Live dealer conversation stalled in courts
 

Live dealer conversation stalled in courts

After years of a stalemate with the state over live dealers at Harrah’s Casino, the election of Gov. Beverly Perdue…
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The case for soccer
 

The case for soccer

Soccer coach Nathan Trout recalled, with a tinge of jealousy, the four “unbelievable” sports parks in his Florida hometown, including…
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EPA ozone standards
 

EPA ozone standards

Limit prior to 2008: .08 parts per million New limit set in 2008: .075 parts per million New limit pending…
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Duke faces yet another hurdle on substation
 

Duke faces yet another hurdle on substation

A coalition of Cherokee and Swain County residents have stepped up the pressure on a proposed Duke Energy substation in…
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Quintessential quilts
 

Quintessential quilts

In 1980, Gov. Jim Hunt signed a proclamation declaring Franklin as the “Quilting Capital of the World.” That tradition has…
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Iconic drugstore to interesting bookstore
 

Iconic drugstore to interesting bookstore

We’re been considering books and related matters like shelving, bookplates, home libraries, favorite books, and (last week’s topic) — “How…
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Haire seeks re-election in N.C. 119 race
 

Haire seeks re-election in N.C. 119 race

N.C. House District 119 represents Jackson, Swain and portions of Haywood and Macon counties. In the Democratic primary, incumbent Phil…
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The case for ball and bat
 

The case for ball and bat

Like many of the stakeholders in the argument, county commission chairman Kirk Kirkpatrick wishes the county could build enough fields…
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Obsessing over grammar
 

Obsessing over grammar

Twelve years ago, while teaching Latin at a local high school, I was discussing a point of grammar — I…
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Life and death aboard a tin can
 

Life and death aboard a tin can

By Dr. Robert H. Spiro Jr. • Guest Columnist Friday, April 6, 1945, is a day emblazoned in my memory.…
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Debate over Duke power lines shifts to second front
 

Debate over Duke power lines shifts to second front

Imagine buying an idyllic piece of land in the mountains only to learn you’ll be living under a giant, humming…
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Haywood challenger emerges as top vote-getter
 

Haywood challenger emerges as top vote-getter

With the county budget on everyone’s mind, two Haywood commissioners received a vote of confidence on the job they’ve done…
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Shelton beats Brown in Jackson primary
 

Shelton beats Brown in Jackson primary

Incumbent William Shelton beat challenger James Bo Brown by almost a two-to-one margin to win the Democratic spot on the…
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Crowded judge field narrowed
 

Crowded judge field narrowed

District Court judge candidates who made it past the primary hope the race will become more digestible to voters now…
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Neighbors draw the line over latest rock quarry expansion
 

Neighbors draw the line over latest rock quarry expansion

A grassroots effort to halt a mine expansion in west Waynesville jumped its first hurdle last week. Citizens have convinced…
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A package from home opens portal to a treasured past
 

A package from home opens portal to a treasured past

When I took my morning walk with our miniature dachshund to the mailbox to get the mail last Friday, I…
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Queen to face new challenger
 

Queen to face new challenger

After three straight match-ups with the same Republican challenger, Sen. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, will face a new opponent on…
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 	Peace for the World’s Children: 2010 Lake Junaluska Peace Conference
 

Peace for the World’s Children: 2010 Lake Junaluska Peace Conference

Join children’s advocates from across the United States at the third annual Lake Junaluska Peace Conference September 18-21, 2010, as…
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In Next, life changes in a day
 

In Next, life changes in a day

Next by James Hynes. Reagan Arthur Books, 2010. 320 pages. In The Lecturer’s Tale, previously reviewed in The Smoky Mountain…
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Lake Logan dredging could reduce flood danger
 

Lake Logan dredging could reduce flood danger

Removing sediment from Lake Logan would not only benefit its owner, Evergreen Packaging, it could potentially save homes and businesses…
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No Wal-Mart for Cherokee
 

No Wal-Mart for Cherokee

Wal-Mart will not build a new Supercenter in Cherokee. After months of speculation that the deal between the tribe and…
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HART director Steve Lloyd honored for theater outreach
 

HART director Steve Lloyd honored for theater outreach

Steve Lloyd, executive director of Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville, has been honored with The Herman Middleton Distinguished Service…
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An engaged – and very angry – electorate
 

An engaged – and very angry – electorate

The primary election is over now, but even before the vote tallies made winners and losers out of so many…
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Ashe holds on in Democratic primary
 

Ashe holds on in Democratic primary

Jackson County Sheriff Jimmy Ashe proved he could survive a tough race during the Democratic primary, defeating challenger Robin Gunnels…
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The Naturalist's Corner
 

The Naturalist's Corner

Why we do it “You’re getting up when?” “You’re going out in this weather?” People who have a passion for…
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Celebrating Kephart, and his teacup
 

Celebrating Kephart, and his teacup

This past weekend marked the second annual Horace Kephart celebration in Bryson City. There was a terrific presentation of newly…
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Sylva cleans up town one property at a time
 

Sylva cleans up town one property at a time

For the past year or so, Sylva Mayor Maurice Moody has been focused on cleaning up his town. “We’ve been…
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Cochran hammers Dover in sheriff race
 

Cochran hammers Dover in sheriff race

Despite widespread criticism of the job he’s done, Swain Sheriff Curtis Cochran proved unstoppable in this year’s Republican primary. Cochran…
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Republicans suit up for race against Shuler
 

Republicans suit up for race against Shuler

Republicans faced a major decision in the primary election: who is the best man to go head to head with…
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Farm preservation tour a lesson in community conservation
 

Farm preservation tour a lesson in community conservation

North Carolina’s farmland is rapidly disappearing. The state has lost more than a million acres of it since 2007, and…
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Macon primary shows strength of incumbents
 

Macon primary shows strength of incumbents

Going into the primary elections in Macon County, every candidate stressed the need for a fiscally conservative mindset as the…
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Low voter turnout in primary elections
 

Low voter turnout in primary elections

Mid-term election primaries are normally characterized by poor voter turnout, and that held true this year as only 14 percent…
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$7 million investment rescues Ghost Town from bankruptcy
 

$7 million investment rescues Ghost Town from bankruptcy

Ghost Town in the Sky amusement park in Maggie Valley will emerge from bankruptcy under a new corporate structure. One…
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Ghost Town liability insurance lapsed prior to Feb. 5 mudslide
 

Ghost Town liability insurance lapsed prior to Feb. 5 mudslide

Ghost Town in the Sky failed to make timely payments on its liability insurance policy, and as a result it…
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Friedman fails to give Haire a green scare
 

Friedman fails to give Haire a green scare

Phil Haire is a fortress as a state candidate. The seven-time incumbent is head of the General Assembly’s appropriations committee,…
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Retired superintendent, former commissioner join Democratic incumbents in Swain
 

Retired superintendent, former commissioner join Democratic incumbents in Swain

Though both commissioner candidates running for re-election in Swain County have safely landed a spot in November’s election, a newcomer…
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President and First Lady Obama get a taste of WNC’s locally-grown food scene
 

President and First Lady Obama get a taste of WNC’s locally-grown food scene

Just a month ago, no one here would believe that the President and First Lady of the United States would…
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Flying saucers hit the links
 

Flying saucers hit the links

On a sunny Friday afternoon, I shanked my flick Hyzer into Copperhead Row in the company of the Doctor, Yoda,…
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Haywood arts council to exhibit ‘Haywood Heritage Trail: Quilts of Bygone Years’
 

Haywood arts council to exhibit ‘Haywood Heritage Trail: Quilts of Bygone Years’

Haywood Heritage Trail: Quilts of Bygone Years opening Wednesday, May 12, will feature traditional quilt squares for sale by area…
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Joel Queen draws on many sources for artistic inspiration
 

Joel Queen draws on many sources for artistic inspiration

Many who walk into Joel Queen’s gallery mistakenly assume the artwork there solely represents Cherokee tradition. After all, Queen comes…
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The Naturalist's Corner
 

The Naturalist's Corner

Murky waters – Louisiana in limbo The giant oil slick (reported to be the size of Puerto Rico) sliding around…
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Welsh TV crew visits Cherokee
 

Welsh TV crew visits Cherokee

Iolo Williams is one of the Wales’ most recognized TV personalities. “Wildlife” Williams, as he is known by some fans,…
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Quest for cost savings leads Haywood to outsource trash and recycling
 

Quest for cost savings leads Haywood to outsource trash and recycling

Faced with a tall and growing stack of bills in the solid waste department, Haywood County commissioners are seriously considering…
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Cecil Groves leaves SCC with a legacy of regional growth
 

Cecil Groves leaves SCC with a legacy of regional growth

In 1970, Cecil Groves was the 30-year-old provost of Delgado College. The city of New Orleans was on fire, rent…
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Ghost Town saga reaches deeper into WNC
 

Ghost Town saga reaches deeper into WNC

Western North Carolina is a patchwork of small communities, close-knit groups operating independently to make their own town or area…
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WNC’s economic stimulus lies in tourism
 

WNC’s economic stimulus lies in tourism

By David Huskins • Guest Columnist Much of the talk nationally, as well as locally, has been centered on how…
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Learning to play the Angel’s Game
 

Learning to play the Angel’s Game

The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Doubleday, 2009. 470 pages.A few days after completing The Shadow of the Wind,…
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Ghost Town owner Harper daunted but not deterred
 

Ghost Town owner Harper daunted but not deterred

As Al Harper watched the national recession undermine ticket sales at Ghost Town amusement park over the past two years,…
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Maggie slide victims still living in limbo
 

Maggie slide victims still living in limbo

More than three months have come and gone since a major mudslide crashed through Maggie Valley’s Rich Cove community, and…
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Plan for family fun at 10th Annual Strawberry Jam
 

Plan for family fun at 10th Annual Strawberry Jam

Enjoy plow demonstrations, food tasting, sack races, live music and more at the 10th Annual Strawberry Jam starting 10 a.m.…
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