The beer garden at Frog Level Brewing following Hurricane Helene.
 

Ravaged by floodwaters, Frog Level Brewing remains resilient

After floodwaters from Hurricane Helene overtook the Historic Frog Level District in downtown Waynesville this past weekend, several business owners…
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School cancellations following Hurricane Helene impact
 

School cancellations following Hurricane Helene impact

Schools around the region will be closed beginning Sept. 29 following flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.
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How to Apply for FEMA Assistance After Hurricane Helene
 

How to Apply for FEMA Assistance After Hurricane Helene

North Carolina homeowners and renters in 25 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who had uninsured damage or…
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PHOTO GALLERY: Tropical Storm Helene hits Western North Carolina
 

PHOTO GALLERY: Tropical Storm Helene hits Western North Carolina

Tropical Storm Helene was predicted to bring significant flooding to Western North Carolina, but it's hard to fathom how much…
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Gov. Roy Cooper
 

Gov. Cooper offers update on Helene rescue, recovery efforts

Gov. Roy Cooper provided an update on the emergency response and recovery from Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. He…
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Mountain Heritage Day canceled
 

Mountain Heritage Day canceled

Western Carolina University announced Thursday, Sept. 26 that the 50th Anniversary of Mountain Heritage Day daytime festival, scheduled for Saturday,…
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Residents and businesses across Western North Carolina prepared ahead of Hurricane Helene's arrival. Here's a look at a several sandbags in the back of a truck at BearWaters Brewing in Canton.
 

Tropical Storm Helene hits Western North Carolina

Editor's note: Hurricane Helene has already produced flash flooding and dangerous winds across the region, and it has come on…
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Stickball is a traditional Cherokee game.  File photo
 

Cherokee Indian Fair

The 112th annual Cherokee Indian Fair will be held Oct. 1-5 at the Acquoni Expo Center site, located at 1501…
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'Fashion for the Arts' will be in Waynesville Sept. 29. Donated photo
 

HCAC's 'Fashion for the Arts'

Presented by the Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC), the “Fashion for the Arts” fundraiser will be held from 2-4 p.m.…
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Bird in Hand will play Bryson City Sept. 27. File photo
 

Americana, folk at Mountain Layers

Jackson County Americana/folk duo Bird in Hand will perform at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at Mountain Layers Brewing Company…
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Artist demonstrations are a big part of ColorFest. File photo
 

ColorFest returns to Dillsboro

The 16th annual ColorFest will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, in downtown Dillsboro. 
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Arnold Hill will play Waynesville Sept. 27. Garret K. Woodward photo
 

Rock rolls into Scotsman

Regional rock/jam group Arnold Hill will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at The Scotsman Public House in Waynesville. 
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Contra dancing returns to Franklin Nov. 2. Wikimedia commons photo
 

Want to learn contra dancing?

There will be a contra dance class offered from 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Macon County Public Library…
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State of the waterways: New report details potential impacts of ordinance revisions
 

State of the waterways: New report details potential impacts of ordinance revisions

The Macon County Commission decided this month to delay consideration of changes to its watershed and floodplain ordinances until at…
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This time of year can be busy in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Donated photo
 

Fall comes to the Smokies

Fall is a beautiful but busy time in the Smokies. Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitors should plan their trips…
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Clingmans Dome receives a name change
 

Clingmans Dome receives a name change

The U.S. Board of Geographic Names voted to change the name of Clingmans Dome to Kuwohi. Kuwohi is the Cherokee…
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Changes in effect for WNC deer season
 

Changes in effect for WNC deer season

New rules adopted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have shifted the timing of the western zone black-powder…
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Delayed harvest fishing regulations begin
 

Delayed harvest fishing regulations begin

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) will implement Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations on 34 trout waters beginning Oct. 1.  
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The golf program is for boys and girls under 17 years of age. Donated photo
 

Junior Golf Program set for Lake Junaluska Golf Course

The Lake Junaluska Golf Course is hosting a Junior Golf Program for boys and girls under age 17 from 4-5:30…
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HCC hosts conservation heritage event
 

HCC hosts conservation heritage event

Haywood Community College, in partnership with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are hosting an event on the campus of…
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Sierra Club hosts talk about environmental election stakes
 

Sierra Club hosts talk about environmental election stakes

WNC Sierra Club Political Co-Chair Ken Brame will discuss what is at stake for the environment in this fall’s election.…
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Haywood Pathways Center is located in what used to be a minimum-security state prison. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

On the right path: Pathways celebrates a decade of service to the community

What started off as a clever idea to address recidivism has grown into something more — a community-driven response to…
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JD Vance, Ohio senator and Republican Vice Presidential nominee, addressed supporters in Raleigh on Sept. 18. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Blame game: Vance, Walz trade barbs in dueling NC appearances

In a series of pointed comments, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. JD Vance took aim at their respective…
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Former Maggie Valley Police Chief sues town: Suit alleges wrongful termination, coverup of criminal activity
 

Former Maggie Valley Police Chief sues town: Suit alleges wrongful termination, coverup of criminal activity

Former Maggie Valley Police Chief Russ Gilliland is suing the town for wrongful termination following what he alleges was the…
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Jeremiah Moynihan. Donated photo
 

Man describes what led him to Pathways and what led him out

It’s tough for a person to get back up on their feet, no matter how well they may have done…
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Testing data is in, HCS reaches sixth in the state
 

Testing data is in, HCS reaches sixth in the state

This month the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction released performance and growth data for the 2023-24 school year, and…
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The time to prepare for an emergency is now, say local officials. NOAA.gov photo
 

Smoky Mountain News brings home numerous NCPA awards

The staff of the Smoky Mountain News won 20 combined advertising and editorial awards, including a combined 13 first-place honors,…
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Carmaleta Monteith. Donated photo
 

Endowment for Cherokee Hospital Foundation Established

The Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the well-being of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians by strengthening…
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Chad Ray Lequire. File photo
 

Swain man convicted in drug trafficking case

District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch today said a Haywood County jury recently convicted a Bryson City man on seven criminal…
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Man sentenced for sexual contact with minor
 

Man sentenced for sexual contact with minor

Rogelia Vega Evans, 26, of Lexington, North Carolina was sentenced to 180 months in prison for engaging in sexual contact…
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HRMC announces walk-in mammography
 

HRMC announces walk-in mammography

Haywood Regional Medical Center announced the launch of a convenient walk-in mammography clinic at the HRMC Breast Center, located on…
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The time to prepare for an emergency is now, say local officials.
 

Dangerous storm bears down on WNC

A growing tropical storm that’s expected to become a major hurricane is tracking through the Gulf of Mexico and appears…
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Old Crow Medicine Show will play Cullowhee Sept. 28. File photo
 

Old Crow Medicine Show to headline Mountain Heritage Day

A beloved long-time Western North Carolina tradition, the 50th annual Mountain Heritage Day will be held from 10 a.m. to…
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Jamey Johnson will play Cherokee Sept. 20-21. File photo
 

Jamey Johnson returns to Harrah’s Cherokee

Country megastar Jamey Johnson will hit the stage for a two-night stand Sept. 20-21 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. Born…
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Michael Fitzpatrick will play Waynesville Sept. 27. File photo
 

Folkmoot welcomes renowned cellist

Folkmoot USA will present world-renowned American cellist and composer Michael Fitzpatrick at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at the Folkmoot…
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The New Quintet will play Stecoah Sept. 21. Donated photo
 

Americana, folk at Stecoah

Rising Americana/old-time ensemble The New Quintet will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Stecoah Valley Center in…
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Autumn leaves blanket a bridge along Alum Cave Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This October’s Great Smokies Eco-Adventure, held Oct. 27–29, will be the first fall event of its kind hosted by DLiA. Smokies Life photo
 

Word from the Smokies: Fall adventure supports research into park biodiversity

As days grow shorter in the Great Smoky Mountains, the colorful landscape hums with life. Creatures large and small scurry…
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Cradle of Forestry announces fall events
 

Cradle of Forestry announces fall events

The following are the Cradle of Forestry’s fall events:  Sept. 28: National Public Lands Day Times: 10 a.m. to 5…
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NC Wildlife Resources Commission director to retire
 

NC Wildlife Resources Commission director to retire

After 34 years of service to the state of North Carolina, Cameron Ingram, executive director of the North Carolina Wildlife…
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All of the Smoky Mountain News coverage area is now in a moderate drought. Ncdrought.org photo
 

Drought expands in WNC

Over the last couple of weeks, the drought has expanded in Western North Carolina, and it now covers all of…
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Camp out with Misfit Mountain animal rescue
 

Camp out with Misfit Mountain animal rescue

Join Haywood County’s Misfit Mountain Animal Rescue for the second-annual Pigs & a Blanket Festival & Campout this weekend. The…
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Ski Lake Junaluska Winter Youth Retreat
 

Ski Lake Junaluska Winter Youth Retreat

Experience the wonder of winter this season during a Ski Lake Junaluska Winter Youth Retreat in the mountains of Western…
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Celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day
 

Celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will host two family-friendly events to recognize National Hunting and Fishing Day, an annual celebration promoting outdoor…
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WNC Mountain State Fair winners bring home hardware
 

WNC Mountain State Fair winners bring home hardware

The following are winners in the N.C. Mountain State Fair’s opening weekend poultry, rabbit, sheep, goat and beef cattle categories…
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With campaign season in full swing and the start of early voting just weeks away, political signs have started popping up around the county. Bob Scott photo
 

‘Biggest election we’ve ever had’: Macon gets ahead of illegal signs, voter intimidation, misinformation

Macon County officials held a press conference last week to address illegal political signs and get ahead of some misinformation…
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Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Greg Skidmore photo
 

RFK ballot fight leaves voters in limbo

He fought to get on the ballot, and then fought to get off the ballot.  Now, after a favorable ruling…
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The chapel on the top floor of the Shook-Smathers House was used for years as a place where the community would come worship. Sabrina L. Greene photo
 

Pioneer Heritage Festival offers tour of historic Shook-Smathers House

The historic Shook-Smathers House in Clyde has seen significant improvements in recent years, and this weekend folks will have a…
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The General Assembly approved millions in additional funding for private schools vouchers. File photo
 

General Assembly approve private school vouchers

Last week the North Carolina General Assembly passed a conference report, also referred to as a mini budget that includes…
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Downtown Sylva. File photo
 

Changes to Sylva panhandling ordinance fail

After multiple rounds of public opposition to proposed changes to Sylva’s panhandling ordinance, the board decided to dismiss the changes…
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Brad Letts. File photo
 

Superior Court judge nearing EBCI Supreme Court confirmation

Superior Court Judge Bradley B. Letts has confirmed he has the intention of vacating his seat on the bench to…
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