Getting free: Terror, violence and … finally freedom
 

Getting free: Terror, violence and … finally freedom

For close to four decades, I’ve been an advocate for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse. It…
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Picture by Lynn Carlson with therapy dog Julip.
 

When love becomes a weapon

For many of us, pets are family. They greet us at the door, comfort us when we are sad and…
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Martha: A life silenced by domestic violence
 

Martha: A life silenced by domestic violence

Not all domestic violence victims escape. Some are too ashamed or fearful to leave. Some are bound by cultures or…
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Victims of domestic violence can often find their options limited.
 

Legal aid is a crucial lifeline

“Why doesn’t she just leave?” It’s a question asked countless times when trying to rationalize why someone in an abusive…
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From enforcement to empathy: How law enforcement has evolved through the years
 

From enforcement to empathy: How law enforcement has evolved through the years

When Jeff Haynes entered the law enforcement academy in 1990, empathy wasn’t a word heard often in the ranks. Officers…
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Just a piece of paper?: The effectiveness of a domestic violence protective order
 

Just a piece of paper?: The effectiveness of a domestic violence protective order

A Domestic Violence Protective Order, sometimes called a restraining order, is one of the most important legal tools available to protect…
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Breaking the cycle: Protecting survivors, strengthening families
 

Breaking the cycle: Protecting survivors, strengthening families

Behind closed doors, domestic violence and child abuse often unfold side by side, feeding off the same roots of fear…
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Invitation to register for Reflections of Inspiration’s free annual conference on ending domestic violence and sexual assault.
 

Shining a Light: Honoring the missing, protecting the living

Across the United States, Indigenous women face an epidemic of violence that is as urgent as it is often overlooked.…
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Tea at Crown & Thistle Tea Room.
 

Tea that warms the heart

In today’s world, success in business is no longer measured by profit alone. More and more companies — large and…
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Remember When?
 

Remember When?

Remember your young teen years, seventh and eighth grade — hopeful, scared, blooming, awkward, wondering. Sound familiar? How about shyly looking…
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More than a year after the storm, recovery efforts are proceeding — slowly — in Western North Carolina.
 

Step up, or step down: Whatley blames Democrats after calls to resign grow louder

Hurricane Helene recovery czar Michael Whatley is blaming Democrats for the growing chorus of criticism over his job performance —…
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Ellen Pitt (front, left of the banner) brought more than two dozen local leaders together to discuss public safety reform.
 

Somebody, do something!: WNC leaders plead for fixes to broken justice system

It was supposed to be a routine public safety forum, and in a way, it was — the faces were…
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As candidates gear up for Primary Election votes in March, fundraising becomes increasingly important on both sides of the aisle.
 

Fundraising picks up in NC-11 congressional race

With third-quarter fundraising reports now filed, campaign finance records show sharp contrasts in both fundraising totals and donor bases among…
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Jackson County Commissioner Jenny Lynn Hooper has missed 13 of 16 board meetings in 2025.
 

Jackson commissioner skips key board meetings

Minutes from the Dec. 3, 2024, meeting of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners show that newly elected Commissioner Jenny…
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A McGill & Associates consultant commended Jackson County’s park system.
 

Jackson County park system review shows strength, needs

Jackson County’s parks and recreation system is in solid condition overall but faces notable shortfalls in land, staffing and key…
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The Town of Clyde is out more than $3,400 in storm recovery reimbursement.
 

Clyde loses out on debris deal

It’s not a lot of money, but it’s the principle — the hurricane-ravaged Town of Clyde is out more than…
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 The Cherokee Center, shown here in 1975, is an important link between the university and the tribe.
 

WCU Cherokee Center to hold 50th anniversary celebration

Western Carolina University’s Cherokee Center will celebrate five decades of outreach and partnership with the Cherokee community on Tuesday, Nov.…
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Camp Hope is one of the region’s most unique — and underutilized — facilities.
 

Camp Hope rebuild moves forward under new design proposal

After Brevard-based Domokur + Associates outlined a plan to complete design and construction management services for rebuilding and renovating several…
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Case managers at the Renew NC intake center in Marion.
 

Governor encourages eligible residents to apply for housing recovery assistance before deadline

Gov. Josh Stein is highlighting Renew NC’s work to repair and rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Helene. Western North Carolinians…
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Action has finally returned to the diamond at the little league field behind the Waynesville Elks Lodge.
 

Play ball: Waynesville little league field opens up over a year after Helene

Last September, when Hurricane Helene brought flooding to much of the region, the little league baseball field behind the Waynesville…
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Still facing millions in damages from Hurricane Helene, Waynesville continues to move forward.
 

Waynesville incumbents look to steady recovery

Waynesville isn’t just another mountain town still recovering from Hurricane Helene — it’s Haywood County’s economic, cultural and governmental hub.…
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The Town of Canton has endured an unusual, seemingly unending string of disasters over the past five years.
 

Canton candidates confront years of crisis

This cycle, Canton’s ballot carries the weight of five hard years. A global pandemic. Tropical Storm Fred in 2021. A…
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Tiny Clyde, near the center of Haywood County, faces a number of challenges generally and specifically related to Hurricane Helene.
 

Clyde candidates consider plans for smart growth

Clyde is a small town surrounded by bigger ambitions. Tucked between Canton and Waynesville, hemmed in by interstate lanes and…
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Donor Rebecca Schlosser meets with students during an event at the newly named Schlosser Family Center for Counseling and Psychological Services.
 

Gift from alumna will help provide support to WCU students in their mental health journey

Universities and colleges across the United States are finding that an ever-increasing number of students are dealing with a variety…
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Early voting continues through Nov. 1
 

Early voting continues through Nov. 1

In-person early voting continues through Saturday, Nov. 1. Voters can vote in-person at their county board of elections and are…
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Imani Perry.
 

Scholar, author Imani Perry headlines Pisgah Legal’s justice forum

Nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services will welcome Imani Perry as its 14th Annual Justice Forum keynote speaker on Oct. 23 in Asheville with a free watch…
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An Amazon spokesperson said the move will not affect customers or their deliveries.
 

Amazon to close Franklin warehouse, open new site in Hayesville

When Amazon drivers in Franklin showed up for work Oct. 8, they were met not with their usual routine but…
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The federal shutdown has now entered week two.
 

Shutdown halts federal government, WNC braces again

On Oct. 1, Republican-controlled Congress shut down the federal government, bringing a renewed round of confusion, finger-pointing and uncertainty to…
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The forum, hosted by Forward Franklin, was held at the town hall last Thursday.
 

Franklin candidates weigh in on local issues

Like many municipalities this year, Franklin will have competitive races on its ballot, as five people are running for three…
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Downtown Bryson City.
 

Newcomer, incumbents vie for Bryson City Board of Aldermen

Three candidates — incumbents Tim Hines and Ben King, and newcomer W. Kent Maxey — are vying for two open…
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Shutdown disrupts some services, spares most of WNC
 

Shutdown disrupts some services, spares most of WNC

As the federal government shutdown drags into its second week, Western North Carolina has so far escaped major impacts —…
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Local housing initiatives impacted by shutdown
 

Local housing initiatives impacted by shutdown

Last week, Mountain Projects’ Amanda Singletary was convinced she’d be calling all 250 Section 8 landlords with bad news: they…
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At current activity levels, the White Oak landfill has about 20 years of capacity remaining.
 

White Oak landfill report highlights record tonnage, long-term capacity

An update on the White Oak Landfill presented to Haywood County commissioners by landfill operator Republic Services Oct. 6 shows…
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Voter registration deadline nears
 

Voter registration deadline nears

Municipal elections will soon take place across North Carolina, so now is a great time to check your voter registration…
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The Oconaluftee VisitorinsCenter in Great Smoky Mounta National Park will remain staffed by personnel from Smokies Life.
 

Smokies Life to man Smokies visitor centers amid shutdown

When the federal government shut down at midnight Oct. 1, there were a lot of questions, especially for Western North…
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The ongoing federal shutdown could have wide impact on a number of federal programs, services and facilities.
 

Federal shutdown brings patchwork closures across WNC

As the federal government shutdown continues, North Carolina residents may be left with a patchwork of closures, service limitations and…
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Hard-hit Western North Carolina can't afford more delays in FEMA reimbursements.
 

FEMA says operations will continue as normal during shutdown

As Western North Carolina settles in for what could become a protracted federal government shutdown, a Federal Emergency Management Agency…
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Criticism of Michael Whatley’s role in Hurricane Helene recovery continues to grow.
 

Whatley backs away from Helene role during first WNC visit

Michael Whatley’s first trip to Western North Carolina as President Donald Trump’s hand-picked Hurricane Helene “recovery czar” was not the…
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‘A flip of  the switch’: Library switches sparks confusion and concern
 

‘A flip of the switch’: Library switches sparks confusion and concern

Seeking guidance, Jackson County Public Library board members met with County Manager Kevin King last week hoping to learn more…
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This year’s election contest in Sylva has drawn a wide field of challengers.
 

Sylva faces tight budgets, deep division

The small Jackson County town of Sylva faces challenges similar to other Western North Carolina communities — balancing quality of…
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Elections in Forest Hills will be hotly contested this year.
 

Forest Hills election offers voters clear choice

The Village of Forest Hills, home to about 350 residents, faces an election that will decide who leads the small…
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Location and affordability make Waynesville Tower a valuable option for Haywood County’s low-income residents.
 

Rumors swirl, but Waynesville Tower not for sale

Rumors of an impending sale of the Waynesville Tower apartment building have circulated in recent weeks, but according to Waynesville…
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RuthE Levy is the first rabbi to lead Mountain Synagogue. 
 

After 50 years, Franklin synagogue gets first rabbi

On Sept. 23, Mountain Synagogue welcomed a new year — and a new rabbi.   The Franklin-based congregation gathered for…
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As fall foliage pops in the Smokies, the area sees a surge in visitors.
 

It’s beginning to feel like fall in the Smokies: Plan ahead to ensure you have a great visit this season

Autumn is a beautiful — but busy — time in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors should plan ahead…
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Crews worked through Saturday and Sunday to remove more than 70 loads of debris from the road.
 

Gatlinburg Bypass closed as landslide cleanup continues

The Gatlinburg Bypass in Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains closed as crews continue cleanup efforts following a significant landslide…
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American Chestnut Day at the Arboretum
 

American Chestnut Day at the Arboretum

The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF), in partnership with The North Carolina Arboretum, will host American Chestnut Day from 10 a.m.…
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Wildlife agency updates on hatchery devastated by Helene
 

Wildlife agency updates on hatchery devastated by Helene

Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina on Sept. 27, 2024, nearly destroying the Armstrong State Fish Hatchery in McDowell County.…
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The introduction to waterfall photography will be held at the Macon County Library.
 

Learn about waterfall photography

Larry Korhnak’s photography will be on display in the Macon County Library Meeting Room throughout the month of October. He…
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Standing on the banks of the Oconaluftee River, leaders of the youth-led North American Indian Women’s Association Daughters share with Outdoor Economy Conference attendees the importance the river, or Long Person, holds in their culture.
 

Record crowd at Outdoor Economy Conference contemplates investment in recovery

Born from the high, cold springs of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and destined for the Gulf of Mexico, the…
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Frontline philanthropy: Nonprofit aid stepped up in Helene's wake
 

Frontline philanthropy: Nonprofit aid stepped up in Helene's wake

In the wake of two devastating floods just three years apart, Western North Carolina’s resiliency didn’t come from government agencies.…
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