Two held without bond in alleged mass shooting threat
Two men are being held without bond in the Jackson County Detention Center after allegedly threatening a mass shooting in…
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Overbooked: How Highlands is attempting to regulate its short-term rental industry
Short term rentals have existed in resort towns for decades, but as Airbnb and similar services have made them more…
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State puts the brakes on US-19 flyover project
A much-needed, much-lamented bridge replacement project planned for U.S. 74 in Haywood County will be postponed, per a June 10…
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Haywood TDA to award special project grants
The biggest knock against North Carolina’s city- and county-based Tourism Development Authority system is that while it does collect and…
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Neadeau named as interim Cherokee police chief
When Chief of Police Josh Taylor’s resignation becomes effective June 27, the Cherokee Indian Police Department’s Captain of Corrections Carla…
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Designer chosen for WCU Moore Hall renovation
In a unanimous vote Friday, June 10, the Western Carolina University Board of Trustees selected Charlotte-based Jenkins Peer Architects to…
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Tourism dollars create opportunity for Jackson
This summer, the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority is in the process of accepting applications for its first round of…
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Buncombe TDA bill would bolster community spending
A bipartisan Senate bill that would address persistent outcry from Asheville residents over the negative impacts of tourism could reflect…
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Clampitt bill would establish TDA for Bryson City
A long-simmering feud between city and county governments over TDA revenue will finally be settled, if a bill entered by Rep.…
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N.C. 107 section dedicated to Conrad Burrell
The stories flowed easily from friends, pastors and family members of the late Conrad Burrell on Tuesday afternoon at Southwestern…
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‘Climb Out of the Darkness’
Brit Klepac gave birth two-and-a-half years ago. Throughout her pregnancy, she was mentally and physically healthy, but almost immediately after bringing…
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WCU navigates pandemic fallout as enrollment shows signs of recovery
While nothing is certain until census day in September, transfer and full-time freshman enrollment for the upcoming fall semester at…
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N.C. House opposes Smokies parking fee
The N.C. House of Representatives last week condemned the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s controversial proposal to enact a parking…
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Substantial voter fraud alleged in Lake Santeetlah
It may look like any other rustic vacation community, but beneath the placid surface of Lake Santeetlah, division runs deep.
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Highlands Biological Foundation opens North Campus
After years of planning, fundraising, and construction, the Highlands Biological Foundation (HBF) officially dedicated the North Campus of the Highlands…
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Junaluska announces Summer Worship Series and events
Lake Junaluska will host outdoor, lakeside Sunday worship services led by inspirational visiting preachers from June 26 through Aug. 14…
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Slanted Window Tasting Station cuts the ribbon
The Franklin Chamber of Commerce was proud to welcome the Slanted Window Tasting Station to the community and the chamber…
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Bear injures campers at Elkmont
A bear has been euthanized after it broke into a tent occupied by a family of five and their dog,…
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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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