Time to go all in at Harrah’s
It’s time for Harrah’s Cherokee Casino to offer alcohol to patrons, especially since the Tribe is counting on receipts from…
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You can’t stash true wealth in a bank
By John Beckman • Guest Columnist The concept of wealth has been sideswiped over the last few decades. It seems…
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A funeral story of necessity and pragmatism
By Dawn Gilchrist-Young This is an Appalachian story because it is about resourceful people taking care of their own with…
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The many rewards of home improvement
Lately, the days whiz by faster than usual. Now that we have finally decided to put our house up for…
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The new frugality is an old idea
There’s talk all over about America’s newfound love affair with frugality. What Time magazine has dubbed the Great Recession is…
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Miss California takes on gay marriage
I cannot remember the last time I watched a minute of a beauty pageant. I never had much of an…
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Paying homage to the early park supporters
“When I first came into the Smokies the whole region was one of superb primeval forest. My sylvan studio spread…
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Perdue’s no-show was a missed opportunity
“Gov. Beverly Perdue probably didn’t set out to give Western North Carolina a slap in the face Wednesday. “But we…
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Fighting the fear that comes at night
I don’t really know when nightmares begin. I guess it is possible that babies have nightmares, shaken awake in the…
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Green Initiative a great fit for Haywood County
The Haywood County Chamber of Commerce’s Green Initiative is one of those projects that is good on many different levels,…
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Nuisance debate both crass and credible
Every now and then a government proposal takes on such a vigorous life of its own that its intent gets…
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Get ready for life in the fast lane
It seems impossible that my niece is going to have a baby. She is 20 years old, which is about…
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Shuler proving his independence
Openly conservative Democratic Rep. Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, is blazing his own path in Congress. That characteristic is easy to admire,…
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Pondering the future of newspapers
Much as I dislike posing the question, here it is: can you imagine a future without newspapers? Would it be…
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Mountain beauty is an asset we all own
To the Editor: We appreciate The Smoky Mountain News coverage on the steep slope issues in Macon County and would…
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Landslide highlights, once again, need for new laws
Another landslide occurred a little over a week ago, this one leaving a home teetering on the edge of a…
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A community can provide real help to those in need
By Marsha Crites • Guest Columnist It occurred to me as I was hiking up my mountain today that one…
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Mr. February, me and my wife make happy
I love dogs. Except during that period in my life when I lived in a seemingly endless series of shoebox…
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Flood Relief Funds: What really happened
By Denise A. Mathis • Guest Column One of the most publicized criminal cases in Haywood County history centered around…
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Tough year for HRMC teaches hard lessons
It’s a cultural tradition in nearly every society, the firm belief that people and institutions become stronger once they’ve been…
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Jackson library deserving of community support
Deduction would tell us that in the information age libraries would be accorded great respect, but somehow that isn’t universally…
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For young illegals, a coming-of-age quandary
Irene is not just a good student. She is one of the very best at her school, near the top…
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Free clinic plugs mental health holes
By Marth Teater • Guest Columnist The Good Samaritan Clinic of Haywood County has served the medical needs of our…
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A ray of hope in the mental health crisis
When it comes to caring for the mentally ill in North Carolina, there’s been very little good news over the…
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A call to action for the Southern Appalachians
By Brent Martin • Guest Columnist In an article in Blue Ridge Country magazine, author and professor Steve Nash provided…
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Closed session minutes an opportunity for openness
What a great way to earn public trust: a public body decides that minutes from closed sessions no longer need…
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For Terry, the world was too much
“Unique” is a word much abused as a descriptor for human beings. I have heard many, many people described as…
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Dillsboro dam is simply worth preserving
By Anna Fariello • Guest Columnist OK, so I have to admit that part of the appeal of the Dillsboro/Duke…
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TVA ruling could signal beginning of a new era
A recent court victory by the state of North Carolina will require the Tennessee Valley Authority to reduce emissions at…
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Electing sheriffs leaves too much to chance
By Bob Scott • Guest Columnist A municipality would never think of electing a chief of police. But in North…
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A duty to protect Swain’s citizens
By Curtis Cochran • Guest Columnist As sheriff of Swain County, I would like to take this opportunity to respond…
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Quieting the monster cries
For nearly a year, my 3-year-old son Jack has been obsessed with heavy machinery. We rent films from the library…
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Military a strong pull in this economy
The military remains a popular employment choice for young people today, and the poor economy is probably helping steer many…
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Celebrating the vision of Joe Legge
Joe Legge’s “official funeral ceremony” was held at the Estatoah Wayfarers’ Chapel in Dillard, Ga., on Jan. 17 at 4…
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Special moments, a spoonful at a time
You hear it often, mostly from those of us who are guilty. I’m talking about making a promise of spending…
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Not a social networking butterfly, but I’m out of the cocoon
Of course I had HEARD of Facebook. I may be well into the marrow of middle age by now, but…
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This time, WCU passes academic integrity test
This time, WCU passes academic integrity test If you want a messy issue with lots of overtones, then let’s talk…
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A year of opportunity
By Carl Iobst • Guest Columnist 2008 was an interesting year. Not the worst on record, but tough enough. 2009…
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A second Gilded Age is upon us
By Bob Scott Steal a loaf of bread to feed your family and you go to jail. Steal $50 billion…
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Here’s to a swift kick to the trash heap for 2008
The new years toasts are over, and we’re a week into 2009. If hindsight is 20-20, then it’s time to…
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Memories of WCTC’s feline director of all things theater
Back in the days when WCU was WCTC (Western Carolina Teachers’ College), I was one of a few kids that…
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It’s past time for land use review to get started
The acknowledgement by Waynesville’s leaders that they let a review of the town’s much-heralded land use plan languish and now…
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It’s all about the kids, right?
We stood looking at the dinosaur for quite awhile. As parents of children ages 7 and 3, we are more…
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Bad economy leads to a few good things
By John Beckman • Guest Columnist A lot of attention lately has been focused on how bad the economic downturn…
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With each visit home, college daughter is more grown up
By David Curtis Just a short two weeks ago I was texting my daughter, who was in the process of…
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That’s me on the couch, counting my blessings
The holidays are upon us, I’m walking almost normal, and I’m ready to sit on the couch and count my…
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Sustainable travel makes sense
By Cynthia Deale • Western Regional Representative, Center for Sustainable Tourism Editor’s note: This series of green living tips is…
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DOT meeting should have been advertised
By James McCarthy • Guest Columnist Did the N.C. Department of Transportation hold an illegal meeting on Dec. 4 at…
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Public land stewardship as economic stimulus
Editor’s Note: The following is testimony delivered by Mark Singleton of Sylva, who is the chairman of the Outdoor Alliance.…
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Waynesville needs to get going on land use plan update
It’s time for Waynesville to get going on its land use plan review, especially since the economic downturn has slowed…
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