Scam targets hotel owners
 

Scam targets hotel owners

When a $4,000 payment showed up in the mail to cover a $1,195 bill, Jim Freeman knew something was up.…
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Franklin to decide whether to allow Super Wal-Mart to proceed
 

Franklin to decide whether to allow Super Wal-Mart to proceed

Franklin Alderman Bob Scott wants to know what people think about a proposed Super Wal-Mart on the edge of town.…
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Haywood Market hits full stride this weekend
 

Haywood Market hits full stride this weekend

Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market will have a festival in conjunction with the long-awaited arrival of summer corn and tomatoes from…
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Feds listening to our outdoors agenda
 

Feds listening to our outdoors agenda

By Ken MurphyWestern North Carolina is a special place, a region with awe-inspiring scenic vistas, waterways and forested watersheds that…
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The real problem with the economy
 

The real problem with the economy

To the Editor: Let’s look at what truly stimulates an economy, creates jobs, drives markets and produces tax revenue to…
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Poll reveals discontent among the populace
 

Poll reveals discontent among the populace

To the Editor: The Smoky Mountain News and Western Carolina University’s Gibb Knotts and Chris Cooper are to be commended…
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Comment

Bryson City rock purists Big House Radio get comfortable in their skin
 

Bryson City rock purists Big House Radio get comfortable in their skin

Aaron Plantenberg was relaxing by a lake in northern Wisconsin when his vacation was abruptly cut short by a phone…
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HART leads the pack with “Chicago” production
 

HART leads the pack with “Chicago” production

The Haywood Arts Regional Theatre is pulling the stops out for its production of the smash hit “Chicago,” which opened…
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American Craft Today seeks submissions for juried show
 

American Craft Today seeks submissions for juried show

Craft artists are invited to submit digital images of their work by July 19 to be considered for inclusion in…
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Piano sensations Mark and Clark to perform at Eaglenest
 

Piano sensations Mark and Clark to perform at Eaglenest

The Original Twin Piano Twins, Mark and Clark, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 16, and Saturday, July 17,…
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Help feed Folkmoot’s dancers
 

Help feed Folkmoot’s dancers

More than 350 dancers and musicians from across the globe will arrive in Waynesville on July 19 to participate in…
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Moonshiner’s Daughter Memoir Book launch
 

Moonshiner’s Daughter Memoir Book launch

Mary J. Messer, author of the Haywood County based memoir, Moonshiner’s Daughter, will hold the kick-off launch for her newly…
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Piecing together a picture of home
 

Piecing together a picture of home

Although Americans are known for their wandering ways, traveling to California in Conestoga wagons, taking the train to find a…
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Blue Ridge Breakaway to bring cyclists to Haywood County
 

Blue Ridge Breakaway to bring cyclists to Haywood County

The mountains of Western North Carolina are rapidly becoming the top destination for serious cyclists east of the Mississippi. The…
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New toilets in Cataloochee Valley
 

New toilets in Cataloochee Valley

Cataloochee Valley, a popular section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Haywood County, finally has restrooms. Cataloochee Valley…
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Bee balm
 

Bee balm

The girls love to surprise Mom with bouquets of wildflowers. The other day they came in with a handful of…
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Grants encourage creative use of forest resources
 

Grants encourage creative use of forest resources

From bark shingles to edible mushrooms, entrepreneurs across Western North Carolina are being encouraged to tap the resources of the…
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WATR holds meeting and annual Walk ‘n Talk
 

WATR holds meeting and annual Walk ‘n Talk

The Watershed Association of the Tuckasegee River members and all who are interested in clean mountain streams are invited to…
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Hosta, hosta, hosta
 

Hosta, hosta, hosta

The Dixie Region Hosta Convention will be in Waynesville Friday and Saturday, July 16 and 17, at Rux Gardens. Lovers…
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“America’s Great Outdoors” comes to WNC
 

“America’s Great Outdoors” comes to WNC

Whether you’re a birder or mountain biker, paddler or hiker, photographer or hunter, now is your chance to bend the…
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Comment

It’s hot, and the lizards are in heaven
 

It’s hot, and the lizards are in heaven

The sweltering heat this summer is restricting some outdoor activities, but it’s a prime time for lizard watching. Lizards don’t…
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Comment

County health rankings yield mixed results
 

County health rankings yield mixed results

Measuring the overall health of a population at the local level is an elusive and cumbersome task. As a result,…
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Yates named Kimmel Professor of Construction Management
 

Yates named Kimmel Professor of Construction Management

The only woman to head a college or university construction management department in the United States has joined the faculty…
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SCC recognized for performance
 

SCC recognized for performance

Southwestern Community College was one of only 11 colleges to earn an exceptional rating in the annual performance measures report…
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Martial arts master leads small-town team to unlikely victory on the mat
 

Martial arts master leads small-town team to unlikely victory on the mat

Armando Basulto had his opponent’s arm sandwiched between his legs. He leaned forward, putting pressure on the man’s shoulder. The…
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Builders fear slope rules aimed at safety could drive up costs
 

Builders fear slope rules aimed at safety could drive up costs

As Macon County closes in on a steep slope ordinance, some members of the building and real estate industry fear…
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Rekindling memories of High Rocks
 

Rekindling memories of High Rocks

This is about a place, High Rocks, a lookout situated at just over 5,000 feet on Welch Ridge in the…
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Jackson farmers roll out the welcome mat
 

Jackson farmers roll out the welcome mat

A staggering 15 farms and gardens will open their fields and greenhouses to the public during the Jackson County Farm…
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Parkway’s glories honored by Congress
 

Parkway’s glories honored by Congress

A resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway is slated for passage by Congress. “The Blue Ridge…
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Kick up your heels for Folkmoot 5K
 

Kick up your heels for Folkmoot 5K

A race with an international flare, the annual Folkmoot 5K, will be held on Saturday, July 31, in Waynesville. The…
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Into the wild at Mountain Wildlife Days
 

Into the wild at Mountain Wildlife Days

Mountain Wildlife Days will bring a line-up of nature talks, wildlife programs and guided hikes to the Cashiers area on…
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Bear country tutorial uses new medium to reach hikers
 

Bear country tutorial uses new medium to reach hikers

A new video podcast called “Day Hiking and Wildlife” has been created to educate hikers in the Great Smoky Mountains…
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Smokies gala a success
 

Smokies gala a success

Smokies gala a successFriends of the Smokies raised $20,000 to support special projects in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park…
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Green spaces — good places
 

Green spaces — good places

We were in Rock Hill, S.C., this past weekend enjoying our annual Fourth of July ritual of visiting my little…
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Ornithologist unravels mysteries behind song sparrow personalities
 

Ornithologist unravels mysteries behind song sparrow personalities

Last Thursday morning was atypical for song sparrow IR-IF. While defending his territory from the song of an intruding male,…
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Comment

McCrumb, Jim Casada, and Gary Carden stop by City Lights
 

McCrumb, Jim Casada, and Gary Carden stop by City Lights

A national bestselling author, a local icon, and a well-known regional outdoor writer and photographer will all make their way…
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Comment

Shakespeare still valuable in space
 

Shakespeare still valuable in space

Muse of Fire by Dan Simmons. Subterranean Press, 2008. 105 page In recent years, it has become fashionable for writers…
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Comment

Public Art Commission appreciates support
 

Public Art Commission appreciates support

The Waynesville Public Art Commission members would like to express their gratitude to all of the artists and all of…
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Comment

Tourism industry has to market a moving target
 

Tourism industry has to market a moving target

Tourism leaders in the mountains agree they’ve got to re-invent their marketing tactics over the next decade to stay competitive.…
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Comment

Full Spectrum Farms seeks auction items
 

Full Spectrum Farms seeks auction items

Full Spectrum Farms is accepting silent auction donations for its annual Starlight Night fundraiser, Oct. 2. The local non-profit helps…
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Comment

Shuler announces WNC job fairs
 

Shuler announces WNC job fairs

Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., has announced a series of job fairs throughout the summer month. Workforce training and employer training…
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Comment

Information offered to small businesses
 

Information offered to small businesses

Two informational sessions will be available for Western North Carolina’s small businesses. “Ask the Experts: What’s new for small businesses…
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Haywood Habitat for Humanity celebrates 20 years
 

Haywood Habitat for Humanity celebrates 20 years

Haywood Habitat for Humanity marked its 20th anniversary at the organization’s Annual Meeting. To celebrate, Habitat Executive Director Marnette Colborne…
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Comment

County, HCC still at loggerheads over craft building price
 

County, HCC still at loggerheads over craft building price

An ongoing debate over the cost of a new building on the Haywood Community College campus lacks a clear resolution,…
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Comment

Replacement to Sylva town board sets stage for new voting majority
 

Replacement to Sylva town board sets stage for new voting majority

The make-up of Sylva’s town board shifted this week when board members voted 3-1 to replace outgoing board member Sarah…
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Comment

Poll shows majority in Jackson tired of trekking to town for beer
 

Poll shows majority in Jackson tired of trekking to town for beer

Though many Jackson County residents shy away from publicly airing their views on alcohol, a recent poll shows that a…
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Strong on momentum, but shy of real power, TEA Party’s political weight remains to be seen
 

Strong on momentum, but shy of real power, TEA Party’s political weight remains to be seen

A year ago, Scott Cummings would never have pictured himself standing on the sidewalk pumping a homemade sign in the…
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Poll shows little confidence in government
 

Poll shows little confidence in government

Government approval ratings are low all over the country. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that they’re also low in…
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Jackson County Poll Results
 

Jackson County Poll Results

1. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Jackson County government? Favorable 33% Unfavorable 46% Not Sure 20%…
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