General Assembly’s Helene relief bill ‘a first step’
After a series of emotional speeches by western legislators during an Oct. 9 press conference and assurances from Senate President…
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Three, including two incumbents, seek two Haywood Commission seats
Kevin Ensley and Brandon Rogers, respectively chair and vice chair of the Haywood County Board of Commissioners, both ran for…
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Long road to recovery ahead for Waynesville’s post-Helene businesses
A region largely dependent on the tourism industry is now asking a question not heard since the COVID-19 pandemic —…
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Early voting starts this Thursday
Voters can cast their ballots in-person starting Thursday, Oct. 17. Same day, in-person registration is also available at polling locations.
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ASPCA launches animal assistance efforts in wake of hurricane
In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene on communities throughout North Carolina, the ASPCA® is announcing the launch of…
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Jackson awarded $52 million for traditional middle school
Jackson County Public Schools is finally on track to building its first traditional middle school after securing $52 million in…
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Haywood County releases election update amid Helene recovery
Haywood County’s board of elections released a statement discussing the status of elections as early voting approaches. This comes following…
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Haywood County revises curfew
Effective 5 p.m. today, Haywood County will still be under a state of emergency; however, the countywide curfew will be…
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Waynesville Apple Harvest Festival proceeds
After discussions and consulting with the Town of Waynesville and partner organizations, The Haywood County Chamber of Commerce’s 36th Apple Harvest…
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Soul Sisters Depot full of hope after losing business to Helene
Around 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, Haley Ramey, co-owner of Soul Sisters Depot in Frog Level, began receiving calls…
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Putting in the work: Responders of all stripes converge on Haywood County following Helene
On the morning of Sept. 27, as rain fell steadily from the pre-dawn sky, Travis Donaldson took a drive around…
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Falsehoods vs. facts: Debunking lies about Helene
Let’s not sugarcoat it anymore. To call it “misinformation” is, in itself, misinformation. Let’s just call it what it is…
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Federal, state officials tour Haywood County after Helene
Where once were surging floodwaters, now elected representatives from both the federal and state level are pouring into Western North…
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Developer still pursuing Pactiv parcel despite Helene damage
Hurricane Helene has dealt serious damage to Pactiv Evergreen’s shuttered Canton paper mill, but the St. Louis-based demolition and development…
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Tillis, Cooper spar over military response to Helene
Despite criticizing ridiculous conspiracy theories that came in the wake of Hurricane Helene — and supporting state Sen. Kevin Corbin…
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How to Apply for FEMA Assistance After Hurricane Helene
North Carolina homeowners and renters in 25 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who had uninsured damage or…
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Attorney general warns public about storm scammers
Josh Stein, North Carolina’s attorney general, visited Canton today to survey damage, to talk with local leaders and first responders…
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Helping the helpers: Waynesville institute offers respite post-Helene
Just a half-mile from the Historic Frog Level District in Waynesville — whose streets were once home to burgeoning, eclectic shops…
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Hurricane Helene can’t deter Haywood’s volunteer spirit
Throughout Hurricane Helene, the slogan going around Haywood County has been, “neighbors helping neighbors.” The personification of those words is…
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After Helene, North Carolina is racing to ensure a fair election
Amid the devastation and human suffering caused by Tropical Storm Helene, it’s only natural to lose sight of the fact…
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EDITORIAL: Ode to Asheville, ode to WNC
I ventured down there today: the River Arts District.
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Developer still pursuing Pactiv parcel despite Helene damage
Hurricane Helene has dealt serious damage to Pactiv Evergreen’s shuttered Canton paper mill, but the St. Louis-based demolition and development…
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Infrastructure, resiliency and a flood of aid: Gov. Cooper tours Haywood County
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, with FEMA Administrator Deanna Criswell in tow, continued his multi-day western swing today, making stops…
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Federal, state and local officials decry Helene conspiracy theories
The head of FEMA, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, Republican Haywood County Sheriff Bill Wilke and Republican Haywood County Commission Chair…
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In the face of flood needs, Canton businesses come together
Over the last few days, the Southern Porch restaurant in downtown Canton has been averaging between 200 to 300 free…
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AGAIN: Horrific storm damage will remake Western North Carolina
AGAIN. For the second time in three years, Haywood County, the highest east of the Mississippi River, experienced devastating flooding…
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WNC hospitals challenged in Helene’s wake
Hospital staff work through communication disruptions, water system failures and their own storm-induced uncertainty to keep caring for patients.
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One life lost in Macon flooding
While Macon County may have been spared the catastrophic flooding experienced by so many of its Western North Carolina neighbors…
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Despite flooding, Jackson escapes worst of Hurricane Helene impact
Jackson County was largely spared the damning effects of Hurricane Helene from which its neighbors to the east are still…
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Ravaged by floodwaters, Frog Level Brewing remains resilient
After floodwaters from Hurricane Helene overtook the Historic Frog Level District in downtown Waynesville this past weekend, several business owners…
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HELENE: How to help
Since Tropical Storm Helene hit Western North Carolina, there has been an outpouring of people looking for ways to support…
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PHOTO GALLERY: Tropical Storm Helene hits Western North Carolina
Tropical Storm Helene was predicted to bring significant flooding to Western North Carolina, but it's hard to fathom how much…
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School cancellations following Hurricane Helene impact
Schools around the region will be closed beginning Sept. 29 following flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.
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Gov. Cooper offers update on Helene rescue, recovery efforts
Gov. Roy Cooper provided an update on the emergency response and recovery from Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. He…
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Tropical Storm Helene hits Western North Carolina
Editor's note: Hurricane Helene has already produced flash flooding and dangerous winds across the region, and it has come on…
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Mountain Heritage Day canceled
Western Carolina University announced Thursday, Sept. 26 that the 50th Anniversary of Mountain Heritage Day daytime festival, scheduled for Saturday,…
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On the right path: Pathways celebrates a decade of service to the community
What started off as a clever idea to address recidivism has grown into something more — a community-driven response to…
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Blame game: Vance, Walz trade barbs in dueling NC appearances
In a series of pointed comments, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. JD Vance took aim at their respective…
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Former Maggie Valley Police Chief sues town: Suit alleges wrongful termination, coverup of criminal activity
Former Maggie Valley Police Chief Russ Gilliland is suing the town for wrongful termination following what he alleges was the…
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Testing data is in, HCS reaches sixth in the state
This month the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction released performance and growth data for the 2023-24 school year, and…
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Man describes what led him to Pathways and what led him out
It’s tough for a person to get back up on their feet, no matter how well they may have done…
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Smoky Mountain News brings home numerous NCPA awards
The staff of the Smoky Mountain News won 20 combined advertising and editorial awards, including a combined 13 first-place honors,…
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Endowment for Cherokee Hospital Foundation Established
The Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the well-being of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians by strengthening…
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Dangerous storm bears down on WNC
A growing tropical storm that’s expected to become a major hurricane is tracking through the Gulf of Mexico and appears…
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Swain man convicted in drug trafficking case
District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch today said a Haywood County jury recently convicted a Bryson City man on seven criminal…
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Man sentenced for sexual contact with minor
Rogelia Vega Evans, 26, of Lexington, North Carolina was sentenced to 180 months in prison for engaging in sexual contact…
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HRMC announces walk-in mammography
Haywood Regional Medical Center announced the launch of a convenient walk-in mammography clinic at the HRMC Breast Center, located on…
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‘Biggest election we’ve ever had’: Macon gets ahead of illegal signs, voter intimidation, misinformation
Macon County officials held a press conference last week to address illegal political signs and get ahead of some misinformation…
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RFK ballot fight leaves voters in limbo
He fought to get on the ballot, and then fought to get off the ballot. Now, after a favorable ruling…
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Pioneer Heritage Festival offers tour of historic Shook-Smathers House
The historic Shook-Smathers House in Clyde has seen significant improvements in recent years, and this weekend folks will have a…
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