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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Bryson man pleads to lesser charge in assault case
A mentally ill man allegedly beat by a Bryson City policeman will not be charged with assaulting the officer involved…
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Dillsboro quietly assessing merger with Sylva
It appears Dillsboro has launched an official study into the pros and cons of merging with neighboring Sylva, although the…
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The view from the bench
For 25 years, Superior Court Judge Marlene Hyatt has often worked as much as 12 hours a day, five days…
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Merger prospect talk of the town
While Dillsboro leaders claim the idea of merging Sylva is in its mere infancy, opinions on the issue are already…
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Franklin seeks AT town designation
Franklin’s role on the Appalachian Trail Franklin is an important town on the Appalachian Trail because it is one of…
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Casino job losses first since Cherokee opening
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino is cutting 100 jobs because of the national economic downturn. The cuts represent about 5 percent of…
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WNC continues to captivate
There’s something about Haywood County. In recent years, the small Western North Carolina community has found itself as the setting…
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Searching for clarity after muddy disaster
It was around 1:30 a.m. on an exceptionally rainy Wednesday that Bruce and Lorraine Donin’s world came crashing down. One…
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Macon leaders struggle with budget shortfall
K-4 school on hold due to economy Due to the national economic downturn the Macon County commissioners have decided not…
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Macon pulls out of fight with Duke over dam mitigation
It appears a piece of property in Nantahala had something to do with Macon County pulling out of a fight…
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The view from the bench: From terrible to touching, retiring judge reflects on years spent in court
For 25 years, Superior Court Judge Marlene Hyatt has often worked as much as 12 hours a day, five days…
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Old Swain courthouse holds promise as museum, visitor center
A visitor center that would showcase the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and a local heritage museum could one day…
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Duke sues Jackson County for holding permits hostage
Duke Energy filed a lawsuit against Jackson County and county Planning Director Linda Cable on Monday (Jan. 5) for failing…
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Smart Roads calls on county to step up in 107 planning
A member of the Jackson County Smart Roads group told county commissioners on Monday (Jan. 5) that there needs to…
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Therapists: Hard times test marriages
The national economic downturn is taking its toll on married couples dealing with financial stress, according to area marriage counselors.…
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Superior Court Judge Hyatt to step down
Superior Court Judge J. Marlene Hyatt, whose district stretches across the western part of the state, will retire from her…
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Who is Ayn Rand?
In 1957, a Russian immigrant burst onto the scene with a novel and philosophy that today remains one of the…
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End in sight for cost overruns on Haywood courthouse
As renovation of Haywood County’s historic courthouse drags on, the county continues to tack on tens of thousands of dollars…
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Who controls what’s taught? Donation sparks debate over academic integrity
Western Carolina University’s College of Business recently secured a $1 million donation from BB&T — but not before discerning faculty…
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The best of 2008
Every year about this time, reporters dig out their old files and back editions and start cruising the headlines for…
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Nurse shortage forces closure of mental health facility
The extraordinarily difficult struggle to find nurses licensed in psychiatric care has forced the state agency that oversees mental health…
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Motive behind Cherokee fire remains mystery
An apparent arson fire that burned the Tribal Operations Program building in Cherokee in the early morning hours of Dec.…
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