Candidates work for Labor post
After a long career in public service, North Carolina’s current Commissioner of Labor Cherie Berry — who you probably know…
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State Treasurer job important, overlooked
Sure, your local civic organization, athletic club or hobbyist group probably has a treasurer — the person with the checkbook…
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Corbin, Conway seek GOP nod for Senate
When five-term N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, announced his surprise retirement at the Macon County GOP headquarters last fall, it…
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Clampitt, Mau offer stiff competition for Queen, each other
Over the past decade or so, there’s been only one serious candidate willing or able to run for the District…
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GOP attorney general candidates offer differing perspectives
North Carolina’s attorney general may be the top law enforcement officer in the state, but the AG also serves as…
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Three Democrats face off in Swain primary
Three Democrats running for county commissioner will appear on the primary election ballot in Swain County this year, and voters…
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Democrats face off in Jackson commission race
With Republican Commissioner Ron Mau leaving his seat for a run at N.C. House District 119, three Democrats are vying…
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Five candidates seek Macon commission seats
Five candidates will be running in the primary election for a chance to claim an open seat on the Macon…
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WCU works to engage student body
Students at Western Carolina University have helped hundreds of their fellow Catamounts register to vote in the 2020 election, and…
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Tribal Council OKs donation to Jackson Schools
Tribal Council approved an $89,745 donation to Jackson County Schools during its Budget Council meeting Tuesday, Feb. 4, money that…
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Cause of WCU evacuation undetermined, but classes will resume
The Health and Human Sciences Building at Western Carolina University will reopen on Monday, Feb. 10 after a Feb. 6…
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Draft forest management plan released
After more than six years of work, a draft forest management plan for the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest is now available.
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Student Democracy Coalition achieves more than voter registration
CULLOWHEE – It is starting to get very busy for members of the Student Democracy Coalition at Western Carolina University. Led…
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Slide Closes U.S. 19/74 in Nantahala Gorge
TOPTON – A rockslide has closed U.S. 19/74 in the Nantahala Gorge for the remainder of today and at least through…
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Tenants trickling in to former Gateway Club
Less than a year after it finally found new owners, a historic building in downtown Waynesville is beginning to attract…
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Tribal Council lifts media ban
Tribal Council expressed its support of the free press during a thoughtful discussion between its members and Smoky Mountain News…
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Sponsored: Honoring a hero
If you love to run and enjoy the scenic views of the Smoky Mountains, come out on Saturday, April 4,…
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Franklin appoints interim police chief
Capt. Danny Bates will serve as Franklin’s interim police chief while the town goes through the hiring process to find…
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Long’s Chapel looks for the next Open Door
Long’s Chapel leadership only received word about two weeks ago that its lease for The Open Door Ministry building in…
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SMN launches digital newsletter
The Smoky Mountain News has lauched a digital newsletter that will publish every Friday morning to give you the latest…
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Macon residents unhappy with hospital transition
The independent firm responsible for ensuring HCA Healthcare complies with the terms of its purchase agreement for Mission Health Systems…
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Frog Level soup kitchen lease won’t be renewed
Much misinformation is being spread about the state of and the fate of Frog Level’s community-based food ministry — namely,…
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Symposium seeks input on Cherokee language preservation
How do you create new fluent speakers in a language that’s no longer the common tongue of its community? That’s…
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Haywood commissioners pass broad ‘Constitution protecting’ resolution
Haywood County didn’t pass a Second Amendment sanctuary resolution on Feb. 3, but what commissioners did pass was somehow something…
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Road project guides Sylva budget talks
Sylva’s finances are in a good place going into the 2020 budget season, but with the N.C. 107 project looming…
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Haywood commissioners to hear 'Constitution protecting' resolution on Monday
While it’s not exactly a “Second Amendment sanctuary” resolution, a proposal to declare Haywood County a “Constitution Protecting County” does…
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Chamber honors director’s service
The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recently recognized Julie Spiro Donaldson for 20 years of service as…
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Haywood commissioners get earful on 2A sanctuary status
The opening act of what promises to be a protracted melodrama played out in the Historic Haywood County Courthouse last…
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Jackson commissioners change meeting schedule
The Jackson County commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 21 to change their regular meeting schedule, with their second monthly meeting to…
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Super Bowl to showcase Sylva
Western North Carolinians tuning into the Super Bowl this Sunday might do a double take when they glimpse scenes of…
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Haywood to spend $49K on jail space study
Haywood County Commissioners approved spending $49,000 to fund a space needs study at the detention center.
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Envision Pain Management opens in Clyde
For years opioids were overprescribed by physicians and overused by patients, leading to skyrocketing rates of addiction, overdoses and drug-related…
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The next challenge: Hatton takes the reins at Sylva Police Department
Sylva’s newest police chief was looking for the little town in Jackson County before he knew it existed. “I didn’t…
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Waynesville hires Franklin police chief
Franklin Police Chief David Adams will have some big shoes to fill when he becomes Waynesville’s new police chief, but…
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Design services approved for animal shelter
Jackson County Commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 21 to approve a design services contract for the animal shelter project planned for…
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Shooting victim’s mother opposes gun resolution
The debate over whether or not Haywood County should declare itself a “Second Amendment sanctuary” entered a new phase Tuesday…
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Court dismisses majority of Mystic Lands claims
This story was updated Jan. 22, 2020. Mystic Lands property owners may have prevailed in court over one issue —…
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Nantahala developer, paddlers at odds – again
Updated 1/22/20: The lawsuits between Mystic Lands landowners and developer Ami Shinitzky have since been resolved. Progess had been made…
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Landowners sue Nantahala River developer
Updated 1/22/20: The lawsuits between Mystic Lands landowners and developer Ami Shinitzky have since been resolved. Progess had been made…
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You can’t stop me from dreaming: Bluegrass banjo legend Marc Pruett releases memoir
It’s just after lunchtime at the Haywood County Health Department on a recent chilly afternoon in Clyde. And standing in…
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Tribal Council approves $4 million Balsam West loan
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians hopes to earn more than $1 million over 10 years by extending a $4…
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Sports betting implementation longer than expected
When Gov. Roy Cooper signed a bill last July legalizing sports betting on Cherokee land, Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos expected to…
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Waynesville’s cemetery policy revamp begins
Proposed changes to and clarifications of cemetery ordinances prompted by public outcry in Waynesville will soon undergo a period of…
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Waynesville board to review homelessness task force applications
The town of Waynesville’s homelessness task force has gotten off to a slow start, but things should start to move…
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Pigeon community revitalization gaining steam
Longstanding plans for a park near the Pigeon Street corridor are about to move forward, as are other plans designed…
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Baseball field improvements move forward at SMHS
It will cost nearly half a million dollars to upgrade facilities at the Smoky Mountain High School baseball fields to…
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Cherokee retail project moves forward
A new retail complex featuring a mix of local and national chains is expected to break ground in Cherokee this…
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Twinkle Patel appointed as Maggie alderman
After interviewing five applicants that applied to serve out an unexpired term on the Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen, the…
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Retired teachers ask state for a raise
When teachers were starting their careers in North Carolina some 30 years ago, they did so with the understanding that…
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Macon considers Second Amendment proposal
On Monday, Jan. 20, as many people were off work to honor the memory of the late Martin Luther King…
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