Community Kitchen moving to new facility
The Community Kitchen in Canton works hard to make sure no one in the community goes hungry, and now the…
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In Russ Avenue’s shadow: Neighbors fear commercial creep, struggle with identity crisis
Waynesville leaders are weighing whether to expand the commercial footprint of Russ Avenue, an issue that has pitted neighbors against…
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Franklin man shoots, kills his 22-year-old son
Macon County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of 22-year-old Hunter Curtis after he was shot and killed by his…
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Whittier farmers make an offer on Drexel plant
The future of the old furniture factory in Whittier has been through more than its share of twists and turns…
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Dog owners rejoice over park drainage project
While the Waynesville dog park’s temporary closure this week might have canines a little bit antsy, dog owners are rejoicing…
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Cullowhee planning committee appointed
Nearly a year after Jackson County passed zoning standards for Cullowhee, the ordinance is set to get ground-tested with the…
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Jackson will borrow millions to fix school facilities
Leaking roofs, failing heating systems and broken pipes in Jackson County Schools will get some much-needed attention after commissioners voted…
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HCC to take over business incubator space
It will be a bittersweet transition for Smoky Mountain Development Corporation executive director Allan Steinberg. On one hand, he has…
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Regional banking powerhouse Entegra finalizes deal for Old Town Bank
Old Town Bank shareholders overwhelmingly approved the sale of the start-up bank headquartered in Waynesville last week, ending its nine-year…
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Gaming commissioners argue for their jobs back
After being ousted from their jobs when the September elections brought a new Tribal Council and executive administration, the three…
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Planning board digs into rules for industrial development
Take a drive around the mountain roads of Western North Carolina and it probably won’t be long before a tight…
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Fracking protections a key consideration in ordinance revision
When the state opened the doors for hydraulic fracturing — called “fracking” — in 2014, a flood of public opinion…
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Sacrosanct gun rights hotly debated in Haywood
Gun supporters turned out en masse this week urging Haywood County commissioners to allow concealed guns on county property, from…
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Macon Commissioners honor Sunshine Week
In the spirit of celebrating Sunshine Week, the Macon County Commissioners announced a decision to support and encourage transparency and…
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Woman gets 70 months for trafficking meth
Jamie Lynn Swartz, 36, formerly of Sylva, will serve 70 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release…
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Jackson Schools look for community donations to fund football field
In the quest to replace the football field at Smoky Mountain High School in Sylva with artificial turf, Jackson County…
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Canton Fire Department earns better insurance rating
Now that the North Carolina Department of Insurance issued the Canton Fire Department a Class 4 rating this week, Canton…
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Schandevel’s win sets the stage for competitive House race
Haywood County Democrat Rhonda Schandevel will pose a formidable challenge in her bid for the N.C. House of Representatives this…
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Mountain voters buck statewide trend in Democratic Presidential primary
An interesting anomaly played out in the mountains in the Presidential primary last week.
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Food truck fight coming to Waynesville
The sticky wicket of food trucks and food carts have taken center stage in Waynesville, with a public debate in…
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N.C. voters pass infrastructure bond
A majority of North Carolina voters approved a significant investment in the state’s future economy during the primary election by…
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Clampitt and Queen to face off once more in November for state house seat
After taking home 59 percent of the vote in last week’s election, Mike Clampitt, R-Bryson City, is looking toward a…
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New candidates allowed to sign up in congressional race
North Carolina will hold a separate election on June 7 for the congressional primary, which means it’s not too late…
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When duty calls: A critical shortage of volunteer firefighters threatens a time-honored American tradition
Little boys worship them. Bruce Springsteen memorialized them. The helpless count on them. Volunteer firefighters are a symbol of American…
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Desperate for recruits, volunteer firefighters hope to change the perception that their brotherhood is a boys’ club
Despite the stereotype of volunteer firefighters as Type A alpha males, knowing your Nascar drivers and driving a pick-up truck…
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Envisioning Sylva’s future: Town leaders talk economy, recreation and civic engagement
Sylva’s town leaders spent a sunny Saturday indoors armed with pen, paper and heads full of ideas for bringing the…
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Canton sets up incentives for downtown businesses
Even though the money isn’t yet in place, the town of Canton is considering several options for economic development incentives…
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Canton proposes downtown pedestrian improvements
When Canton town officials were notified that the North Carolina Department of Transportation would be repaving all of Main Street…
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Public input wanted on Savannah park plan
A public meeting will gauge support for a plan to give Jackson County’s Savannah community its first public park at…
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Tribe looks to strengthen preference laws for tribal businesses
Change is likely coming to the ordinance outlining preference rules for tribally owned businesses. The rules come into play when…
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‘Big Slow Movers’ plague Cowee Mountain route
It’s easy to spot the unstable embankments as you drive over Cowee Mountain between Macon and Jackson counties.
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New district lines unveiled for Central Elementary students
Students who attend Central Elementary School in Waynesville learned this week what their new school will be come fall. SEE…
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R-5000 contractor under suit: DeVere being sued by bonding company
There’s another kink in the knot surrounding the ill-fated R-5000 road project connecting N.C. 107 and N.C. 116 in Jackson…
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‘Seed money’ being raised for new Swain library
The community support behind getting a new public library in Swain County has been impressive, but the fundraising efforts have…
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Director of regional planning commission resigns
After being at the helm of Region A’s Southwestern Commission, Executive Director Ryan Sherby tendered his resignation on March 1…
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New UNC president promises to fight for higher salaries, engage WCU faculty on policy
The mood was jovial as Western Carolina University’s Faculty Senate waited over cookies and coffee for their hour with Margaret…
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Plan advances to convert old hospital to affordable lofts
Haywood County commissioners will hold a public hearing next Monday on whether to give away the “old hospital” to a…
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Haywood visitor center makes the move to Maggie
The primary visitor center for Haywood County will be moving this spring from downtown Waynesville to Maggie Valley.
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2016 Election Primary Results
Preliminary results are current as of March 15. Look for more in-depth coverage of the local and state races online Wednesday,…
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WCU police need help identifying suspects
CULLOWHEE – The Western Carolina University Police Department is asking for assistance in an ongoing investigation into recent property damage…
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Little help from lottery: N.C.’s education games falling short of promises
As people across North Carolina daydream about what they would do if they won millions from playing the lottery, they…
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Franklin banner issue causes tempers to flare
Franklin officials thought the controversy over banners would end when the board of aldermen passed an ordinance last year allowing…
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Congressional primary moved to June 7
North Carolina will now have two primary elections in 2016 as lawsuits challenging the state’s districting maps continue to play…
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Leap Day baby born at Haywood Regional
Only 200,000 people in the United States have their birthdays fall on Feb. 29, and one of those lucky babies…
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REACH celebrates opening of new shelter in Macon
The staff of REACH of Macon County understands how difficult it is to leave your home, even under the most…
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$7 million price tag on Maggie’s downtown dream
Maggie Valley’s dream of having a viable downtown inched closer last week when a $7 million town center plan was…
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Sound off: Haywood candidates talk animal shelter
Haywood County commissioner candidates were asked whether they think the county should spend $3.5 million on a new animal shelter.
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Numbers down at animal shelter, but space still doesn’t add up
On paper, the case for a new, bigger Haywood County Animal Shelter is hard to justify.
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Tenants announced for Western’s mixed-used facility
A full-service restaurant, an outdoor equipment outfitter, a combination bookstore and coffee cafe, a popular convenience store and a nationally…
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Capital priorities get sorted in Jackson
The animal shelter and health department are in, and the swimming pool and Green Energy Park expansion are out, Jackson…
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