What is the North Shore Road?
The North Shore Road is proposed to go through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Bryson City to Tennessee…
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How do you stand on the North Shore Road issue?
Charles Taylor: The federal government should live up to its 60-year-old commitment to Swain County residents and complete the North…
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Differences are obvious, say Haire, Carpenter
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer The candidates for the District 119 House race describe themselves as polar opposites.
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Case management key issue in DA’s race
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer The race for District Attorney is garnering what some may say is an unusual…
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Candidates evenly split on North Shore Road
Some voters in Swain County consider the North Shore Road a litmus test for candidates in the county commissioners race…
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An open letter to Sylva
Most of us in the course of a week find a reason to go to downtown Sylva. We may go…
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Planning ahead a critical first step in escaping abuse
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer If you or someone you know is thinking about leaving an abusive relationship, there…
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What role should the federal government play in helping to make health care more affordable for low- and middle-income Americans?
Heath Shuler: America is truly facing a health care crisis. Over 46 million Americans are currently living without health insurance…
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Health care costs remain important issue for voters
From behind the prescription counter at Village Pharmacy in Waynesville, Jim Winfree has a bird’s eye view of rising drug…
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Haywood County school board race
There are four seats up for election on the Haywood County school board this November. The county is divided into…
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Slope proposal supported at hearing: Concerns raised, but most agree it’s time for steep slope laws
Slope ordinance Haywood County commissioners are considering a slope development ordinance with the following restrictions:
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Safe haven: Domestic violence hits home
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer Editor’s note: The names of domestic violence victims Linda and Anne, who were interviewed…
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Playing with the numbers: School board accused of arbitrarily deflating cost estimates
Bond numbers Haywood County voters approved a $25 million school bond in May 2005 intended to pay for a host…
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Do you support a Constitutional Ammendment to define marriage as between a man and woman? Why or why not?
Taylor: My position is, and has always been, that marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman.
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Taylor, Shuler share similar views on gay marriage
Gibbs Knotts, a political science professor at Western Carolina University, took time to address the gay marriage issue and how…
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Sen. John Snow earns high marks during first term
When Sen. John Snow talks about being a senator for the far western counties that he calls home, he becomes…
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Scorecards
Several groups compile score cards for state legislators based on their voting record. Queen and Presnell were both ranked by…
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Ken McKim says choice is clear in 50th District
Thirty-six year-old Ken McKim has lots of ideas about the issues he would tackle if he can wrest the 50th…
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Jackson race outcome may depend on party turnout
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer • Mark Jones, 47, a Democrat, has been the general manager of High Hampton…
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Jackson County celebrates opening of Green Energy Park
A small spot on the side of a valley overlooking the Tuckasegee River outside Dillsboro may not seem the obvious…
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How high on the totem pole? Each with two years of experience under their belts, Presnell and Queen vie for NC Senate
When Joe Sam Queen arrived at a reception hosted by the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce earlier this year, the…
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Haywood seeks bids on historic courthouse renovation
The Haywood County commissioners are soliciting construction bids for the long-awaited renovation of the historic courthouse in downtown Waynesville.
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Haire, Caprenter are familiar foes
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer In some elections an incumbent candidate may face a political newcomer, like the congressional…
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Haire, Carpenter a contrast in philosophies
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer In the race for the 119th District seat, candidates Marge Carpenter and Rep. Phil…
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Debate plan could die due to demands
Voters who got excited at early reports that Congresman Charles Taylor and challenger Heath Shuler had agreed to a debate…
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Cherokee marketing efforts get $500,000 from foundation
The Cherokee Preservation Foundation has awarded a $500,000 grant to the Travel and Promotion program of the Eastern Band of…
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Planning issues dominate Macon election
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer Macon County commissioner candidates fielded several questions about growth and the county’s future during…
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Haywood proposal would regulate slope construction
Slope proposal • Cut-and-fill slopes taller than 40 feet are not allowed.
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How do you feel about America’s current energy policy? Do you think drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a good idea?
Taylor: Each time we visit the gasoline pump, it is clear that the U.S. has become overly dependent on foreign…
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Jackson Green Energy Park opens
The Jackson County Green Energy Park will celebrate the opening of Phase 1 of the park with an open house…
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The energy debate: Taylor pushes increased drilling, while Shuler looks to alternative fuels
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer Prices at the gas pump began falling last month with the announcement that a…
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Commissioners weigh in on Bethel sewer debate
A survey conducted by the Bethel Community Club asked candidates for the Haywood County Board of Commissioners to weigh in…
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Stance of Bethel sewer separates Cathey, Holbrook
A long-standing controversy over extending water and sewer lines to the semi-rural community of Bethel could be a defining issue…
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Beale resigns from planning board
Citing his candidacy for county commissioner, Macon County planning board chairman Ronnie Beale announced his resignation last Wednesday (Sept. 27)…
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About the candidates
Bob Cathey Cathey worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 34 years in timber inventory and currently serves on the…
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Bonfoey discusses shelter safety issues
Following the brutal shooting death of a Jackson County woman staying at a local shelter for battered women, District Attorney…
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One board seat up for grabs in Jackson
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer Jackson County commission candidate Mark Jones, a Democrat, will face Republican Geoff Higginbotham this…
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Upping the ante on the values debate: Life’s struggles leave little time for voting for some
Richard Morrison wiled away the hours last Thursday in front of Pop’s Mini Mart in Clyde in hopes of hitching…
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Silent Segways lead to noisy debate
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer Reviews on the on the Zerve.com Web site all rave about Mountain Glides’ Segway…
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What is your position on raising the minimum wage?
Charles Taylor: My opponent has made numerous allegations about my record on the federal minimum wage, but the fact is…
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Minimum wage battle in Congress marked by politics
When Congress proposed raising the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour this summer, the resulting vote epitomized the…
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Cherokee goes green with new biodiesel pump
By Michael Beadle Cherokee now has a biodiesel gas pump at its filling station to fuel up Tribal transit and…
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Results of zip code study revealed Sept. 28
Results of a much anticipated zip code study conducted in Waynesville will be shared at a public meeting at 7…
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Swain sheriff challenger wants a turn at the helm
When word of a shooting in Whittier roused Swain County Sheriff Bob Ogle from his house last Thursday night, he…
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Archeologist to visit proposed quarry site
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer Tuckasegee residents are hoping that the proximity of an ancient Cherokee village to the…
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Candidates share similar views on immigration
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series on campaign issues in the…
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