Freshman enrollment at Western Carolina high for ‘17
The tuition reduction program N.C. Promise won’t go into effect until 2018, but its impending implementation could already be affecting…
Read More
New traffic pattern on I-40 in Haywood County
The present pains for drivers on Interstate 40 in Haywood County are temporary.
Read More
STOP Act to combat opioid addiction
The North Carolina Senate unanimously passed comprehensive legislation to combat the opioid addiction crisis that is plaguing the state.
Read More
Celebrate Independence Day
Many generations of families look forward to the Fourth of July festivities at Lake Junaluska every year, and this year’s…
Read More
Summit Charter plans $8 million expansion
Summit Charter School in Cashiers is planning to expand its K-8 operation to include high school as well, recently announcing…
Read More
Armachain pleads not guilty
A bail bondsman who faces federal charges for sexual abuse of a minor has been detained at the Buncombe County…
Read More
State budget fight comes down to the wire
Leaders in both the North Carolina House and Senate have reached consensus on a $23 billion fiscal year 2017-18 budget…
Read More
Bellying up to the trough
Any local, state and federal budget typically includes what is technically called discretionary spending but is commonly known as “pork.”
Read More
N.C. residents in for big tax cuts if budget passes
Assuming a legislative override of Gov. Roy Cooper’s budget veto — which happened as The Smoky Mountain News went to…
Read More
Win some, lose some: State’s education spending gets mixed reviews
A legislative majority of House and Senate members have reached a state budget agreement, one that is providing nearly $700…
Read More
Meadows fights for ARC
In what’s becoming a bit of a pattern for Congressman Mark Meadows, R-Asheville, he and his House Freedom Caucus aren’t…
Read More
Senate health care bill panned by Meadows
The day after the Senate’s own version of a new health care bill came out, influential leader of the House…
Read More
Waynesville’s serial entrepreneur: Richard Miller honored by chamber
Richard Miller may have received the Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce for 2017,…
Read More
Cherokee considers needle exchange program
Cherokee hopes to combat the high Hepatitis C rates resulting from the heroin epidemic with a needle exchange program, aiming…
Read More
Jackson awards $1.1 million contract for Skyland Services Center renovations
Work will soon begin on a remodel of Jackson County’s Skyland Services Center following commissioners’ unanimous approval of a $1.1…
Read More
Meadows still pushing for North Shore funds
While Swain County pushes forward with a lawsuit against the federal government to collect $38.2 million it’s owed in settlement…
Read More
Sinkhole in Sylva causes road closure
A leaking pipe in downtown Sylva has resulted in a sinkhole that’s had the road connecting the town’s main streets…
Read More
Swain looks to Clampitt for help with capital funding
Swain County didn’t include any funding for capital projects in the 2017-18 budget, but commissioners are hopeful their state representative…
Read More
FBI charges 12 with marriage fraud
Twelve people will face federal charges following an FBI investigation into an alleged marriage fraud ring based in Cherokee.
Read More
Moving the needle: Cashiers organizes to combat workforce development challenges
Spring can be a scramble at the High Hampton Inn and Country Club in Cashiers. Every year, after a long…
Read More
Larger labor pool, longer season make Sylva hiring easier
With a bigger local labor pool and a tourism season that wraps around most of the year, hiring in Sylva…
Read More
Help wanted: Haywood County employers need workers
Although Haywood County shares many economic similarities with Cashiers, it also sees challenges distinct from those of Jackson County.
Read More
TWSA rates to rise
Customers of the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority will see their rates increase if the 2017-18 budget is adopted as…
Read More
New Waynesville Publix development a go
A large-scale retail development featuring Lakeland, Florida-based grocer Publix as an anchor tenant moved forward without opposition after unanimous consent…
Read More
New Haywood warning system a collaborative effort
Emergencies like the Gatlinburg fires of 2016 and simulated emergencies like last week’s Operation Vigilant Catamount in Canton have brought…
Read More
Haywood extends manager contract
Despite hiring challenges that persist across the region, Haywood County Commissioners had no trouble re-engaging a key employee June 19.
Read More
AMC earns awards for stroke care
Angel Medical Center in Franklin is the recipient of three prestigious awards given by the American Heart Association and the…
Read More
Macon commissioners split on budget approval
By Kurt J. Volker • Contributing Writer Following a somewhat contentious debate leading up to final budget approval, Macon County Commissioners…
Read More
Fair, schmair — nonpartisan redistricting to forever languish?
Eminent figures have called for common sense, nonpartisan redistricting since even before Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry unwittingly lent his name…
Read More
Swain budget hearing set for June 22
Swain County commissioners will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 22, to hear feedback from the community…
Read More
Maggie restaurant bestowed with awards upon closing
Since announcing its closure after 51 years in business, Joey’s Pancake House owner Brenda O’Keefe and her staff have been…
Read More
A piece of plastic is all you got: Books still a revered treasure for Mary Judith Messer
A squat little cinder block shop tucked away in a quiet mountain cove on the outskirts of Waynesville caught fire…
Read More
Council expresses support for vice chief special election
The September ballot could include a special election for vice chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, pending a…
Read More
Exercise tests federal, local catastrophe response
By the dawn’s early light, about 300 members of the North Carolina National Guard along with a host of local…
Read More
Permit denied for Cullowhee development
A controversial request to build a 388-bed student housing complex on South Painter Road in Cullowhee was denied this week…
Read More
Public input will guide library’s renovation
An ambitious dream of expanding and remodeling the main Haywood County library in Waynesville has been abandoned, with sights now…
Read More
Haywood Dems hold spring rally
Several candidates announced their intent to run for office as Haywood County Democrats held their Spring Rally at the Maggie…
Read More
Pool renovations finishing in Sylva and Cashiers
If all goes according to plan, within the week folks in Jackson County will have their choice of pools to…
Read More
Maggie Valley adopts tight budget with small tax increase
Haywood County’s 2017 property revaluation was like a bucket of cold water in the face of every local government official…
Read More
Mom delivers baby on way to hospital
Expectant mother Caitlin Austin of Balsam never imagined giving birth to her second child in a car.
Read More
Public not invited to meeting with Mission
Mission Health leaders finally agreed to hold a meeting in Franklin to discuss their controversial decision to close the labor…
Read More
Waynesville falls short in playground contest
Despite finishing first in an online contest with more than double the votes of its nearest competitor, Waynesville’s adaptive playground…
Read More
Haywood housing task force sets goal, issues recommendations
A strategic plan developed by a subcommittee of the Haywood County Affordable Housing Task Force that proposes 400 affordable housing…
Read More
Pisgah, Haywood Early College to get new principals
Three Haywood County Schools will see new administrators this fall after the Haywood County Board of Education approved the personnel…
Read More
Broadband group begins mapping plans for service
By Kurt J. Volker • Contributing Writer Broadband internet service is vital for future economic growth in Macon County, but it…
Read More
Franklin discusses climate change resolution
The town of Franklin is considering how to become more environmentally friendly after being presented with a climate solutions resolution…
Read More
Calling all vets: Macon County wants you
By Kurt J. Volker • Contributing Writer A program designed to offer free I.D. cards to Macon County veterans for discounted…
Read More
Franklin wants to address noise complaints
Franklin Mayor Bob Scott was recently awoken at midnight on a Friday by a phone call from Franklin resident Janet…
Read More
New Cherokee chief addresses employees: Richie Sneed calls for collaborative, equitable government
Principal Chief Richard Sneed laid out communication, collaboration and community as the guiding principles of his new administration in an…
Read More
Joey's Pancake House - a Maggie Valley institution
Joey’s Pancake House owner Brenda O' Keefe announced June 6 that the revered Maggie Valley landmark that served visitors and locals…
Read More
