Cherokee plays hardball with state on casino
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has agreed to give up 8.5 percent of the gross revenue from new table…
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Sen. Davis makes political rounds to tribal council
N.C. Senator Jim Davis spoke about the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ contribution to Western North Carolina at a tribal…
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Bryson City needs standards, but public split on how far to go
Gil Crouch was working in his Bryson City business one day this summer when a regular visitor to town told…
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Renegade houseboat meets its demise
A houseboat on Fontana Lake was dismantled and hauled off this month after the owner repeatedly failed to dispose of…
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Sylva crunching budget to pay for police department move
Renovating the old library on Main Street in Sylva for a new police department is on something of a hiatus…
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Jackson subdivision rules come under review
It could mark the first move in an effort to dismantle a set of strict land regulations in Jackson County…
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There is more than one road to Cherokee …
Jackson County wants some of the Cherokee-bound traffic diverted its way despite highway signs that indicate the way to Cherokee…
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Consultant talks traits for new town manager
The clock is ticking on what will be a rigorous and thorough process to replace long-time Waynesville Town Manager Lee…
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Summer-lovers group gears up for possible school-calendar fight next year
A group protesting ever-earlier school starts in North Carolina has turned the heat down for now on its shining Bad…
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WCU students collect winter wear for youth
The Nurses Christian Fellowship student organization at Western Carolina University is seeking donations of gloves, scarves, hats and mittens to…
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Capitol’s Christmas tree stops in Cherokee
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will make a stop in Cherokee during this year’s national tour. The Eastern Band of…
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Maggie awarded funds for law enforcement
The Town of Maggie Valley was awarded a $184,786 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community…
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Hooper House gets historic designation
The Hooper House on West Main Street in Sylva has received Jackson County’s first designation as a Local Historic Landmark.…
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Old hand in economic development comes on board as new Macon director
Macon County has turned to veteran lawmaker and businessman Tommy Jenkins of Franklin to head local economic development efforts. Jenkins,…
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Sonoco Plastics expansion to add 35 jobs in Waynesville
When many businesses are still cutting back or maintaining their current workforce, Sonoco Plastics announced last week that it will…
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Haywood construction industry fell 34 percent in recession
During the past decade, Haywood County’s economy has seen some ups — but mostly downs. A presentation given at the…
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Election protest by Waynesville mayor candidate gets denied
A challenger for the mayor’s seat in Waynesville protested the election results this week, claiming residents of a new apartment…
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Jackson commissioner regrets public airing of discord on board
A brouhaha among Jackson County commissioners at a meeting last week prompted a follow-up public apology from Chairman Jack Debnam.…
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Are dog-barking complainers simply howling at the moon?
The yippy-yappy cries of barking dogs have left Jackson County commissioners in a quandary as they face a rising tide…
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Traditional Sylva feed and seed store seizes chance to fill modern organic niche
It’s not everyday that you can shop at the local feed and seed store for organic foods and produce, but…
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Imperial Hotel caught in civil suit over unpaid building materials
The Imperial Hotel in Canton has become entangled in a legal battle as a result of unpaid bills by a…
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Twenty years and counting: Imperial renovations, perhaps, finally coming to a close
It’s anybody’s guess when the Imperial Hotel in Canton will open. The deadline for finishing renovations to the hotel, owned…
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Cherokee bands combat claims of native ancestry by “faux” tribes
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma have officially banded together against “fabricated” tribes accused…
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Lake Junaluska stares down uncertain future with bold vision
Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center has reached a critical crossroads on the eve of its 100-year mark. It’s headed…
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County commissioners demand answers from Cashiers tourism leader
A failure by the Cashiers Chamber of Commerce and the Cashiers Travel and Tourism Authority to provide county leaders reports…
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Commissioner complains he’s been relegated to benchwarmer status
A work session this week on Jackson County’s room tax appears to mark the beginning of open warfare and the…
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Police wrestle bear cub into custody
A baby bear went on a romp through downtown Waynesville last week before finally being cornered and captured by police…
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Sylva mainstay, Annie’s Naturally Bakery, to close this week
Annie’s Naturally Bakery, the beloved coffee, bakery and gathering place in Sylva that helped launch a Main Street renaissance of…
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Whitman’s closing leaves downtown Waynesville ‘hungry for a bakery’
A donut or cannoli will no longer be a hop, skip and a jump away for people in downtown Waynesville.…
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Christian bookstore celebrates 10 years
Dalton’s Christian Bookstore in Waynesville is putting 10 candles on its birthday cake this year. A decade ago, Waynesville had…
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New business opens in Haywood County
A new business, Mountain View Appliance, opened its doors Oct. 3. The owners, Mark Atkinson and Elva Woody, said they…
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Students get “REAL” with entrepreneurship
Throughout the month of October, second through fifth grade students at the Roots in Education After School Homework House got…
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WCU students seeking book donations
Those calling Reynolds Hall home on the Western Carolina University campus are shy of meeting a book-drive goal for Smokey…
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Grove Park CEO to keynote regional tourism meeting
Craig Madison, the president and CEO of the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa, will be the featured speaker at…
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Input sought for new Waynesville manager
Everyone is invited to a “relaxed meeting” Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall to have their voices…
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Peace conference to highlight speakers on poverty issues
The fourth annual Lake Junaluska Peace Conference, “Poverty, Abundance, and Peace: Seeking Economic Justice for All God’s Children” through Nov.…
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Waynesville explores fix for run-down restrooms at park
A discussion regarding the fate of old restrooms at the Waynesville Recreation Park has prompted town officials to take another…
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Bryson weighs regulations to protect character
Bryson City leaders will turn to residents to help solve their own disagreements over the severity of proposed appearance standards…
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Jackson to build new EMS center
Jackson County plans to buy land along U.S. 441 heading toward Franklin for a future emergency management center to house…
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News notes
Lake Junaluska is inviting Haywood County citizens to a public meeting to discuss its “vision” for its second century. The…
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Railroad wants money, county wants assurances
Jackson County is nowhere close to cementing a deal with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad — one that would offer…
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Is room tax hike aimed at helping scenic railroad?
Opponents to a proposed room tax increase in Jackson County are accusing county leaders of secretly earmarking the money for…
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County workers ready for move-in day at remodeled Walmart in Haywood
Finishing on time and on budget, the Haywood County Department of Social Services and several other government offices will move…
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Business owners craft campaign to promote alcohol sales
A group of Cherokee business leaders will be a driving force in the campaign to permit alcohol sales on the…
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Faculty want say in future reorganizations
Constant reshuffling of the organizational structure at Western Carolina University — at least three such applecart upsets in just six…
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Jackson board to revisit U.S. 441 zoning plan
Rules in Jackson County controlling how development occurs along the five-mile stretch or so of U.S. 441 that leads into…
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Shuler leads national call for much larger debt cuts
Congressman Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, is leading a bipartisan call, asking the joint super committee to spare nothing in its cuts…
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Franklin revs up for foray into motorcycle scene
Motorcycle rallies are all the rage these days in Western North Carolina, and Franklin tourism leaders are busy finalizing plans…
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Bryson town officials failed to keep tabs on fire department finances
Despite multiple red flags, Bryson City officials failed to provide proper oversight of the town’s volunteer fire department over the…
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Newcomer Patrick Willis joins incumbents on Canton board
The Canton Town Board of Aldermen will now feature three old dogs and one new one. Patrick Willis, who ran…
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