Vox Populi — the voice of the people: Voters express indecision, dissatisfaction with candidates, parties
As Jonathan Creek Road meanders south from Interstate 40 some 17 miles hence, it forms a “T” with Soco Road.…
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Challengers want change in Swain County
In this year’s commissioner election, Swain County residents will have to decide whether they are happy with the work done…
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The path to the polls
The two-year journey from the primaries to the polls is almost over – but not until you cast your vote!…
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Haywood School board races complicated, important
Haywood County Schools is at a crossroads, making this year’s crowded election for school board a pivotal one.
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Jail escapee shot in downtown Waynesville
(Last updated at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26.) Main Street in downtown Waynesville was packed with pedestrians and vehicle traffic…
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Forest fire spreads to 374 acres in Jackson County
Smoke is clouding the Sylva area following the eruption of a wildfire Sunday, Oct. 23, which grew to about 374…
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Sylva police department launches fundraising for police dog
The town of Sylva is in hot pursuit of what Police Chief Davis Woodard called a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to add…
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Gun rights event to take place in Haywood
A group of Second Amendment supporters planning an open-carry gun rights rally will move ahead with their event, scheduled for…
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Meadows’ challenger questions congressman’s ethics
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows and his challenger Rick Bryson have opposing views on the success of Meadows’ two terms…
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Affordable Housing Task Force begins work
As with any problem, the first step toward solving it is admitting that there is a problem.
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Early voting totals hint at turnout
As of 2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, almost 4,300 Haywood County residents had already cast their vote in person…
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SMN Commission forum highlights
The Smoky Mountain News held a forum with all four of the Haywood County Commission candidates at the Folkmoot Friendship…
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Tough choices for voters in Haywood commission race
Four more-or-less equally well-qualified candidates are competing for just two open seats on the Haywood County Board of Commissioners, leaving…
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Sales tax increase to appear on Swain ballot
Swain County residents will be asked whether they support an additional quarter-cent sales tax when they vote during the Nov.…
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Voters unsure about wording on county alcohol vote
Perhaps it’s because Haywood County residents haven’t seen such a measure since the Truman administration, but the wording on the…
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Future of hospital foundation funds to be decided
Two organizations hoping to manage an estimated $20 million in restricted funds resulting from the sale of Haywood Regional Medical…
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SMN candidate forum Oct. 20
Although Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have overshadowed nearly every other political campaign in the country, that doesn’t mean that…
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Remains likely belonging to missing Sylva woman found
Two months after issuing a Silver Alert in the disappearance of 80-year-old Sylva resident Eunice Gass, the Jackson County Sheriff’s…
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Candidates focus on Macon’s future
Macon County residents will more than likely recognize the names of the four commissioner candidates who will appear on their…
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Will Presnell survive Schandevel challenge?
Rhonda Cole Schandevel is a survivor. “I hate it. I miss him terribly,” she said, a limpid pool of tears…
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Contentious ‘Dangerous Faggot’ tour brings alt-right punditry to WCU
Feminism is cancer. Patriarchy is good for everyone. The wage gap is a myth. Islam is not a religion of…
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‘Little Biltmore’ goes Hollywood
Thom Morgan isn’t the type to be star struck. When a location scout approached him two years ago about filming…
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Luck of the draw: how a Waynesville mansion made the silver screen
Haywood County was abuzz with excitement during the filming of the major motion-picture “Masterminds” two summers ago, but exactly how…
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Mountain Projects latest victim of USDA fiasco
Last month, the town of Canton’s highly anticipated municipal pool project hit an unexpected snag when it was learned that…
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Wilderness debate goes to the government
When the forest planning process for the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests kicked off more than two years ago, it…
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Women in Business 2016
Women climbing the corporate ladder or owning their own business is nothing new, and in fact North Carolina is among the…
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Multiple school campuses on lock down
Around noon today, a telephone call was made to local law enforcement. The caller made threatening comments about Canton Middle…
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Queen-Clampitt: Third time’s a charm?
Born and raised in Swain County, Mike Clampitt is a sixth-generation Western North Carolinian with roots in the area dating…
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Jackson commissioner race heats up
Anyone who’s driven through Jackson County in the last several months is likely well aware that there’s an election underway…
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Commission candidates talk internet, infrastructure
Haywood County Commission candidates faced off last Thursday at a forum hosted by The Mountaineer, and while there wasn’t a…
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FBI investigating tribal housing authority
A tribal authority tasked with helping tribal members find housing is under investigation by the FBI for “possible criminal conduct…
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Tools of the trade: Preppers prepare for disaster
Close your eyes and imagine this: It’s another picture-perfect Western North Carolina Wednesday morning with Chamber of Commerce weather and…
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Pay increases coming for some in Haywood schools
Some employees in the Haywood County school system will see more money in their paychecks this month, thanks to state…
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Diversity officer discusses differences, exploration and the lost art of respectful debate
When Ricardo Nazario-Colon first stepped onto Western Carolina University’s campus to interview for the new chief diversity officer position, one…
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Liberty group protests campus speech restrictions; WCU says its policies are reasonable
It was a sunny Constitution Day at Western Carolina University, and the colors shone brightly on the giant beach ball…
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Haywood residents to vote on countywide alcohol
Haywood County voters will be asked to weigh in during the general election on whether businesses outside town limits should…
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Haywood vote on countywide alcohol to pit business interests against religious convictions
Beer is good for business. That’s the message supporters of countywide beer and wine sales in Haywood County are hoping…
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Lifting spirits: New attitudes toward alcohol move across region
Haywood County is the latest in steady wave of communities across the mountains to shed its long-standing political and cultural…
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Vote on Haywood alcohol sales comes out of left field
An announcement by Haywood County commissioners last week that a vote to legalize beer and wine sales countywide will appear…
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Democratic candidates face off in congressional election
Two Democratic candidates will face off in the June 7 election for a chance to unseat U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows,…
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Education and infrastructure key issues for House candidates
It’s been 17 years since voters in North Carolina’s four westernmost counties have chosen a new representative for the state…
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Candidates seek school board seats
On Tuesday Nov. 8, voters in Haywood County will decide from amongst a slew of candidates seeking election to the…
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State candidates speak to Macon residents
Every election cycle, the Macon County League of Women Voters aims to educate its community about local and state candidates…
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Local politicians speak at Trump rally
Some local Republicans got their brief fling with fame during Donald Trump’s campaign rally Monday in Asheville.
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Candidates weigh in on board of education videos
Just prior to the Haywood County Board of Education’s work session on Aug. 4, Chairman Chuck Francis unilaterally decreed that…
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Bryson wins June 7 congressional primary
Democrat Rick Bryson will move on to run against U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows in the general election after narrowly winning…
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Presnell calls emissions testing a ‘sham’
The Great Smoky Mountains are known across the world for their beauty and the unique bluish haze produced in large…
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November election taking shape in Haywood County
Although the upcoming general election has much of the nation’s attention focused on just two candidates — a controversial populist…
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Candidate for Jackson commission alleges wrongdoing
Mickey Luker has been working on a remodel of Caney Fork General Store ever since he purchased the property in…
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