned 22-acre plot off Jonathan Creek, as long as everything goes…
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Jackson gathers to discuss homelessness
Last Thursday evening, June 2, residents of Jackson County gathered at Sylva First United Methodist Church to discuss the issue…
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Tribe votes no on Ela Dam removal
In a narrow vote June 2, the Cherokee Tribal Council voted against a resolution to pursue purchase and removal of…
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Rep. Pless wants to strip Haywood municipalities of some regulatory powers
A COVID-era sports seating bill has now morphed into a pro-development bill that would hobble the ability of Haywood County’s municipalities…
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Proceed with caution: Data details deaths in national parks
On May 21, 2000, a beloved Sevier County elementary school teacher named Glenda Ann Bradley took a walk on the…
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WNC JeepFest returns bigger and better
The third annual WNC JeepFest returns from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11, to…
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Pearl Psychedelic Institute receives MDMA PTSD treatment authorization
The Pearl Psychedelic Institute, a non-profit organization based in Waynesville, is the first of 10 clinics to receive authorization from…
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The road to revival: A look at Canyon Woodward’s endurance race to reshape rural politics
The path for Democrats to win back rural voters who once aligned with the party decades ago isn’t smooth; it’s…
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Home for the past: Cherokee museum plans for archive facility
A new archival facility, reimagined exhibit space and a website overhaul are all on the horizon for the Museum of the…
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Jackson to fund 8 positions for Sylva Fire Department
With increasing call volume, fewer volunteers and an expected continuation of growth in town, Sylva’s all-volunteer fire department is in…
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Empowered women empower their community
In 2011, Nikki White and Michelle Briggs sat on a porch drinking wine, envisioning an organization by women, for the…
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Legislature could finally expand Medicaid
Not long ago, it was an issue so contentious that it resulted in a three-year budget stalemate, but with Republican…
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Waynesville resolution opposes partisan elections bill
A bill filed by Haywood County Republican Rep. Mark Pless to make all local elections partisan didn’t exactly receive a warm…
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‘Lunchflation’ plagues WNC schools
After three abnormal school years due to the Coronavirus Pandemic that included free breakfast and lunch for all public-school students,…
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Making conversation: UNC System considers state of free expression on campus
A five-part series exploring free speech and free expression on college campuses wrapped up last week in the University of North…
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Canton presents ‘bold’ budget
While the instances of personal heroism, professional bravery and private donations are well documented, perhaps the most incredible story to…
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Tax increase likely for Jackson residents
Jackson County residents can expect to see a two-cent tax increase in the coming fiscal year, rising from $0.36 to…
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State of emergency declared in Haywood amid flooding
A State of Emergency has been declared in Haywood County due to ongoing risk of flash flooding. The proclamation was…
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Jackson County issues 'Code Red'
At 10:30 p.m. last night Jackson County Emergency Management issued a “Code Red Message.”
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First poll in NC-11 predicts tight race between Beach-Ferrara, Edwards
An internal poll commissioned by the Democratic nominee for NC-11 just days after the May 17 Primary Election suggests the…
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Cawthorn’s loss means new dynamic in NC-11 race
Huddled in a semicircle around a blacked-out glass door in the bay of a former auto detail shop in downtown…
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HEMC flips the switch on new solar array
Haywood Electric Membership Corporation installed its first-ever solar array to power its own headquarters’ operations, and its likely not the…
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Collins to retire from TDA
After nearly 13 years at the helm of the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority, Executive Director Lynn Collins has decided…
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Together once again: WNC festivals, events slowly return to normalcy
It’s been just about three years since the Cold Mountain Music Festival took place in a large field within earshot…
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Maggie town manager announces resignation
Nathan Clark, longtime town manager of Maggie Valley, is set to leave his post in the coming months.
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Maggie Budget proposes additional staff
If the Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen accepts the proposed FY 2022-23 budget, taxes will remain at $0.40 for the…
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Loftis, Carson advance in Swain County Republican primary
Following last Tuesday’s Primary Election, two Swain County Republicans will advance to November’s General Election.
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Grant will help save more pets in Haywood County
Haywood County Animal Services announced a $7,500 grant investment from Petco Love to help newly adopted dogs, who are wonderful…
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Haywood’s new senator is no stranger
In one of the most highly watched contests of the 2022 Primary Election season, voters gave their approval to six-term…
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Big changes discussed for Cherokee Fair Grounds
A crack in an amphitheater canopy column at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds could lead to a complete overhaul of the…
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WCU research takes aim at nuclear waste problem
In global conversations about climate change, carbon neutrality and green energy, nuclear power plays a pivotal role. It’s responsible for…
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Bill seeks more partisanship in Haywood County elections
A bill introduced by Haywood County’s two state House representatives would make all of the county’s municipal elections — as well…
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Macon choses commission primary winners
The voters of Macon County have spoken, and three of the seven Republicans — John Shearl, Danny Antoine and Gary…
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Recount called in Macon Sheriff race
A recount has been called in the Macon County Sheriff’s race after Election day totals indicated Dereck Jones lost to Brent…
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No Primary Election opposition for western Republicans
Unlike elsewhere, Western North Carolina’s westernmost legislators had a relatively quiet election night on May 17.
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Jackson County elects new school board members
This election cycle there were 10 candidates running for three seats on the Jackson County Schools Board of Education. Of…
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Jackson elects new school board members
This election cycle there were 10 candidates running for three seats on the Jackson County Schools Board of Education. The…
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