Twenty-two years later, some things haven’t changed
Early morning, June 2, 1999. I remember exactly where I was at and what I was doing. More on that…
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Seeing the light amid the darkness
There was once a young girl in Southern India who lived in a house with no electricity. A coiled water…
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Some need to expand their news sources
To the Editor: As an occasional writer of letters to the editor I sometimes receive feedback, mostly positive but sometimes…
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Open up the records of public employees
Last July, The Smoky Mountain News produced a series of stories looking into police reform following the killing of George…
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How about the Second Amendment?
To the Editor: In a recent letter to The Smoky Mountain News a retired military man stated, “Among all the…
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The real steal may come in 2024
To the Editor: Representative Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) was removed from her leadership position in the Republican Party for only one…
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A time for personal growth, reorienting
My last column was about reorienting oneself after a time of loss or change. The entire world is working to…
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A bit of hypocrisy in Back the Blue
By Heather Hyatt Packer • Guest Columnist | With a recent motel sign in Maggie Valley has come a collective…
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Why do evangelicals support Trump?
To the Editor: A recent letter writer attempted to excuse evangelicals who support Trump. She quickly got into the weeds…
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A country coming to grips with real problems
By Mary Jane Curry • Guest Columnist | This a reply to a letter by David Parker that appeared in…
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Our public colleges make N.C. the envy of others
By Kelli R. Brown • Guest Columnist | There are more than 242,000 students attending the 17 institutions of the…
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Honoring our healthcare heroes
By Greg Caples • Guest Columnist | What is a hero? Maya Angelou famously said, “I think a hero is…
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How about the Second Amendment?
To the Editor: In a recent letter to The Smoky Mountain News a retired military man stated, “Among all the…
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Insightful and beautifully written
Thirty years ago or so, perhaps in Time Magazine where he was a long-time essayist, I read a Lance Morrow…
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The heart and soul of public education
I got home from work yesterday after running a couple of errands. It was approaching 6 p.m. My wife, a…
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Sitting in the mess can be worth it
I’m not the traditional church-going type. “Christianity” is an antiquated, laden term of which I’m not a fan. My faith…
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Identity groups are unexplainable
To the Editor: Attempts to explain or absolve any identity group of voters are subject to inaccuracy.
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I’ll take growth over stagnation any day
While not a surprise to anyone in Western North Carolina walking around with their eyes open, new Census data released…
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Be intentional in protecting earth
To the Editor: Many of us in Jackson County volunteered to pick up litter recently as part of Jackson County’s…
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Lemon’s book is well worth a read
To the Editor: Whether or not you are a fan of TV anchor and journalist Don Lemon, his latest book…
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Gun rights are absolute
To the Editor: A quote that will live in infamy! On April 8, 2021, Comrade Joe Biden laid bare the…
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My own 1971 history project
My boyfriend and I recently bought a vintage house. It was built in 1971. When the realtor gave us a…
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The benefits of Community Response Teams
By Hannah Minick • Guest Columnist | To say that we are currently living in unprecedented times is an understatement,…
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Past time to hike minimum wage
To the Editor: While lawmakers at the federal level stall on a $15 per hour minimum wage, let’s remember that…
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Doing your part on Earth Day 2021
To the Editor: Since last Earth Day the Atlantic hurricane season saw a record number of storms and the rapid…
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Why I volunteer
To the Editor: Why do we do it? Why do stand out in the rain, wind, snow, and hot sun…
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Sometimes, the urge to just go is irresistible
They didn’t know where they were going, their only waypoint the “S” on the compass rose. They were both from…
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Corridor K a model for future highway projects
WaysSouth, a regional nonprofit organization working to protect the unique heritage and environment of the Southern Appalachians by promoting sustainable…
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Biden’s gun control proposal a good one
To the Editor: President Joe Biden has recently made very appropriate reference to the need for strengthened gun control legislation.
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Corbin should vote for Medicaid expansion
To the Editor: I read the March 30 article “Senator Corbin again leads health care push.” The article makes clear…
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The people your God created?
To the Editor: Calling Ken Burns! Calling Ken Burns! We need you to get busy on a new documentary. It…
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Cleveland County casino coverage great
To the Editor: Although I am not a resident of your area, I am very grateful for your articles on…
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Put an end to the filibuster
To the Editor: I’m a citizen and voter from Sylva, and we all know it’s time to put an end…
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GOP election tactics threaten our republic
By Martin Dyckman • Guest Columnist | A political party that stakes its future on allowing fewer people to vote…
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Libraries extend beyond four walls
It’s National Library week, and for someone who loves books and was the child of a librarian, this week is…
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Apartment complex just doesn’t fit
To the Editor: Sylva is a beautiful small town. It is its small-town charm and beautiful surroundings that brings people…
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Compromise on new jail project urged
Bob Clark • Guest Columnist | The request to the Haywood County commissioners from the Sheriff’s Department for $15 million…
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Emerging from a difficult year of COVID-19
By Dr. J. Scott Hinkle • Guest Columnist | The COVID-19 crisis is winding down. This time last year we…
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Our republic’s future depends on virtue
To the Editor: I’m beginning to understand what Benjamin Franklin meant when encountering a woman on the street following the…
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Educational system is in real trouble
To the Editor: I have often been critical of our educational system for being more enamored of trendy fashions than…
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A healthy, diverse media landscape is a good thing
We who live in Western North Carolina are fortunate in many ways. We know that. It’s a beautiful place with…
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Stop Asian Hate
To the Editor: As a member of the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community in Jackson County, the attack…
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Canceling our freedom of speech
To the Editor: Protecting our freedom of speech may be one circumstance where liberals, conservatives, Republicans, Democrats, Independents virtually all…
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Vaccination volunteers, staff were wonderful
To the Editor: I can’t recall ever writing a letter to the editor in all my 64 years; but I…
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