Swain candidates address task of pulling county out of the red
Nine Democrats and four Republicans have set their sights on four open commissioner seats in Swain County. A primary on…
Read More
Swain and Graham strike deal over ambulance service to motorcycle Mecca
Swain County is nearing the end of an ongoing saga with neighboring Graham County over who will provide emergency services…
Read More
Oversight of mental health foundation called into question
Western North Carolina’s mental health agency may be headed for a civil war with its partner foundation. Smoky Mountain Center,…
Read More
Cherokee casino renovation halfway home
Last week, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians celebrated the topping off of their new 21-story hotel tower, the centerpiece…
Read More
Haywood commissioner candidates
Democrat candidates, pick three Raymond L. Brooks, 59, owner of trucking company Brooks has worked with citizens for more than…
Read More
Fiscal responsibility resounding theme in Macon election
This year in Macon County, three seats on the board are up for election. Each commissioner represents a geographic district…
Read More
Swain commissioner candidates
Democratic candidates, pick four Steve Moon, 59, owner of a tire shop, incumbent Moon is finishing up his first term…
Read More
Scant primary in Jackson commissioner race
While three of five seats are up for election on the Jackson County board of commissioners, there is primary competition…
Read More
Haywood commissioner candidates tackle the county’s hot-button issues
Six Democrats and five Republicans are vying for three seats on the Haywood County board of commissioners. Only three from…
Read More
Haywood commissioner candidates tackle the county’s hot-button issues
Six Democrats and five Republicans are vying for three seats on the Haywood County board of commissioners. Only three from…
Read More
Debate Web site new to WNC election scene
Shane Burrell’s idea was simple: create a Web site where political candidates can talk to directly to voters about issues.…
Read More
The case for ball and bat
Like many of the stakeholders in the argument, county commission chairman Kirk Kirkpatrick wishes the county could build enough fields…
Read More
Haire seeks re-election in N.C. 119 race
N.C. House District 119 represents Jackson, Swain and portions of Haywood and Macon counties. In the Democratic primary, incumbent Phil…
Read More
Duke faces yet another hurdle on substation
A coalition of Cherokee and Swain County residents have stepped up the pressure on a proposed Duke Energy substation in…
Read More
EPA ozone standards
Limit prior to 2008: .08 parts per million New limit set in 2008: .075 parts per million New limit pending…
Read More
The case for soccer
Soccer coach Nathan Trout recalled, with a tinge of jealousy, the four “unbelievable” sports parks in his Florida hometown, including…
Read More
Live dealer conversation stalled in courts
After years of a stalemate with the state over live dealers at Harrah’s Casino, the election of Gov. Beverly Perdue…
Read More
Design under way for old Wal-Mart renovations
The deserted Wal-Mart near Clyde will be hardly recognizable once Haywood County is through with its makeover of the megastore.…
Read More
Malicious prosecution lawsuit dismissed
A malicious prosecution lawsuit by a woman accused of misappropriating flood relief donations was dismissed by a federal judge last…
Read More
GOP hopes voter anger will help beat Shuler
Republicans hope 2010 will be their year to reclaim the congressional seat representing Western North Carolina — a seat they…
Read More
GOP contenders
There are six Republicans vying for a shot to run against Congressman Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, this year. The six Republican…
Read More
Residents challenge price tag of new DSS building in Haywood
A handful of Haywood County residents are demanding a vote by the people before county leaders proceed with purchasing the…
Read More
Jackson ridge law review off the table
The Jackson County planning board is no longer contemplating revisions to the county’s ban on ridge top construction. The ridge…
Read More
Smoky Mountain Center privatizes services
Smoky Mountain Center, the mental health management entity for Western North Carolina, has finally gotten itself out of the game…
Read More
TWASA looks for long-term solution on orphan sewer lines
Last month, officials from the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority and the Town of Sylva clashed over who was responsible…
Read More
Friedman aims to take ‘green’ thinking to Raleigh
Avram Friedman is not your average North Carolina political candidate. Born in the Bronx, Friedman studied political science at Hunter…
Read More
A knack for helping others
With a long trail of accomplishments already behind him, Tony Giorgio is ready to work his magic on Western North…
Read More
A tale of two sports at new Jonathan Creek Park
It’s not often that soccer players go head-to-head with softball and baseball athletes. But whenever Haywood County decides to build…
Read More
Ridge law questions renew development debate in Jackson
Tony Elders didn’t realize quite how much on-the-job exercise he was in for when he was hired to oversee Jackson…
Read More
New Jackson library built as regional showpiece
The Jackson County Courthouse, Sylva’s most distinctive building, was built in a rush. C.J. Harris, a prominent industrialist and wealthy…
Read More
Haywood sheriff faces lone but experienced challenger in primary
Voters in the Democratic Primary in Haywood County must choose which of the two candidates profiled here will advance to…
Read More
Ashe squares off against three opponents
Voters in the Democratic Primary in Jackson County must choose which of the four candidates profiled below should advance to…
Read More
Disobedience charges dismissed in protests of new coal plant
A group of activists arrested for civil disobedience during protests of Duke Energy’s new coal plant last year have been…
Read More
Candidate profiles
Democrat candidates Steve Buchanan, 50, Bryson City resident, owner of a construction company “Most of the thefts relate back to…
Read More
The elected sheriff: Medieval tradition shows flaws in modern times
“It’s the oldest constitutional office in the state,” said Eddie Caldwell, executive vice president of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association.…
Read More
Landslide count keeps climbing
In a record year for landslides, yet another one struck this week, this time along U.S. 441 in Great Smoky…
Read More
Arson case thickens plot in sheriff’s race
A fire at the business of a Jackson County sheriff candidate last week has cast a shadow over the race.…
Read More
Swain sheriff under fire from deep bench of challengers
There is, perhaps, no sheriff’s race as hotly contested as the one currently taking place in Swain County. Sheriff Curtis…
Read More
Auto dealer reinvents to stay alive
When Daniel Allison III learned last May that General Motors wouldn’t renew his franchise agreement, he couldn’t believe it. “Shock,”…
Read More
Blackrock brings Sylva its own distinctive BBQ
“Barbecue is all about slow and low,” said Blackrock BBQ owner and pit master James Aust. “The secret’s in the…
Read More
Baseball and soccer battle for space at new Haywood rec park
Haywood County residents have another chance to steer plans for a park in Jonathan Creek at a public meeting at…
Read More
Cherokee leaders take stock of sustainability goals
Four years ago, Principal Chief Michell Hicks issued a proclamation intended to move the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians towards…
Read More
Jackson candidates chose unconventional path to the November ballot
Every so often a dissatisfied electorate injects a third current into the country’s two-party dialogue. It’s happening this year with…
Read More
Engineers stumped on best way to shore up Maggie slide
With federal and state grants in hand, work will soon get underway to stabilize the remnants of a massive landslide…
Read More
Cashiers Historical Society receives family Bible from 1800s
William and Mary Alice Fryar presented the Cashiers Historical Society with the 19th century Zachary family bible earlier this month.…
Read More
For the pregnant and poor, prenatal care can remain out of reach
A pivotal moment arrives every time a pregnancy test turns positive at public health departments across the state. The new…
Read More
Slide sends powerful message to Macon planners
Over the past month a slow-moving landslide behind the Craftsmen Village development in Macon County has worsened, leaving one property…
Read More
Friends of the Smokies to unveil new office space
Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, March…
Read More
Planning board sends steep slope proposal to Macon commissioners
The Macon County Planning Board voted unanimously March 18 to forward the recommendations of its steep slope committee to the…
Read More
Community college building costs come under fire
Haywood Community College leaders say county commissioners are unfairly accusing them of overspending on a new $10.2 million complex where…
Read More
