Commission requests report on libraries
The Jackson County Commission invited Library Director Tracy Fitzmaurice to come before the board and give a report on the…
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Inked: Hurricane Helene's legacy lives on, through comics
When Hurricane Helene tore through Southern Appalachia last year, it left behind more than just downed trees and flooded homes.…
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The war on peace: Kristen Wall lost her job, but not her mission
It was 9:32 p.m. on Friday, March 28, and as Kristen Wall was getting ready for bed, she learned via…
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‘Hands off’ protests hit their mark, nationally and locally
Joining millions across the globe, thousands in Western North Carolina rallied this past weekend, demonstrating against the policies of President…
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Fueled up: Public opposition mounts over gas station project
A new gas station, T&C General Store, is planned for the corner of N.C. 107 and South River Road, where the…
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Pheasant sentenced to life in prison for murder
Ernest D. Pheasant, Sr., has received a sentence of life in prison for the murder of his ex-wife, Marie Walkingstick…
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Waynesville church hosts suicide support group
Over 49,000 people died by suicide in 2022 — one death every 11 minutes. Over one million people a year…
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Guardrail replacement work begins in Swain County
Contract crews for the N.C. Department of Transportation will be replacing guardrail along a stretch of N.C. 28 for the…
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WCU students to hold Helene fundraiser
The Night’s Watch, a student group at Western Carolina University, will hold a fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Helene at…
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Smokies' first dispensary to open: Cherokee's long-awaited marijuana venture to finally generate some green
The path to cannabis legalization on the Qualla Boundary has been riddled with roadblocks, some of which the Eastern Band…
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EBCI Tribal Council approves adult recreational cannabis
About nine months after members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians voted overwhelmingly to legalize the sale of marijuana…
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Recreational marijuana coming next month: Cherokee announces adult-use cannabis date
Beginning, Sept. 7, anyone over the age of 21 will be able to purcha se and use marijuana on the…
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Trump urges full federal recognition for Lumbee: Eastern band continues its opposition
After over a century since receiving recognition from the state of North Carolina as an Indian Tribe, the Lumbee appear…
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Waynesville repairs, reopens damaged bridge despite lack of FEMA funding
More than six months after Hurricane Helene dealt millions in damage to government infrastructure across the region, the Town of…
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Cherokee celebrates first day of adult recreational cannabis use
It’s been almost a decade in the making, but anyone over 21 with a valid ID can purchase THC products…
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Losing ground: Six months after Helene, local governments still haven’t been paid
Most days, Brandon Rogers has dirt under his fingernails — a badge of honest labor. Owner of a small auto…
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Sylva selects new commissioner
During its March 27 meeting, the Sylva Board of Commissioners voted to appoint Joseph Waldrun to fill the seat left…
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Jan. 6 participant speaks to Macon Republican Women’s Club
On Jan. 6, 2021, Nathan Baer stormed the Capitol in Washington, D.C. On April 26, 2023, he was arrested in…
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Legislators tag-team proposal for professional wrestling museum
North Carolina lawmakers are stepping into the ring with a $500,000 proposal to grapple with the idea of establishing a…
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Macon Early College to field its own athletic teams
The Macon County Board of Education approved funding to permit Macon Early College in Franklin to apply to become a…
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Sylva aims to maintain current tax rate
As Sylva closes in on a final proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, it looks like the town will…
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KARE hosts events to recognize child abuse prevention month
In recognition of April as child abuse prevention month, KARE is inviting the community to join in celebrating the strength…
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DA rebukes Cherokee County deputy after new filings in 2022 shooting
New filings in the civil suit Jason Harley Kloepfer filed seven months after he was shot by police in the…
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Kitchens Branch Fire in Sylva mostly contained
As of 10 a.m. this morning, the Kitchens Branch fire in Sylva is 94 acres and 60% contained.
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Silenced: 307 words, phrases and acronyms Trump doesn’t want you to use
Whether you’re Black, Hispanic, Indigenous or White — LGBTQ+ or cisgender — if you’re thinking about promoting equity and inclusion…
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HCS grapples with tight budget
Haywood County Schools Board of Education passed its budget for 2025-26, and despite multiple years of contraction and yet another…
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Tough budget discussions ahead for Waynesville
Preliminary projections from Town of Waynesville show a tight budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Elected officials don’t want to…
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Solar panels proposed for Waynesville town facilities
Two members of Waynesville’s Town Council, Chuck Dickson and Jon Feichter, have come forward with a bold proposal that could…
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Bill would cut red tape in lumber industry
A bill introduced by Macon County Republican Rep. Karl Gillespie that seeks to bolster North Carolina’s local sawmill industry has garnered…
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Waynesville wants input on street paving priorities
The Town of Waynesville has released its proposed list of street paving work for 2025, including 41 locations and nearly…
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Social worker program lauded by Waynesville police chief
Waynesville Police Chief David Adams had a simple answer when Town Council Member Jon Feichter asked him if he thought…
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Governor’s Advisory Committee for WNC Recovery holds meeting at WCU
Nearly six months after Hurricane Helene ravaged Western North Carolina, the region's recovery efforts continue. Gov. Josh Stein's advisory committee,…
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Utility customers in Waynesville may get budget billing option
Seasonal billing surprises can leave utility customers sweating summer spikes or shivering in anticipation of winter surges, but a budget…
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359 homes and businesses in Haywood County to receive high-speed internet
The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity announced a $1.2 million Completing Access to Broadband…
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VA secretary greeted by demonstrators during visit to Asheville
Less than a week after a raucous congressional town hall where Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards faced intense criticism over cuts…
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Out of the lion's den: A Christian author with a long list of abandoned business deals and unpaid creditors finds a new home for his work in Macon County. He says it's a chance for redemption. Others aren't so sure.
Most novelists dedicate their books to loved ones, sources of inspiration or the memory of someone who has passed away.…
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Progress on storm recovery, broadband highlighted at town hall
On Friday, March 14, Representatives in the North Carolina General Assembly hosted a town hall to update the public and…
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‘I can’t do it alone’: Green invites community engagement in education
The aim of newly-elected State Superintendent of Public Schools Mo Green’s “Mo Wants to Know” tour is simple — to…
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NC attorney general warns of Helene-related fraud
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is warning Western North Carolina residents of ongoing scams related to Hurricane Helene recovery.
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Federal appropriation will shore up Canton water infrastructure
The Town of Canton is about to receive a huge economic development boost after Rep. Chuck Edwards announced a $41…
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Chuck Edwards' longest day: Asheville congressman faces fierce opposition at town hall
It had been a warm spring day that finally gave way to twilight of cobalt-grey, sharpening the flashing red and…
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Cabe appointed Macon County manager
Commissioners appointed Warren Cabe as the new manager for Macon County after he had served just over four months as…
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Macon Commission changes rules on public comment
In a split vote during its March 11 meeting, Macon County Commissioners decided to reduce the time limit for people…
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Learn about ham radio in Haywood
Ham radio is both a fascinating hobby and a great tool during a disaster, as folks recently found out during…
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Edwards dodges questions on Medicare, Franklin Social Security office closing
In what could very well be a sneak preview of his in-person town hall in Asheville later today, Rep. Chuck…
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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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