Folkmoot Festival: an international presence
 

Folkmoot Festival: an international presence

The 34th annual Folkmoot Festival in Waynesville kicks off Thursday, July 20 and will again feature close to 300 performers…
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Harris expands cardiac services
 

Harris expands cardiac services

Harris Regional Hospital is expanding its cardiac services, offering diagnostic cardiac catheterization in Sylva beginning in mid-July.
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A million dollars worth of warmth
 

A million dollars worth of warmth

As the sturdy old stake-bed dump truck — held together largely with rusty steel coat hangers — scrambled up the…
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Contributions large and small fuel Reeves’ passion
 

Contributions large and small fuel Reeves’ passion

Although Richard Reeves has spent the last 12 years splitting wood in an empty lot off Lea Plant Road in…
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Russ fuss averted? NCDOT prepares new plan
 

Russ fuss averted? NCDOT prepares new plan

Public outcry over North Carolina Department of Transportation plans to eviscerate historic Walnut Street during Russ Avenue improvements slated for…
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Candidates continue filing for office
 

Candidates continue filing for office

Sign ups for 2017 municipal elections close at noon Friday, July 21. The election will be Tuesday, Nov. 7, with…
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Jackson commissioners and elections boards disagree over budget authority
 

Jackson commissioners and elections boards disagree over budget authority

The Jackson County Board of Elections’ attempt to exert a new level of independence from the county commissioners resulted in…
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Vice Chief position remains vacant
 

Vice Chief position remains vacant

This month’s two full days of Tribal Council sessions included discussion on everything from research requests to drug policies to…
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Jackson launches citizen’s academy
 

Jackson launches citizen’s academy

Jackson County residents will have the chance to get grounded in local government with the launch of a citizen’s academy…
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Waynesville animal shelter closes
 

Waynesville animal shelter closes

Duke’s Animal Haven off Stamey Cove Road in Waynesville has suddenly closed its animal rescue facility with little explanation.
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Haywood Regional expands behavioral health unit
 

Haywood Regional expands behavioral health unit

Haywood Regional Medical Center, a Duke LifePoint Health hospital, has completed a 17-bed expansion to its behavioral health wing on…
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Swain County receives federal funding for schools
 

Swain County receives federal funding for schools

Swain County will be receiving $577,000 in federal funding to help meet the many needs of its public school system.
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Macon pushes forward with broadband expansion
 

Macon pushes forward with broadband expansion

Macon County’s concerted efforts to bring better broadband capabilities to residents are moving right along.
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Sylva passes food truck rules
 

Sylva passes food truck rules

Sylva’s proposed food truck ordinance passed unanimously at the town meeting July 13, one year after the town board began…
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Jackson County approves contract to merge planning ordinances
 

Jackson County approves contract to merge planning ordinances

A 14-month process to overhaul Jackson County’s splintered planning ordinances is now underway following the county commissioners’ unanimous approval of…
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Meadows' first challenger drops out
 

Meadows' first challenger drops out

Moments ago, Congressman Mark Meadows' first Democratic Challenger, Matt Coffay, announced that he would be dropping out of the race…
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Utility bills to disappear for Cherokee elders
 

Utility bills to disappear for Cherokee elders

Cherokee elders will no longer have power, water or sewer bills to worry about following a divided Tribal Council vote…
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Story on party disloyalty had inaccuracies
 

Story on party disloyalty had inaccuracies

To the Editor: The disloyalty resolution article in the previous edition of The Smoky Mountain News (www.smokymountainnews.com/news/item/20275) was correct in…
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Voters are treated poorly by gross gerrymandering
 

Voters are treated poorly by gross gerrymandering

Speaking to his son’s graduating class, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts told them this: “From time to time in…
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Look before you leap!
 

Look before you leap!

To the Editor: Now that the Republican Party has temporary political control over America a strong push is being made…
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Meadows once again fighting the wrong fight
 

Meadows once again fighting the wrong fight

The chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus says there could be a government shutdown if money isn’t included in…
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Trumpcare debacle means health care woes will remain
 

Trumpcare debacle means health care woes will remain

Half a year into his presidency, it seems pretty clear that Donald Trump would rather continue campaigning — or golfing,…
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Early book gives vivid descriptions of WNC
 

Early book gives vivid descriptions of WNC

Those who read this column regularly are aware of my interest in the early descriptive literature of Western North Carolina.…
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Under the Pigeon: Snorkeling workshop gives an up-close look at aquatic diversity
 

Under the Pigeon: Snorkeling workshop gives an up-close look at aquatic diversity

The clear water of the West Fork Pigeon River tumbling from its mountain headwaters takes on a yellowish hue through…
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Endangered snail thrives after wildfire
 

Endangered snail thrives after wildfire

After the fall 2016 wildfires concluded, biologists feared that the flames had devastated populations of the rare noonday globe snail…
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A friendship forged in faith helped change the world
 

A friendship forged in faith helped change the world

On Nov. 5, 2001, not quite two months after the 9/11 attacks, Lech Walesa spoke at Western Carolina University. Walesa…
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Heinzelmannchen Brewery to close
 

Heinzelmannchen Brewery to close

After a couple years of uncertainty, Heinzelmannchen Brewery in Sylva will close its doors on Thursday evening.
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This must be the place: ‘Would you like to know a secret, just between you and me?’
 

This must be the place: ‘Would you like to know a secret, just between you and me?’

Those who forget history, tend to... Well, you know the rest. Nowadays, it seems each morning we awaken into another…
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‘Galaxy of Stars’ now ‘WCU PRESENTS’
 

‘Galaxy of Stars’ now ‘WCU PRESENTS’

The “WCU PRESENTS” performance series, previously known as “Galaxy of Stars” brings professional artists from around the world to the…
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Comment

Theme for a celebration: Empire Strikes Brass to headline Folkmoot ‘Sunday Soiree’
 

Theme for a celebration: Empire Strikes Brass to headline Folkmoot ‘Sunday Soiree’

At the heart of Asheville is a funky soul. And providing the soundtrack to that carefree and self-less attitude of the…
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Community spirits: First craft distillery opens in Maggie Valley
 

Community spirits: First craft distillery opens in Maggie Valley

Dave Angel hasn’t wasted any time becoming part of the Maggie Valley community and in return, they’ve welcomed Haywood County’s…
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New law gives alcohol entrepreneurs a boost
 

New law gives alcohol entrepreneurs a boost

Residents and visitors may soon be able to enjoy a mimosa or bloody Mary during their Sunday morning brunch. A…
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What’s in the cards? Health care, social services provide double impact
 

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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Youth movement: younger candidates seek office
 

Youth movement: younger candidates seek office

As North Carolina’s candidate sign-up period approaches its midway point, preliminary indications in Haywood County point toward some big changes,…
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Dems getting along just fine: Party schisms a non-issue, Chair says
 

Dems getting along just fine: Party schisms a non-issue, Chair says

The schism between the Haywood County Republican Party and the Haywood Republican Alliance isn’t unique to this party, this county…
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Local GOP mum on closed session disloyalty resolution
 

Local GOP mum on closed session disloyalty resolution

Allegations made last week by a member of the Haywood Republican Alliance that the Haywood County Republican Party recently passed…
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Sylva considers food truck rules
 

Sylva considers food truck rules

More than a year after the food truck controversy in Waynesville prompted Sylva to review its own regulations, a proposed…
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Mission threatens to cancel BCBS contract
 

Mission threatens to cancel BCBS contract

Mission Health System is threatening to cancel its contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina if they can’t…
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Bridge work to start on Moses Creek
 

Bridge work to start on Moses Creek

The fruits of a yearlong bridge project will make it easier for residents of Moses Creek Road east of Cullowhee…
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Tribal Council talks salaries
 

Tribal Council talks salaries

A resolution that would have negated a 2007 vote to up Tribal Council’s pay by $10,000 was withdrawn last week…
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O’Malley’s closes, plans to reopen
 

O’Malley’s closes, plans to reopen

Sylva’s pub-lovers got a shock this summer when a closed sign appeared on O’Malley’s Sports Bar and Grill June 2.
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Comment

Raleigh Roundup: Recess edition
 

Raleigh Roundup: Recess edition

During the long session of the North Carolina Legislature that recently concluded, hundreds of bills were again proposed, studied and…
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Making it awesome — Cherokee unveils 10-mile mountain biking system
 

Making it awesome — Cherokee unveils 10-mile mountain biking system

When Ed Sutton first came to Cherokee in November to break ground on a new trail system, his directive was…
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The American Museum of The House Cat
 

The American Museum of The House Cat

It took over 30 years, but Harold Sims can now show the world. “It’s been very rewarding,” he said. “I…
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Under the Bright Lights: Smoky Mountain Community Theatre
 

Under the Bright Lights: Smoky Mountain Community Theatre

It’s the heartbeat of a town. Coming into its 37th year, the Smoky Mountain Community Theatre has become a beacon…
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Creating a community: Haywood Arts celebrates 40 years
 

Creating a community: Haywood Arts celebrates 40 years

In her short tenure, Executive Director Lindsey Solomon has righted the unknown direction of the ship that is the Haywood…
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Bryson City’s Nantahala Brewing launches restaurant, open-air taproom
 

Bryson City’s Nantahala Brewing launches restaurant, open-air taproom

Surrounded by piles of debris, old wood and gravel, Joe Rowland sees opportunity. “This is the inevitable next step for…
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Hop, skip and a pour away: Waynesville’s Leap Frog Tours
 

Hop, skip and a pour away: Waynesville’s Leap Frog Tours

Stepping out of a large passenger van into the sunshine last Saturday afternoon, a group of around 10 people entered…
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Pouring passion: Andrews welcomes second brewery
 

Pouring passion: Andrews welcomes second brewery

Turning onto 2nd Street from the hectic U.S. 19/74 highway, you find yourself cruising through downtown Andrews. It’s Saturday afternoon,…
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