COVID cases down in Haywood
In the last week, Haywood County Public Health has received notice of 176 new cases of COVID-19, which is down…
Read More
In-person early voting for municipal elections begins next week
Municipal elections in Western North Carolina will be held in some jurisdictions on Tuesday, Nov. 2, but in-person early voting…
Read More
Cawthorn defies law on school property
By Tom Fiedler • Asheville Watchdog | For the second time in as many months, Rep. Madison Cawthorn faces a potential…
Read More
Below the belt: Vulgarity, divisiveness push NC political discourse to a new low
North Carolina’s known as a purple state where fierce partisan divide is the norm, but after two high-profile politicians —…
Read More
Bus driver shortage challenges WNC schools
Over 790,000 students ride the bus to and from school each day in North Carolina. That’s almost half of all…
Read More
School data shows pandemic learning loss
Performance data recently released by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction shows that just 45.4% of elementary, middle and…
Read More
Franklin to hire code enforcement officer
The Town of Franklin is moving forward with plans to hire a code enforcement officer after adding the new position…
Read More
Haywood County tourism just had its best year in history
After emerging from the early stages of the Coronavirus Pandemic virtually unscathed, Haywood County’s lodging industry rebounded with a year…
Read More
Heatherly leaves CEO post at Harris
Steve Heatherly left his position as CEO of Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital on Oct. 7 to pursue…
Read More
Haywood’s ‘hidden history’: Monument to Waynesville lynching victim could prove controversial
Almost 120 years ago, local newspapers reported two separate instances of attempted rape in Haywood County. Similarities between the two…
Read More
Franklin candidates: Town is moving in the right direction
The tone of this year’s Franklin Town Council election is much different than it was four years ago, making for…
Read More
Benefit showcases Canton's 'Grit and Grace'
Multi award-winning bluegrass supergroup Balsam Range (who are also Haywood County locals) appeared in Canton’s Sorrells Street Park on Saturday,…
Read More
Canton’s future at stake in upcoming election
A scant three months ago, when candidates filed for the upcoming municipal elections, the Haywood County town of Canton was…
Read More
COVID-19 cluster found at Haywood jail
Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency has identified a COVID-19 cluster at the Haywood County Detention Center. Over the…
Read More
Pfizer boosters delayed in Macon
Macon County Public Health will delay plans to begin giving COVID-19 boosters to eligible persons due to a number of…
Read More
Etched in stone: Cemetery tour regs rub some the wrong way
Waynesville’s historic Green Hill Cemetery has long been a centerpiece of the community, but of late it’s been at the…
Read More
New convention center opens in Cherokee
After three years and $330 million, a new hotel tower and convention center is now open at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino…
Read More
PAC seeks Cawthorn indictment over knife incident
Another incident involving Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-Hendersonville, possessing a weapon where it’s prohibited drew renewed outrage from many on the…
Read More
Republican field solidifies in NC-11
As the filing period for the 2022 midterm elections draws near, moves are being made on the Republican side of…
Read More
Cherokee kicks off new Council term
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians marked the start of a new Tribal Council term this week, with 2021 election…
Read More
Four candidates vie for two seats in Maggie Valley
Four candidates will compete for two open spaces on the Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen in municipal elections this November.
Read More
Race for town hall: Sylva board race draws four candidates for two seats
This November, Sylva voters will have their pick of four candidates to fill two seats up for election on the…
Read More
Rolling Start provides independence
Rolling Start N.C. recently presented a 2005 VW Jetta to a single woman living on disability who has not had…
Read More
Canton police chief retires
Shawn Gaddis, chief of the Canton Police Department since March, 2018, announced his retirement today according to an email sent…
Read More
Pillar of NC-11 Democrat Bo Hess’ campaign is safety
Born at Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas, Democrat Bo Hess is both a product of his upbringing and…
Read More
Tubman statue arrives as Confederate soldier gets new plaques
Chiseled by an Emmy- and Academy Award-winning artist, a 2,400-pound bronze piece depicting Harriet Tubman leading a young girl out…
Read More
Mandy Allen named Haywood Teacher of the Year
Bethel Elementary School fifth grade teacher Mandy Allen was named Haywood County Schools’ 2022 Teacher of the Year at a…
Read More
Jackson schools offers onsite COVID testing
Students and staff in Jackson County Public Schools will soon have a convenient option for free COVID-19 testing right in…
Read More
Virus cases have started to fall, but hospitals are still busy
The number of new daily COVID-19 cases in North Carolina fell below 3,000 last week for the first time since…
Read More
Tribal Council balks at golf hotel funding request
The future of a three-star hotel project at the Sequoyah National Golf Club in Whittier is uncertain after Tribal Council…
Read More
Common themes emerge in redistricting hearing
Although a majority of speakers at a Sept. 21 public hearing designed to gather input on the constitutionally-mandated redistricting process…
Read More
Dogwood Health Trust reflects on 2021 progress
Dogwood Health Trust had lofty goals when it was formed in 2019 with the mission to dramatically improve the health…
Read More
Two resign from Transylvania hospital board
By Peter H. Lewis Asheville Watchdog Two long-time members of the Transylvania Regional Hospital board of directors resigned Monday, saying…
Read More
Municipal election voting underway
Municipal elections in Western North Carolina will be held in some jurisdictions on Tuesday, November 2, but in-person early voting…
Read More
Waynesville Task Force on Homelessness issues final recommendations
Riddled with dissention, defections and a lack of clear direction, Waynesville’s Task Force on Homelessness finally limped across the finish…
Read More
Registration snafu leads to NC11 candidate withdrawal
Just five days after announcing her candidacy in the 11th Congressional District Democratic Primary, Chelsea White made another announcement.
Read More
The weight of the wait: Local governments look forward to FEMA reimbursements
The aftermath of deadly flooding that killed six people in the Cruso community of Haywood County on Aug. 16 saw…
Read More
Highlands looks for balance of progress, preservation
Discussions going on right now in the town of Highlands are the same discussions happening across the nation as the…
Read More
COVID cases still climbing
Haywood County Public Health has received notice of 321 new cases of COVID-19 in the last week.
Read More
Designs unveiled for Jackson pool
Waves, water and mountain streams will be key design elements at Jackson County’s new indoor pool complex, commissioners heard during…
Read More
Town takes over Downtown Waynesville Association duties
After months of debating the future of Waynesville’s downtown business district, the Waynesville Board of Aldermen voted unanimously during a…
Read More
Parking rule changes approved in Sylva
Two new changes to Sylva’s rules for downtown parking are now in effect following a pair of unanimous votes at…
Read More
Haywood activist shakes up NC11 Dem Primary
Progressive Haywood County organizer Chelsea White made it official during a Sept. 19 rally at the Haywood County Courthouse —…
Read More
Dueling rallies in Haywood highlight persistent divisiveness
If anyone thought that the political polarization of 2020 died with President Donald Trump’s election loss that year, they’d need…
Read More
Moving forward by circling back: Pathways new kitchen manager brings education, experience
Haywood Pathways Center’s mission has always been to help people from all walks of life get back on their feet,…
Read More
Proposed Waynesville subdivision meets stiff initial resistance
The seemingly endless conflict between preservation and development in Waynesville — specifically, badly needed housing — entered a new chapter…
Read More
Enrollment, retention dip at WCU
Enrollment, retention and freshman interest at Western Carolina University are all down this fall compared to last year, and university…
Read More
FEMA assistance for flood victims
Homeowners and renters in Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties who had uninsured losses from Tropical Storm Fred may be eligible…
Read More
Sen. Tillis returns to Canton
Almost exactly one month after extreme flooding on the Pigeon River killed six, displaced hundreds and dropped mud and debris…
Read More
Maggie Valley to give food trucks a try
Maggie Valley has decided on the details for its Food Truck Pilot Program, slated for approval Oct. 4.
Read More
