The voters of Macon County have spoken, and three of the seven Republicans — John Shearl, Danny Antoine and Gary Shields — will advance to November’s General Election for the three open seats on the Macon County Board of Commissioners. 

Haywood Electric Membership Corporation installed its first-ever solar array to power its own headquarters’ operations, and its likely not the company’s last foray into that arena.

A recount has been called in the Macon County Sheriff’s race after Election day totals indicated Dereck Jones lost to Brent Holbrooks by just 54 votes — putting Jones within the 1% threshold required to do so.

When I came back to The Smoky Mountain News after six months away from journalism, one of my first trips was to the Haywood County Courthouse. 

Some catastrophes happen in the blink of an eye, while others develop so slowly they’re imperceptible, like a crack in a levee propagating below the waterline.

Among all the primary races decided Tuesday, some of the most important in Western North Carolina were to determine which Sheriff candidates would represent their party in November’s General Election. And in Macon County, Tuesday’s winner is now the automatic winner since all the candidates were also Republicans.

Following last Tuesday’s Primary Election, two Swain County Republicans will advance to November’s General Election. 

The voters of Macon County have spoken, and two of the seven Republicans running — Danny Antoine and Gary Shields — will advance to November’s General Election. Another, John Shearl, won’t have to wait until November to learn his fate as no Democrats are running for that seat.

When President Donald Trump appointed conservative jurist Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court, there was an outcry among pro-choice activists afraid Roe v. Wade — the 1973 case that protects a woman’s right to an abortion — would be overturned.

As more states have pledged their commitment to reducing carbon emissions over the last decade, North Carolina has begun to follow suit.

The clerk of court is a humble albeit crucial office, an elected position filled by someone willing to ensure the county courthouse runs smoothly and without logistical issues. This year, Macon County Clerk Victor Perry will retire, meaning a new person will be tasked with bringing the office into a new age of technology.  

Several problems and opportunities await Macon County’s next board of commissioners.

Among the sheriffs retiring in Western North Carolina who will leave big shoes to fill is Macon County’s Robert Holland, who has served in that position for almost two decades.

As increasing child abuse rates continue to plague many homes in Haywood County, a recent red herring took hold on social media, leading the Waynesville Police Department and Haywood County Sheriff’s Office to investigate an alleged human trafficking ring that doesn’t seem to exist.

Swain County’s Board of Commissioners will have two new members this year, at least one of whom will emerge from the upcoming Republican Primary Election. 

At the end of every dictator’s reign, every time a warlord has been held to account, its due to the work of people who seek justice without pause or fatigue.

The Clyde Fire Department’ assistant chief and his wife have been charged with embezzling money from the department. 

A recent poll commissioned by the N.C. Values Coalition found that most prospective Republican primary voters know who they’ll likely cast a ballot for in the U.S. Senate race, with most in favor of either Ted Budd (32%) or Pat McCrory (29%) and only 25% saying they’re undecided. 

A fire that began Monday afternoon on Sheepback Mountain in Maggie Valley and initially spread quickly was 100% contained as of 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 5. 

A fire that began on Sheepback Mountain in Maggie Valley Monday afternoon has grown to 50-75 acres as of 8:40 p.m.

Atop a hill on the western edge of Bryson City, Sossamon Airfield has sat mostly unused for quite some time, but that may change over the next few years.

As crumbling infrastructure in small towns across the country becomes a more urgent issue, Bryson City has been saddled with improving an aging sewer system so old and dysfunctional that North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality has halted any large-scale developments in town that would need new sewer connections.

In Suzie Pressley’s 11 years on the job, she’s seen the agony people face trying to leave an abusive relationship and the freedom they feel when it happens.

On Feb. 11, 2022, P.A.W.S. traveled to Pickens, South Carolina to provide assistance in a large-scale puppy mill of 166 dogs.

A man who had sex multiple times with an underage teen, impregnating her, will spend at least the next two decades in prison, District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said.

Lake Logan has come a long way since the Episcopal Church purchased the property in 2000.