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State is on the way up
 

State is on the way up

To the Editor: North Carolina has the 49th highest unemployment rate in the USA, tied with Rhode Island and followed…
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McCrory gets defensive about voter law
 

McCrory gets defensive about voter law

To the Editor:  The national criticism of his voter suppression law — yes, he signed it, so it’s his — must…
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Government for the rich, by the vindictive
 

Government for the rich, by the vindictive

To the Editor: In January, Republicans swept into state government on a mission of frugality, vowing to trim fat from…
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Needed: a just, humane immigration policy
 

Needed: a just, humane immigration policy

By Doug Wingeier • Guest Columnist With all the current media attention being focused on Syria, budget deadlines, Obamacare, and the…
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District elections could be a partisan game changer in Jackson
 

District elections could be a partisan game changer in Jackson

In what he characterized as simply starting the discussion, Jackson County Commission Chairman Jack Debnam broached the idea of changing…
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Deserted factory to morph into agriculture venture
 

Deserted factory to morph into agriculture venture

An abandoned, county-owned furniture factory in Whittier could transform into a center for agritourism in Jackson County, or it could…
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National Guard Unit from Haywood to deploy to Afghanistan
 

National Guard Unit from Haywood to deploy to Afghanistan

The National Guard’s 211th Military Police Company based in Haywood County is deploying to Afghanistan.
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Forging a new economy: public input sought in roadmap for WNC
 

Forging a new economy: public input sought in roadmap for WNC

The creation of a monolithic blueprint that will lead the seven western counties into a new economy is under way,…
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Haywood acts to secure Mauney Cove trash site
 

Haywood acts to secure Mauney Cove trash site

Haywood County has secured the first right of refusal on the 1.4-acre tract where the Mauney Cove trash and recycling…
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Construction climate warming up again in Haywood
 

Construction climate warming up again in Haywood

Building permits are trending upwards in Haywood County thanks to an increase in single-family home construction. The majority of new…
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Model plane club allows members to take the pilot seat
 

Model plane club allows members to take the pilot seat

The Macon Aero Modelers Club members are not afraid to fly much of anything. Large, wooden aircraft churning through the…
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Macon County ponies up for airport upgrades, again
 

Macon County ponies up for airport upgrades, again

The Macon County Commission last week narrowly approved funding for upgrades and an expansion of the runway at the county…
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Maggie bites off more than it can chew in Stillwell concert
 

Maggie bites off more than it can chew in Stillwell concert

Maggie Valley residents and leaders are questioning how and why town taxpayers ended up footing the bill for a Country…
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Experts educate residents on cumbersome healthcare reform
 

Experts educate residents on cumbersome healthcare reform

Thousands of uninsured Western North Carolina residents will soon benefit from the Affordable Care Act, despite most people still being…
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Swain County fights for its just due
 

Swain County fights for its just due

Swain County Manager Kevin King made another trip up to Washington, D.C. last week, though this time the visit was…
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Appointment signals Meadow’s rising clout in Washington
 

Appointment signals Meadow’s rising clout in Washington

U.S. Congressman Mark Meadows was appointed as one of the country’ two representatives to the United Nation’s General Assembly last…
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A moving target: Small-towns’ eternal chase for doctors
 

A moving target: Small-towns’ eternal chase for doctors

Five full-time doctors practicing at Swain County Medical Center have left during the past year. The departures account for half…
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Bryson City: just what the doctor ordered
 

Bryson City: just what the doctor ordered

As Dr. Randall Castor stared down the final weeks of his residency, it was clear those long, grueling years of…
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How a tiny bracelet saved the life of a man with dementia
 

How a tiny bracelet saved the life of a man with dementia

During rehearsal for her church’s band one Monday night, Paula McElroy called home to check on her 82-year-old husband who…
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Canton factory revs up production of big-rig cab parts
 

Canton factory revs up production of big-rig cab parts

A manufacturing plant that makes parts for big-rig cab interiors has broken ground on a $5.9 million expansion in Canton…
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At least the rich got a tax cut
 

At least the rich got a tax cut

To the Editor: Congratulation, the Republican legislature just gave everyone in the state a tax cut. Well, maybe not, just…
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Hoping memories last until next election
 

Hoping memories last until next election

To the Editor: In a recent letter titled “New laws bring advantages to N.C. citizens,” the writer stated “It’s time…
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National spotlight shines on N.C.
 

National spotlight shines on N.C.

To the Editor: The 2013 North Carolina legislature has enacted numerous measures to benefit corporations and attract new business to…
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Let’s keep the AT as pristine as possible
 

Let’s keep the AT as pristine as possible

To the Editor: In the winter of 1979, in the midst of studying for a degree at a large university,…
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What a great day in Western North Carolina
 

What a great day in Western North Carolina

From the very first few days I lived in the mountains — as an 18-year-old freshman at Appalachian State University…
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Macon Aero Modelers Barbecue Fundraiser
 

Macon Aero Modelers Barbecue Fundraiser

The Macon Aero Modelers is holding its 5th annual BBQ Charity Fun Fly at 9 a.m. Sept. 21-22, at the…
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Join the famed Pink Glove Dance, be in a national video contest
 

Join the famed Pink Glove Dance, be in a national video contest

MedWest-Haywood is asking the community to step up to the plate and do their best rendition of the ‘Pink Glove…
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Mountain Momma
 

Mountain Momma

I credit my older sister with teaching me many of life’s important lessons. Like not wearing white heels after Labor…
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Crafts, contests and music at Railfest
 

Crafts, contests and music at Railfest

The 12th annual Railfest will bring a taste of railroad food, memorabilia, storytelling, Appalachian music and dance, and special train…
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Youth Art Festival coming to Dillsboro
 

Youth Art Festival coming to Dillsboro

The 6th annual Youth Arts Festival will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Jackson…
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Wrestler brings musical talents to Maggie rally
 

Wrestler brings musical talents to Maggie rally

Professional wrestler and country singer Mickie James will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14, at Thunder In The Smokies bike…
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This must be the place
 

This must be the place

He slinked by, turned and glanced at me. “Well, hey there, you must be Jack, eh?” I said to him.
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Must-see in Cullowhee
 

Must-see in Cullowhee

From blockbuster Broadway musicals to the obscure art of throat singing to politically-charged documentaries on Iranian oppression, Western Carolina University…
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The lost West in all its violent glory
 

The lost West in all its violent glory

I have always had a fondness for great, sprawling epics, especially if they chronicle the downfall of a family/dynasty that acquired…
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Buckeyes still beguile nature lovers
 

Buckeyes still beguile nature lovers

A large yellow buckeye tree overhangs and supports the swinging gate that accesses our property. The tree has started to…
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Blight-resistant chestnuts planted in Cashiers
 

Blight-resistant chestnuts planted in Cashiers

Tree seedlings planted at McKinney Meadow in Cashiers this week may signal a new chapter for the American Chestnut in…
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Advanced tech courses offered to students
 

Advanced tech courses offered to students

Haywood County high school students will have more educational opportunities in the areas of electronics and machining, thanks to a…
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Farm tour introduces tourists to their food source
 

Farm tour introduces tourists to their food source

A Western North Carolina farm tour provides the perfect chance to see where food comes from and to get to…
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Parkway throws mountain party
 

Parkway throws mountain party

A day full of activities at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center near Asheville promises mountain music, outdoor literature, local…
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Geothermal project extends crop’s life
 

Geothermal project extends crop’s life

Haywood Community College will soon build an experimental geothermal pre-cooling facility to extend the shelf life of produce and crops…
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Chestnut trees highlight of hike
 

Chestnut trees highlight of hike

A walk along the Blue Ridge Parkway will take hikers on a journey to explore the mighty chestnut tree and…
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Buy gear and help the park’s friends
 

Buy gear and help the park’s friends

Mast General Store is offering outdoor enthusiasts a way to get new gear while helping out the Great Smoky Mountains…
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Get thee to an eatery
 

Get thee to an eatery

Sorry, I couldn’t help it – I saw Hamlet at Montford Park this past weekend.  But to be more specific,…
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Growing pains: Farmers pay the price as elk herd damage crops, fences
 

Growing pains: Farmers pay the price as elk herd damage crops, fences

It is a common story — a species once eliminated returns to find not everyone welcomes it back with open…
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Business calendar
 

Business calendar

• Western Carolina University will host information sessions on a new part-time MBA program starting in January and held in…
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Business notes
 

Business notes

• The 2014 Apple Harvest Festival, held Oct. 18 in Waynesville, was a tremendous success. The estimated attendance was 50,000-plus…
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Highlands-Cashiers Hospital soon to forge partnership with Mission
 

Highlands-Cashiers Hospital soon to forge partnership with Mission

Highlands-Cashiers Hospital is expected to come under the umbrella of Mission Health in coming months. The Highlands-Cashiers Hospital is current…
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Getting a handle on cutlery
 

Getting a handle on cutlery

Kristi Culpepper knows knives.  Browsing the wide selection of specialized hunting, hobby and kitchen cutlery at Old School Knife Works…
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Rural Center will survive, but as a shadow of its former self
 

Rural Center will survive, but as a shadow of its former self

Despite fears that the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center would meet its maker after losing its state funding, the…
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Changes on table for TDA grant funding
 

Changes on table for TDA grant funding

People seeking funds from the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority spend hours filling out grant applications, and all the tourism…
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