WNC vitality index provides data-driven look at region
A one-of-a-kind database that encompasses virtually every aspect of life in Western North Carolina, from ecology to economics, is now…
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WNC cries foul over air pollution payments going down East
Western North Carolina for now has dodged concerns that it was getting short shrift in a legal settlement intended to…
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Waynesville’s revered town manager receives top N.C. honor
Longtime Waynesville Town Manager Lee Galloway was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of the most prestigious…
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Slope rules come to Maggie Valley: A lesson to learn from
After four major landslides, one death, several destroyed and damaged homes, washed out roads, and a $50,000 clean-up bill, steep…
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State pledges to clamp down on improper activity at Haywood DOT
Waste, favoritism and possible fraud and corruption by state highway workers in Haywood County enriched a local contractor and cost…
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Waynesville also contemplates Super Walmart ABC store
Waynesville’s ABC Board has not yet officially decided to build a second liquor store near the new Super Walmart, but…
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ABC store plan draws criticism in Franklin
A split decision by Franklin aldermen to build a new $1.25 million ABC store at the site of a Super…
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Case of three slain elk in Haywood County remains a mystery
Three elk were shot dead last month just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the Mount Sterling area…
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Fontana Dam clings to its tiny yet vital post office
The tiny town of Fontana Dam is getting to keep its post office, but what’s not clear yet is whether…
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Lawsuit blames Cherokee for investment losses in children’s trust fund
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has denied any wrongdoing in a lawsuit related to investment losses in a trust…
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Haywood businesses catch the solar bug
Two technology-related businesses in Haywood County are looking to save some green by going green.
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Lush yard waste policy costing Waynesville big bucks
Lee Galloway never goes anywhere without a spare copy of Waynesville’s yard waste ordinance. Even a simple evening jaunt to…
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Influential DOT board member from Jackson steps down
Western mountain counties will have a new representative on the N.C. Department of Transportation board with the departure of long-time…
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Sylva town leaders must pick new member to join them
The Sylva town board has lost what was arguably its most progressive member with the resignation of Stacy Knotts, who…
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Maggie cuts employee benefits, lowers its tax rate
Maggie Valley’s mayor and Board of Alderman voted quickly Monday to cut the tax rate by three cents and approve…
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Maggie police under the gun in budget talks
The Maggie Valley Police Department will see minimal cuts to its new budget despite multiple discussions about whether the small…
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Cashiers chamber to step up its game under new director
Don’t expect business as usual at the Cashiers Chamber of Commerce as a new director takes over for the first…
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Start-up costs hinder possible remedy for Macon child care shortage
A couple in Macon County is trying to raise $2 million to open a childcare center that would serve 120…
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Roller Girls competition set for Haywood
Swain County’s Smoky Mountain Roller Girls will travel to Haywood County to take on the Thunder Road Roller Girls…
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Richard Twiss to preach at Lake Junaluska
Richard Twiss will preach Sunday, July 1, at Lake Junaluska as part of the Native American Summer Conference. Twiss…
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Opportunities to serve in Waynesville
The Town of Waynesville is seeking citizens willing to serve on its boards and commissions, including its ABC Board,…
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Haywood tourism agency rolls out new approach for visitor centers
The Internet and smartphones are turning brick-and-mortar visitor centers into an antiquated resource for travelers and are part of the…
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Maggie visitor center to be taken over by tourism agency
Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce will be forced to close its visitor center after its major source of funding has…
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Swain history, veterans will share spotlight in wall project
Swain County is permanently etching its history in stone. In the next couple of months, the first of about 60…
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Barking dogs on short leash in Jackson
Faced by a rising tide of complaints about barking dogs, Jackson County commissioners indicated this week that they would consider…
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Campaign to save specialty plates hits road block in the Senate
An effort to save those colorful specialty license plates has stalled in the N.C. Senate, which seems reluctant to take…
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WCU strategic plan ‘thoughtful and ambitious’
Western Carolina University’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved a new strategic plan — the 2020 Vision — at its meeting…
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Inspired from above: Steeplejacks suspended over Sylva toil on church spire
As a third generation steeplejack, Tony Stratton is used to a view from the top. As one of a handful…
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Jackson eyes possibility of new liquor stores in Cashiers, Qualla
On the heels of a vote that now allows alcoholic beverages to be sold countywide, Jackson County is considering opening…
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Cullowhee bridge could demolish business
Chris Pressley, a third-generation owner of the 65-year-old Cullowhee Automotive Service, has been on edge since learning about plans for…
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Hunger Free Haywood takes front row approach to food drive
Business, civic and government leaders from all over Haywood County gathered last week to officially kick off Hunger Free Haywood,…
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Law violation reveals flaw in Jackson County email system
A public records request for Jackson County Sheriff Jimmy Ashe’s emails doesn’t tell much of a story — that’s because…
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Highlands roadwork troubles some merchants
Repaving of the steep, windy, two-lane road from Franklin to Highlands has many merchants worried about whether this heavily tourism-dependant…
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“Our State” editor speaking July 9 at Lake Junaluska
Leah Hughes, associate editor at “Our State” magazine, will be the guest speaker at 9:30 a.m. on July 9 in…
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Worship series taking place this summer at Lake Junaluska
A Summer Worship Series is under way at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. Three worship services are being…
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The Fund for Haywood County awarded $50,000 in grants
The Fund for Haywood County has awarded $50,000 in grants to area nonprofit organizations that provide critical services for economically…
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Electric vehicle charging station comes to HCC
Haywood Community College has unveiled a new electric vehicle charging station, the only one west of Asheville. The station was…
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Grant to help prevent elder abuse
The 30th Judicial District Domestic Violence-Sexual Assault Alliance, Inc. has recently been awarded a $25,000 Janirve Legacy Fund Grant from…
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Meet the Telestroke Robot
Angel Medical Center in Franklin introduced the Telestroke Robot as their newest team member. The robot literally rolled in to…
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New dog park opens in Franklin
Franklin has a new dog park on the town’s greenway adjacent to Big Bear Park. The park is fenced and…
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New health initiative under way in WNC
Hospitals and health departments across Western North Carolina have partnered to develop WNC Healthy Impact, a regional initiative designed to…
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Smart Start dollars focus of recent Raleigh trip
Supporters of Smart Start traveled recently to Raleigh to encourage the N.C. General Assembly to restore its funding. The group…
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Priming the pump to cash in on casino’s trickle down
Business owners in Cherokee are making their own preparations for the influx of new visitors as a result of live…
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Recession rebound: turnaround in progress at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino
After inching its way back from recession-driven declines during the past year, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Hotel is back in…
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All hands on deck: live gaming approved by state
After nearly a decade of negotiations and broken promises, the state finally approved an agreement that allows table games with…
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With a nose for trouble, K9s are put on trial
By Paul Clark • Contributor • Norris Bunch called his dog Maxo to attention. Maxo, alert and ready, waited for…
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Cataloochee Ranch announces tours of experimental American chestnut orchard
In contrast to its peaceful and stunning high-mountain setting, Maggie Valley’s Cataloochee Ranch has been at the forefront of a…
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Franklin and Eastern Band try to make peace
Franklin Mayor Joe Collins sent a letter to the chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee last week, personally apologizing…
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Paddling downturn forces NOC to expand offerings
Of the many challenges faced by the Nantahala Outdoor Center during the past decade, one of the most troubling —…
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Changing course while keeping afloat: NOC’s new owners try to improve bottom line while keeping core values
The Nantahala Outdoor Center rose rapidly from a scrappy operation spawned by idealistic river rats in the 1970s to one…
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