Indoor pool question will appear on Jackson ballot
In November, Jackson County voters will weigh in on a proposal to borrow $20 million for an indoor pool complex…
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Nonprofit to offer support dogs to first responders
When Asheville Fireman Mark Jameson returned to the fire station after responding to a particularly difficult call, the only thing…
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Travel industry controls state’s room tax laws
Buncombe’s share less than other NC counties, neighboring states By Mark Barrett AVL Watchdog A bill that would have changed…
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State hires more vendors to expedite COVID-19 testing
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) selected 13 businesses to join its pool of…
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COVID-19 outbreak at Jackson nursing facility
Jackson County Department of Public Health has identified a COVID-19 outbreak at a local skilled nursing facility. Five employees at the…
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Haywood reports 14 new COVID-19 cases
Haywood County Public Health received notice of 14 new cases of COVID-19 since July 14, which brings the number of…
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Macon sheriff pleads for law enforcement pay increases
Macon County Sheriff Robbie Holland stood before county commissioners Tuesday night with a heartfelt plea for better pay for his…
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Asheville Police calls: Roadmap for defunding?
By Sally Kestin and John Maines AVL Watchdog Of 911 calls and requests for assistance to Asheville Police, less than…
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Jackson commissioners shelve task force, discuss statue’s fate
After a week of impassioned public discussion and protest over the fate of the Confederate solider standing on the courthouse…
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Economic development boom in Maggie Valley
After years of languishing in the shadows of a shuttered amusement park, Maggie Valley’s west end is now seeing substantial…
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Take it down? Crowds turn out in Sylva to oppose, support Confederate statue
July 11 dawned hot and sunny over the 131-year-old town of Sylva, sweltering rays pouring heat in equal fashion over…
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Protests were peaceful, but traffic caused problems
It was a long day, but July 11 was a success from the perspective of law enforcement, said Police Chief…
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Public sounds off on Confederate monument
Jackson County Commissioners saw a precursor to the intense public discussion ahead of them when 16 people gave public comment…
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Legal observers were present at Sylva demonstrations
Protests, rallies and marches have become commonplace in Western North Carolina over the past six weeks, but dueling demonstrations in…
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Sylva votes to prohibit Confederate imagery on town property
The Sylva Town Board approved a resolution tonight that creates a policy to prohibit the use of Confederate imagery on…
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Turnaround time longer for COVID-19 test results
As more tests for COVID-19 pour into laboratories across the state, the time taken to get results continues to increase.
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Jackson County Schools plan for reopening
This week the debate has raged over whether — and how — to reopen schools next month. President Donald Trump has…
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Haywood School Board decides fate of superintendent who posted racially insensitive meme
After a social media post regarded by some as racially insensitive, Haywood County’s superintendent of schools has been temporarily relieved…
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Two COVID-related deaths reported in Jackson
The Jackson County Department of Public Health has confirmed that two recent deaths in Jackson County residents are related to…
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NC schools to reopen Aug. 17 as state remains in Phase 2
After weeks of speculation, Gov. Roy Cooper announced July 14 that North Carolina would again remain in Phase 2 of…
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"Sylva Sam" draws debate at commissioner meeting
The public comment portion of tonight’s meeting of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners drew 16 people who spoke for…
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Nonprofit grants available for COVID-19 relief
Nantahala Health Foundation has announced a call for grant proposals directed at regional nonprofits and governmental agencies with immediate needs,…
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Of 117 COVID cases in Haywood, 94 are recovered
Haywood County Public Health received notice on July 10 of two new cases of COVID-19. This brings the number of…
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Haywood schools develop summer programs
House Bill 1043 requires school systems to develop a Remediation and Summer Jump Start Plan for the 2020-2021 school year.…
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Successful search and rescue effort for lost hikers
The search for missing hikers Kelly and Mark Kleinbrahm and their son Noah ended successfully Tuesday afternoon around 1 p.m.…
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Health officials urge people with symptoms to get tested
Haywood County Public Health received notice on July 9 of six new cases of COVID-19. This brings the number of…
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COVID-19 cluster found at Macon County farm
Macon County Public Health has identified a cluster of 9 people who have tested positive at Norton Creek Farms. Employees…
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Hemp farmers growing business in Macon
The Franklin Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony at Appalachian Growers located in the Cowee Valley.
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New assistant DA hired for western counties
District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch announced Wednesday that Michael Macht has joined the 43rd Prosecutorial District as an assistant district…
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WCU police chief runner-up in Campus Safety awards
Western Carolina University Chief of Police Steve Lillard was named national runner-up in the higher education division of Campus Safety…
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Haywood surpasses 100 COVID-19 cases
Haywood County Public Health received notice on July 8 of two new cases of COVID-19. This brings the number of…
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Cherokee cultural corridor plan receives award
Knoxville, Tennessee-based Johnson Architecture, along with project partner IBI Placemaking, recently earned an award in North Carolina for the Cherokee…
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Entwined with slavery: A brief local history
By Peter H. Lewis • AVL Watchdog | By 1860, about 15 percent of the population of Western North Carolina was enslaved. Only…
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What’s in a name? For Asheville, signs point to history of racism
By Peter H. Lewis • AVL Watchdog | Vance, Patton, Woodfin, Henderson, Weaver, Chunn, Baird — their names are familiar to anyone living in…
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COVID-19 cases curving up again
Haywood County Medical Director Dr. Mark Jaben has been keeping residents updated through the COVID-19 Pandemic with weekly video messages…
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SCC supports mask distribution efforts
On Monday, June 22, Southwestern Community College hosted Nantahala Health Foundation representatives as they set up a mask distribution site…
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WCU disbands Board of Visitors
Western Carolina University’s Board of Visitors no longer exists following the WCU Board of Trustees’ vote June 5 to repeal…
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Elliott to retire from Jackson Schools
After two years in the position, Jackson County Public Schools Superintendent Kim Elliott will retire as head of the school…
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Franklin restaurant wants to expand outdoor seating
As the Coronavirus Pandemic continues to impact local businesses, restaurants and bars have been trying to look for ways to…
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Second COVID cluster identified at Mountaintop Golf Club
The Jackson County Department of Public Health has identified its second COVID-19 cluster in a single day, announcing that 11…
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Crews search for three missing hikers at Black Balsam
UPDATE: Searchers made contact with the hikers around noon Tuesday, July 7. They were able to walk out with search…
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COVID-19 cluster identified at Jackson dermatologist
Jackson County Department of Public Health has identified a COVID-19 cluster in a local medical provider’s office.
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Cashiers chamber supplying free masks for businesses
The Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation to provide valuable Personal Protection Equipment…
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New Haywood COVID cases traveled to Florida
Haywood County Public Health received notice July 2 that another Haywood County resident has tested positive for COVID-19. This brings…
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‘The arts will always be open’: Bardo Arts Center adapts to remote audience
By Andrew Dundas • Contributing writer | This fall, Western Carolina University’s John W. Bardo Fine & Performing Arts Center…
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Second Blessing needs donations, volunteers
The Second Blessing Thrift Store, located in Waynesville, is open, expanding operations and in need of donations and volunteers.
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Pandemic changes WNC’s Independence Day tourism
By Boyd Allsbrook • Contributing writer | In the past, the Fourth of July holiday has been counted on to…
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Republicans reject Trump-endorsed candidate in NC11 runoff
Republicans finally know who will face Democrat Moe Davis in the November General Election, and the results indicate a major…
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Outdoor adventures reopen in WNC
The Coronavirus Pandemic and ensuing shutdown means folks have been spending most of their time at home for the last…
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Customer service should be a powerful connection
By Gerri Wolfe Grady • Special to SMN | Customer service is an important commodity for any business and particularly…
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