Here to help: Waynesville police social worker paying dividends
In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, there was significant public outcry calling for police reform. Among the reforms…
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State auditor launches Hurricane Helene dashboard to boost transparency
North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek has unveiled a new Hurricane Helene dashboard, an online tool designed to track relief…
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Jackson Community School will remain in current location
After weeks of consideration and input from public, students and staff, the Jackson County Board of Education has decided to…
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Unidxs spreads message of unity
Amid changing federal regulations regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement, one Jackson County group is making the rounds at public meetings…
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DOGE website says Franklin’s Social Security office to close
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has been eager to propose federal budget cuts that purportedly save taxpayers money, but…
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Camino club aims to support Hispanic student body
Editor’s note: While it is standard SMN and AP style to use last names when referring to people in articles,…
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SBA extends deadline for disaster loans in North Carolina
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is extending the physical damage loan deadline for disaster declarations affected by the 2024…
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Governor appoints new WNC judge
Haywood County attorney Bill Jones has been appointed to fill a vacant District Court seat in the judicial district made…
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Public safety, tourism impact behind Pless’ TDA bill
Last week, Haywood County Republican Rep. Mark Pless filed a bill that would strip the county of its ability to…
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Commissioners push for partisan school board elections without notice
After a surprise move by Commissioner John Smith at a meeting on Feb. 18, Jackson County is one step closer…
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Waynesville Fire Department 'in good hands; after Helene response
Saying 2024 was an “eventful” year for the Waynesville Fire Department may have been an understatement by Chief Joey Webb,…
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Swift but uneven recovery from Helene continues
After a disastrous September and October, some — but not all — counties impacted by Hurricane Helene on Sept. 27…
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Haywood EMS considers how to navigate I-40 ahead of partial re-open
It’s been about five months since the 20-mile stretch of Interstate 40 in Haywood County up to the Tennessee state…
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Proposals sought for services to court-involved youth in Haywood
The Haywood County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council announced $182,420 in funds available for 2025-27 from the Department of Public Safety…
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Mark Jones resigns from Sylva Town Board
Sylva Commissioner Mark Jones tendered his resignation from the board through a letter during the Feb. 13 meeting, citing health-related…
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Collins appointed to TDA board
Jackson County Commissioners appointed Dale Collins to the county’s Tourism Development Authority Board, filling a vacancy that had been left…
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Waynesville names interim fire chief
The Town of Waynesville has named Assistant Fire Chief Chris Mehaffey as the town’s interim chief. “Assistant Chief Mehaffey has…
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Haywood GOP convention draws near
The Haywood County Republican Party will hold its annual convention on March 1 at the Historic Haywood Courthouse, 216 N.…
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Dine Out to Lift Up with Waynesville Rotary Club
The Waynesville Rotary Club will offer a Poor Man’s Supper from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 6 at the First…
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HCA Middle School Shines at Regional Science Fair
Six Heritage Christian Academy (HCA) middle school students competed and placed in the top of their respective categories at the…
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Apply for Haywood Farm Bureau scholarship before April 15
Haywood County high school seniors who have a serious commitment to community service and some degree of financial need can…
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Pigeon Center hosts Soul Food Dinner
Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center will host its annual Soul Food Dinner in honor of Black History Month starting at…
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Pless files bill to abolish Haywood room occupancy taxes
Today in the North Carolina General Assembly, Haywood County Republican Rep. Mark Pless filed a bill that would strip the…
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Jackson, Stein announce settlement in Pactiv grant lawsuit
Updated Feb. 18 early $6 million in taxpayer money will be coming back to Haywood County after Attorney General Jeff…
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Should I stay or should I go?: Leaked email urges covert FRL dissolution
Just months after Jackson, Macon and Swain counties reached an agreement to approve a new version of the Fontana Regional…
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Overdue: library board takes on late fees
The Macon County Library Board has signed an overture in opposition to the Fontana Regional Library System going fine-free, a…
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Protesters rally against Trump: Attendees angered by Musk’s influence, Democrats’ inaction
On a holiday meant to honor the nation’s presidents — past and present — demonstrators in Jackson and Haywood counties…
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Stormwater overhaul plan eyes future flood fixes for Waynesville
In the months before Hurricane Helene, the Town of Waynesville initiated a comprehensive stormwater master planning process. Now that the project…
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Cherokee Preservation Foundation announces fall grants for 2024
The Cherokee Preservation Foundation awarded 10 grants to partners within Western North Carolina. Grants totaled more than $2.1 million and…
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Macon to add one animal control position
During a Feb. 11 Macon County Commissioners meeting, Interim Manager Warren Cabe announced that the county would be hiring a…
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Pancake Day returns to Waynesville
Pancake Day at First United Methodist Church in Waynesville is once again on the horizon. Lining up to get a…
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BearWaters Brewing plans rebuild with new focus after devastating floods
After two major floods in three years, BearWaters Brewing Company is adapting its business to ensure a future in downtown…
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Construction starts on U.S. 276 improvements in Haywood County
A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation has started pre-construction activities along U.S. 276, known as Jonathan Creek Road,…
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By the numbers: Where Helene recovery stands, and where it's going
While the financial impact of Hurricane Helene has been apparent since the morning of Sept. 27, 2024, economic data from…
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Lawmakers begin work on latest Helene recovery bill
For the fourth time in four months, the North Carolina General Assembly has introduced a bill to address lingering unmet…
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Outgoing Haywood Pathways director recalls seven years with nonprofit
After serving as the executive director of Haywood Pathways Center since 2017, Mandy Haithcox is stepping down. Haithcox and her…
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WCU sees high retention rate, notable increase in enrollment for spring 2025
The spring semester is underway at Western Carolina University and that means looking at how the university’s enrollment is shaping…
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Nominations open for SCC’s Distinguished Alumni Award
Southwestern Community College is now accepting nominations for the SCC Foundation’s seventh-annual Distinguished Alumni Award.
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Jackson TDA board seat remains vacant
Jackson County commissioners chose to delay an appointment to the county’s Tourism Development Authority Board for the third month in…
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Haywood GOP precinct meetings, convention coming
The Haywood County Republican Party will proceed with its regular organizational meetings this year, but with important changes for attendees.…
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Officials discuss I-40 updates, promise quick progress
Officials at all levels of government, including new U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, visited the construction area along I-40 near…
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Interstate 40 on fast track to reopening
A visit from U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and comments made by North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein have…
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Bridge Park set for upgrades
After delays due to funding and insufficient bids, Sylva is set to begin work on the Bridge Park Green Infrastructure…
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Junaluska teacher wins statewide award for teaching reading
Each year the North Carolina Department of Education travels across the state to recognize one district or school per region…
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Sober Operator Act to go before General Assembly: Law would lower maximum BAC while driving from .08 to .05
A group of law enforcement officers, elected officials and concerned citizens is renewing its years-long effort to get a series of…
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Haywood TDA looks at tourism, post-Helene
Despite Hurricane Helene’s disruption of the region’s tourism industry, the entity charged with collecting and spending room occupancy taxes in…
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Macon approves additional coaching supplements
The Macon County Board of Education has approved additional coaching supplements for head and assistant coaches in the district, to…
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More river gauges coming to Haywood
Residents of Haywood County will have more information at their fingertips the next time flooding presents a risk, after Haywood…
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Governor Stein Announces small business grant program
On Jan. 31, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, alongside Dogwood Health Trust, unveiled a $30 million grant program to aid…
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Haywood Christian Ministry announces expansion of WNC anti-hunger initiatives
Haywood Christian Ministry’s food infrastructure is moving to a new facility in Bethel. HCM’s new food plan aims to ensure…
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