Woolybooger.
 

Meadowlark gets the blues

Americana/folk singer-songwriter Woolybooger will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 3, at the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley. 
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The Brothers Gillespie will play Waynesville July 5.
 

Ready for the ‘Great American Bash’?

The second annual “Great American Bash” will feature Americana/rock sensation The Brothers Gillespie and The Borrowed Band (country/western) on Saturday,…
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‘Thunder in the Smokies’
 

‘Thunder in the Smokies’

The annual “Thunder in the Smokies” summer motorcycle rally will be held June 27-29 at the Maggie Valley Fairgrounds. The…
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Upcoming readings at City Lights Bookstore
 

Upcoming readings at City Lights Bookstore

The following events will be held at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva. • Elizabeth and Quintin Ellison will present “Land…
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Whole Bloomin’ Thing Festival
 

Whole Bloomin’ Thing Festival

The 22nd annual Whole Bloomin’ Thing Festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 10, in…
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The SteelDrivers will play Merlefest April 24. File photo
 

If it hadn’t been for love: The SteelDrivers to play MerleFest

Standing on the precipice of their 20th anniversary, The SteelDrivers aren’t looking over their shoulders at the road to the…
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Jo Ridge Kelley is a featured artisan at 'Art After Dark.'
 

Waynesville art walk, live music

A cherished gathering of locals and visitors alike, “Art After Dark” will launch its 2025 season from 6-9 p.m. Friday,…
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Jo Ridge Kelley is a featured artisan at 'Art After Dark.'
 

Waynesville art walk, live music

A cherished gathering of locals and visitors alike, “Art After Dark” will launch its 2025 season from 6-9 p.m. Friday,…
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Rally against Trump at Haywood courthouse
 

Rally against Trump at Haywood courthouse

To the Editor: For the past month, several hundred people have gathered in front of the Haywood County Courthouse at…
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Nathan Baer is seen here near Officer Fanone in the now infamous photo. From FBI affidavit
 

Jan. 6 participant speaks to Macon Republican Women’s Club

On Jan. 6, 2021, Nathan Baer stormed the Capitol in Washington, D.C. On April 26, 2023, he was arrested in…
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Andre the Giant (left) a French-born wrestler whose ashes were spread on his 160-acre ranch in Ellerbe, North Carolina, poses with fellow Tar Heel State grappler Ric Flair, probably in the early 1980s. @RicFlairNatrBoy/X photo
 

Legislators tag-team proposal for professional wrestling museum

North Carolina lawmakers are stepping into the ring with a $500,000 proposal to grapple with the idea of establishing a…
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Volleyball is one of several sports popular among MEC students.
 

Macon Early College to field its own athletic teams

The Macon County Board of Education approved funding to permit Macon Early College in Franklin to apply to become a…
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Sylva aims to maintain current tax rate
 

Sylva aims to maintain current tax rate

As Sylva closes in on a final proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, it looks like the town will…
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KARE hosts events to recognize child abuse prevention month
 

KARE hosts events to recognize child abuse prevention month

In recognition of April as child abuse prevention month, KARE is inviting the community to join in celebrating the strength…
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Kitchens Branch Fire in Sylva started burning Wednesday, March 26.
 

Kitchens Branch Fire in Sylva mostly contained

As of 10 a.m. this morning, the Kitchens Branch fire in Sylva is 94 acres and 60% contained.
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Jason Harley Kloepfer stands at the door with his hands up one second before officers fired.
 

DA rebukes Cherokee County deputy after new filings in 2022 shooting

New filings in the civil suit Jason Harley Kloepfer filed seven months after he was shot by police in the…
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Silenced: 307 words, phrases and acronyms Trump doesn’t want you to use
 

Silenced: 307 words, phrases and acronyms Trump doesn’t want you to use

Whether you’re Black, Hispanic, Indigenous or White — LGBTQ+ or cisgender — if you’re thinking about promoting equity and inclusion…
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 Haywood County Board of Education approved the 2025-26 budget on March 10. File photo
 

HCS grapples with tight budget

Haywood County Schools Board of Education passed its budget for 2025-26, and despite multiple years of contraction and yet another…
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The Waynesville Town Council at the budget retreat. File photo
 

Tough budget discussions ahead for Waynesville

Preliminary projections from Town of Waynesville show a tight budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Elected officials don’t want to…
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An artist’s conception of solar panels on the roof of the Waynesville Recreation Center shows areas with higher (yellow) and lower (red) levels of solar irradiance. Rhino Renewables Solar & Electric illustration
 

Solar panels proposed for Waynesville town facilities

Two members of Waynesville’s Town Council, Chuck Dickson and Jon Feichter, have come forward with a bold proposal that could…
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Rep. Karl Gillespie has a plan to axe restrictions on timber trade. NCGA photo
 

Bill would cut red tape in lumber industry

A bill introduced by Macon County Republican Rep. Karl Gillespie that seeks to bolster North Carolina’s local sawmill industry has garnered…
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Waynesville wants input on street paving priorities
 

Waynesville wants input on street paving priorities

The Town of Waynesville has released its proposed list of street paving work for 2025, including 41 locations and nearly…
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Waynesville Police Chief David Adams (left) and Kasey Curcio (right). File photos
 

Social worker program lauded by Waynesville police chief

Waynesville Police Chief David Adams had a simple answer when Town Council Member Jon Feichter asked him if he thought…
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Governor's Advisory Committee members from left co-chair Esther Manheimer, mayor of Asheville; Sen. Kevin Corbin, co-chair, Gov. Josh Stein, Lee Lilley secretary, Department of Commerce and Stephanie McGarrah, deputy secretary, Department of Commerce. Donated photo
 

Governor’s Advisory Committee for WNC Recovery holds meeting at WCU

Nearly six months after Hurricane Helene ravaged Western North Carolina, the region's recovery efforts continue. Gov. Josh Stein's advisory committee,…
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Utility customers in Waynesville may get budget billing option
 

Utility customers in Waynesville may get budget billing option

Seasonal billing surprises can leave utility customers sweating summer spikes or shivering in anticipation of winter surges, but a budget…
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359 homes and businesses in Haywood County to receive high-speed internet
 

359 homes and businesses in Haywood County to receive high-speed internet

The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity announced a $1.2 million Completing Access to Broadband…
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Broadband executives and local elected officials were among attendees at the town hall. Bob Scott photo
 

Progress on storm recovery, broadband highlighted at town hall

On Friday, March 14, Representatives in the North Carolina General Assembly hosted a town hall to update the public and…
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Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins speaks to reporters on March 18.
 

VA secretary greeted by demonstrators during visit to Asheville

Less than a week after a raucous congressional town hall where Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards faced intense criticism over cuts…
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During a visit to the Biltmore Village area of Asheville March 13, Jackson, who became the state’s top law enforcement official after winning last November’s election, said that as looting continues in some areas, his office is hearing more complaints about contractor fraud.
 

NC attorney general warns of Helene-related fraud

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is warning Western North Carolina residents of ongoing scams related to Hurricane Helene recovery.
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Western North Carolina Congressman Chuck Edwards addresses a hostile crowd at his town hall in the Ferguson Auditorium at Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College on March 13. Jack Snyder photo
 

Chuck Edwards' longest day: Asheville congressman faces fierce opposition at town hall

It had been a warm spring day that finally gave way to twilight of cobalt-grey, sharpening the flashing red and…
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Mo Green speaks to the crowd at Tuscola High School. NCDPI photo
 

‘I can’t do it alone’: Green invites community engagement in education

The aim of newly-elected State Superintendent of Public Schools Mo Green’s “Mo Wants to Know” tour is simple — to…
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Rep. Chuck Edwards (right) speaks in Sorrells Street Park. Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers looks on from behind. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Federal appropriation will shore up Canton water infrastructure

The Town of Canton is about to receive a huge economic development boost after Rep. Chuck Edwards announced a $41…
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Cabe appointed Macon County manager
 

Cabe appointed Macon County manager

Commissioners appointed Warren Cabe as the new manager for Macon County after he had served just over four months as…
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Macon Commission changes rules on public comment
 

Macon Commission changes rules on public comment

In a split vote during its March 11 meeting, Macon County Commissioners decided to reduce the time limit for people…
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Learn about ham radio in Haywood
 

Learn about ham radio in Haywood

Ham radio is both a fascinating hobby and a great tool during a disaster, as folks recently found out during…
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Canton police escort Haywood County man Nate Roberto (left) away from an event on March 13 as Canton’s governing board (bottom right) watches Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards (far right, facing away) leave under police guard.
 

Edwards dodges questions on Medicare, Franklin Social Security office closing

In what could very well be a sneak preview of his in-person town hall in Asheville later today, Rep. Chuck…
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Phillip Wight (left) and Mark Pless (right) listen to Linda Taylor speak during Pless’ press conference at Wight’s motel in June, 2023. Kyle Perrotti photo
 

Maggie Valley residents look to de-annex from town

A small group of property owners in Maggie Valley are taking advantage of Rep. Mark Pless’ offer to de-annex them from…
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The Jackson County detention center is more than 20 years old.
 

The state of JCSO: Overdoses decline, detention center at max capacity

Jackson County Sheriff Doug Farmer gave his annual report to his county commissioners last week, and while overdose deaths have…
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Although most people may not know it, AM radio also serves as the backbone of the nation’s Emergency Alert System. National Association of Broadcasters photo
 

Congress may mandate AM radios in every car, for safety and security

A bipartisan collaboration to bolster critical communication resources during natural disasters is gaining momentum in Congress after lessons learned during the…
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Jackson County one step closer to partisan school board elections
 

Jackson County one step closer to partisan school board elections

On March 6 Jackson County Representative Mike Clampitt filed a local bill in the North Carolina House of Representatives to make…
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There have been three relief bills since Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, but much more is needed. File photo
 

General Assembly considers fourth Helene relief bill

Nearly six months after Hurricane Helene killed 106 people and caused more than $60 billion in damage across Western North…
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Commissioners address library security
 

Commissioners address library security

A Jackson County commissioner brought up the issue of library security during the commission’s March 4 meeting, citing safety concerns for…
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Blue Ridge Southern Railroad locomotives sit idling in Frog Level’s Richland Creek as Hurricane Helene passes through  on Sept. 27, 2024. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

All down the line: Bill seeks to help local railroads affected by Hurricane Helene

Highways, roads and bridges weren’t the only components of transportation infrastructure impacted by Hurricane Helene last fall. Now, a pair…
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Mo Green. File photo
 

State education superintendent to visit Haywood County

State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green is set to be in Western North Carolina next week as part of his “Mo…
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Rep. Chuck Edwards. File photo
 

Rep. Edwards to host in-person town hall

Western North Carolina Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards will host an in-person town hall on Thursday, March 13, from 6-7:30 p.m.…
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Haywood Democrats host precinct meetings
 

Haywood Democrats host precinct meetings

Haywood County Democrats are gathering at precinct meetings beginning March 16 and ending March 30. A precinct is an area…
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Haywood Health Foundation grants available
 

Haywood Health Foundation grants available

Haywood Health Foundation (HHF) announce its Request For Proposals (RFPs) for grants relating to unmet healthcare needs in Haywood County. 
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Waynesville gives fire chief position to interim
 

Waynesville gives fire chief position to interim

He now has big shoes to fill, but Waynesville officials think interim Fire Department Chief Chris Mehaffey has what it…
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The Wayneville Rotary club's logo features a caricature of a mountaineer. Waynesville Rotary photo
 

Waynesville Rotary turns 100: Local service, global impact

Few volunteer service organizations can claim a century of community engagement alongside world-changing influence, but as Waynesville’s Rotary club rolls…
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