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…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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EPA ozone standards
Limit prior to 2008: .08 parts per million New limit set in 2008: .075 parts per million New limit pending…
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The case for soccer
Soccer coach Nathan Trout recalled, with a tinge of jealousy, the four “unbelievable” sports parks in his Florida hometown, including…
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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…
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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.…
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Malicious prosecution lawsuit dismissed
A malicious prosecution lawsuit by a woman accused of misappropriating flood relief donations was dismissed by a federal judge last…
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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…
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GOP contenders
There are six Republicans vying for a shot to run against Congressman Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, this year. The six Republican…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Candidate profiles
Democrat candidates Steve Buchanan, 50, Bryson City resident, owner of a construction company “Most of the thefts relate back to…
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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.…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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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,”…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Pregnancy support workers find their calling helping women
For many low-income women, pregnancy can lead to more stress than excitement. Most of the expecting mothers who visit local…
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Federal, state taxpayers to fund Maggie slide cleanup
Everything has fallen into place for a government-sponsored cleanup of the Rich Cove mudslide in Maggie Valley, an undertaking pegged…
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HCC not taking no as an answer
Haywood Community College remains hopeful that the county will increase funding to the college, despite reluctance by the county commissioners…
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Maggie eases proposed design standards
The Maggie Valley Planning Board has eased requirements on a proposed set of design standards that would shape the town’s…
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Restaurant ‘ghost’ plays tricks on owners
Cindy Robertson never for a minute believed in ghosts — that is, until she moved into her new restaurant outside…
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Smoky Mountain Center to offload psychiatric services
Smoky Mountain Center has begun the process of transferring its mental health services to private companies in a move that…
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Recurring money problems pit HCC, county against each other
Haywood Community College leaders are at odds with county commissioners over funding for the college. The county slashed capital contributions…
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