DOJ awards $1-million-dollar grant to support Haywood students
 

DOJ awards $1-million-dollar grant to support Haywood students

A recent federal grant award for the Preventing School Violence initiative was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice to…
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Last summer’s flooding wrought by Tropical Storm Fred severely damaged BearWaters’ basement. Kevin Sandefur photo
 

BearWaters to host community event on anniversary of catastrophic flood

Exactly one year after a flash flood killed six people and wreaked havoc in Haywood County, BearWaters Brewing Company is…
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WNC counties eligible for the Agricultural Crop Loss Program
 

WNC counties eligible for the Agricultural Crop Loss Program

N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced that farmers in 11 additional counties are eligible for the Western N.C. Agricultural Crop…
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From left: Principal Kheri Cowan, Superintendent Dana Ayers, Blue Ridge Education Foundation President Carl Hyde, and Director of Elementary Education Laura Dills at the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new pre-K classroom at Blue Ridge School. Hannah McLeod photo
 

JCPS more than doubles preschool capacity

Jackson County Public Schools has more than doubled its preschool capacity prior to the start of the new school year…
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Principal Chief Richard G. Sneed (R) signs a land use permit recently allowing the Museum of the Cherokee Indian to operate an offsite facility housing Museum collections, archives, and Tribal artifacts on land in Swain County. Shown, left to right, back row — Lambert Wilson, Marie Junaluska, Anita Lossiah, Perry Shell, Shana Condill, Cory Blankenship, Myra Cloer, Dawna Paul, Louise Reed; seated Samantha Ferguson and Chief Sneed.                              Photo from The Museum of the Cherokee Indian
 

Cherokee museum granted land use permit for future collections facility

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) has issued a land use permit allowing the Museum of the Cherokee Indian…
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Steve Berwager (from left), Snookie Brown and Bernie Brown all received the Junaluska Leadership Award.
 

Junaluska Leadership Award presented to Long-time supporters

Long-time Lake Junaluska supporters Steve Berwager and husband-and-wife Bernie and Snookie Brown are the 2022 recipients of the Junaluska Leadership…
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Jim Lauderdale. (Simon Simontacci photo)
 

Keep it real: A conversation with Jim Lauderdale

A pillar of the Americana, country and bluegrass realms, legendary singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale is one of the few artists who…
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This must be the place: When the west was wild and the land was free, how a western word would travel for a country mile
 

This must be the place: When the west was wild and the land was free, how a western word would travel for a country mile

Once the paved road turned to dirt, I noticed a small pull-off to the right. Putting the ole Tacoma in…
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Haywood Schools superintendent announces retirement
 

Haywood Schools superintendent announces retirement

Dr. Bill Nolte announced his retirement earlier today in meetings with principals and Central Office staff. His retirement is effective…
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A rendering shows a mountain biker navigating an asphalt pump track similar to the one planned for Cherokee. Donated image
 

Fanning the flames: Cherokee plans Fire Mountain Trails expansion

Cherokee’s Fire Mountain family of outdoor experiences is set to add a new member after the tribe announced its intention…
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Cherokee National Forest ends ginseng permits
 

Cherokee National Forest ends ginseng permits

Declining ginseng populations have prompted the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee to halt harvesting permits for the prized plant, following…
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Cooper appoints new clean energy director
 

Cooper appoints new clean energy director

Peter Holderness Ledford has been appointed as North Carolina’s new clean energy director, Gov. Roy Cooper announced July 27.
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Mayfield stepping down as MountainTrue director
 

Mayfield stepping down as MountainTrue director

Julie Mayfield is stepping down as co-director of MountainTrue after serving alongside co-director Bob Wagner since 2013. Prior to that,…
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An ivory-billed woodpecker stands atop the hat of J.J. Kuhn, who assisted in recording ivory-billed woodpecker audio in 1935. Dr. James T. Tanner photo
 

Fish and Wildlife Service seeks evidence of ivory-billed woodpeckers

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening the public comment period and extending the decision deadline on its proposal…
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Ocoee River warning system restored
 

Ocoee River warning system restored

The high-water warning system at the Ocoee Whitewater Center in Tennessee is working once more after incurring damage in the…
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Recent waterfall deaths spur safety warning
 

Recent waterfall deaths spur safety warning

Last weekend, one man died and another was seriously injured following incidents at waterfalls in the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest, leading…
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Making a positive change in the world
 

Making a positive change in the world

“Eleutheria” is the Greek word for “freedom.” It is also the reference name of an island in the Bahamas (Eleuthera).…
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Specializing in a “cosmopolitan country” type cuisine, The Sweet Onion in downtown Waynesville recently celebrated 15 years in operation. Garret Woodward photos
 

Cosmopolitan country: Waynesville restaurant celebrates 15 years

It’s Thursday morning. In just about a half-hour, The Sweet Onion restaurant in downtown Waynesville will open for lunch —…
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FloydFest. Garret K. Woodward photo
 

This must be the place: When the sun goes down at night, gonna let you know that everything’s alright

Tapping my smart phone, it lights up and indicates that it’s now 2:34 a.m. Saturday. Sitting on my tailgate in…
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Energetic debate: Duke’s carbon plan 
proposal elicits criticism 

 

Energetic debate: Duke’s carbon plan 
proposal elicits criticism 


As a harsh late afternoon sun beat down on Asheville’s city sidewalks Wednesday, July 27, a crowd of about 100…
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Devastating floods tore through eastern parts of the county on Aug. 17, 2021. File photo
 

Haywood gets almost $400k for more flood mitigation

As the one-year anniversary of deadly flooding from Tropical Storm Fred approaches, Haywood County officials are still busy chasing down…
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Rallygoers chant “Our forests, our future,” during an Aug. 1 event supporting stronger logging restrictions in the new Pisgah-Nantahala Forest Management Plan. Holly Kays photo
 

Crowds rally for forest protections

More than 300 people gathered outside the U.S. Forest Service headquarters in Asheville Monday, Aug. 1, to urge stronger protections…
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Work should begin soon on Waynesville’s aging wastewater treatment plant. Haywood GIS photo
 

With costs rising, Waynesville accepts wastewater treatment bid

Now entering its seventh year, the process of replacing Waynesville’s outdated wastewater treatment plant has become a frustrating saga that…
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Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2021.
 

Obsolete Haywood body armor headed for Ukraine

Eight sets of unusable level 3A ballistic armor are now on their way from Haywood County to Ukraine thanks to…
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Do opinions still belong in newspapers?
 

Do opinions still belong in newspapers?

“Not all opinion pieces have to be complaints or deal with issues. Sometimes it is enough to share old memories…
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Living in the moment, cleaning the mind
 

Living in the moment, cleaning the mind

I’m writing this column from Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo in Mexico. We just watched the sunrise over the Caribbean…
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From left to right, Call Me MISTER’s Montgomery Moore, Anthony Freeman and Andrue Smith, with Kyle Baldwin. WCU photo
 

‘Call Me MISTER’ holds orientation at WCU

An instrumental program for educating future K-12 teachers while more accurately reflecting real world demographics began its second year at…
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Maggie Valley Club & Resort welcomes new director of golf
 

Maggie Valley Club & Resort welcomes new director of golf

The Maggie Valley Club & Resort, a semi-private club and resort located in the mountains of Western North Carolina, is…
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Waynesville appoints new planning board members
 

Waynesville appoints new planning board members

After reviewing applications and conducting a thorough interview process, the Town of Waynesville’s Board of Aldermen have settled on four…
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Waynesville’s rec center offers a variety of programs and activities. File photo
 

Waynesville to ask county to chip in on recreation costs

Citing precedent and historical trends, the town of Waynesville will request that Haywood County government resume its annual financial contribution…
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Plans laid for new Franklin High School
 

Plans laid for new Franklin High School

The first class to graduate from the current Franklin High School did so in 1952. Back then, there were fewer…
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Giles’ new Hazelwood facility nears completion
 

Giles’ new Hazelwood facility nears completion

The Giles division of Premier Magnesia announced that it is now almost done with construction on its new expansion in…
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Franklin welcomes frozen custard spot at new food truck park
 

Franklin welcomes frozen custard spot at new food truck park

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Brain Freeze Fun Frozen Custard.
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Sylva addresses short-term rentals
 

Sylva addresses short-term rentals

The Town of Sylva updated its zoning ordinance earlier this year but left the short-term rental ordinance as it was…
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Upgrades to Bryson Park are included in the Allen Street repair project.
 

More repairs needed in Allen Street project

An inclinometer on the prefab slope above Bryson Park shows that some movement has occurred since it was installed more…
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Franklin Police Chief Bill Harrell has worked in law enforcement for almost three decades.
 

Franklin Police Chief will retire Dec. 1

After decades of service in law enforcement, former Highlands police chief and current Franklin Chief William “Bill” Harrell announced his…
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Key West man comes away with Haywood distillery as foreclosure auction ends
 

Key West man comes away with Haywood distillery as foreclosure auction ends

The foreclosure auction to see who will get the property that’s housed Elevated Mountain Distilling Company since 2016 has ended…
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Young girl dies after tree falls on tent
 

Young girl dies after tree falls on tent

A 7-year-old Georgia girl is dead after a tree fell on the tent where she was sleeping at Elkmont Campground…
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Like the mockingbird, the brown thrasher, seen here, mimics the songs of other birds. Tim Carstens photo
 

Up Moses Creek: Thrashers make a home on Berry Island

The sight of a fox standing in the yard would not have made my eyes open any wider that morning…
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Economic development 
program launches in WNC
 

Economic development 
program launches in WNC

The  WNC: MADE X MTNS Partnership  is launching a new outdoor-driven community economic development initiative, Building Outdoor Communities, spanning 25 Western…
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Notes from a plant nerd: Rhododendron, showman of the Southern Apps
 

Notes from a plant nerd: Rhododendron, showman of the Southern Apps

Throughout Southern Appalachia, rhododendrons can be found growing and blooming. And what a show they put on. With flower colors…
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The boy monk: a review of ‘Monastery Mornings’
 

The boy monk: a review of ‘Monastery Mornings’

To be human is to suffer. In the case of third-grader Michael O’Brien, that meant watching the apparent disintegration of his…
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The “Castle Sessions” are an intimate showcase of renowned performers at the Castle Ladyhawke estate in Tuckasegee. (photo: Alanah Lucas, SilverWolf Studios)
 

Go tell it from the mountain: Jackson County venue offers world-class music, food

Not far from the intersection of N.C. 107/281, just down Shook Cove Road in the heart of Tuckasegee, a large…
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This must be the place: There is no other way, and there never was
 

This must be the place: There is no other way, and there never was

Maybe it’s the espresso or maybe it’s the rush of blood to my heart from thinking about the faces and…
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Patrick W. Parton photo
 

Folkmoot returns to WNC

Folkmoot, North Carolina’s Official International Folk Festival, returns to hosting programs and events beginning with its “Summerfest” scheduled from Thursday,…
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Better cops make for better communities
 

Better cops make for better communities

I never did buy in to the “defund the police” movement that swept the country a few years ago. Yes,…
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flaivoloka via freeimages.com
 

Don’t forget Hiroshima Day

At this moment we are all struggling  with many critical issues. The war in Ukraine, the increasing disasters of climate…
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