Tapping Western North Carolina: Local craft breweries spill onto economy, culture
By all accounts, the craft beer business continues to boom in Western North Carolina. And that’s not just in Asheville…
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WCU’s physical therapy clinic expands
Western Carolina University’s student-run Mountain Area Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic has set a goal to expand the availability of…
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The tales the tombstones tell
High atop a knobby bald in central Haywood County sits lonely Dix Hill Cemetery, just yards from Jones Temple AME…
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Digitizing the deceased
From frost-churned fields on steep hills above shadow-soaked coves spring mossy fieldstones, hopelessly eroded and only becoming more so, season…
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Folkmoot’s Cultural Conversations: One big circle
Arriving in Waynesville shortly before last year’s Folkmoot Friendship Festival, I like many who’d come before me had no idea…
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Jackson considers giving toward land conservation effort
The fundraising deadline is drawing nearer for an effort to conserve 15.9 acres adjacent to Panthertown Valley, and the Jackson…
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Increased need prompts change in shelter management
Correction: In the March 1 issue, The Smoky Mountain News incorrectly reported that Jackson Neighbors in Need requested funding from…
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2016: A Year.
The tidal wave of negative political news in 2016 was staggering in its magnitude and emotionally overwhelming. Thankfully all that…
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Missing aircraft found in national park
A reconnaissance flight by the Tennessee Army National Guard was able to locate the missing single engine airplane within Great…
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FAKE NEWS FREAKOUT!
In keeping with the theme of The Smoky Mountain News spoof awards in this week’s edition, I thought now might…
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The very first Christmas (in space)
While perusing the vast litany of uplifting Christmas stories, one might not think to probe the mission archives of the…
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Christmas giving in WNC
Christmas is a time of year when communities band together to help others in need, and there’s definitely no shortage…
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Waynesville police win SWAT competition
Waynesville Police Department’s Special Response Team recently returned home from the SWAT Round-Up International competition in Orlando with multiple awards.
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Church delivers warmth of meals and companionship on Christmas Day
Caitlin Derico was 11 years old when her family’s Christmas tradition shifted from stockings to service.
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Meeting a need
It’s bittersweet. “I really would hope that this program would expire,” said Tom Knapko. “But, that hasn’t been the case…
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WOW helps pay off Christmas layaway purchases
What sometimes gets lost amidst the blizzard of radio, television and internet advertising so ubiquitous this time of year is…
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Bryson City bar donates to family resource center
The local dive bar in a small town usually gets a bad rap, but Mickey’s Pub in Bryson City tries…
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Community helps fulfill a boy’s birthday wish
Ashton Zari turns 7 on Christmas Eve, and even though he is in Columbus, Ohio, seeking medical treatment, his only…
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Crabtree General brings Christmas to Franklin
Crabtree General Store & Coffee Vault in Franklin has recently transformed into a Christmas headquarters.
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Shoplifters make downtown Waynesville’s naughty list
Something about the holidays always brings out the best — and worst — in people and Santa Claus is the…
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The Raleigh Roundup: Strange legislative year draws to a close
It’s been a bizarre year in North Carolina’s state legislature, and that hasn’t led to the state looking good in…
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Suspects sought in Max Patch break-in
Detectives with the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office are looking for two men they believe to be involved with a breaking…
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Two arrested in Waynesville break in
Haywood County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an alarm call around 8 p.m. Dec. 10 in the Eagles Nest community.
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New law stops TVA’s ban of Fontana houseboats
More than 350 families received an early Christmas present last week when President Obama signed a bill into law that…
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Lead contamination prompts permanent monitoring at SCC
Simply removing contaminated dirt from the Southwestern Community College shooting range won’t be enough to close out a lead removal…
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Jackson schools hope to land 0 percent loan
Jackson County is hoping to save $2.3 million on the cost of completing critical repairs in Jackson County Public Schools…
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Moving on up: Franklin chamber gets a new building
Franklin Chamber of Commerce staff and members are excited about taking a vacant building and turning it into their new…
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Controversial sanitary district policy suspended
An unpopular policy put forth by the Junaluska Sanitary District requiring landlords to co-sign for their new tenants’ water service…
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Walnut Street charm could be casualty of Russ Avenue widening
Although many property owners and residents have lauded what they call a “much needed” widening project on Waynesville’s most heavily…
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Firefighter pleas guilty to arson in Cherokee
A Cherokee firefighter has pled guilty to federal charges for intentionally starting seven wildfires on the Qualla Boundary between 2010…
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Park works to assess post-fire situation
The smoke has cleared from the Chimney Tops 2 Fire, which escaped the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Nov. 28…
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Full-time work, part-time pay
Harry S. Truman’s Secretary of State Dean Acheson said upon his return to private life, “I will undoubtedly have to…
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Election do-over slated for 2017
Unless the U.S. Supreme Court steps in, some or all of North Carolina’s state senators and representatives will face re-election…
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Sanitary District policy upsets landlords
Several Haywood County landlords are questioning the legality of a new policy adopted by the Junaluska Sanitary District that will…
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To serve, Haywood Commissioners leave money on the table
At just 22 years of age, Kevin Ensley became one of the youngest licensed land surveyors in the entire state…
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Carrying commissioner duties a juggling act in Jackson
When Mark Jones first ran for a seat on the Jackson County Board of Commissioners in 2006, he was the…
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Macon commissioners not there for money
Macon County Commissioner Ronnie Beale was pouring concrete on a job site when he was contacted about this story.
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Swain commissioners give little thought to salary
“You know, I really can’t tell you what we get paid,” Swain County Commissioner David Monteith said when asked about…
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Cherokee council makes more than state reps, less than congressmen
Members of the Cherokee Tribal Council are hands-down the highest-paid local representatives in Western North Carolina, with other commissioner stipends…
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Upcoming tuition drop could have unintended consequences
A state program that’s set to lower Western Carolina University’s tuition to $500 per semester could have unintended consequences when…
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Laura Bush and friends visit Lake Junaluska
As fall visitors flocked to Western North Carolina in mid-October, Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center welcomed a distinguished visitor…
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Swain County to implement reverse 911 system
When the wildfires were threatening structures in Swain County a couple of weeks ago, first responders had to knock on…
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Highlands hires Josh Ward as town manager
Last September, the town of Bryson City hired Highlands’ town planner Josh Ward to serve as it’s new town manager,…
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Pickin’ Chicken
There are few things more American than fast food. In the United States, fast food restaurants serve more than 50…
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First indoor gun range to open in Haywood
When local businessman Jule Morrow proposed a gun shop and indoor firing range in the pastoral Francis Farm community last…
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Canton’s new town logo approved despite concerns
No one can accuse Canton town officials of not crossing their t’s and dotting their i’s.
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Canton rewards brewery owner
Even before BearWaters Brewing announced its intentions to leave Waynesville for nearby Canton, the town has touted itself as Haywood…
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Two arrested for arson in Qualla wildfires
Two Cherokee men have been arrested in connection with wildfires set on the Qualla Boundary this fall.
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Two charged with starting Tennessee fires
Two juveniles have been arrested in Tennessee for allegedly starting the Chimney Tops 2 Fire, which ballooned to encompass more…
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Stronger language on the way for Jackson’s steep slope rules
Approval of a 38-home subdivision in Cullowhee has served as a catalyst for the Jackson County Planning Board to revisit…
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