First things first: How many cars too many?
The Jackson County transportation task force has spent the past several months signing off on a projected traffic count for…
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Swain leaders divided on contentious fire station plan
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer Two Swain County commissioners are having second thoughts about a move to end contracted…
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State could pull contribution to Duke for dam removal
The $400,000 that Duke Energy was expecting to get from the state to help tear down the Dillsboro dam may…
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Physicians, HRMC may partner on surgery center
The prospect of an outpatient surgery center in Haywood County has drawn support from 14 doctors willing to pitch in…
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Press awards recognize ‘dogged commitment’
The Smoky Mountain News won four awards for its news coverage in the recent North Carolina Press Association News and…
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HRMC: A timeline
Oct. 2006-Feb. 2008 — HRMC has several problems with federal inspectors, culminating in the threat to revoke its ability to…
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Purported mega-development disappears from radar
Cataloochee Wilderness Resort, a 4,500-acre proposed development in Haywood County’s Jonathan Creek community, appears to have fallen off the map.…
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The new watchdogs: After crisis, hospital board renews emphasis on oversight
Today at HRMC, 10 sets of eyes peer over the shoulders of the hospital administration, ready and willing to question…
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In tough times, local company looks to expand
In yet another piece of positive economic news, Waynesville-based Haywood Vocational Opportunities announced a proposed expansion that would create at…
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Child still in critical condition after dog mauling in Sylva
A 7-year-old Jackson County boy is fighting for his life after being mauled by a dog last week, according to…
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Shuler said he’ll fight for stimulus funds
U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, spoke to a crowd of about 200 town and county government officials from Western North…
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Haywood extends token to Canton solar farm
FLS Solar Energy wants a tax break from Haywood County in exchange for an $8 million solar farm the company…
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Poore a ‘breath of fresh air’: CEO’s congenial personality and industry knowledge impress community
As Mike Poore waited for an elevator between floors at Haywood Regional Medical Center Monday morning, he gazed out the…
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Back from the brink: A year later, turn around for HRMC is on the horizon
Last February, a crisis landed on the doorstep of Haywood Regional Medical Center. After failing federal inspections, the hospital lost…
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Sylva board rift heats up
Split votes are becoming increasingly common on the Sylva town board, throwing into question whether the board can meet its…
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Loss of Hazelwood prison likely just a matter of time
Local legislators are preparing to fight yet another attempt by the state to close the only minimum security prison west…
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Aldermen deny exploiting ‘Slategate’
Two Franklin aldermen said they didn’t whip up controversy regarding slate to get back at Mayor Joe Collins but because…
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A long and winding road
Sylva’s current library opened in 1970 and is 6,400 square feet. The debate over where to locate a new library…
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Haywood commissioners asked for more oversight of mega-developments
A group of Haywood residents appealed to county commissioners for an ordinance assessing the impacts of large developments. The ordinance…
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Library success rides on public support
Dr. John Bunn of Sylva lived through the Great Depression and said people bind together during tough times to help…
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Tight times force tough choices for Swain schools
The Swain County School District has terminated a popular program that emphasized science and math education, offered students smaller classes…
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Mandated cutbacks mean tough decisions
The first Friday in February came with some bad news for the Swain County School District and systems around the…
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Jackson undeterred by price tags or economy in pursuit of library
Despite tough economic times, Jackson County commissioners decided last week to move forward with three multi-million dollar projects. In a…
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Four-legged crisis brewing in Swain
Swain County’s complete lack of services to handle the growing stray animal population is putting a heavy burden on a…
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Psych unit improving mental health system, officials say
At a time when the state’s fractured mental health care system seems beyond repair, local mental health officials have hit…
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With proposals in, work starts on partnership
One of three hospitals courting Haywood Regional Medical Center and WestCare for a partnership has dropped out of the running.…
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A stockyard lost: Cattle farmers round up support for new auction
How far would you drive for $100? That’s the dilemma Haywood County cattle farmer Neal Stamey faces each time he…
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Software CEO doing well in bad times
Drake Software CEO Phil Drake is taking the tough economic times with ease. He believes he can get through the…
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Sawmill manager: World going to hell
T&S Hardwoods General Manager Jack Swanner sat in his office with an ashtray full of cigarette butts next to him…
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Across the mountains, companies scrape to avoid layoffs
Jackson Paper employee Tim Coggins Jr. has something a lot of people don’t have these days — job security. Jackson…
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Haywood sheriff candidates
Q: Haywood County has a growing Hispanic population. How will you address language barriers in serving that population? Hollifield: Would…
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New job yanked from resigned mental health director
Tom McDevitt, the former director of the Smoky Mountain Center for Mental Health who resigned amid scrutiny last fall, was…
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Expensive parking holds new Sylva fire department in limbo
A proposed expansion to the Sylva Volunteer Fire Department building could be up in the air now that the project…
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Despite landslide worries, state slope rules face uphill battle
A controversial bill to regulate development on steep slopes to prevent landslides will be reintroduced in the state legislature this…
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Jackson leaders grapple over ending fight with Duke
An effort to end a six-year-long dispute between Jackson County and Duke Energy failed in a 3-2 vote last week,…
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Cherokee covers lunch for its own
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has recently begun funding the school lunches for enrolled members of the tribe who…
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Haywood Sheriff candidates line up for questions from public
Five candidates vying to be the next Haywood County Sheriff appeared at a question and answer forum Saturday, Jan. 24…
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Haywood County eyes old Wal-Mart shell for offices
A hulking space in the strip mall along U.S. 74 in Clyde that has sat vacant since the departure of…
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Tough budget facing legislature as session begins
The state legislative session began in Raleigh this week with the big issue being the budget during tough economic times.…
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Landmark victory: NC forces TVA to clean up its act
It was the ultimate David and Goliath battle. North Carolina officials, fed up with coal-fired power plants pumping pollution into…
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Canton mayor looks to state for help with business venture
Canton Mayor Pat Smathers is determined to realize his dream of turning a historic house in downtown Canton into a…
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Dillsboro dam fight heads into state hearing
In the latest in Jackson County’s quest to save the Dillsboro dam from demolition, the county will get its day…
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Massie questions permit hold-up
Jackson County Commissioner Tom Massie is skeptical of whether it is legal for the county to withhold permits that Duke…
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Waynesville land use plan review moves forward
A comprehensive review of the town of Waynesville’s award-winning land use plan is set to begin following the town’s selection…
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County may meet with attorney on Duke permit dispute
The attorney representing Jackson County in its legal fight against Duke Energy was expected to meet with county commiseting Tuesday…
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Effort to end Duke fight fails in Jackson County
An effort to end a six-year-long dispute between Jackson County and Duke Energy failed in a 3-2 vote Tuesday night…
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Incident heightens tensions between county, sheriff
Allegations that the Swain County Sheriff’s Department mishandled the capture of an escaped inmate earlier this month has strained the…
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Dems meet to pick Sheriff Alexander’s successor
Democratic officials in Haywood County are gearing up to choose a successor to outgoing Haywood County Sheriff Tom Alexander, who…
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Poor economy boosts military recruiting
When Brandon Lenhart of Sylva was laid off from his construction job, he looked for work for four months but…
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WestCare cuts 45 jobs
The financially struggling WestCare Medical Center with hospitals in Sylva and Bryson City has eliminated 45 full-time positions, according to…
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