Cherokee Schools water damage repair to total ‘many millions’
T The Cherokee Tribal Council has approved $7.6 million for water damage repairs at Cherokee Central Schools, but that’s expected…
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Canton logs eighth recent earthquake
Another earthquake shook the Canton area last week, bringing the count to eight quakes since May 23.
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Police shooting victim alleges attempted murder, seeks millions in damages
In an explosive federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court of Western North Carolina, the victim of a…
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Sneed calls for forensic audit on cannabis LLC; Qualla Enterprises defends its record
Principal Chief Richard Sneed renewed his concerns about the tribe’s medical cannabis company Qualla Enterprises LLC before Tribal Council this…
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Town opens Sylva Pipes
Skaters in Sylva finally have a place to ride in their own backyard after the opening of Sylva Pipes —…
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A tough Roe to hoe: State and local Democrats are searching for a way back forward
In recent years, North Carolina Democrats have helplessly watched their numbers plummet amid a string of crushing defeats that have…
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Building a better Canton
Uncertainty haunts Haywood County, and the future of small-town Western North Carolina’s economy, now that the closing of Pactiv Evergreen’s…
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Contentious vote coming on Waynesville social district
Open container alcohol consumption in cities and towns across North Carolina has met with positive results, according to local administrators…
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Former congressional candidate sentenced for campaign finance violation
Former congressional candidate Lynda Bennett has been sentenced to 12 months of probation after pleading guilty in March to violating…
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Crowe to plead guilty to federal charges; tribal court process expected to continue
With more than six months gone since tribal charges were brought against former Wolfetown Rep. Bo Crowe following an alleged…
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Motion Makers donates $500 to children’s program
Swain County Exceptional Children’s Teacher Kim Holt was thrilled to learn Motion Makers Bicycle Shop donated $500 to her program…
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WCU projects larger freshman class for 2023
A After years of enrollment and retention numbers impacted by the pandemic and its associated restrictions, Western Carolina University expects…
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Younce to replace Taylor on tribal alcohol board
The Cherokee Tribal Council voted unanimously June 1 to confirm Heather Younce as the newest member of the Tribal Alcoholic…
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Waynesville detective honored by Red Cross for saving man’s life
Waynesville Police Department Det. Paige Shell received an award for saving a man’s life at this year’s Salute to Western…
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Millworkers pay emotional farewell in Canton
It was a day few thought would ever come to pass. Even after Pactiv Evergreen announced it would close its…
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Swain County finalizes budget
Swain County passed its fiscal year 2023-24 budget with no tax increase, but it’s likely there will be a tax…
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Center for Domestic Peace, Mountain Projects open offices
Two organizations committed to helping individuals and families in the community officially opened new offices in Sylva on Thursday, June…
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Juneteenth: a community affair
For the third year in a row, First United Methodist Church in Waynesville is teaming up with community partners to…
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Edwards rejects mill help
As questions continue to swirl over what Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) did to prevent the loss of around 1,000 jobs…
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Coalition nears fundraising goal for Ela Dam removal
A coalition working to remove the aged Ela Dam in Swain County has raised $8 million of an estimated $10…
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Former Chief Hicks to face Sneed in Cherokee’s September election
Former Principal Chief Michell Hicks will seek a fourth term as top executive for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians…
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Council passes mixed drink referendum, tables cannabis legalization
Cherokee voters may have the chance to approve legalized marijuana use for adults and by-the-glass mixed drinks at establishments off…
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Council delays decision on alternate constitution referendum
In a narrowly divided vote Thursday, June 1, the Cherokee Tribal Council delayed deciding on a resolution seeking to upend…
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HRMC receives catheterization lab accreditation
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized Haywood Regional Medical Center (HRMC) with its Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation with…
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Overthrown: A developing feud within the Macon GOP threatens one of the region’s strongest political institutions
“Thou shalt not speak ill of other Republicans.”
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Pactiv’s request for a tax break is soundly rejected
It took all of about 25 minutes for the Haywood County Board of Equalization and Review to reject Pactiv Evergreen’s…
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Haywood Republicans to host election denier
On Thursday, June 8, the Haywood County Republican Party will host an elections “integrity” event featuring a discredited activist with…
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Smathers: ‘We will fight’ Pactiv’s tax break request
Officials on both the local and the state level have been adamant in demanding Pactiv Evergreen be held accountable for…
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'It didn't have to be this way': Former paper mill employees observe last whistle blow
It’s 11:57 a.m. Wednesday in downtown Canton. Daniel Gregg is standing on the Park Street bridge overlooking the Pigeon River.…
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Referenda on cannabis, mixed drinks considered for Cherokee
During Tribal Council Thursday, June 1, the body will consider resolutions seeking to legalize cannabis use for adults 21 and…
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‘Lowest tax rate in North Carolina’: Macon County budgets for revenue neutral tax rate
Macon County has experienced incredible growth over the past several years, both in population and property values. Despite this increase…
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Haywood Animal Shelter receives Petco grant
Haywood County Animal Shelter is set to receive a $12,500 grant investment from national nonprofit Petco Love in support of…
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Pless makes progress with collaborative rehab proposal
Elected leaders from nearly all of Western North Carolina’s local governments continue to express strong support for Rep. Mark Pless’…
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For whom the bell tolls: As local leaders look to heal, Canton mourns its mill
Nearly three months ago, Pactiv Evergreen unceremoniously announced that after more than a century in operation, the paper mill at…
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Senate budget includes large changes for WNC courts
Western North Carolina’s judicial system might get the help it’s needed for several years now.
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Senior prank leads to legal ramifications
A group of Smoky Mountain High School seniors could be facing criminal charges for what administrators see as taking a…
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Macon will address cryptocurrency mining
Macon County is the latest in Western North Carolina to address the rise in cryptocurrency and its disruptive mining practices…
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No tax increase likely for Jackson
The proposed 2023-24 Fiscal Year general fund budget for Jackson County totals just over $88.1 million, an increase of about…
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Proposal aims to replace Cherokee constitution adoption with Charter amendments
During its next meeting Thursday, June 1, the Cherokee Tribal Council is set to debate the future of a referendum…
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Following mistrial, settlement reached in Knibbs case
After five years of litigation the Macon County Sheriff’s Office and former Macon Deputy Anthony Momphard have agreed to settle…
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Lynch named superintendent of Macon County Schools
The superintendent of Macon County Schools announced his retirement earlier this year, and now the Macon County Board of Education…
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Pre-trial conference set for Bo Crowe assault case
A criminal case in the Cherokee Tribal Court involving former Wolfetown Rep. Bo Crowe appears to be headed for trial.
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Visions of leadership: Principal chief candidates debate the issues
The tribe’s financial future was the crux of the conversation when all six candidates in this year’s race for principal…
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Mill receives two air quality violation notices
As it prepares for permanent closure this spring, the Pactiv Evergreen paper mill in Canton has received two new notices…
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Waynesville will consider establishing a social district
After more than a year of consideration, the Downtown Waynesville Commission has voted unanimously to recommend the establishment of a…
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Sylva Police awarded grant for Community Care Program
Thanks to a set of grants, the Sylva Police Department will be able to continue its Community Care Program with…
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Cherokee Schools get new superintendent
The Cherokee Central Schools Board has chosen Consuela Girty, a 20-year employee of Cherokee Central Schools, as the school system’s…
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A health care coverage crisis is unfolding at Canton’s paper mill
That the American health care coverage system is broken shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone, even proponents of the…
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Six vie to be Cherokee’s next principal chief
II In the most heavily contested race on the ballot in this year’s Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians election, six…
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Now, Pactiv Evergreen wants a tax break
Pactiv Evergreen’s announcement that it would shutter its century-old paper mill was devastating enough for the tiny mountain town of…
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