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Upcoming tuition drop could have unintended consequences
A state program that’s set to lower Western Carolina University’s tuition to $500 per semester could have unintended consequences when…
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Laura Bush and friends visit Lake Junaluska
As fall visitors flocked to Western North Carolina in mid-October, Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center welcomed a distinguished visitor…
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Swain County to implement reverse 911 system
When the wildfires were threatening structures in Swain County a couple of weeks ago, first responders had to knock on…
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Highlands hires Josh Ward as town manager
Last September, the town of Bryson City hired Highlands’ town planner Josh Ward to serve as it’s new town manager,…
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Pickin’ Chicken
There are few things more American than fast food. In the United States, fast food restaurants serve more than 50…
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First indoor gun range to open in Haywood
When local businessman Jule Morrow proposed a gun shop and indoor firing range in the pastoral Francis Farm community last…
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Canton’s new town logo approved despite concerns
No one can accuse Canton town officials of not crossing their t’s and dotting their i’s.
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Canton rewards brewery owner
Even before BearWaters Brewing announced its intentions to leave Waynesville for nearby Canton, the town has touted itself as Haywood…
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Sanitary District policy upsets landlords
Several Haywood County landlords are questioning the legality of a new policy adopted by the Junaluska Sanitary District that will…
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Election do-over slated for 2017
Unless the U.S. Supreme Court steps in, some or all of North Carolina’s state senators and representatives will face re-election…
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Two arrested for arson in Qualla wildfires
Two Cherokee men have been arrested in connection with wildfires set on the Qualla Boundary this fall.
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Two charged with starting Tennessee fires
Two juveniles have been arrested in Tennessee for allegedly starting the Chimney Tops 2 Fire, which ballooned to encompass more…
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Stronger language on the way for Jackson’s steep slope rules
Approval of a 38-home subdivision in Cullowhee has served as a catalyst for the Jackson County Planning Board to revisit…
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We must remain vigilant on environment
To the Editor: As President Obama’s impressive term winds down and the focus shifts to speculation about an uncertain, perhaps…
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Media clueless to how it has killed itself
To the Editor: The traditional news media (newspapers) have killed themselves through poor writing, a lack of balanced reporting, advocacy…
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A small-town weekend packed with big meaning
After three months of internal darkness and coping with grief, this past weekend offered some soothing reprieve. Over the years,…
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Life in Gitmo was idyllic, but the danger was real
Fidel Castro’s death should remind us that we are oftentimes more powerless and rudderless than our country’s leaders like to…
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Granddaddy of ‘em all
This year will mark the 117th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC.) The CBC is the longest-lived and largest citizen-science…
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State burn ban lifted
Steady rains over the past week have caused the N.C. Forest Service to lift burning bans for 32 counties, including…
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Bird the holidays away
As December unfolds, birders across the globe will embark on a quest to tally as many birds and species as…
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New species named for Fontana
A new-to-science lichen species discovered in March 2016 has been named after Fontana Dam due to its discovery in the…
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Going forward by looking backward: Tradition and science meet in Cherokee forest plan
Over the course of thousands of years lived in the Southern Appalachian mountains, the Cherokee people had pretty well developed…
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It’s OK sometimes to just take a dip
Of course, we’re intended to read from cover to cover many books — novels, histories, biographies, and more. It would…
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In their words: WCU professor and alumnus nominated for Dublin Literary Award
Novels written by a Western Carolina University professor and by his former student are among the 147 titles in the…
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This must be the place: Indonesia to Carolina and back again
“I’m glad you’re here right now.” Standing in line at the Old Europe coffee shop in downtown Asheville, I said…
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When I sing: An interview with Bear Rinehart
Heralding from just down the mountain in Greenville, South Carolina, Bear Rinehart is the front man for the rock group…
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Get on the ‘Appalachian Mural Trail’
With the help of the Blue Ridge Parkway Association, the Appalachian Mural Trail Group began accomplishing its vision on Dec.…
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Haywood County wipes the dust off the bottle
The State of North Carolina has long had a conflicted relationship with alcohol; although largely unregulated during colonial times, it…
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The alcohol permitting process
Although it is now legal to sell wine and beer outside of incorporated municipalities in Haywood County, businesses can’t just…
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A Spiritual Affair: The history of alcohol in Haywood County
Just after the secular American Revolution, many Americans also experienced a theological revolution; from the 1790s through the 1830s, a…
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After the fire
When hurricane-force winds met burning, bone-dry forest, the city of Gatlinburg transformed overnight on Nov. 28-29 from lively tourist town…
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Lucky to be alive: Gatlinburg men relive harrowing escape down fiery mountain
GATLINBURG — It started with an ember. One single ember, falling from the sky into Michael Luciano’s front yard in…
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A checkerboard of devastation: Fire levels some areas and leaves others untouched
GATLINBURG — Just before hitting the McDonald’s along U.S. 321 east of Gatlinburg on Dec. 2, traffic slows to a…
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Where to go from here: Fire survivors wait and wonder in Red Cross shelter
GATLINBURG — Coaches and team jerseys were absent from Rocky Top Sports World Friday morning, but the sports-complex-turned-Red-Cross-shelter surged with…
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Rain quells wildfires across the region
It took mere hours for the Chimney Tops 2 Fire to escape the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and sweep…
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‘A date which will live in infamy’: The 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor
Dec. 7, 1941. It’s a date that conjures numerous images and thoughts. The USS Arizona engulfed in smoke and flames. Fighter…
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Locals react to Japanese attack
On Thursday, Dec. 4, 1941, newspapers in Western North Carolina revealed cities in full holiday swing — ads for Philco…
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Witness to history: World War II vet reflects on conflict, atomic bomb
Turning onto Qualla Road in Waynesville, the meandering route goes from pavement to gravel to dirt within a half-mile. By…
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Swain band performs at Pearl Harbor Anniversary
The Swain County High School marching band was noticeably absent from the annual Bryson City Christmas Parade last weekend, but…
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Haywood Commission selects new chairman
In addition to welcoming newly-elected Commissioner Brandon Rogers and welcoming back newly re-elected Commissioner Kevin Ensley at its Dec. 5…
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Maggie Chamber restructures membership options
Maggie Valley Area Chamber of Commerce is responding to criticism in the community by restructuring its membership options for businesses.
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Macon man admits to igniting small wildfires
A Franklin man is facing federal arson charges after admitting to setting fire to two separate areas in Macon County…
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Planning Jackson’s future: Preliminary comp plan comments yield mix of praise and concern
Making their way around a room studded with tables, informational posters and documents for review, Jackson County residents took advantage…
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Waynesville water safe despite discoloration
Although the water situation in the area seems to be improving thanks to the recent rains, the town of Waynesville…
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Untreated sewage discharged into Richland Creek
The Junaluska Sanitary District experienced a discharge of untreated sewage from a blockage in a line located Southeast of Loop…
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Jackson NAACP researching provisional ballots
With a high number of ballots being rejected from the Nov. 8 election, Jackson County’s NAACP branch is asking for…
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In a season of feasting, finding food for the soul
I’ve always embraced change, perhaps to my detriment. I suspect it has something to do with a youth where we…
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Still can’t get my bearings in this alternative universe
It has been a few weeks now since the election, and I feel like someone who just came out of…
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Social media is new ‘opiate of the masses’
To the Editor: I would like to thank you for your excellent opinion piece in the Nov. 22 issue of…
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The media have always lied, so what’s new?
To the Editor: While I agree with many of the concerns you have with fake news (www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/item/18865), it didn’t start…
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