Impeachment hearings begin: Prosecution alleges corruption in Lambert administration
During a full day of testimony Monday, May 22, the prosecution against Principal Chief Patrick Lambert made its case that Lambert’s administration has operated on a double standard, with one set of rules for him and his supporters and another set for everybody else. SEE ALSO:• Cherokee council removes Chief Lambert from office• The charges• Tribal members speak The nine witnesses to take the stand spoke to…
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The past, present, and future of Haywood County’s economic development
A new business or a new family moving to town isn’t solely due to the luck of the draw. Likewise, a shuttered mill or dilapidated neighborhood isn’t solely due to being dealt a bad hand.
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Unstable ground: Complex questions surround upcoming Cherokee impeachment process
More than a year of tension and fighting within the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians government will come to a head this week, with a hearing for impeachment charges against Principal Chief Patrick Lambert slated for Thursday, April 20, and Lambert calling a Grand Council of all enrolled members for Tuesday, April 18, in an attempt to save his position. But, while some big decisions about…
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Farmer’s daughter finds life purpose in family business
It may be mostly men tending to the crops these days at Darnell Farms, but it’s Afton Roberts who has…
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Central’s situation raises relevant issues
The imminent closing of Central Elementary School in Waynesville is fueling heated debate on many fronts. A small school in many ways is like a sun around which the lives of children, families, teachers, cafeteria workers and a community orbit,…
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Going rogue: Undercover bear poaching sting uses dubious tactics to trap hunters
By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern All Chad Crisp took with him was his Bible as he headed into Elkton Federal…
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Keep moving: Huskey helps women get healthy
Sussy Huskey has learned that life can take you in many directions — some planned and others unexpected — but…
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The disappearing glass ceiling: Women-run entities rise in importance, numbers
Lisa Leatherman wasn’t trying to prove a point when she joined Nantahala Power and Light in 1987, the company’s third-ever…
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Picking up the pieces proves costly, time-consuming for local governments
In a region still reeling from damaged land and dented lives in the wake of the real estate boom and bust, signs of salvation are few and far between. But here’s one for the history books. Twice in the…
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Kayaking Worlds kicks off in downtown Bryson City
A cacophony of voices and cheers echoed across Bryson City as a sea of humanity overtook the small town, a…
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One foot in the past, one in the future, Junaluskans weigh the worth of their identity
When Ken Zulla hung up his IRS badge and retired to the well-groomed mountain hamlet of Lake Junaluska more than a decade ago, monthly sojourns to the local feed-and-seed store weren’t on the radar for his Golden Years. SEE ALSO:…
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Swain DSS ‘stretched thin’ prior to baby Aubrey’s death
Swain County social workers in charge of protecting children are paid less and handle more cases than those elsewhere in…
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Swain DSS investigated for cover-up in child’s death
The Swain County Department of Social Services falsified records relating to the abuse and neglect of a 15-month-old baby who…
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Local government doesn’t fare well in poll
By Christopher Cooper and Gibbs Knotts Confidence in politics, politicians and government is low. President Obama’s approval rating hovers around…
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Poll shows majority in Jackson tired of trekking to town for beer
Though many Jackson County residents shy away from publicly airing their views on alcohol, a recent poll shows that a…
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Strong on momentum, but shy of real power, TEA Party’s political weight remains to be seen
A year ago, Scott Cummings would never have pictured himself standing on the sidewalk pumping a homemade sign in the…
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Poll shows little confidence in government
Government approval ratings are low all over the country. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that they’re also low in…
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Jackson County Poll Results
1. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Jackson County government? Favorable 33% Unfavorable 46% Not Sure 20%…
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WCU poll is first attempt of its caliber to measure political opinions on solely local scale
A new polling project developed by Western Carolina University’s Public Policy Institute and The Smoky Mountain News aims to get…
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2019 Camp Guide
It’s never too early for parents to begin planning for the summer and deciding which summer camp they want their…
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Camp WILD educates through adventure
Every summer for the past seven years, the warmer months have brought opportunity for adventure and learning to the small…
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Registration open for Lake Junaluska summer youth events
From early June through early August, the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center offers residents and visitors of all ages…
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Camp focuses on life with legacy in mind
Three years ago, Meg Hanshaw was in full-on planning mode for a camp that she hoped to see grow into…
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Art camps at The Bascom
In addition to the year-round fun art spaces and activities for youth, The Bascom, A Center for the Visual Arts…
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Pigeon Center camp adds a touch of civics
Sure, summer camps are all about creating precious childhood memories filled with friends and fun, but at Waynesville’s Pigeon Community…
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Skyland Camp for Girls steeped in tradition
When Susan Courtney Harris first came to the Smokies, she was just looking for a place to escape the stifling…
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WNC camp spots in high demand
Most families in Western North Carolina haven’t even taken their spring break yet but already parents are clamoring to secure…
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The after action report: 50 fast facts from the Haywood election results
Two years ago, a Smoky Mountain News analysis of precinct-level elections results painted a portrait of a red county getting redder — at least electorally. This year was almost as rosy for Haywood’s Republican voters, who saw their candidates return to the U.S. House and the N.C. Senate as well as swing the Haywood Commission from a 3-to-2 Democratic majority to a 4-to-1 Republican advantage.
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Eastbound and down: GOP gains on Haywood commission run downhill
Results in the Haywood County Board of Commissioners race hit the county like a cannonball, with Republicans taking two of three seats — all previously held by Democrats — while also earning themselves a 4-to-1 majority on the first-ever Republican-controlled commission.
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High voter turnout impacts Jackson commissioner race
Robust voter turnout and early voting enthusiasm made the difference in three Jackson County Board of Commissioners races, causing the board to flip from a Republican to a Democratic majority.
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Sales tax to increase in Swain
Swain County voters have typically been adamantly opposed to any sort of tax hike, whether it’s a property tax or a sales tax, which is why many were pleasantly surprised to see a quarter-cent sales tax increase approved following the Nov. 6 election.
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Republicans take majority on Haywood commission
With the retirement of Democratic Commissioner Bill Upton, one commission seat was up for grabs, with two more being defended by their Democratic occupants, Commissioner Mike Sorrells and Commission Chairman Kirk Kirkpatrick.
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Regional roundup of election returns shows mixed results
Any notion of a red tide or blue wave ebbed quickly Nov. 6, as both Republicans and Democrats celebrated victories, mourned defeats, said goodbye to some incumbents, and hello to new ones.
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Jackson Dems win county commission
The Jackson County Board of Commissioners will flip to a Democratic majority following a hotly contested election in which three of the five seats appeared on the ballot.
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Jackson sheriff wins second term
Jackson County Sheriff Chip Hall will keep his job for another four years following a decisive victory on Election Day.
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Incumbents get another term on Macon commission
Despite challengers’ loud cries for change in Macon County leadership, voters have given incumbents Ronnie Beale (Democrat) and Gary Shields (Republican) another four-year term on the board of commissioners.
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Incumbent wins another term as Macon’s sheriff
Republican Robert Holland will serve a fifth term as Macon County sheriff after a clear victory Tuesday night.
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Close race in Swain County commission race
With six candidates running for three seats on the Swain County Board of Commissioners, it was a close call Tuesday night as election results began to roll in.
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Cochran to continue as Swain sheriff
Incumbent Republican Curtis Cochran has secured his fourth term as sheriff of Swain County after facing off against Democratic challenger Rocky Sampson.
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Late surge in Dem fundraising for WNC General Assembly races
Third quarter fundraising reports submitted by candidates to the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement last week show most Democratic challengers in Western North Carolina with substantial fundraising advantages over their Republican incumbent opponents.
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Proposed N.C. Constitutional amendments leave unanswered questions
Most years, voters head to the polls with a few candidates or a political party in mind, push some buttons, and go home. But this year’s ballot also contains six proposed amendments to the North Carolina Constitution.
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Early voting turnout up in N.C., slightly up in Haywood
The bad news is almost six million North Carolinians still hadn’t voted as of Monday, Oct. 29. The good news is more than a million had — 1.23 million, to be exact.
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Meadows rides a rising red tide
Asheville Republican Mark Meadows has now served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives — the last two as a powerful figure in the majority party, the most recent under unified Republican control of the presidency, the Senate and the House.
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Two seek to sink Rep. Meadows reelection bid
Since 2012, Western North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District has been represented by Asheville Republican Rep. Mark Meadows, a Florida native who moved to the region in 1986. Meanwhile, Meadows has enjoyed great electoral success and become the standard-bearer for what remains of the Tea Party wing of the Republican Party nationwide.
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Rowland challenges Rogers in lone Haywood School Board race
Haywood County’s high-performing schools slipped a few notches in state rankings this year — from 11th the last two years to 14th this year, of 115 districts statewide — and although that’s not cause for alarm, school board members are focused on the challenge of returning to the top 10 percent again this year.
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Rep. Corbin seeks second House term
The four westernmost counties in North Carolina can be described with three words — rugged, rural and Republican.
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Dems defend Haywood commission seats
Haywood County’s board of commissioners consists of five members, three of whom are up for election Nov. 6. All three of those seats are currently held by Democratic commissioners. One of them, Bill Upton, isn’t seeking re-election.
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Republicans on the hunt for Haywood commission seats
The only two seats that aren’t up for election on Haywood County’s five-member board of commissioners this November are both held by Republicans. The other three are currently held by Democrats, and have attracted two Democratic incumbents as well as a third Dem candidate seeking to maintain that majority.
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Haywood’s last female commissioner says we need more women in government
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there should be at least 31,614 women in Haywood County, but judging by this year’s commission race that number is actually zero.
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