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Not your average tourist: Waynesville man reflects on decades of travel in the jungles of Ecuador
When life gets hectic, most people have a vacation spot where they go to unwind — perhaps a family cabin…
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NOC paddler to appear in summer Olympics
When Team U.S.A. marches into the Olympic stadium this summer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the Opening Ceremonies of…
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Sculpture winds through WCU trails
A nature-based sculpture project launched by Western Carolina University’s Fine Art Museum aims to feature outdoors art while promoting discussion…
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Plant defenses are not-so-pleasant for us humans
Like poisonous serpents, some plants developed toxic properties in order to protect themselves against predators. Besides insects, the major plant…
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Teaching children how to succeed at life
Near the end of The Collapse of Parenting: How We Hurt Our Kids When We Treat Them Like Grown-Ups, Dr.…
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New stage to open next month
Sitting on a bench one recent sunny afternoon, Steven Lloyd gazes to his right, a big smile immediately rolling across…
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Camera crazy: Downtown Sylva comes alive during filming of big-budget movie
An air of excitement and expectation reigned over downtown Sylva last week as crews and stars alike rolled in to…
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The long road to the big screen
Getting a movie to come to town isn’t something that happens overnight.
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‘Dirty Dancing,’ ‘Three Billboards,’ and economic ripples
“Three Billboards” isn’t the only major filming project going on in Jackson County this month. Last week, ABC wrapped up…
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Seasoned administrator to take helm at HRMC
Rod Harkleroad has been named as the new chief executive officer of Haywood Regional Medical Center.
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World Methodist Museum to mark 60 years
A celebration will be held May 22 to mark the 60th birthday of the World Methodist Museum, which is located…
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Waynesville rolls out compromise in ongoing food truck debate
New rules for where and how food trucks can set up shop in Waynesville attempt to balance the popular and…
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Haywood’s dropout program rescued
An innovative high school dropout program in Haywood County was rescued from the chopping block this week after county commissioners…
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Democratic candidates face off in congressional election
Two Democratic candidates will face off in the June 7 election for a chance to unseat U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows,…
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Obscure budget stats a ‘bellwether’ of economic recovery
Haywood County could be turning a corner after a slow, stubborn climb out of the recession, according to some obscure…
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For a change, Haywood isn’t facing a dire budget year
Haywood County commissioners were greeted with silence at their meeting Monday night when they asked if anyone in the audience…
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Predatory attack or ill-fated dinner search?
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is terming an incident that left a Las Vegas man with a puncture wound…
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Bear euthanized following backcountry bite
Campers at the Spence Field Appalachian Trail Shelter in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park spent a harrowing evening in…
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Cherokee pays off millions of debt
A massive load of debt left the shoulders of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians last week following enactment of…
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Events for readers and writers
Salvation sought through moonshine Terry Roberts will present his new novel The Holy Ghost and Speakeasy and Revival at 3…
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The Left still has something to learn about tolerance
I’ve been observing something for years — though recently it has snowballed — and it has always struck me as…
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Let’s work toward a better Maggie Valley
To the Editor: Former President Ronald Reagan once said, “The republic is a dream. If we stop dreaming, we will…
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Governor’s office is still in the dark
To the Editor: There you are, governor of North Carolina, and somebody pushes a stack of papers in front of…
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Racism is not in the ‘eye of the beholder’
To the Editor: Sorry Dad, but in your column in last week’s edition of The Smoky Mountain News (www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/item/17607), you…
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Connecting a new generation to 9/11
Recently, a group of Waynesville Middle chorus students were at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, and when they…
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Hot Springs fire contained
The verdict is in on a fire that had been blazing for two weeks near Hot Springs — after burning…
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Hanging Dog Campground reopens on trial basis
After two years of closure, Hanging Dog Campground in Cherokee County has reopened through a collaborative effort between the county…
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Get the cheat sheet to buy local
Growing season has arrived in Western North Carolina, and the new Local Food Guide from the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project…
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Trail mapping project earns award for tribal member
A Cherokee woman received recognition from the environmental organization Wild South for her tireless work with a project to map…
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DuPont trails to close for blue ghost firefly protection
Closure of some trails will soon take effect in DuPont State Recreational Forest to protect the blue ghost firefly, a…
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Rivers and restaurants: TV crew falls for Jackson County through its trout, tables and people
The sun is lowering toward a perfect spring evening as the crew from Fox Sports’ “Anglers & Appetites” pulls onto…
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Novel mixes Cherokee folklore with real history
This astonishing “novel” was crafted by three multi-talented western Cherokees who live and create in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. It resembles a…
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Roller derby to benefit Relay for Life
The Smoky Mountain Roller Girls will be hosting their second double header of the season on Saturday, May 14, at…
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JAM concert to honor Stuart
Old-time music fans and friends of the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) program are invited come together for a concert honoring…
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Brighten the corner where you are
It is the word of Southern Appalachia. For over a half a century, writer Fred Chappell has captured the essence…
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Making the grade: Educator reinvents dropout prevention, but budget cuts jeopardize program
Kyle Ledford spent years working with at-risk youth and high school dropouts in the Haywood school system. Saving kids was…
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Dropout program in jeopardy
Despite wild success rescuing high school dropouts and turning their lives around, the Haywood Community Learning Center is on the…
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Caught in life’s crosshairs, students struggle not to dropout
The trials of adulthood came early for Nicole Ferguson.
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Trying to put a square peg in a round hole? Kyle Ledford’s your man
If there’s one thing Kyle Ledford is good at, it’s pushing boulders uphill.
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Even with higher tax rate, Sylva budget a squeeze
Sylva residents will likely see their tax rate skyrocket 42 percent this year, but town commissioners say that even the…
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EMS costs and revaluation are catalysts for Jackson’s tax rate
With a drop in county value and increase in emergency response costs, Jackson County is looking at a draft budget…
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Franklin budget proposal focuses on infrastructure needs
Franklin’s proposed budget prioritizes a number of long-range infrastructure projects without increasing the tax rate.
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More firefighters needed, but is it worth a tax increase?
Waynesville leaders will face a big decision this budget year: whether to increase property taxes by 10 percent to pay…
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As volunteer fire cavalry wanes, quick response hinges on a core of paid staff
Waynesville town leaders heard something they didn’t necessarily want to hear last week.
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Cherokee moves toward marijuana legalization
Cherokee took another step along the road toward legalizing medicinal marijuana with a vote last week to start drafting legislation…
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Farmers lease old Drexel factory in Whittier
After years of sitting empty, the old Drexel Furniture factory in Whittier will now enter a new phase of useful…
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Gaming machines seized from local businesses
An undercover investigation into illegal gambling resulted in the seizure of more than 300 gaming machines from convenience stores across…
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