Fired WCU worker wins wrongful termination suit
After a former employee won a lawsuit claiming that Western Carolina University had fired him without cause, the university is…
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Community colleges also stand to benefit from bond passage
Though community college leaders aren’t allowed to take an official position on whether they support the $2 billion Connect NC…
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Bond could give higher education an influx of funds
Despite the large number of politicians that will be on the ballot March 15, Western Carolina University in Cullowhee probably…
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Macon commissioners pass on wilderness resolution
Macon County commissioners maintained their stance against creating more wilderness areas in the county despite The Wilderness Society’s attempt to…
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Free clinic to serve uninsured in Swain County
Dr. Frank VanMiddlesworth is on a mission to bring free medical care to the uninsured in Swain County and improve…
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Suspects sought in Canton armed robbery incident
The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance from the public in locating two suspects in an armed robbery that…
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Jackson County manager announces retirement
For Jackson County Manager Chuck Wooten, the time has come to shift his professional focus from managing a county to…
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Waynesville town manager fired in narrow vote of board Tuesday; Supporters question motives of those who ousted her
Waynesville Town Manager Marcy Onieal was fired Tuesday night in a 3-2 split vote by the town board following a…
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Friday last day to apply for Maggie board
Maggie Valley is still accepting applications from potential candidates to fill a two-year unexpired term on the board of aldermen.
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Man’s body found near Dry Falls
Rescue crews recovered the body of Sean Kasey around 1:30 p.m. Sunday from the Cullasaja River after conducting a search…
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Macon flood damage exceeds $1 million
Heavy rains and high waters in December have resulted in more than $1 million in flood damage in Macon County.
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Bill introduced for Swain to receive school funding
Since 1940, the Federal Government has provided Impact Aid Funding to assist school districts that have lost a portion of…
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Animal shelter advocates make their case
Jackson County’s animal lovers had a message for county commissioners last week, and it couldn’t have been clearer: We need…
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Council discusses the court system’s place in government
Last week wasn’t the first time since the new tribal leadership took office that the issue of separation of powers…
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Tribal council votes to create legislative office separate from executive oversight
When the Cherokee Tribal Council voted to create the Office of Legislative Support last week, it was doing more than…
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Motion to dismiss filed in lawsuit contesting Cherokee council raises
Defendants in a lawsuit stemming from raises and backpay the Cherokee Tribal Council voted itself in October 2014 are hoping…
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Cashiers cell tower approved
A proposal to build a new cell tower outside Cashiers got the OK from Jackson County Commissioners last week, a…
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Emergency animal clinic to open this spring in Waynesville
Pet owners in the western counties will soon have a shorter drive to tackle when their furry charges are in…
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Howell Mill Road projects nears completion | Gallery
Barring any unexpected circumstances, Howell Mill Road should be open to vehicle traffic in a couple of weeks. The $11.7…
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Abandoned hospital to find new purpose
A new plan is the works to convert the abandoned old hospital in Haywood County into an affordable housing apartment…
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Turning Haywood’s shuttered hospital into apartments hinges on tax credits
The plan to convert the old hospital in Haywood County into low-income apartments isn’t a done deal. It’s contingent on…
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Jackson schools consider artificial turf field
School officials in Jackson County will be crossing their fingers over the next few weeks, hoping to get a low…
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Haywood commissioners take a pass on shooting range controversy
Haywood County commissioners aren’t likely to intervene in the controversy over a proposed indoor firing range and gun store coming…
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Neighbors worry about impact of indoor firing range
Members of a tranquil farming community with deep roots in Haywood County fear their way of life will be ruined…
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Swain animal control ordinance takes shape
After conducting research and gathering public input for several months, an ad hoc committee finally has a working draft for…
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Macon County Health takes over animal services
As of Nov. 1, 2015, Macon County Public Health took on the additional responsibility of overseeing animal services in Macon…
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Election snapshot: A primer on who’s running for state seats
Voters in Western North Carolina have barely taken down the Christmas tree but will soon find themself in the throes…
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Female suspect sought in stabbing incident
Two Haywood County men have been apprehended while one woman is still at large in connection with the stabbing of…
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Three candidates run for U.S. Representative
Incumbent Mark Meadows, R-Cashiers, will face a challenger in next year’s election to represent the 11th District of North Carolina…
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Franklin cops to begin using body cameras
As allegations of police brutality continue to dominate the news all across the country, many law enforcement agencies have turned…
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Franklin approves plans for new subdivision
Plans for a brand new residential subdivision in Franklin will move forward after the town board of aldermen approved a…
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Cattle-loading facility, intended for Jackson County, could come to Swain
Rob Hawk’s been trying since spring to find a landing place for the grant he’d helped get for a cattle…
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2015: News in review
Time to put a bow on 2015 and call it wrapped. But not just yet, at least not for all…
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Former Jackson commissioner booted from TWSA board
Doug Cody was quite clear in his request to the Jackson County Commissioners when he showed up at their meeting…
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Warm start to winter puts dent in ski-based tourism
The winter tourism industry in Haywood County is reeling from unseasonably warm temperatures that have shuttered Cataloochee Ski Area during…
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Possum Drop on for New Year’s
After taking a hit in court earlier this month, the folks behind the annual Clay’s Corner Possum Drop got some…
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Six candidates vie for two Macon commission posts
Six candidates have signed up to run for two commissioner seats in Macon County next year.
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Canton proposes $2 million pool project
Canton’s outdoor pool has given the community a place to gather, play, exercise and relax for more than 70 years.
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Seven in running for Swain commission
Seven candidates will be vying for two commissioner seats in Swain County next year.
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Elk hunting by permit being debated by wildlife commission
As the elk herd in Western North Carolina continues to grow, an elk-hunting season could become a possibility under a…
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Jackson hires planning director
After plugging along for seven months without one, Jackson County will welcome a new planning director when 2016 begins.
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Cashiers development gets green light for expansion
A plan to double the capacity of a planned development near Cashiers got the go-ahead from Jackson County commissioners when…
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Haywood commissioners vexed by attendance record of tax collector
Haywood County commissioners expressed concern this week over what they claim is poor work attendance of the county tax collector,…
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Uncontested primaries on tap for Jackson
Though both of the Jackson County commissioners up for re-election will have competition when November rolls around, the primary season…
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Seven seek two commissioner seats in Haywood
Two additional Republicans joined the race for Haywood County commissioner in the final days of the candidate sign-up period that…
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Swearing to God still carries political weight
Public officials aren’t required to place their hand on a Bible to be sworn into office, but a majority of…
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Separating church and state: Mayor’s oath of office sparks larger debate
In the last couple of weeks, Franklin Mayor Bob Scott has been called un-American, arrogant and an asshole, but he’s…
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Farming community rattled by prospect of indoor shooting range
Janie Higgins was crushed to learn a week before Christmas that the rolling pastures and fields her family has tilled…
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Christmas tree industry growing strong
With more than 25 million real Christmas trees sold in the United States every year, growing Christmas trees is a…
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Jackson appears set to OK development plan
After holding a public hearing last week, at its next meeting Jackson County Commissioners will likely approve an agreement allowing…
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