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Cowbirds a favorite to despise
Some folks can’t stand house sparrows (a native of north Africa and Eurasia) while others detest starlings (a native of…
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The new watchdogs: After crisis, hospital board renews emphasis on oversight
Today at HRMC, 10 sets of eyes peer over the shoulders of the hospital administration, ready and willing to question…
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Jackson library deserving of community support
Deduction would tell us that in the information age libraries would be accorded great respect, but somehow that isn’t universally…
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In tough times, local company looks to expand
In yet another piece of positive economic news, Waynesville-based Haywood Vocational Opportunities announced a proposed expansion that would create at…
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Child still in critical condition after dog mauling in Sylva
A 7-year-old Jackson County boy is fighting for his life after being mauled by a dog last week, according to…
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Shuler said he’ll fight for stimulus funds
U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, spoke to a crowd of about 200 town and county government officials from Western North…
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Pop Music Icon Chubby checker swings through Cherokee Feb. 28
By Christi Marsico • Staff Writer Chubby Checker clears his throat and states with pomp, “I plan on tearing the…
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Haywood extends token to Canton solar farm
FLS Solar Energy wants a tax break from Haywood County in exchange for an $8 million solar farm the company…
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For young illegals, a coming-of-age quandary
Irene is not just a good student. She is one of the very best at her school, near the top…
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The Naturalist's Corner: Black oil sunflower seed is king
One thing became clear during my little bird feeding experiment. If you’re looking for one birdseed that will attract just…
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Brooding obsessions
Dying Light by Donald Hays. MacAdam/Cage, 2006. 261 pages In recent years, I’m sure that the average reader feels intimidated…
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Poore a ‘breath of fresh air’: CEO’s congenial personality and industry knowledge impress community
As Mike Poore waited for an elevator between floors at Haywood Regional Medical Center Monday morning, he gazed out the…
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Back from the brink: A year later, turn around for HRMC is on the horizon
Last February, a crisis landed on the doorstep of Haywood Regional Medical Center. After failing federal inspections, the hospital lost…
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Sylva board rift heats up
Split votes are becoming increasingly common on the Sylva town board, throwing into question whether the board can meet its…
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Free clinic plugs mental health holes
By Marth Teater • Guest Columnist The Good Samaritan Clinic of Haywood County has served the medical needs of our…
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Could hops be one of WNC’s new cash crops?
Tobacco is no longer the cash crop it once was in North Carolina, but its partner in crime — hops…
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Carden’s insights and answers to Appalachian 101
What would surprise someone the most about the Appalachian culture? Well, assuming that they are not Appalachian, it would probably…
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The Naturalist's Corner: 4TH Annual Hendershot Birdapalooza
The results are in and the fourth annual Hendershot Birdapalooza at Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Monroe, Louisiana…
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Loss of Hazelwood prison likely just a matter of time
Local legislators are preparing to fight yet another attempt by the state to close the only minimum security prison west…
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Spare me some spears
By Sandi Simons-Crawford Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is one of very few perennial vegetables. A properly managed bed will produce for…
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A ray of hope in the mental health crisis
When it comes to caring for the mentally ill in North Carolina, there’s been very little good news over the…
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Aldermen deny exploiting ‘Slategate’
Two Franklin aldermen said they didn’t whip up controversy regarding slate to get back at Mayor Joe Collins but because…
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A call to action for the Southern Appalachians
By Brent Martin • Guest Columnist In an article in Blue Ridge Country magazine, author and professor Steve Nash provided…
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The age of acting and the rapture of writing
The Age of Dreaming by Nina Revoyr. Akashic Books, 2008. 320 pages Every once in a while a novel comes…
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Hair Wars: May the gel be with you
By Christi Marsico • Staff Writer Movie stars are coming to Cullowhee. With a snip here and a dye job…
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A long and winding road
Sylva’s current library opened in 1970 and is 6,400 square feet. The debate over where to locate a new library…
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Paver design chosen for Waynesville police station
Courtney Boessel’s “Patchwork Community” was chosen as the winning entry for Waynesville’s new police station paver design as part of…
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Haywood commissioners asked for more oversight of mega-developments
A group of Haywood residents appealed to county commissioners for an ordinance assessing the impacts of large developments. The ordinance…
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Guarding the Little Tennessee from exotics
Environmental groups in Macon County are joining forces to tackle the scourge of exotic plants along the Little Tennessee Greenway…
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Reservoir rendezvous
Joe Wright was born and raised in the high Nantahalas in the northwest corner of Macon County. He was 90-some-years-old…
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Smokies’ mania: 75 hikes for the 75th anniversary
Jerry Span stared down the sign post for Old Settlers Trail. The temperature registered a mere 6 degrees, and the…
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Library success rides on public support
Dr. John Bunn of Sylva lived through the Great Depression and said people bind together during tough times to help…
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Tight times force tough choices for Swain schools
The Swain County School District has terminated a popular program that emphasized science and math education, offered students smaller classes…
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Mandated cutbacks mean tough decisions
The first Friday in February came with some bad news for the Swain County School District and systems around the…
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Closed session minutes an opportunity for openness
What a great way to earn public trust: a public body decides that minutes from closed sessions no longer need…
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Forsythia heralds the spring season
The recent warm spell has the birds singing and various plants budding. One of these is forsythia. My wife, Elizabeth,…
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For Terry, the world was too much
“Unique” is a word much abused as a descriptor for human beings. I have heard many, many people described as…
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Environmentalists come in many forms at fair
Standing next to a display that showed pictures of West Virginia mountains scarred by mountaintop removal coal mining, Austin Hall…
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Jackson undeterred by price tags or economy in pursuit of library
Despite tough economic times, Jackson County commissioners decided last week to move forward with three multi-million dollar projects. In a…
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Four-legged crisis brewing in Swain
Swain County’s complete lack of services to handle the growing stray animal population is putting a heavy burden on a…
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Food cooked with love can fend off February’s chill and soothe a wounded heart
By Karen Dill • Guest Writer The weather in February can be as fickle as new love. In the mountains…
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Building better, conserving energy
Western Carolina University is leading the way in a state mandate to cut energy production on college campuses. WCU has…
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Psych unit improving mental health system, officials say
At a time when the state’s fractured mental health care system seems beyond repair, local mental health officials have hit…
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With proposals in, work starts on partnership
One of three hospitals courting Haywood Regional Medical Center and WestCare for a partnership has dropped out of the running.…
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A stockyard lost: Cattle farmers round up support for new auction
How far would you drive for $100? That’s the dilemma Haywood County cattle farmer Neal Stamey faces each time he…
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Tales of survival from the American frontier
Fine Just the Way It Is by Annie Proulx. Simon & Schuster, 2008. 240 pages. When critics attempt to define…
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Recipes, 2/11/09
Lentil Soup • 1 onion, chopped • 1/4 cup olive oil • 2 carrots, diced • 2 stalks celery, chopped…
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Dillsboro dam is simply worth preserving
By Anna Fariello • Guest Columnist OK, so I have to admit that part of the appeal of the Dillsboro/Duke…
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Past pursuit of building projects proved less than organized
Commissioner Tom Massie wants to see the county formalize how it funds capital projects. Under the current method entities simply…
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The Naturalist's Corner: Birder bucks
The mountain section of the North Carolina Birding Trail (NCBT) is complete and the Mountain Region Trail Guide, describing, with…
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