A dry September means fall color forecast is looking up
 

A dry September means fall color forecast is looking up

The outlook for a bright leaf season is improving, as Western Carolina University fearless fall foliage forecaster Kathy Mathews has…
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Timbersports team chops its way toward season opener
 

Timbersports team chops its way toward season opener

Orange chaps clipped around their legs, Rankin Fender and Zac O’Connor square off inside the sawdust-and-bark-filled woodshed at Haywood Community…
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The end is near — now what?
 

The end is near — now what?

When the novel, The Leftovers came out several years ago, it was an immediate success. (Oprah gave it a significant boost…
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Want to learn how to make a gingerbread house?
 

Want to learn how to make a gingerbread house?

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Bakery will offer a How To Create A Gingerbread House seminar at…
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Open call for Bryson City Chili Cook-Off
 

Open call for Bryson City Chili Cook-Off

The 24th annual Bryson City Chili Cook-Off will be held Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Depot.
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Sylva celebrates its quasquicentennial
 

Sylva celebrates its quasquicentennial

The Town of Sylva will hold its 125th anniversary celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, in…
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Canton’s Colonial Theatre receives international praise
 

Canton’s Colonial Theatre receives international praise

The historic Colonial Theatre in downtown Canton has been nominated for a Momentum Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association…
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Minick brings folk, country to Strand
 

Minick brings folk, country to Strand

Folk/rock/country singer Chris Minick will perform at 7:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at The Strand at 38 Main in Waynesville.
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This must be the place
 

This must be the place

Claire Lynch likes to blur lines. Born and raised in Upstate New York, she eventually moved away, crossing the Mason-Dixon…
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The heartbeat of a community
 

The heartbeat of a community

It never ceases to amaze Lorraine Conard. “It’s a little bit magical,” she said. “You walk in and there’s this…
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Let’s show real respect for teachers
 

Let’s show real respect for teachers

By Jim Hunt • Guest Columnist Earlier this year, I called for a state commitment to raise teacher pay to…
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Let your voice be heard at the ballot box
 

Let your voice be heard at the ballot box

To the Editor: By this means I thank N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, for presenting the fracking forum in Macon…
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Fracking debate needs more research, facts
 

Fracking debate needs more research, facts

To the Editor: The letter writer on fracking in the Sept. 17-23 issue of The Smoky Mountain News appears to…
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Why textbooks matter even now
 

Why textbooks matter even now

To the Editor: Although Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, and his fellow Republicans Sen.  Jim Davis, R-Franklin, and Rep. Michele Presnell,…
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Fracking is a ticking time bomb
 

Fracking is a ticking time bomb

To the Editor: As someone with 25-plus years of experience in water and wastewater equipment design, manufacture and installation, I…
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Burning the couch and chair, now that’s practical
 

Burning the couch and chair, now that’s practical

Tammy is out in the yard burning the couch. There is no telling where this will end. All by herself,…
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A conversation with Ty Pennington
 

A conversation with Ty Pennington

Ty Pennington is a celebrity carpenter best known for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” a show that involved lightning-quick remodels of…
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Community rallies for three-day makeover of Hazelwood prison
 

Community rallies for three-day makeover of Hazelwood prison

It was a scene that any fan — or casual viewer — of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” would find familiar.…
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N.C. House candidates Queen and Clampitt draw distinctions during debate
 

N.C. House candidates Queen and Clampitt draw distinctions during debate

N.C. Rep. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, and Republican challenger Mike Clampitt are on a similar mission. Each is trying to…
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Cullowhee development standards have been drawn up; will the community buy-in?
 

Cullowhee development standards have been drawn up; will the community buy-in?

Cullowhee is the fastest growing area of Jackson County. The growth owes much to Western Carolina University and is evidenced…
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Macon approves final school officer position
 

Macon approves final school officer position

All 11 Macon County schools will now have their own school resource officer, called an SRO, after county commissioners voted…
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Dillsboro sells Duke property to Jackson County
 

Dillsboro sells Duke property to Jackson County

The quiet, early morning streets of Dillsboro seemed still asleep as the town board ambled in. They arrived one by…
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Swain sees three-way race for sheriff
 

Swain sees three-way race for sheriff

With Election Day nearing, Odel Chastain seemed pretty relaxed.  “I’m sitting on my porch with my feet thrown up, watching…
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Jackson candidates drill down on fracking
 

Jackson candidates drill down on fracking

The three Democratic challengers in the Jackson County commissioners race took the sitting commissioners to task for their inaction on…
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Game on: Jackson commissioner candidates go to the mat in three-on-three race
 

Game on: Jackson commissioner candidates go to the mat in three-on-three race

Three challengers for Jackson County commissioner opened with a strong offensive charge at a candidate debate last week, rarely letting…
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District attorney race pits colleagues against each other
 

District attorney race pits colleagues against each other

Jim Moore and Ashley Welch have been on the same team for years, working side-by-side in the district attorney’s office…
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A prolific year for buckeye productions
 

A prolific year for buckeye productions

A large buckeye tree overhangs and supports the swinging gate leading into our property. Thereby, we have the opportunity to…
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Timbersports team to take on competition
 

Timbersports team to take on competition

Chopping, sawing, axe throwing, tree climbing, log rolling and more will be on tap during an intercollegiate Woodsmen’s Meet Saturday,…
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Forestry to Forest Festival coming up at Cradle of Forestry
 

Forestry to Forest Festival coming up at Cradle of Forestry

The Cradle of Forestry’s Forest Festival Day will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. More than…
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Smokies celebrates Wilderness Act
 

Smokies celebrates Wilderness Act

Ed Zahniser, son of the man who was widely regarded as the father of the Wilderness Act, will speak at…
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NOC recognized as top 100
 

NOC recognized as top 100

Outdoor USA Magazine named Nantahala Outdoor Center, located outside Bryson City, as one of the top 100 outdoor specialty retailers…
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Franklin loves the AT, and the AT loves Franklin
 

Franklin loves the AT, and the AT loves Franklin

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy recently recognized a passel of Franklin businesses and organizations for their support of the Appalachian Trail,…
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A bevy of 5K’s this fall
 

A bevy of 5K’s this fall

As the weather cools down, the competitive edge will be heating up in the running communities of Western North Carolina…
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Down by the water: Waynesville Rec gets busy with $25,000 worth of paddling equipment
 

Down by the water: Waynesville Rec gets busy with $25,000 worth of paddling equipment

“I’m gonna mark the spot with an X, right here,” says Tim Petrea, program supervisor for the Waynesville Parks and…
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A realist writer examines uncomfortable topics
 

A realist writer examines uncomfortable topics

“Evil is no more at an end than History, and so long as there are men there will be no…
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‘Elemeno Pea’ comedy hits WCU stage
 

‘Elemeno Pea’ comedy hits WCU stage

A comedy set in Martha’s Vineyard that explores a wealthy world of infinity pools, Bentleys and yacht clubs with men…
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Fall, art comes alive at ColorFest
 

Fall, art comes alive at ColorFest

The 6th Annual ColorFest: Dillsboro Fine Arts & Crafts Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday,…
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Demonstration of printmaking with photopolymer plates
 

Demonstration of printmaking with photopolymer plates

Frank Brannon, Jr., proprietor of SpeakEasy Press in Dillsboro, will present “How to Make and Print Photopolymer Plates” for Art…
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Taste of Sylva returns
 

Taste of Sylva returns

Featuring local food, music and children’s activities, the 5th annual Taste of Sylva culinary tour will run from 1 to…
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Music, fall camping at Barnaroo
 

Music, fall camping at Barnaroo

The 5th annual Barnaroo fall music festival will be held Oct. 4 at Franny’s Farm in Leicester. 
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Claire Lynch to play Cataloochee Ranch
 

Claire Lynch to play Cataloochee Ranch

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Claire Lynch will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley. Long recognized…
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Balsam Range to command the Colonial stage
 

Balsam Range to command the Colonial stage

Acclaimed bluegrass/gospel group Balsam Range will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the Colonial Theatre in Canton. The…
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Jake Owen to perform at Harrah’s
 

Jake Owen to perform at Harrah’s

Country megastar Jake Owen will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at Harrah’s Cherokee. Tickets are $45 and $55. 800.745.3000…
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This must be the place
 

This must be the place

It’s a lot harder than it looks. Stepping up to the first tee of the disc golf course at Grand Targhee…
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Tapping into Macon County
 

Tapping into Macon County

Dale Heinlein never thought he’d set down roots in his hometown of Highlands. “Living in Atlanta, in suburbia, with the…
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Use better science to support position
 

Use better science to support position

To the Editor: Ironically, the executive director of an organization named for the sacrificial bird used in mining operations endorses…
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Nikwasi Mound belongs to people of Macon
 

Nikwasi Mound belongs to people of Macon

To the Editor: The deed to the Nikwasi Mound states that, “the mound shall be preserved for the citizens of…
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U.S. also commits acts of barbarism
 

U.S. also commits acts of barbarism

To the Editor: We have chosen war yet again because we have deemed someone else’s behavior to be barbaric; in…
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North Carolina’s great balancing act
 

North Carolina’s great balancing act

To the Editor: Since they took over control of the North Carolina Legislature, there has been a great cry among…
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Cutting taxes not always the best way to lead
 

Cutting taxes not always the best way to lead

To the Editor: A candidate for the county commission wants to cut your taxes. That is the basis for his…
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