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Two WNC National Guard units put on alert for possible deployment
The National Guard 210th and 211th Military Police Companies from Western North Carolina were recently placed “on alert.”
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Meadows finds that homework is the first lesson for new Congressman
Give a U.S. congressman a cookie, and he can eat it. But offer him some free pancakes, and he’ll have…
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Explore your creative side this winter with art and photography classes
A line-up of art classes will begin in January, offered through the Inspired Art Ministry at the First Baptist Church…
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As the Crowe flies: Chris Robinson Brotherhood rated among top shows of the year
Chris Robinson is a freak‚ a damn musical freak. Finally wrangling everything into the studio with his freewheelin’ solo project‚…
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Balsam Range series welcomes member of Zac Brown Band
Nationally acclaimed Western North Carolina bluegrass group Balsam Range will continue their winter concert series at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan.…
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Learn to draw comic illustrations from a master
Cartoonist and illustrator James Lyle will do a presentation and demonstration on comic books and graphic novels for the Art…
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If you build it, they will come (and play)
Pulling into a row of unimposing metal garage-sized storage units on Frazier Street in Waynesville, the sound of buzzing is…
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The spirituality of mountain graveyards
“I am developing a taste for walking in cemeteries.” – Jules Renard, “Journals” (December 1909) Like Jules Renard, a turn-of-the-century…
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Classes and workshops
Wildlife program seeks help with classes Wild South’s Wildlife Outreach Initiative, along with Mountain Wildlife Days, are in the process…
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Ready, set, ski! Races begin at Catalaoochee
Cataloochee Ski Area is opening its winter race series beginning 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, for middle school competitors, followed…
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News from the conservation front
Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust conserves five parcels in 2012 With the help of community members and donors, the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust…
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New hiker shelter finished on the AT
Hikers of the Appalachian Trail now have a new shelter where they can rest their bones. The U.S. Forest Service…
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When it’s good to be threatened
I wrote about wood storks, Mycteria americana, back in August of this year after a trip to Isle of Palms…
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It’s all about the schwag: Race organizers get creative with attracting participants
You’ve been training for months. You’ve skipped the kids’ piano recitals and parent teacher conferences; you’ve bailed on dinner with…
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Author to discuss AT journey
Writer Amy Allen will discuss her journey along the Appalachian Trail as she presents her book, Summoning the Mountains: Pilgrimage…
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Racism and adultery drive Spencer’s novel
Daniel Emerson is afraid of black people. After a chance encounter with a group of violent African American teenagers left…
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Undocumented workers arrested in Jackson traffic checkpoint now free again
Federal authorities have dropped deportation proceedings against 10 Latino men, all suspected illegal immigrants, who were arrested at a Jackson…
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Swain’s oversized jail may finally be breaking even, but not for long
Swain County’s oversized jail will lose about one-third of its current inmate population and a sizeable revenue stream when the…
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The ultimate gift: Jackson church builds new house for 93-year-old woman
Margie Bradley has called a ramshackle shack in the hills of Cullowhee “home” for almost 60 years. The ceilings sag,…
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We have a cultural problem, not a gun problem
By Tom Rogers • Guest columnist The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School is beyond comprehension. Such an event should…
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Strong gun laws require strong politicians
By Martin Dyckman • Guest Columnist Had Al-Qaeda carried out the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Congress would be…
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We need a dialogue on guns and laws
To the Editor: I challenge The Smoky Mountain News to assist in opening a respectful, thoughtful, meaningful conversation in our…
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Spirit of the Season: What liquor-buying trends say about a town
For liquor stores in Western North Carolina, the combination of Christmas and the New Year makes for the busiest time…
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Haywood tourism holding its own, gradually coming back
Tourism numbers are looking good for Haywood County so far this year, and tourism leaders are keeping their fingers crossed…
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Haywood sheriff to step down early
Haywood County Sheriff Bobby Suttles announced last week he will retire in February, stepping down early despite another two years…
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Democratic Party holds the power in appointing new sheriff
The task of finding a new top lawman in Haywood County to replace retiring Sheriff Bobby Suttles will begin in…
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Soaking up the sounds of Sylva on a silent walking tour
Most people have heard of a sightseeing tour, perhaps a wine or beer tasting tour, and maybe even the all-encompassing…
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Home for the holidays: Christmas at Broyhill Children’s Home brings happiness to all
The most wonderful time of the year — it’s a line is engrained in us all. But nobody embraces and…
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Celebrate the New Year!
Fine dining, jazz for New Year’s Eve There will be a special jazz performance and dinner at 7 p.m. Monday,…
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Ride the rails into 2013
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will ring in the New Year with an evening of live music, dancing, dining and…
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Learn how to play the dulcimer
Registration is ongoing for the eighth annual “Dulcimer U Winter Weekend” conference for mountain dulcimer enthusiasts, which will be held…
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Arts council celebrates 35 years, Miller steps down
Haywood County Arts Council Executive Director Kay Miller is stepping down after nine years on the job.
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A long and winding road
At a McDonald’s in Canton, S.R. “Sha” Shahan sits quietly in one of the corner booths, casually sipping his coffee…
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The source of the sound
It’s the greatest show in town, but the location is a secret. With the tall smokestacks of the Canton paper…
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College kids gum up Jackson County’s economic stats
The economic situation seemed to be looking up in Jackson County: unemployment was on a steady decline; the real estate…
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Haywood County economy outpaces its peers
Joey Del Bosque scrolled through his appointment book for the week; time slot after time slot was filled, with just…
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Economic indicators show WNC’s pump is primed but still waiting to flow
More doom and gloom or a light at the end of the tunnel? For five years, the nation has waited…
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Dismal participation in Sylva’s recycling begs the question
Since the town of Sylva’s curbside recycling program was reinstated about five years ago, its participation has stagnated, with the…
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So long sweepstakes: Supreme Court upholds state’s authority to regulate gambling
The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled last week that state lawmakers indeed have the power to ban video gambling in…
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Old hospital building needs a new lease on life, but takers are few
What to do with a hulking, four-story, run-down, decades-old, now-empty former hospital in Waynesville?
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Confederate flag flap in holding pattern in Haywood
The Haywood County Board of Commissioners have postponed voting on a controversial flag display policy until after the New Year,…
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Franklin ambulance garage to hold green-go power over nearby stoplight
Ever wanted a magic button you could press to make the stoplight turn green? Macon County Emergency Medical Services will…
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Billing error for casino IT services translates into $4.1 million refund for tribe
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians was accidentally overbilled $2.7 million for IT service over several years by the company…
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Bryson City radio station fine tunes programming for local AM airwaves
Two years after being saved from imminent death in the nick of time, WBHN began broadcasting regularly in Bryson City…
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Compromise forged to save metal truss bridge
Macon County residents hoping to save an old metal truss bridge spanning the Little Tennessee River scored a small win,…
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Arrest comes down in case of missing headstones in Sylva
An ongoing investigation into gravestones purchased from Moody’s Funeral Home in Sylva but never delivered to the buyers has resulted…
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Winter mushrooms a welcome find
Most people who hunt mushrooms do so in late summer and fall when an array of choice edibles are abundant…
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Historic Appalachian Trail shelter gets a lift
The Nantahala Hiking Club recently renovated an 80-year-old Appalachian Trail shelter about a mile north of Burningtown Gap in Macon…
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Franklin Young Professionals awarded for trash pick-up
The Franklin Young Professionals were recently awarded a plaque for their participation in the N.C. Big Sweep river cleanup this…
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Foundation makes year-end push for one donation per mile
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has once again launched a year-end fundraising campaign called the 469 Challenge. Inspired by the…
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