Celebrate the Appalachian Trail season
 

Celebrate the Appalachian Trail season

Whether you’re roughing it on the AT or just looking for a fun way to spend your Saturday, several upcoming…
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The AT experience won’t be left behind
 

The AT experience won’t be left behind

It’s been nearly eight years since Amy “Willow” Allen passed through Western North Carolina as a tired-and-hungry AT through-hiker. But…
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Mann, ‘Les Miserables’ to stage at WCU
 

Mann, ‘Les Miserables’ to stage at WCU

Directed by Broadway star Terrence Mann, the Tony-Award-winning musical “Les Miserables” will be performed at 7:30 p.m., April 3-5 and…
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Haywood festival gets new name, announces date
 

Haywood festival gets new name, announces date

The Haywood County Arts Council has renamed their outdoor summer festival. Previously known as International Festival Day, the name has…
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‘Hunger Games’ fans flocking to N.C. film locations
 

‘Hunger Games’ fans flocking to N.C. film locations

In 2011 a large Hollywood film descended upon North Carolina. It was a secret and it went by the name…
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From trash to treasure, new art exhibit in Highlands
 

From trash to treasure, new art exhibit in Highlands

Artists transform everyday objects into works of art in the exhibit “Out of the Ordinary,” which runs April 5 through…
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Hugh Morton exhibit to include reception, talk
 

Hugh Morton exhibit to include reception, talk

An exhibit celebrating the work of photographer Hugh Morton will open with a reception and talk March 27 at the…
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Winners of WCU’s annual Youth Art Month exhibit announced
 

Winners of WCU’s annual Youth Art Month exhibit announced

Budding artists from across Jackson County were recently recognized during the annual Youth Art Month exhibit hosted by Western Carolina…
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Balsam Range, The Boxcars to play Franklin
 

Balsam Range, The Boxcars to play Franklin

Acclaimed bluegrass acts Balsam Range and The Boxcars will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 4, at the Smoky Mountain…
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WCU jam series continues with Crooked Pine
 

WCU jam series continues with Crooked Pine

The 2013-14 First Thursday Old-Time and Bluegrass Jam Series continues with Crooked Pine at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 3, in…
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This must be the place
 

This must be the place

I went out too fast. I always go out too fast.
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Wordsmiths converge on WCU for Spring Literary Festival
 

Wordsmiths converge on WCU for Spring Literary Festival

Established and emerging authors of poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction will discuss and read from their works at Western Carolina…
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In search of the perfect word: Literary festival returns to WCU
 

In search of the perfect word: Literary festival returns to WCU

A writer looking at a blank page is a like a painter staring at a fresh canvas, a sculptor facing…
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You often get the results that you plan for
 

You often get the results that you plan for

To the Editor: Here is what I think about Jackson County’s revised steep slope ordinance: self-serving, self-serving and self-serving. But…
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What’s up with all the litter in Haywood?
 

What’s up with all the litter in Haywood?

To the Editor: Just an observation that I am sure others have made also, but what about all the trash…
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Election laws target the wrong groups
 

Election laws target the wrong groups

To the Editor: I attended a political club meeting last night. I purchased tickets for a fundraiser — a dinner…
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The enduring myth of welfare cheats
 

The enduring myth of welfare cheats

To the Editor: Welfare cheats. It seems that every conservative has a favorite story about how someone on public assistance…
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To shoot or not to shoot?
 

To shoot or not to shoot?

To the Editor: Every two or three years I read in the newspaper that a homeowner shot an intruder. Typically,…
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In Rep. Presnell’s view, it’s local leaders be damned
 

In Rep. Presnell’s view, it’s local leaders be damned

Some teacher a long time ago explained to my class of intro to political science undergrads the difference between a…
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Macon ballfield complex to break ground soon
 

Macon ballfield complex to break ground soon

Macon County commissioners unanimously approved the first round of bids to begin construction of a $3.8 million sports complex in…
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Lake Junaluska Peace Conference
 

Lake Junaluska Peace Conference

The Lake Junaluska Peace Conference, taking place March 27-30, will feature six leadership speakers from across the globe. The speakers…
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New apartment rules set the stage for a safer walk to campus for WCU students
 

New apartment rules set the stage for a safer walk to campus for WCU students

The advent of three large student apartment complexes around Western Carolina University in the past few years has prompted concern…
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Gambling halls raided
 

Gambling halls raided

Two video gambling halls were raided in Haywood County last week following an undercover investigation by law enforcement agencies.
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State, counties play hot potato over teacher salaries
 

State, counties play hot potato over teacher salaries

Stagnating pay for North Carolina teachers is prompting some local school leaders to dig a little deeper for salary bonuses…
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On with the show
 

On with the show

Though the process has been long, Steven Lloyd is beginning to see the fruits of his labor. “I sometimes feel…
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One and done — Macon sheriff race to be sewed up in primary
 

One and done — Macon sheriff race to be sewed up in primary

The Macon County Sheriff race will be short and sweet. Incumbent Sheriff Robbie Holland, a Republican, only faces one challenger,…
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Candidates lineup for a shot on Swain sheriff ballot
 

Candidates lineup for a shot on Swain sheriff ballot

Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran will have an easy primary season, with no Republicans challenging his bid for a third…
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Candidates sound off on issues in crowded sheriff race
 

Candidates sound off on issues in crowded sheriff race

With the May election primary drawing nearer and the ring chock-full of hats contending for the Jackson County sheriff seat,…
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HCC’s low-impact development degree axed
 

HCC’s low-impact development degree axed

Four years ago, Haywood Community College launched the first low-impact development program in North Carolina, a new degree to train…
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Election laws in the ‘new’ North Carolina
 

Election laws in the ‘new’ North Carolina

New controversial voting laws passed by the N.C. General Assembly last year were supposed to take effect in 2016, but…
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Voting from bed: WCU, Jackson County election officials hammer out a hopeful home
 

Voting from bed: WCU, Jackson County election officials hammer out a hopeful home

Walking out of the Jackson County Board of Elections offices in Sylva, Lane Perry seemed pleased. A year’s worth of…
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Franklin brewery deal moves along
 

Franklin brewery deal moves along

Franklin is one step closer to getting its first microbrewery, which plans to set up shop in the former town…
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Franklin downtown soul-searches for solution to discord
 

Franklin downtown soul-searches for solution to discord

The division along Franklin’s Main Street is tough to see with the naked eye. Passersby appear oblivious to the battle…
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Time to get your Green on
 

Time to get your Green on

No, I’m not late. I’m not talking about puking green beer or waking up with Leprechauns — I’m talking about…
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Cheap greenhouse space for up for grabs
 

Cheap greenhouse space for up for grabs

Get an early start on this year’s garden by renting a space for seed flats in the greenhouse at the…
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Jackson students win environmental contest
 

Jackson students win environmental contest

The Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District has announced the winners of its annual poster and essay contests. Third- through…
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Kids can get trekking with TRACK trail network
 

Kids can get trekking with TRACK trail network

Interactive activities for kids have been installed along a 1.3-mile section of trail at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville, which…
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Permit needed to harvest ginseng
 

Permit needed to harvest ginseng

The U.S. Attorney’s Office reminds the public that gathering ginseng on the Nantahala National Forest without a permit is illegal. 
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Roving volunteers needed in the Smokies
 

Roving volunteers needed in the Smokies

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is recruiting volunteers to rove the Oconaluftee River Trail, Mountain Farm Museum and fields along…
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Paddlers emerge for first big race of the year
 

Paddlers emerge for first big race of the year

A major paddling race will be held on the Nantahala River March 22 and 23, with around 60 of the…
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Climbing to the top: Local school a hub for outdoor training
 

Climbing to the top: Local school a hub for outdoor training

It’s a chilly day on the Tuckasegee River. Air temperature is in the mid-40s, and the water isn’t much warmer. …
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Finding elusive love in the modern world of dating
 

Finding elusive love in the modern world of dating

“Chick-lit” is, of course, the slang expression for those books appealing especially to women. Though not politically correct, most men…
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MedWest hosts community meetings
 

MedWest hosts community meetings

MedWest Haywood will hold another series of community meetings in April and May. Feedback collected from the community during an…
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Jackson County Planning Board reconsiders rewrites
 

Jackson County Planning Board reconsiders rewrites

A proposal to loosen steep slope development rules in Jackson County is headed back to the drawing board. A large…
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Brewing possibilities in Franklin: Town board considers lease offer for old town hall
 

Brewing possibilities in Franklin: Town board considers lease offer for old town hall

Franklin could soon get its first taste of microbrew beer. An offer to lease the old town hall building and…
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Sheriff candidate fired from Sylva police force
 

Sheriff candidate fired from Sylva police force

Jackson County sheriff candidate Curtis Lambert no longer has a job with the Sylva Police Department, but he says his…
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No repercussions for officers involved in dismissed drug case
 

No repercussions for officers involved in dismissed drug case

Three months after lies on a search warrant and a fabricated drug dog alert prompted a federal judge to throw…
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Swain cyclists help DOT in rumble strip study
 

Swain cyclists help DOT in rumble strip study

When drivers veer off the road, they’re often alerted to the error by a vicious vibration caused by an ingrained…
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Film crew granted access to Judaculla Rock
 

Film crew granted access to Judaculla Rock

A film crew with the show “American Unearthed” will arrive in Jackson County this week to film an episode on…
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Sylva board talks downtown traffic fixes
 

Sylva board talks downtown traffic fixes

Over the past half-century, traffic patterns in downtown Sylva have prompted a repeated cycle of complaint, remedy and return to…
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