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Trump enablers themselves unfit for office
To the Editor: It would be dreadful enough if Donald Trump were merely the most unfit, unprepared, unworthy and uncouth…
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A clarification on last week’s column
To the Editor: In last week’s guest column about Colin Kaepernick I wrote, “His protest is by kneeling (in prayer)…
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Mapping the Tuck: ‘Blue’ Trails project kicks off along the Tuckasegee River
Western North Carolina is rife with trails and maps to facilitate exploration of the mountain landscape, but an effort is…
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Paddlesports club gets national recognition
Nantahala Racing Club’s “superior performance and program development” earned it recognition as the American Canoe Association’s 2016 Stroke of Achievement…
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HCC lumberjacks take second at competition
The Haywood Community College Woodsmen’s Team took second place at the 2016 John G. Palmer Intercollegiate Woodsmen’s Meet this month,…
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Drought becomes extreme in far western N.C.
Even as Eastern North Carolina is reeling from flooding caused by Hurricane Matthew, Western North Carolina is plunging deeper into…
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Failure to communicate?
Well it seems there was one and I’m sure it could have been my fault. Smoky Mountain News reporter Holly…
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Sorry, but Bob Dylan didn’t deserve the Nobel
One moment, please. To ward off the brickbats, cudgels, stones, dirt clods, and rotten tomatoes sure to come my way,…
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Tuscola attends GWU Choral Clinic
Gardner-Webb University welcomed nearly 160 high school chorus students to campus Oct. 13 as the university’s music department sponsored the…
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This must be the place: NPR’s Ari Shapiro visits WNC
It was weird hearing him speak. As host of “All Things Considered,” the flagship program on National Public Radio (NPR),…
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Haywood School board races complicated, important
Haywood County Schools is at a crossroads, making this year’s crowded election for school board a pivotal one.
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Remains of missing Sylva women found in Cherokee National Forest
Two months after a Silver Alert was issued in the disappearance of 81-year-old Sylva resident Eunice Gass, dental records have…
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Forest fire spreads to 374 acres in Jackson County
Smoke is clouding the Sylva area following the eruption of a wildfire Sunday, Oct. 23, which grew to about 374…
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Sylva police department launches fundraising for police dog
The town of Sylva is in hot pursuit of what Police Chief Davis Woodard called a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to add…
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Gun rights event to take place in Haywood
A group of Second Amendment supporters planning an open-carry gun rights rally will move ahead with their event, scheduled for…
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Meadows’ challenger questions congressman’s ethics
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows and his challenger Rick Bryson have opposing views on the success of Meadows’ two terms…
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Affordable Housing Task Force begins work
As with any problem, the first step toward solving it is admitting that there is a problem.
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Early voting totals hint at turnout
As of 2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, almost 4,300 Haywood County residents had already cast their vote in person…
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SMN Commission forum highlights
The Smoky Mountain News held a forum with all four of the Haywood County Commission candidates at the Folkmoot Friendship…
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Tough choices for voters in Haywood commission race
Four more-or-less equally well-qualified candidates are competing for just two open seats on the Haywood County Board of Commissioners, leaving…
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Sales tax increase to appear on Swain ballot
Swain County residents will be asked whether they support an additional quarter-cent sales tax when they vote during the Nov.…
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Voters unsure about wording on county alcohol vote
Perhaps it’s because Haywood County residents haven’t seen such a measure since the Truman administration, but the wording on the…
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Future of hospital foundation funds to be decided
Two organizations hoping to manage an estimated $20 million in restricted funds resulting from the sale of Haywood Regional Medical…
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At gathering of tribal nations, Dakota Pipeline discussed as catalyst for advocacy
Strength in unity. Identity in culture. Power in the past. Momentum toward the future. Despite the diversity of traditions and…
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Remains likely belonging to missing Sylva woman found
Two months after issuing a Silver Alert in the disappearance of 80-year-old Sylva resident Eunice Gass, the Jackson County Sheriff’s…
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Jail escapee shot in downtown Waynesville
(Last updated at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26.) Main Street in downtown Waynesville was packed with pedestrians and vehicle traffic…
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Robin redbreasts are a perennial favorite
Our elementary school primers were populated by robins pulling worms out of holes. They appeared on television screens on Saturday…
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Daughters of the American Revolution brings forgotten forest to light
The sun had barely risen over the Pisgah Ridge, but the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Devils Courthouse pull-off was teeming — mainly…
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High fire danger prompts burning caution in Western N.C.
Fire danger is increasing throughout the forests of Western North Carolina, necessitating caution for any kind of outdoor burning.
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Livestock producers prepare for hay shortage
Drought is continuing and frost has ended the growing season in much of Western North Carolina, so hay could be…
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Locals make strong showing in grueling trail race
Local athletes figured prominently in the top places for the Naturalist Epic 25K/50K race held Oct. 8, a grueling undertaking…
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Smokies celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
The Smokies came to the Latino communities of Knoxville this month in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, with more…
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Grab your waterfall calendar and support WNC
Seasonal images of Western North Carolina’s most exquisite waterfalls adorn a newly published calendar set to raise money for the…
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Map publisher donates to maintain Tsali trails
A new map of Tsali Trails not only creates a better guide to the nationally known trail system on the…
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Environmental, economic leaders converge at WCU
More than 100 leaders from across Western North Carolina came together at Western Carolina University this month to talk about…
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A reviewer must learn to roll with the changes
Have you ever experienced one of those moments when you look at what you are doing and where you are…
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Pisgah wins 50th anniversary rumble
It was the tale of two halves as the Pisgah Black Bears went toe-to-toe against their Haywood County rivals, the…
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WCU to celebrate Homecoming 2016
The Western Carolina University community will come together under the theme “Purple Reigns” to celebrate Homecoming 2016 with major public…
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This must be the place
I’m entering hostile waters here, folks. So, bear with me as I bring up this ideology I recently heard, which…
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Relishing common ground amid the political divide
I am at the salad bar, evaluating the freshness of the broccoli and spinach, deciding whether I want croutons or…
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‘Get the hell out’ is not an answer
By Dave Waldroup • Guest Columnist Legendary former Chicago Bears head football coach Mike Ditka has now joined the chorus of…
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Negativity is infesting our politics
To the Editor: The greatest problem facing our country today and in the future is not from abroad but from…
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Raleigh ‘magicians’ must be held accountable
To the Editor: A key skill for magicians is misdirection. Look this way so you won’t see what I’m actually…
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Twenty questions for America’s citizens
To the Editor: The future of the American system of representative government is under attack, and who is heeding the…
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We are all going to be losers this election
To the Editor: Thank you for your honest opinion regarding Trump running for our highest office (www.smokymountainnews.com/opin-ion/item/18589). I respect your…
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This certainly is not politics as usual
To the Editor: I have been a political junkie since the Kennedy-Nixon race, but this letter is not about partisan…
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We need real change in this country
To the Editor: Are you an emotional voter letting the media and others tell you how to vote? Or an…
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Let’s ask Rep. Presnell to step down
To the Editor: As we face a drought, Rep. Michele Presnell, R-Burnsville, not only vigorously supports fracking (hydraulic fracturing) in…
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Vox Populi — the voice of the people: Voters express indecision, dissatisfaction with candidates, parties
As Jonathan Creek Road meanders south from Interstate 40 some 17 miles hence, it forms a “T” with Soco Road.…
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Challengers want change in Swain County
In this year’s commissioner election, Swain County residents will have to decide whether they are happy with the work done…
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