Forest plan will harm endangered bats, conservation groups say
Groups file intent to sue Forest Service
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Pactiv Evergreen contests chemical dumping allegations
In response to a July 10 notice of violation accusing Pactiv Evergreen of illegally dumping unused chemicals into the wastewater…
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County to lease Higdon property to school system
After Macon County declared its intent to purchase the Higdon property earlier this year, there was some confusion as to…
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What’s next for Sylva skate? Commissioners continue to work toward a skatepark
Now that Sylva Pipes is up and running with a temporary half-pipe, commissioners are looking at next steps for…
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Haywood community wellness program opens registration
The Haywood 4 Good community wellness program announced that registration is open for the fall 2023 program.
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Fund established to support transition following mill closure
The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) has established a charitable fund to support nonprofit organizations and municipalities impacted…
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Municipal election races set in Western North Carolina
The slates are now set for November’s municipal elections in Western North Carolina, and although a number of surprise candidates…
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Waynesville unites against hate and bigotry after false trans allegations
Claims of indecent behavior involving a transgender person at the Waynesville Recreation Center roiled this tight-knight rural community last week,…
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A rush to judgement: The mere existence of trans people is not a crime
Social media posts alleging multiple instances of improper activity by a transgender person at the Waynesville Recreation Center last week…
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Health care coverage crisis for mill workers continues
Employees at Pactiv Evergreen’s Canton paper mill knew a health care coverage crisis was coming, and many of them did…
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Charges dropped against Shining Rock parent
A criminal charge against the Shining Rock Classical Academy parent accused of cyberstalking has been dismissed.
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Charter schools budget for growth
There are several outstanding variables that will affect budgets for local charter schools in the coming school year — average…
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Expanded sports betting could add to EBCI per cap
Tribal members could see their per capita checks grow after the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians expands its gaming business…
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EBCI Council tightens transparency rules for tribal LLCs
In response to what he says are ongoing issues with transparency on the part of the tribe’s cannabis business Qualla…
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New health initiative provides relief for costs
A program to assist those who have lost health insurance due to the closure of Pactiv Evergreen is underway thanks…
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Mountain Projects receives award from Mission Health
Mountain Projects, one of 52 regional human service organizations working on North Carolina’s groundbreaking Healthy Opportunities Pilot program (HOP), under…
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Wilke transforms HCSO’s vision
It’s been a long road for Bill Wilke to become Haywood County’s sheriff, and now that he’s got the job,…
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Holbrooks follows in father’s footsteps
New sheriffs in North Carolina are bombarded with new information and leadership duties their first year in office, but Macon…
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Farmer focuses on detention, patrol with JCSO
Settling into the role of sheriff is tough for any law enforcement professional, but in Jackson County, Doug Farmer brings…
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Swain teens push for youth center
Students in rural America already face many of the challenges experienced by their urban cousins — albeit with fewer resources…
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Council axes constitution, term limit referenda Convention to continue working on document
After voting unanimously in April to put a proposed constitution on the ballot for approval this year, the Eastern Band…
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Tourism dollars fund Jackson capital projects
The Jackson County Tourism Development Authority has selected two projects to be funded with occupancy tax dollars — one in…
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Jackson moves forward on opioid recovery
Jackson County Commissioners are set to approve two grant-funded positions aimed at substance use disorder recovery and treatment during a…
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Canton passes industrial development moratorium aimed at Pactiv
After closing its paper mill in Canton early last month, Pactiv Evergreen is reportedly now engaged in discussions with potential…
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Municipal election filing period ends Friday
The candidate filing period for November’s municipal elections that opened on July 7 ends this coming Friday, July 21, at…
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As promised, Pless strips Maggie Valley of development powers
The Haywood County Town of Maggie Valley has lost significant authority to exercise development powers after a bill promoted by…
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More money available to help displaced Evergreen workers
In the latest in a long line of efforts by the Southwestern Commission to help those affected by the Evergreen…
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Champion Credit Union named to list of Great Employers to Work for in North Carolina
Champion Credit Union announced it has been named to the Great Employers to Work for in North Carolina 2023 list…
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Waynesville’s mayoral race heats up with inclusion of Reece
Waynesville native, retired DEA agent and unsuccessful 2019 Waynesville aldermanic candidate Joey Reece will run for mayor of Waynesville, Reece…
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Pactiv Evergreen accused of illegally dumping chemicals during shutdown
In a notice of violation issued Monday, July 10, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality has accused Pactiv Evergreen of…
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Vacation rentals: Explosive growth brings jobs, money, but some say it contributes to housing shortage
In a neighborhood along Asheville’s French Broad River and abutting a residential street that includes young families, Upstream Way stands…
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Parties prep for voter ID requirements
The issue of requiring voters to present identification at the polls before casting a ballot has been contentious in North…
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EBCI census will impact Tribal Council outcomes
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is trying for the first true census of its citizens in more than 20…
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EBCI welcomes new sports wagering law: Law will increase competition, but allow mobile betting
When sports wagering started in Cherokee two years ago, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ two casinos were the only…
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No phase two for Shining Rock Classical Academy, for now
Shining Rock Classical Academy is hitting pause on plans for expansion of its school building — now untenable due to…
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Another step toward a middle school
Jackson County Schools recently approved an agreement to undergo a master planning process that will move the school system one…
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Fee increase for Macon County solid waste
After some pushback from Commissioner John Shearl, Macon County has approved three changes to the solid waste fee structure for…
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United Christian Ministries welcomes new director
United Christian Ministries of Jackson County has appointed a new Executive Director.
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Jackson Health Department announces wellness program
The Jackson County Health Department announced a new wellness program, Elevate828.
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Cherokee constitution debate continues: Ballot deadline approaching
Over nearly three hours Wednesday, June 21, Tribal Council heard from attorneys offering dire warnings about the unintended consequences that…
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Anti-social: Social district proposal unlikely to reemerge after Waynesville tables it
Waynesville’s consideration of a social district in its downtown core took an interesting turn on June 27, when members of…
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Rep. Pless aims to punish Maggie: Tries to limit town’s zoning authority, offers de-annexation for some residents
Mark Pless has escalated his war against three of the five Maggie Valley aldermen.
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Pless continues push for partisan elections in Haywood, Madison
What does a Senate bill giving the Apex Town Council the power to hire the town’s clerk have to do…
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MCS moves to consolidate FHS and Union Academy
If Macon County succeeds in constructing a new high school, which could be contingent on receiving a Needs-Based Public School…
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Jackson addresses foster care needs
Jackson County has approved a plan to pay employees for assisting with the “unprecedented rate” of residential foster care services…
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Healthcare Foundation aims to fight food insecurity
As residents in counties across Western North Carolina continue to face food insecurity issues, the Haywood Health Care Foundation is…
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More WNC students to receive free school meals
More students in Macon, Jackson and Haywood counties will receive free breakfast and lunch in the coming school year thanks…
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Waynesville man sentenced for illegal machine guns
Jacob Ryan McClure, 25, of Waynesville. was sentenced to 33 months in prison followed by three years of supervised released…
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Employee retention improving at WCU
The massive employee turnover Western Carolina University has seen over the past two years is now trending downward, but the…
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