Serio serious about self-defense
The story of every small business is different and unique, but some follow an economic development narrative being heard more…
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Creating a community at the Blue Moon Salon
When you’ve done something for as long as Mitzi Cope has, you tend to learn a thing or two —…
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Recipe for success: Mixing women and wine always a good idea
Heather and Robert Acton have it all figured out. Living on the outskirts of Swain County near the national park…
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In the book business: Books Unlimited owner shares love of reading
The book business is rebounding thanks to people like Suzanne Harouff who’ve never given up on it.
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Power of self-healing: Dr. Sparks takes long-range approach to personal health
Too often patients visit Dr. Linda Sparks as a last resort. Only after years of not being able to find…
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Building business in Haywood County
Its no surprise that The Smoky Mountain News’ annual Women in Business issue highlights women who are in business, but…
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The family that works together: Home cooking and community still draws crowds at Granny’s Kitchen
It’s 3 p.m. on a weekday, a time when any restaurant would be well within its rights to be all…
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Bodybuilders take natural approach to health, strength
When you can’t find motivation to get up early to hit the gym or can’t find the self-control to avoid…
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Pushing the boundaries with the power of CrossFit
Josh Moss’s professional world revolved around property management and vacation rentals at the time he decided to open a CrossFit…
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Creason reflects on 40 years as Jackson County’s swim teacher
For someone who’s spent decades introducing thousands of children to the joy of swimming, Mike Creason’s relationship with water didn’t…
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Waynesville Yoga Center: Bending over backward for beginners
Haywood County competes favorably with Buncombe County in a number of areas; while employment, housing, cultural attractions and tourist amenities…
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Diabetes prevention program focuses on families
Healthy living is a whole-family affair with the Cherokee Turning Point program, a seven-week course that aims to reach kids…
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A smooth way to start your day
Like salads, smoothies are what you make of them — and you can easily make them into a high-fat, high-calorie…
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Bending and Beer: Yoga teachers reaching broader audience with pints
Yoga instructors have been trying to convince people for years that the exercise has amazing benefits for everyone, but still…
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Wild Market offers natural solutions
Located amidst the ice cream shops and candy stores in Maggie Valley’s Market Square is a different kind of establishment…
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What’s in the cards? Entrepreneurs go face-to-face with customers
Since late April, The Smoky Mountain News series on economic development has focused on the financial health of Haywood County, the mechanisms by which state, local and national governments encourage economic development and the various sectors that make up the county’s economy.
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What’s in the cards? Health care, social services provide double impact
A robust and vigorous health care sector is the cornerstone of any community; convenient access to health care facilities is a make-or-break issue for many, including the elderly, the disabled or even young families expecting children.
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What’s in the cards? Growing the greens
The cultivation of agriculture is the first and most important way Homo sapiens differentiate themselves from other creatures.
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What’s in the cards: Manufacturing starts small, thinks big
Inside a nondescript miniature warehouse off Carolina Boulevard, Drew Singleton hovers about an imposing, intimidating metalworking machine; adjusting a knob here, spinning a wheel there, tweaking an armature and then stopping to assess the situation, he pauses and looks up to re-check his settings.
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What's in the cards? Real estate industry growth comforting, concerning
The climate and topography of Haywood County make it a place that people want to live.
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What’s in the cards? Retail travails, prevails
On a rainy June Monday in Maggie Valley, wispy mists lick lush mountaintops that tower behind nearly every business in town, including the Cabbage Rose gift shop on Soco Road.
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Haywood tourism authority reports robust growth
A lagging recovery from the Great Recession and the continuing loss of a major tourist attraction in Maggie Valley haven’t slowed growth of the tourism industry in Haywood County.
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Management by measurement
There’s an old adage in business that says, simply, “If it isn’t measured, it isn’t managed.”
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What’s in the cards? It all starts with a visit
Since before the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was chartered in 1934, Western North Carolina has been a sought-after destination for tourists from across the country and across the world.
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Tiers of joy and sadness: State’s designation for Haywood brings mixed feelings
A recent designation by the North Carolina Department of Commerce could have a detrimental impact on Haywood County’s economic development efforts.
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What’s in the cards? National, state, regional partners play a role in local economic development
In the first installment of this series on Haywood County’s economic development, the analogy of a bathtub was used to illustrate the county’s economy: water flows in, water drains out and the freeboard is always changing, but amidst all the splashing, insular yet interconnected bubbles of industry rise and fall and swell and pop.
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What’s in the cards? Chamber, EDC try to stack the deck in Haywood’s favor
Among the various organizations involved in economic development, one often finds a Chamber of Commerce and some development organization.
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Distillery hopes to pack economic punch
If all goes well, Maggie Valley will soon be known as a place where some of the finest spirits in the world are crafted.
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Down in the flood
CeCe Hipps is one of the very few people in North Carolina who can say that she was at the epicenter of the two most significant postwar economic expansions in the state.
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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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Election coverage 2016
Statewide: Haywood: Democrats scramble to recruit candidates for Haywood commissioner contest Seven seek two commissioner seats in Haywood Haywood…
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Budget cuts to shutter Central Elementary School: Haywood School board says it was the only option
Parents, students and teachers of Central Elementary School in Waynesville made a desperate and impassioned final stand to save their beloved school last week, but to no avail.
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Parents feel railroaded in Central Elementary closure
A study conducted by Haywood County Schools justifying the closure of Central Elementary School was a sham and failed to meet state requirements for a school closure, two speakers argued before the Haywood County School Board last week.
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Republican legislature castigated for its role in Haywood school budget woes
State Republican lawmakers were strongly chastised for penning Central Elementary School’s death warrant during a rally prior to the Haywood County School board meeting last week.
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If Central Elementary closes, a private school might want it
Haywood School leaders have avoided talking about what would become of the 1950s-era school building that houses Central Elementary if it closes, saying it would be premature until a final decision is made.
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No lifeline for Haywood School budget shortfall
Haywood County commissioners deflected calls from the public this week that they should step in and help the school system out of its budget dilemma.
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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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Blame game flares up in school closure debate
Alert: A public meeting on the possible closure of Central Elementary School has been moved from Tuesday to Wednesday due to concerns over lingering hazardous road conditions. The new meeting time is 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27. The potential closure…
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If Central Elementary closes, then what?
The sudden announcement this week that Central Elementary School in Waynesville could be closed in Haywood County has prompted a swirling litany of questions for both parents and the public at large. SEE ALSO:• Parents shocked over Central Elementary closing• Closing Central…
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Update: Massive cuts on the way for Haywood schools
News that a beloved elementary school might close next year grabbed headlines last week, but shuttering Central Elementary School in Waynesville won’t be enough to make up for the $2.4 million budget shortfall Haywood County Schools is facing next school…
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Parents shocked over Central Elementary closing
Parents of Central Elementary School students were shocked Tuesday morning when they heard the Haywood County School Board was considering closing down the longstanding Waynesville institution.
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Closing Central Elementary emotional for school officials
Haywood County School Board members were grave and sober Monday night as they confronted the ominous prospect of closing down one of the county’s nine public elementary schools.
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Cuts widespread as Haywood faces $2.4 million shortfall
A proposal to close Central Elementary School in Waynesville is only one piece of a sweeping and wide-reaching plan to close a $2.4 million budget shortfall being faced by Haywood County Schools next year, including the elimination of more than…
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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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Righteous or malicious? The Smoky Mountain News goes inside Operation Something Bruin
Dozens of hunters snared in the sweeping undercover bear poaching investigation known as Operation Something Bruin have refused to take…
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Cast of characters
Davey Webb (alias Davey Williams): an agent with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources who first started hunting with the…
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Bear hunting guide brought down after failing to rein in reckless ‘client’
By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern When Chad Arnold pulled into War Paint Kennels during fall bear season in 2011, Jerry…
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The bait battle: paw-lickin’ good
The hunting community and wildlife officers have been engaged in an ongoing tug-of-war over the practice of baiting bears to…
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Hearing demands answers about bear poaching sting
By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern A recurring theme emerged in a congressional oversight hearing last week aimed at shedding light…
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Congressional hearing puts spotlight on Operation Something Bruin
More than 100 hunters and their supporters packed the historic Haywood County courthouse last week for the latest installment in…
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