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Grants awarded for WNC park projects
Western North Carolina will see $1.5 million of the more than $17 million in grants approved Aug. 26 through the…
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‘Know what you don’t know’ : New book aims to stop backcountry emergencies before they start
During his 30 years living and teaching in Western North Carolina, Maurice Phipps has heard countless tales of tragedy and…
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Notes from a plant nerd: Joe Pye Weed, The Queen of the Meadow
The stories of plants are what led me in to falling in love with wildflowers, just as much as their…
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Reporting just the facts is getting harder
“Alternative facts” was a phrase used by U.S. Counselor to the President, Kellyanne Conway, during a “Meet the Press” interview on January 22, 2017,…
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No semi-fascist here
To the Editor: I am not a semi-fascist. A ‘deplorable’, maybe. I am not a MAGA terrorist.
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Does the GOP support Fascism?
To the Editor: With the mewling and whining by Trumpian Republicans at having been accurately branded fascists by the president…
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Feeling a lot like ‘Animal Farm’
To the Editor: This election, remember our personal liberties and freedom to voice sentiments without fear. The risk to our…
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Should Jackson have sheriff’s debate?
To the Editor: With the current Jackson County sheriff not running for re-election, we will have a new sheriff to…
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WNC schools still recovering from Covid-era learning
New state testing results reveal that schools in Western North Carolina are in the process of a mixed recovery from…
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Pisgah Legal Services offers free help during September tax clinics
If you haven’t received your tax refund, it’s not too late. Families who make less than $58,000 per year can…
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September is National Preparedness Month
There’s no such thing as a calm season when it comes to natural disasters.
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More money for affordable housing flows into the region
A $542,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, matched by more than $200,000 from the Dogwood Health…
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Commissioners may seek to regulate syringe service programs in Haywood
Two weeks after rejecting misinformation from the public about Haywood County’s non-existent syringe exchange services, commissioners began their Sept. 6…
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Recovery court coming to Haywood County
Haywood County will administer state funds to establish an Adult Accountability and Recovery Court meant to help people experiencing substance…
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Sylva gets temporary skate park
Over the next month, the Town of Sylva will be constructing a temporary skatepark in the lot behind Motion Makers,…
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Council overrides golf course project veto
A $39 million hotel project at the Sequoyah National Golf Course in Cherokee will move forward after Tribal Council overrode…
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Experience on the ballot for Swain Commission chairman
The issues facing Swain County are similar to those in other Western North Carolina communities — an affordable housing shortage,…
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Man pleads guilty in chase leading to fatal car wreck
A Jackson County man pleaded guilty Thursday in Haywood County Superior Court to killing one person and injuring two others…
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Enrollment falls again at WCU, but freshman class size increases
For the second year straight , enrollment is down at Western Carolina University — but an uptick in freshman class size…
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Cherokee to expand prosecution authority
A unanimous vote from the Cherokee Tribal Council puts the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on track to start prosecuting…
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Tribe swears in police chief, adds new positions
Less than three months after being named interim chief of police, Carla Neadeau has been sworn in as the first…
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Author of threatening writs revealed, but still no action from law enforcement
She’s “served” threatening letters on elected officials offering bounties for their capture, she has plans to serve more and she’s…
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Forgiveness for me, but not for thee: Right wing hypocrisy on debt forgiveness reaches WNC
Democratic President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan drew its fair share of cheers and jeers, but as it turns…
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Murder, bibliophiles, and a B&B
In “A Fatal Booking” (Crooked Lane Books, 2022, 304 pages), Victoria Gilbert’s third novel in her series “Booklovers B&B Mysteries,”…
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Because of you I’m seeing open doors: Chicago indie-soul act rolls into Sylva
Sliding into a booth at The One Stop, a storied basement music venue in the heart of downtown Asheville, lead…
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This must be the place: Well, I love home, but the road’s got all I need
The alarm on the smart phone shook me out of some foggy, odd dream. Par for the course, in terms…
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Western counties receive ‘GREAT’ news on broadband
The latest round of state grants for broadband infrastructure have landed, and represent a big win for six Western North…
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Haywood Regional Medical Center CEO to step down
Haywood County Regional Medical Center CEO Greg Caples has informed hospital staff that he is stepping down.
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A new purpose: Finding peace in teaching the art of survival
Will White can prepare you to survive just about any situation.
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SELC names new executive director
The Southern Environmental Law Center has named D.J. Gerken as its new president and executive director. This fall, he’ll take…
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Ron Moser, first director for Haywood Waterways, passes away
Ron Moser, a founding member and former leader of Haywood Waterways Association, passed away Thursday, Aug. 18, at the age…
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Kids explore with Creation Care Camp
Two environmentally focused camps this summer offered students the chance to get outside while learning about how to care for…
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Disease outbreak kills N.C. deer
An outbreak of hemorrhagic disease has spurred reports of sick and dead deer in 39 North Carolina counties, with the…
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SMN wins prestigious honors at Press Association conference
The Smoky Mountain News won 16 advertising awards and 20 editorial awards from the N.C. Press Association in a ceremony…
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No coincidence: good local newspapers = good place to live
There’s a basic human longing for a sense of place, some part of the world that’s home, a place where…
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The circle of life in a new apartment
The ‘circle of life’ philosophy is not only about procreation and ensuring the long-term existence of a species. It’s also…
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Who works for the general good?
To the Editor: Republicans like to talk about how Democrats are ruining the country without being specific on how that…
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Booming Times, Busted Budgets: Growing visitation strains resources in and around the GSMNP
Christine Cole Proctor was home alone with her big sister at the family cabin on Forney Creek when she heard…
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Cherokee County man found guilty of drug trafficking
A Cherokee County man who sold large quantities of illegal drugs out of a Canton hotel room will spend, at…
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Child molester gets 50-70 years
Following two weeks of evidence and testimony, jury members needed only 29 minutes of deliberations to convict a Jackson County…
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Red Cross urges blood donations
A strong blood supply is key to preparedness for disasters and medical emergencies, and donors can ensure blood is on…
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Haywood man admits to infant death
A Haywood County man confirmed on the record in Superior Court that he killed his girlfriend’s 9-month-old daughter.
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Amid shortage, Macon schools passes bus driver retention bonus
Bus drivers in Macon County will receive a retention bonus totaling $500 this year as part of the school system’s…
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Highlands shreds more than 2 tons
More than two tons of paper were collected for shredding and recycling recently at the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands,…
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Canton announces plans for new town hall, police department
Almost immediately after deadly flooding swamped downtown Canton for the second time in less than 20 years, town officials began…
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Sylva reins in short-term rentals
New short-term rentals in Sylva will only be allowed as an accessory use to an existing dwelling, not the only…
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Tribe prepares to rent new Whittier housing
New housing will soon be available for Cherokee tribal members in Whittier following a unanimous vote from Tribal Council Aug.…
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Buyers gaining more power as market shifts
Home sales in the Western North Carolina region continued to slow in July, mirroring broader housing trends and declining affordability…
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