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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
EDITORIAL: Ode to Asheville, ode to WNC
I ventured down there today: the River Arts District.
Read More
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
School cancellations following Hurricane Helene impact
Schools around the region will be closed beginning Sept. 29 following flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.
Read More
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
‘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
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
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
