2007: A year for development news
This year marked a turning point across Western North Carolina when it comes to political will and the development industry.
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TWASA waits for capacity expansion go-ahead
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer Officials at Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority are waiting for the go-ahead from the…
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Home again: ‘Emissaries of Peace’ returns to Cherokee after a Smithsonian excursion
After a successful five-month run at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the “Emissaries of Peace: The 1762 Cherokee…
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Maggie Valley gets new police station: It’s the town’s first new public building since incorporation in 1974
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer As captain of the Maggie Valley police department, Jason Moody normally keeps his emotions…
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Smathers aims for state’s second-highest political job
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer As mayor of Canton, Pat Smathers has overcome his fair share of obstacles —…
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Online shopping not taking a big byte yet, say store owners
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer This Christmas season, Laura Ammons has scoured for presents for her loved ones, checking…
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Jackson ponders the merit of continuing dam debate
Jackson County commissioners are weighing whether to continue a four-year fight against Duke Energy or cut their losses and bow…
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Swain’s subdivision ordinance tabled after stiff opposition
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer Nearly 200 people packed a Swain County public hearing on Dec. 10 to voice…
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Getting connected: Regional internet access on the upswing
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer Tommy Calhoun of Whittier stares at a web page on his white Mac notebook’s…
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Foundation helps families who lose babies to birth defects
An ornately decorated tree in the foyer of the Women’s Care Center at Haywood Regional Medical Center will help families…
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Macon seeks solution to animal woes
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer Dealing with stray dogs and cats has been a problem for Macon County officials…
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Bryson halts sewer connections outside town limits
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer Developers in Swain County eyeing a quick, easy connection to Bryson City’s sewer system…
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State gives dam removal a go Duke to be forced to dredge sediment
Duke Energy has received clearance from the state to tear down the Dillsboro dam but will be forced to dredge…
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Getting close to the food you eat
By Adam Bigelow • Guest Columnist The morning chill had lifted, mist had risen into the air, and as I…
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WCU forges ongoing relationship with Canton
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer With a new town board, a new town manager, and a growing influx of…
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The law of attraction: After a decade in Western North Carolina, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino continues to be an economic powerhouse
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer In the 10 years since the opening of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in November 1997,…
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Macon County explores TDA options
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer Macon County business leaders are devising a plan to ensure that the county’s lodging…
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Taylor makes it official: He’s not running
After months of keeping his fellow Western North Carolina Republicans guessing, former U.S. Rep. Charles Taylor (R-NC) has decided not…
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Canary Coalition aims for the airwaves
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer A Sylva-based environmental organization may be sending its message out over the airwaves. For…
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Grant should help Bridge Park get framed up in summer 2008
A foundation started by a deceased Cherokee County native has provided a large boost to Sylva’s Bridge Park Project.
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Jackson may put an end to Wal-Mart dog mart
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer Jackson County residents will have the opportunity to voice their concerns about the county’s…
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Vandals strike Macon greenway
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer Vandals have been wreaking havoc at Macon County Recreation Park and the Little Tennessee…
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Haywood County Arts Council celebrates 30
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer When Paula McElroy is asked about the art scene in Haywood County when she…
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With formulation of advisory committee, efforts to regulate growth along Hwy. 441 are well underway
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer At speeds faster than 50 mph, drivers zoom down U.S. 441 into Cherokee’s business…
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With an influx of younger residents seeking small-town charm and affordable housing, Haywood’s mill town is poised for the beginning of a new chapter
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer When Wilbur Davis looked out his storefront in downtown Canton recently and saw three…
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Sarge’s scraps plans for Hall Top shelter
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer Sarge’s Animal Rescue has scrapped its plans to build a no-kill animal shelter in…
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Macon likely to approve $40 million in school projects
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer Macon County commissioners spoke in favor of committing nearly $40 million to fund school…
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Finding his calling: Dr. Carlos Vargas seeks to provide perpetual health to the uninsured of Macon County
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer Imagine having the flu and sitting in a folding chair in a crowded waiting…
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WNC job outlook: Manufacturing out, entrepreneurship in
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer Looking to start your own business? You should do well in Western North Carolina.…
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Burrell, Setzer plug plan for Southern Loop
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer Members of Jackson County Smart Roads Alliance are sifting through paperwork at the North…
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Allen ends bid for re-election
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer Sylva town board member Danny Allen conceded his race against fellow board member Ray…
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Horton returns to WNC as Macon county manager
By Jennifer Garlesky & Becky Johnson • Staff Writers An influential yet controversial figure in public policy is reclaiming a…
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Cherokee asks for input into corridor planning
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer As Jackson County officials work to develop a plan to regulate commercial growth along…
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Drought devastates local farmers, businesses: With no relief in sight, those who depend on rain for their livelihood are increasingly desperate
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer It’s been more than a week since Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue raised some eyebrows…
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Macon looks for alternative funding for school projects
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer Voters in Macon County rejected a $42.1 million bond that would have provided new…
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Huge development planned for Haywood County: Developers say things are a go, although local residents and officials wonder
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer If all goes as planned, Haywood County will one day be home to a…
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New mayor embraces new face of Bryson City
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer The election of Brad Walker, Bryson City’s new mayor, is more than just a…
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Courthouse on track for bicentennial festivities
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer The renovation of Haywood County’s historic courthouse is halfway complete, and things continue to…
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Haywood TDA shakeup underway
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer Legislation passed in the most recent session of the General Assembly calls for the…
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Highlands prepares for mixed drinks, beer
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer Restaurant patrons in Highlands will soon be able to sip on rum and coke…
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Tuckasegee quarry permit denied
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer Tuckasegee community members are at ease now that the state Department of Environment and…
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Franklin takes steps to fix sewage woes
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer Franklin town leaders are in the process of fixing some of the sewage spills…
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Transfer tax goes down in Swain, Macon: Macon school bond, others all defeated
Voters in Swain and Macon counties soundly defeated land-transfer tax ballot initiatives Tuesday, dashing hopes that the newly approved measures…
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Jackson Airport study OK’d
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer Jackson County commissioners have decided to invest money in the county’s airport. Commissioners voted…
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Brown unseats Foy in mayor’s race: Incumbents Feichter, Caldwell, Moore win; Roberson also in
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer Former alderman Gavin Brown is now the new mayor of Waynesville, unseating 16-year incumbent…
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Incumbent Moody, newcomer Graham win in Sylva: Allen, Lewis tie will go to elections board
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer Building a strong downtown district will be a top priority of the new Sylva…
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Sex offenders and civil liberties: Ordinance sparks debate over whether the two go hand and hand
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer Convicted sex offenders don’t have many advocates, but a recent rush of laws banning…
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Martin removed as editor in Cherokee
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer Last week Eastern Band of Cherokee officials made the decision to remove The Cherokee…
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