A reminder to keep the public in mind
“’Official meeting’ means a meeting, assembly, or gathering together at any time or place ... of a majority of the…
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Snow days are like heaven for 12-year-olds
You are 12 years old and it’s December and a school day. The days are shorter now, meaning it is…
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Choices in home energy systems
By Avram Friedman • Executive Director, Canary Coalition Getting “off the grid” is more and more appealing to many of…
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In high school, more than you might imagine do care about politics
By Zack Dean • Smoky Mtn. High School I had to work late on Nov. 4, so upon coming home…
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Forgive yes, but first a look at HRMC’s recent past
The healing power of forgiveness is at the top of the list of things in which I believe strongly. It’s…
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The politics of python invasions
By David Curtis Just when you thought you had enough to worry about here comes a news report that’s right…
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Green Energy Park is not dangerous
By Timm Muth My thanks to the editor for giving me the opportunity to respond to the recent allegations about…
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Signs that we are growing up
Sparta, N.C. – I am on my way to town to get a birthday cake for my son, Jack. He…
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Tuning in once again
The Sweetest Sounds The sweetest sounds I’ll ever hear Are still inside my head. The kindest words I’ll ever know…
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HRMC's survival vital to Haywood
Some are saying Regional Medical Center faces an uncertain future, but we believe it is vitally important for community leaders,…
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Valentine's Day, often, is about survival
By David Curtis Whew ... I survived another Valentine’s Day. That is a big accomplishment if you are a man,…
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In winter, the joy of gardening is the beauty of a blank slate
By Marsha Crites • Guest Columnist Whether I am working on a watercolor design, organizing a community group, decorating a…
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Mental health crisis will need enlightened leadership
By Ed Seavey • Guest Columnist The recent issue of the Smoky Mountain News (Jan. 16, “WNC Confronts Mental Health…
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Resisting the prospect of extinction
By Brent Martin Almost 10 years ago, science writer David Quammen published an essay in Harper’s Magazine titled A Planet…
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The innate traits of the male species
By Stephanie Wampler Step-by-cautious step, the man crosses the room, casting his eyes in all directions to make sure no…
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A favorite plant
By Jim Janke • Special to SMN Editor’s note: This is a regular feature on gardening by the Haywood County…
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Development rules will get test in commissioner race
When the Democratic primary election rolls around in Jackson County on May 6, many will finally get the chance they’ve…
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Too close to call
The most fascinating race for President of the United States in my lifetime could have become a good bit more…
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The greening of America
“I suddenly think about my friends, you know, getting on their private jets. And I think, well, you know, maybe…
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Reverend C. T. Vivian sheds light on roots of Civil Rights movement
By Victoria McDonald • Guest Columnist Reverend C. T. Vivian is a living legend of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement.…
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Forest Service should let boaters on the Chattooga
The U.S. Forest Service is about to release its opinion on whether to allow boating on the Chattooga River. It’s…
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Counties need full-time economic development director
There’s not a one-size-fits-all model for how counties should promote economic development, but at the very least there should be…
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This rodent won’t make it to the White House
PUNXSUTAWNEY, Penn. — A year from the day he announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president, Punxsutawney Phil,…
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Letter writers take me to task twice in one week
Fair’s fair, so I’ll print an anonymous letter I received over the weekend. We usually don’t print anonymous submissions, but…
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North Shore area won’t be designated a wilderness
By Rep. Heath Shuler After more than 60 years of contentious debate that has divided our community, we are finally…
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Fundamental issues are ignored in immigration debate
By Marsha Crites • Guest Columnist She is very thin, about 6 years old, her hair is unkempt and her…
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Oh, the glorious memory of boredom
George Bernard Shaw once said, “It’s a shame that youth is wasted on the young.” If that is true, then…
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Tis the season of politics and lies
The truth is that, at the state level, no one is giving Pat Smathers a chance to win in his…
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Long-term fix must be found for state’s mental health care woes
Perhaps it is going to take a complete fracturing of the mental health system before policymakers finally realize that North…
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Is it unpatriotic to save the rebate?
Don’t you just love being an American. Just the mere mention of the word “recession” and the next thing you…
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Stay out of my space with the cell phone
By Angela Faye Martin Presently, I am stalking though my local library collecting my thoughts on what I will write…
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Last challenge to Duke worth a try
Jackson County is almost at the end of its rope in the fight against Duke Power, but it is important…
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Turn and face the change
Are you ready for a change, I mean a REAL change? The candidates for president of the United States are…
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Next president has abig hole to dig us out of
“Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.” — Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson believed in…
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When the snows fell on Babbie’s house
When winter comes now, and I see those familiar pale shafts of sunlight that briefly touch the tops of the…
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A big bowl of politics and football
By David Curtis College football and presidential primary politics make strange bedfellows, but in this New Year I think they…
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Jackson students need a balanced education
By Michael Sanera • Guest Columnist In what appears to be a first in Jackson County, planners from a private…
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Recycling requirement passes costs on to rightful party
One is a new law that just took effect Jan. 1, and the other is a hoped-for statute that we…
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A little moss, hopefully, is forever
By Stephanie Wampler A thick, green sheet of moss is growing across my roof. When I first noticed it the…
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In WNC, voters showing support for Edwards, Huckabee
By Tom Jensen • Guest Columnist John Edwards and Mike Huckabee are the most popular Presidential candidates in their own…
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The honesty of a cat’s purr opens my eyes
By John Armour We have two cats: Weasel, a grey female calico, and Orion, a male orange and white tabby.…
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Blessed be the tin-eared hymn singer
By David Curtis “Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the new born King.”
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Mountain protections gained wide support in 2007
For those of us who have been beating the drum about the need for mountain communities to get serious about…
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Disappearing fringes threaten national forests
By Brent Martin We see it everywhere we look in Western North Carolina — land advertised and marketed for its…
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Ten yers after Harrah’s, Cherokee is a better place
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino quietly marked its 10th anniversary in November, but it’s impossible to ignore exactly what it has meant…
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Foy’s influence will endure
The praise for outgoing Waynesville Mayor Henry Foy has been plentiful. Both of the other newspapers in Haywood County have…
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You cats dressed in blue, this is for you
(Editor’s note: Smoky Mountain News columnist Chris Cox delivered this address to the graduating class at Southwestern Community College this…
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The maples face an emotional buzz saw
By David Curtis Trees are making the news again in Haywood County as two commissioners are debating the sugar maples…
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Canton gains ground as mill’s dominance recedes
Things are changing in Canton. That in itself is somewhat newsworthy.
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Rankings show quality health care is available in Haywood County
By David Rice • Guest Columnist The results of a survey of nearly 5,000 hospitals nationwide indicate Haywood Regional Medical…
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