Council Rep. Saunooke dies in office

Painttown Rep. Tommye Saunooke, 82, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 9, in the midst of her 12th consecutive term on…
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SMAC brings in two new coaches

Smoky Mountain Aquatic Club has not one, but two new coaches at the helm that know a thing or two…
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Defamation suit filed in North Carolina against Colorado congresswoman Lauren Boebert

American Muckrakers, the North Carolina political action committee that has hounded Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-Henderson) throughout his tenure, filed suit in North Carolina today…
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Bombshell report claims NC law enforcement interference with syringe service programs, including in Haywood

A General Assembly-backed initiative to prevent opioid overdoses, provide linkages to care and stem the spread of communicable diseases through the…
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More misinformation: Miller’s 'missing' millions

After a marathon misinformation session at an August Haywood County Commissioners meeting during which commissioners fought back against comments from the public…
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Shetley wins national book award

The NYC Big Book Award recognized “The Jolt Felt Around the World” in the category of Childrens Environment as a…
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Officials break ground on Corridor K project

State and local officials celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony Monday for Corridor K, a project that will improve mobility in Western North…
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Tribe begins $275 million expansion at Murphy casino

One day after the seven-year anniversary of the Valley River Casino’s grand opening just outside of Murphy, tribal officials and casino…
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Stadium snafu: After a rumored County Clash venue change, Tuscola to host rivalry game

Heated speculation lit up social media the night of Oct. 3. The rumor: The 2022 County Clash wouldn’t take place…
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Haywood will lease parking spots for forthcoming Waynesville hotel

A Raleigh-based hospitality corporation that wants to build a new hotel at the corner of Depot and Montgomery streets in…
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Haywood needle exchange resolution would have statewide impact

After first discussing the matter almost a month ago, Haywood County commissioners are now calling upon the General Assembly to…
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‘In perpetuity’: NPS director celebrates National Public Lands Day in the Smokies 


National Public Lands Day dawned crisp and cool Saturday, Sept. 24, a celebration of everything most beloved about fall in…
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A new sculpture for downtown Sylva

As part of its public art initiative, Sylva will host a large, interactive cat sculpture in Bridge Park this fall…
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WCU student worker fired following union creation

Aiás Magitas, a 20-year-old forensic anthropology student from Charlotte, had been working the guest services desk at Western Carolina University’s…
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Public asked to help shape Maggie land use plan

The Town of Maggie Valley is encouraging residents to participate in developing its upcoming land-use plan. 
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Tribe explores pathway to tax-free casino distributions

Starting in March, members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians may have the chance to sign up for a…
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Public notice requirements for voter challenge hearing may not have been met

A meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. on Sept 28 by the Graham County Board of Elections to hear voter registration challenges against…
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Building Outdoor Communities Program launches

The WNC: MADE X MTNS Partnership officially launched the Building Outdoor Communities Program (BOC) last week, welcoming over 100 attendees for an…
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SCC names building in honor of school president

During a recent meeting, Southwestern Community College’s Board of Trustees unanimously agreed to name the new Health Sciences Center in…
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Swain runner advocates for sports equality

Amaya Hicks, Swain County High School senior and captain of the women’s cross country, basketball, indoor and outdoor track teams,…
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Sylva extends take-home vehicle policy for police

In the face of a housing shortage and increased competition for employees, the Town of Sylva has updated its policy…
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Canton woman’s lawsuit will test COVID immunity law for health care providers

A Canton woman has filed a lawsuit against the Hospital Corporation of America in which she claims “egregious acts of…
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Smathers sues HCA for 'egregious' medical negligence during son's birth

A Canton woman has filed a lawsuit against Hospital Corporation of America in which she claims “egregious acts of medical…
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Haywood seeks event center board members
 

Haywood seeks event center board members

The Haywood County Board of Commissioners is accepting applications to fill two upcoming vacancies on the Smoky Mountain Event Center…
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NCWorks hosts Manufacturing Day event
 

NCWorks hosts Manufacturing Day event

National Manufacturing Day is Oct. 7, and to celebrate NCWorks will be hosting its second annual Manufacturing Day event. The…
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Legal Aid to host clinics for those affected by Tropical Storm Fred
 

Legal Aid to host clinics for those affected by Tropical Storm Fred

Legal Aid of North Carolina is helping those recovering from the catastrophic flooding that occurred in August 2021 through free…
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Maggie Valley officer recognized for life-saving courage

An officer who risked her own safety to save the lives of others was hailed as a hero last week…
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Audience chastised for applauding nonprofit leader’s mishap

Members of Waynesville’s Board of Aldermen responded harshly to applause from the audience after payments to a nonprofit contractor were…
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Haywood County Schools names teacher of the year

Bethel Middle School teacher Sally Hundley was named Haywood County Schools’ 2023 Teacher of the Year.
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With county funding, AWAKE will complete building repairs

The Jackson County Commission allocated just over $60,000 of American Rescue Plan funds to AWAKE Children’s Advocacy Center for the…
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Legislative raises hit WCU paychecks

Faculty and staff at Western Carolina University have been seeing higher paychecks since July following the N.C. General Assembly’s passage…
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Tribal Council debates election law changes

Term limits could be on the chopping block in Cherokee’s updated election ordinance due to legal advice arguing that the…
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FUR hosts seventh annual Barnyard BBQ Blast

FUR’s seventh annual Barnyard BBQ Blast fundraiser will be held on Sunday, Oct. 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. With…
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Waynesville Police to launch new app

As the world becomes more and more accessible in the palm of our hands, local governments must adapt to ensure…
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Ambitious proposal could be game-changer for affordable housing in Haywood

Haywood County was recently awarded another substantial grant to help address the affordable housing crisis, but the way the county…
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Threats force Waynesville to consider meeting security measures

The Town of Waynesville may soon start subjecting public meeting attendees to metal detectors in some form or fashion, Town…
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Pisgah Legal Services offers free help during September tax clinics 
 

Pisgah Legal Services offers free help during September tax clinics 

If you haven’t received your tax refund, it’s not too late. Families who make less than $58,000 per year can…
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An illuminating panorama of Three Forks

A few months after a devastating Pigeon River flood in 2021, some friends of the Canton Area Historical Museum gathered…
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No search, no problem: Putnam named superintendent

Just over a month after Superintendent Dr. Bill Nolte announced his impending retirement, the Haywood County School Board has chosen…
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Payment Hours Changing at Franklin Town Hall
 

Payment Hours Changing at Franklin Town Hall

The Town of Franklin Town Hall payment hours are changing effective Monday, Oct. 3, 2022.   
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Make a plan during Fire Prevention Week
 

Make a plan during Fire Prevention Week

The Cullowhee Fire Department is teaming up with State Farm and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this…
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Hearing date set for Lake Santeetlah voter fraud charges

Weeks after a hearing by the Graham County Board of Elections found probable cause to suspect that eight individuals had…
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Book reading, film screening to commemorate Popcorn Sutton

Filmed in one week in June, 2002, less than seven years before infamous moonshiner Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton committed suicide to…
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Sylva extends social district hours

When the Town of Sylva instituted its social district earlier this year, it planned to revisit the ordinance six months later…
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Free on bond, Moody will face federal charges after FBI arrest

A Haywood County woman who admitted to serving phony writs that offered bounties on public officials will face federal charges…
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After removing sensitive objects, Cherokee museum fills empty cases with artistic responses

Navigating the darkened exhibit halls at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian is slow work on Wednesday evening, Sept. 7.…
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WNC residents pave a ‘trail of truth’ to Washington for drug deaths

As a stark reminder of the toll that substance abuse has taken on families across the country and across Western…
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Council approves $732.5 million budget

On Oct. 1, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will start a new fiscal year with $732.5 million in the…
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WCU celebrates opening of its newest residence halls

When Western Carolina University officials held a ribbon-cutting event to officially open “The Rocks” freshman residence halls on Sept. 2,…
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Macon County Board of Education vice chairman dead at 79

Tommy Cabe, Macon County resident and Board of Education vice chairman, died Thursday, Sept. 1, after undergoing heart surgery in…
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