Maggie Valley residents look to de-annex from town
A small group of property owners in Maggie Valley are taking advantage of Rep. Mark Pless’ offer to de-annex them from…
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The state of JCSO: Overdoses decline, detention center at max capacity
Jackson County Sheriff Doug Farmer gave his annual report to his county commissioners last week, and while overdose deaths have…
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Congress may mandate AM radios in every car, for safety and security
A bipartisan collaboration to bolster critical communication resources during natural disasters is gaining momentum in Congress after lessons learned during the…
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Jackson County one step closer to partisan school board elections
On March 6 Jackson County Representative Mike Clampitt filed a local bill in the North Carolina House of Representatives to make…
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General Assembly considers fourth Helene relief bill
Nearly six months after Hurricane Helene killed 106 people and caused more than $60 billion in damage across Western North…
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Commissioners address library security
A Jackson County commissioner brought up the issue of library security during the commission’s March 4 meeting, citing safety concerns for…
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All down the line: Bill seeks to help local railroads affected by Hurricane Helene
Highways, roads and bridges weren’t the only components of transportation infrastructure impacted by Hurricane Helene last fall. Now, a pair…
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State education superintendent to visit Haywood County
State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green is set to be in Western North Carolina next week as part of his “Mo…
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Rep. Edwards to host in-person town hall
Western North Carolina Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards will host an in-person town hall on Thursday, March 13, from 6-7:30 p.m.…
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Haywood Democrats host precinct meetings
Haywood County Democrats are gathering at precinct meetings beginning March 16 and ending March 30. A precinct is an area…
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Haywood Health Foundation grants available
Haywood Health Foundation (HHF) announce its Request For Proposals (RFPs) for grants relating to unmet healthcare needs in Haywood County.
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Waynesville gives fire chief position to interim
He now has big shoes to fill, but Waynesville officials think interim Fire Department Chief Chris Mehaffey has what it…
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As budget looms, Community Care is a top priority for Sylva
With the impending sunset of grants that have sustained the Community Care Program in Sylva Police Department, town officials have…
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Waynesville Rotary turns 100: Local service, global impact
Few volunteer service organizations can claim a century of community engagement alongside world-changing influence, but as Waynesville’s Rotary club rolls…
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Here to help: Waynesville police social worker paying dividends
In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, there was significant public outcry calling for police reform. Among the reforms…
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State auditor launches Hurricane Helene dashboard to boost transparency
North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek has unveiled a new Hurricane Helene dashboard, an online tool designed to track relief…
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Jackson Community School will remain in current location
After weeks of consideration and input from public, students and staff, the Jackson County Board of Education has decided to…
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Unidxs spreads message of unity
Amid changing federal regulations regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement, one Jackson County group is making the rounds at public meetings…
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DOGE website says Franklin’s Social Security office to close
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has been eager to propose federal budget cuts that purportedly save taxpayers money, but…
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Camino club aims to support Hispanic student body
Editor’s note: While it is standard SMN and AP style to use last names when referring to people in articles,…
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SBA extends deadline for disaster loans in North Carolina
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is extending the physical damage loan deadline for disaster declarations affected by the 2024…
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Governor appoints new WNC judge
Haywood County attorney Bill Jones has been appointed to fill a vacant District Court seat in the judicial district made…
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Public safety, tourism impact behind Pless’ TDA bill
Last week, Haywood County Republican Rep. Mark Pless filed a bill that would strip the county of its ability to…
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Commissioners push for partisan school board elections without notice
After a surprise move by Commissioner John Smith at a meeting on Feb. 18, Jackson County is one step closer…
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Waynesville Fire Department 'in good hands; after Helene response
Saying 2024 was an “eventful” year for the Waynesville Fire Department may have been an understatement by Chief Joey Webb,…
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Swift but uneven recovery from Helene continues
After a disastrous September and October, some — but not all — counties impacted by Hurricane Helene on Sept. 27…
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Haywood EMS considers how to navigate I-40 ahead of partial re-open
It’s been about five months since the 20-mile stretch of Interstate 40 in Haywood County up to the Tennessee state…
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Proposals sought for services to court-involved youth in Haywood
The Haywood County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council announced $182,420 in funds available for 2025-27 from the Department of Public Safety…
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Mark Jones resigns from Sylva Town Board
Sylva Commissioner Mark Jones tendered his resignation from the board through a letter during the Feb. 13 meeting, citing health-related…
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Collins appointed to TDA board
Jackson County Commissioners appointed Dale Collins to the county’s Tourism Development Authority Board, filling a vacancy that had been left…
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Waynesville names interim fire chief
The Town of Waynesville has named Assistant Fire Chief Chris Mehaffey as the town’s interim chief. “Assistant Chief Mehaffey has…
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Haywood GOP convention draws near
The Haywood County Republican Party will hold its annual convention on March 1 at the Historic Haywood Courthouse, 216 N.…
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Dine Out to Lift Up with Waynesville Rotary Club
The Waynesville Rotary Club will offer a Poor Man’s Supper from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 6 at the First…
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HCA Middle School Shines at Regional Science Fair
Six Heritage Christian Academy (HCA) middle school students competed and placed in the top of their respective categories at the…
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Apply for Haywood Farm Bureau scholarship before April 15
Haywood County high school seniors who have a serious commitment to community service and some degree of financial need can…
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Pigeon Center hosts Soul Food Dinner
Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center will host its annual Soul Food Dinner in honor of Black History Month starting at…
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Pless files bill to abolish Haywood room occupancy taxes
Today in the North Carolina General Assembly, Haywood County Republican Rep. Mark Pless filed a bill that would strip the…
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Jackson, Stein announce settlement in Pactiv grant lawsuit
Updated Feb. 18 early $6 million in taxpayer money will be coming back to Haywood County after Attorney General Jeff…
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Should I stay or should I go?: Leaked email urges covert FRL dissolution
Just months after Jackson, Macon and Swain counties reached an agreement to approve a new version of the Fontana Regional…
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Overdue: library board takes on late fees
The Macon County Library Board has signed an overture in opposition to the Fontana Regional Library System going fine-free, a…
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Protesters rally against Trump: Attendees angered by Musk’s influence, Democrats’ inaction
On a holiday meant to honor the nation’s presidents — past and present — demonstrators in Jackson and Haywood counties…
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Stormwater overhaul plan eyes future flood fixes for Waynesville
In the months before Hurricane Helene, the Town of Waynesville initiated a comprehensive stormwater master planning process. Now that the project…
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Cherokee Preservation Foundation announces fall grants for 2024
The Cherokee Preservation Foundation awarded 10 grants to partners within Western North Carolina. Grants totaled more than $2.1 million and…
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Macon to add one animal control position
During a Feb. 11 Macon County Commissioners meeting, Interim Manager Warren Cabe announced that the county would be hiring a…
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Pancake Day returns to Waynesville
Pancake Day at First United Methodist Church in Waynesville is once again on the horizon. Lining up to get a…
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BearWaters Brewing plans rebuild with new focus after devastating floods
After two major floods in three years, BearWaters Brewing Company is adapting its business to ensure a future in downtown…
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Construction starts on U.S. 276 improvements in Haywood County
A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation has started pre-construction activities along U.S. 276, known as Jonathan Creek Road,…
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By the numbers: Where Helene recovery stands, and where it's going
While the financial impact of Hurricane Helene has been apparent since the morning of Sept. 27, 2024, economic data from…
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Lawmakers begin work on latest Helene recovery bill
For the fourth time in four months, the North Carolina General Assembly has introduced a bill to address lingering unmet…
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Outgoing Haywood Pathways director recalls seven years with nonprofit
After serving as the executive director of Haywood Pathways Center since 2017, Mandy Haithcox is stepping down. Haithcox and her…
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