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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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 —…
Read More

Comment

 

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. 
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

EDITORIAL: Ode to Asheville, ode to WNC

I ventured down there today: the River Arts District.
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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. 
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

HELENE: How to help

Since Tropical Storm Helene hit Western North Carolina, there has been an outpouring of people looking for ways to support…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

School cancellations following Hurricane Helene impact

Schools around the region will be closed beginning Sept. 29 following flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

Mountain Heritage Day canceled

Western Carolina University announced Thursday, Sept. 26 that the 50th Anniversary of Mountain Heritage Day daytime festival, scheduled for Saturday,…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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,…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

‘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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

 

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…
Read More

Comment

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
JSN Time 2 is designed by JoomlaShine.com | powered by JSN Sun Framework
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.