Franklin Police Chief will retire Dec. 1

After decades of service in law enforcement, former Highlands police chief and current Franklin Chief William “Bill” Harrell announced his…
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Relax with cats at an Airbnb in Clyde

Sometimes, the trip isn’t  about the journey — it’s about the destination. 
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Master plan approved for Cherokee Fair Grounds

The Cherokee Fair Grounds is in for a complete overhaul over the next couple of years after Tribal Council during…
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Cherokee wants name change for Clingmans Dome

Following a unanimous vote from the Cherokee Tribal Council July 14 , the tribe is expected to petition the federal…
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A new calling: Respected Waynesville PD lieutenant leaves law enforcement in his prime

Amid a tough time for law enforcement when stories about good officers leaving the profession dominate headlines, the Waynesville Police…
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Violations issued by DEQ for Waynesville Golf project

Complaints by a neighbor about sediment in a creek have resulted in two notices of violation being issued to the…
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Swain bristles at perceived 
encroachment by Rep. Clampitt

A feud brewing between Rep. Mike Clampitt (R-Swain) and the governments of Swain County and Bryson City reached a new level…
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Jackson domestic violence shelter moves forward

Jackson County has approved an architectural contract and laid out a timeline for the construction of its domestic violence shelter,…
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Support personnel get pay raises in Macon schools

Substitute teachers in Macon County can expect a raise in the coming school year after a vote by the Macon…
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Inflation outpaces state budget raises for WCU employees

The state budget  Gov. Roy Cooper signed into law July 11 wasn’t the historic slam dunk for Western Carolina University…
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Franklin welcomes new ‘softwash’ business
 

Franklin welcomes new ‘softwash’ business

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting celebration to welcome H & H Softwash to the Franklin…
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New disaster declaration offers help for Haywood, Swain

Businesses and residents affected by severe weather, wildfires and winds from March 30 through April 6 of this year are…
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Retired vice chancellor receives lifetime achievement award

A former Western Carolina University vice chancellor for advancement and external affairs who enjoyed successful careers as a community journalist…
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Additional flooding causes full Greenbrier closure

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have closed the Greenbrier area to all use due to additional road damage caused…
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School of Nursing combines experiential learning with community service

A makeshift clinic of folding chairs and tables, separated in clusters by curtains and canvas tents, has been set up…
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Haywood Pathways Center receives donation from Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation
 

Haywood Pathways Center receives donation from Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation

Haywood Pathways Center has received $2,500 from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation to help feed neighbors in their time…
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Applicants sought for Maggie Valley Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustments
 

Applicants sought for Maggie Valley Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustments

The Haywood County Board of County Commissioners continues to seek applicants for the Maggie Valley Planning Board and the Maggie…
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Police reform inches forward in WNC

The conversation around police reform has cooled down slightly over the last year, but that doesn’t mean law enforcement agencies…
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‘Self-sufficiency is resistance’

Julie Fox Jones’ family has been in Cullowhee for at least 100 years, probably even longer. Naturally, as a kid…
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Blue Ridge Books celebrates 15 years

In this day and age of Amazon, Kindles, big box bookstores, streaming services and social media that fight for more…
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Waynesville Housing Authority’s new director searches for solutions

She’s only been here for three months, but Missouri native Tina Okenfuss is already looking to make a big impact…
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Waynesville Inn construction muddies waters

Workers performing construction activities at the Waynesville Inn and Golf Club are in hot water this week after a complaint…
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Grant helps businesses relocating for NC 107 expansion

Jackson County Economic Development and Chamber of Commerce have created the N.C. 107 Business Relocation Grant program for businesses that…
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Maggie Valley purchases land 
for Festival Grounds

The Maggie Valley Festival Grounds are continuing to grow after the town purchased a tract of land connected to the…
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Maggie receives grant for wastewater treatment repair

On Tuesday night, the Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen accepted a grant from North Carolina Emergency Management to repair the…
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Nearly one year on, Haywood strengthens flood response capabilities

Eleven months to the day after Haywood County awoke to unprecedented flood damage along the Pigeon River resulting from torrential…
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School board races set

Candidates have filed and the races are set for school board elections this November.
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Trends are becoming more apparent in the greater Asheville regional housing market

Starved for supply, realtors in the Asheville region are listing fewer homes than at this time last year as pricing…
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The Open Door’s Second Season

When the Open Door closed in Frog Level earlier this year, Long’s Chapel Pastor Chris Westmoreland promised a rebirth, looking…
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Voter fraud allegations move forward in Lake Santeetlah

In a preliminary hearing, the Graham County Board of Elections has found that there is probable cause to believe that…
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Former Sylva Police officer charged with misdemeanor assault

On Feb. 15, 2021, the Sylva Police Department became aware of an allegation of excessive force by then SPD Officer…
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Greenbrier roads, trails and picnic area temporarily closed due to flooding

Great Smoky Mountains National Park temporarily closed roads, trails and facilities in the Greenbrier area of the park to all…
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New Waynesville planning board taking shape

Increasingly, the Town of Waynesville’s planning board has found itself at the crossroads of preservation and development as housing market…
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The wheels through time roll on: WNC motorcycle museum celebrates 20 years, looks ahead

With a quick roll start to crank over the engine of the 1916 Traub motorcycle, Matt Walksler hops off the…
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Maggie codifies park rules

Disparate parks and recreation regulations in Maggie Valley will be codified under one ordinance if the board of aldermen accepts…
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Local shop lifts up customers and creators

For Haley Gaylord and Chelsea Ramsey, opening their own small business was not an early career choice. But opening the…
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Two Macon men convicted on drug charges

Two Macon County men admitted guilt last week in connection with drug-related crimes, District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said.  
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The ‘strong right arm’ of the Republican Party flexes its muscles in Maggie Valley

Energized by recent Supreme Court rulings and eager to remake North Carolina in their own image, members of the N.C.…
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After landmark SCOTUS decisions, midterm elections carry heavy consequences

The United States Supreme Court shocked the world during its last term, issuing several rulings that had most conservatives cheering…
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Clampitt calls for unification of Bryson City, Swain County emergency services

As towns and counties across Western North Carolina grow and attract more visitors, the services provided by those places must…
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Legislation provides some assistance to school nutrition departments

After passing in Congress, President Biden signed the Keep the Kids Fed Act  on June 23, partially extending school meal…
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Decision reached to name permanent Macon Middle School Principal

Mark Sutton will continue in his role as principal of Macon County Middle School after taking the position late last…
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The Haywood partisan elections bill is dead, for now

A bill advanced by Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood) to make school board and municipal elections in Haywood County partisan has…
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Pisgah Legal opens Waynesville office, offers program to help working families

As Pisgah Legal Services continues to grow and better serve its clientele, a key challenge has simply been getting word…
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Five convicted in Haywood drug trafficking case

State assistant district attorneys in Haywood County Superior Court last week successfully prosecuted five residents for trafficking illegal drugs. Collectively,…
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Pleased to be here: Gary Carden Returns to The Liar’s Bench

When the snakes around here want to go somewhere they put their tails in their mouths and contort themselves into…
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Special project grants awarded by Haywood TDA

Although the indirect benefits of the unprecedented tourism boom that’s enveloped Haywood County over the past few years are readily…
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State budget goes to Gov. Cooper

Both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly approved the state’s $28 billion fiscal year 2022-23 budget last week, but…
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Tribal Council to consider supporting Clingmans Dome name change 


During its July 14 meeting, the Cherokee Tribal Council will consider a resolution that calls for Clingmans Dome, the highest…
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Vecinos spearheads services uninsured and low-income residents

Vecinos, a free and charitable clinic providing bilingual primary and behavioral health care in Western North Carolina, is leading a…
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