Welcome Capt. Fred Hall home
 

Welcome Capt. Fred Hall home

Missing in action for more than 54 years, Air Force Capt. Frederick Mervyn Hall of Waynesville will return home for…
Read More

Comment

The Campbell Creek and Jonathan Creek watersheds tumble down from the rugged slopes surrounding the Blue Ridge Parkway. Steve Orr photo
 

Protecting the headwaters: Additional 1,250 acres conserved in Maggie watershed

In 2015, not a single acre of conserved land dotted the landscape between the Blue Ridge Parkway surrounding Soco Gap…
Read More

Comment

Black Balsam Knob: Clouds shift over Black Balsam Knob, a popular destination  for hikers in the Pisgah National Forest. Garrett Martin photo
 

Forest plan documentary debuts online

A feature documentary exploring the release of the Pisgah-Nantahala Forest Plan, “The River Runs On,” is now available digitally.
Read More

Comment

State budget funds 25 miles of new trail in Old Fort
 

State budget funds 25 miles of new trail in Old Fort

The recently adopted 2023-2025 state budget includes $2.5 million for trail construction in the Pisgah National Forest surrounding Old Fort.…
Read More

Comment

Fontana Lake wildfire contained in the Smokies
 

Fontana Lake wildfire contained in the Smokies

An island campsite in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is closed following a wildfire reported around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday,…
Read More

Comment

Outdoor businesses invited to join accelerator program
 

Outdoor businesses invited to join accelerator program

Applications are open through Thursday, Oct. 12, for participants in the fifth cohort of the Waypoint Accelerator, which is the…
Read More

Comment

The good and the bad of the pickleball explosion
 

The good and the bad of the pickleball explosion

Over the summer, we visited a friend’s lake house in Georgia. There were 17 of us in the group, and…
Read More

Comment

The General Assembly delivered a budget, albeit three months late. File photo
 

State budget commits substantial funding to critical needs in WNC

This year’s state budget process may have been one of the most discordant in recent memory, but Western North Carolina’s…
Read More

Comment

Western North Carolina courts will get some of the help they need through the recently passed state budget. File photo
 

WNC courts receive much-needed help

Western North Carolina courts are about to get a leg up, but it isn’t all that everyone hoped for. 
Read More

Comment

Christopher Shields exits Macon County Superior Court after learning  he could face the death penalty. Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com photo
 

District Attorney seeks death penalty in Otto murder case

District Attorney Ashley Welch will seek the death penalty in the odd and heinous murder case of Tina Walkingstick Frizsell. 
Read More

Comment

Qualla Enterprises is headquartered in Cherokee’s former bingo hall. File photo
 

Tribal official solicited favors from cannabis contractor, investigation finds

 Council considers fine, employment ban  The Cherokee Tribal Council is considering taking formal action against a former representative who is…
Read More

Comment

Here’s a look at the master plan for the recreation center and park. Donated photo
 

Master plan adopted for Macon rec park

Macon County Commissioners have adopted a master plan for the county’s recreation center and surrounding park.
Read More

Comment

Jackson considers consolidation: Public hearing set for Oct. 3
 

Jackson considers consolidation: Public hearing set for Oct. 3

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners will likely move to consolidate the Department of Health and the Department of Social…
Read More

Comment

Two Plott hounds stick their heads out of travel crate. Donated photo
 

Plott-tober Fest to draw national competitors

Plott hound enthusiasts and their pups from across the United States will assemble to compete in bear bay and coon…
Read More

Comment

The Cherokee Council House hosts Tribal Council’s  monthly meetings. File photo
 

Economic development efforts added to allowed uses for tribal levy

In a divided decision the Cherokee Tribal Council approved an ordinance amendment that will allow funding for the tribe’s cannabis…
Read More

Comment

Ordinance expanding per capita payments withdrawn for further discussion
 

Ordinance expanding per capita payments withdrawn for further discussion

Debate about how to spend revenues from the tribe’s growing portfolio of out-of-state gambling businesses will continue into the next…
Read More

Comment

Baker Perry’s team waves from Mount Everest. National Geographic photo
 

Haywood native to share science from the world’s highest summits

Hear the spectacular story of a Haywood County native’s expeditions to the world’s highest mountain peaks at 7 p.m. Friday,…
Read More

Comment

An altar was created for the celebration that featured the different efforts PCMDC has to create peace in the community.  Mary McGlauflin photo
 

Peace Pole Dedicated at the Pigeon Center

Waynesville’s Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center celebrated the International Day of Peace last week by installing a peace pole.
Read More

Comment

A panel discusses key policies to advancing the outdoor economy during a session Wednesday, Sept. 20.  David Huff photo
 

Ripple effects and recreation: Outdoor Economy Conference tackles range of complex issues

More than 600 people from across the nation converged in Cherokee last week for the fifth annual Outdoor Economy Conference,…
Read More

Comment

Zebra mussels, a harmful invasive species, have been found in North Carolina. File photo
 

Zebra mussels found in N.C.

The zebra mussel, a harmful invasive aquatic species, has been confirmed in the wild for the first time in North…
Read More

Comment

Support Full Spectrum Farms
 

Support Full Spectrum Farms

Starlight Night, the annual fundraiser for Full Spectrum Farms, will take place 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, on the farm.
Read More

Comment

Betty Henderson displays her bronze medal. Donated photo
 

Canton native places in National Senior Games

Canton native Betty Y. Henderson earned a bronze medal at the National Senior Games held this summer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Read More

Comment

Woman dies in Blue Ridge Parkway fall
 

Woman dies in Blue Ridge Parkway fall

A South Carolina woman fell to her death from a steep cliff along the Blue Ridge Parkway Saturday, Sept. 23.
Read More

Comment

A rainbow trout checks out a fly reel. Matt Canter photo
 

Delayed Harvest waters to close for trout harvest

Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations will go into effect in Western North Carolina on Sunday, Oct. 1.
Read More

Comment

Time to register for youth basketball
 

Time to register for youth basketball

Registration for youth basketball with the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department is open through Saturday, Sept. 30.
Read More

Comment

Go to raft guide school
 

Go to raft guide school

Learn how to raft guide with a three-day clinic Friday, Oct. 6, through Sunday, Oct. 8, at the Nantahala Outdoor…
Read More

Comment

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper will play WNC Sept. 30. File photo
 

Mountain Heritage Day

A beloved long-time Western North Carolina tradition, the 49th annual Mountain Heritage Day will be held from 10 a.m. to…
Read More

Comment

Darren Nicholson will play Franklin Sept. 23. File photo
 

Franklin welcomes bluegrass legend

Americana/bluegrass artist Darren Nicholson will hit the stage at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the gazebo in downtown Franklin.
Read More

Comment

‘Good Ol’ Girls’ will be held on select dates at HART. Donated photo
 

HART presents ‘Good Ol’ Girls’

There will be a stage production of “Good Ol’ Girls” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22-23, 29-30, Oct. 5-7 and 2…
Read More

Comment

Hurray For The Riff Raff will play Highlands Sept. 21. File photo
 

Highlander ‘Salon Series’

An intimate performance by renowned Americana/indie act Hurray For The Riff Raff will be part of the “Salon Series” at…
Read More

Comment

A. Lee Edwards will play Maggie Valley Sept. 30. File photo
 

Edwards returns to Meadowlark

Americana/indie singer-songwriter A. Lee Edwards will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, in the Speakeasy Bar at the Meadowlark…
Read More

Comment

Bryson City community jam
 

Bryson City community jam

A community jam will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. 
Read More

Comment

Christina Bendo is a Waynesville potter. File photo
 

Haywood art studio tour

The Haywood County Arts Council’s annual “Haywood County Studio Tour” will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday,…
Read More

Comment

Waynesville native Fred Hall enlisted in the Air Force in 1967. Julia Hall Coffey photo
 

A hero comes home

America reckons with its legacy in Vietnam, one soldier at a time
Read More

Comment

Cherokee Police Commission discusses cannabis change
 

Cherokee Police Commission discusses cannabis change

A week after Cherokee voters overwhelmingly voiced their support for legalizing cannabis on the Qualla Boundary, the Cherokee Police Commission spent 20…
Read More

Comment

Multiple high-profile referenda required a certain number of voters to turn out to pass. File photo
 

Referendum votes meet turnout threshold

Voter turnout came in at 53.9% for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ Sept. 7 election, according to numbers the…
Read More

Comment

Safe Haven Baby Boxes allow for the anonymous surrender of an infant. Safe Haven photo
 

Sylva considers Safe Haven Boxes

The Sylva Board of Commissioners recently received a presentation on Safe Haven Boxes — a program that allows for the…
Read More

Comment

Shining Rock Classical Academy. File photo
 

Data shows improvements for local charter schools

With accountability data released from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, all charter schools in the Smoky Mountain News’…
Read More

Comment

Swain school board will revise policy to comply with new law
 

Swain school board will revise policy to comply with new law

After the Parents Bill of Rights passed the General Assembly in August, local boards of education are determining how to align…
Read More

Comment

Defendants get prison time following trafficking investigation
 

Defendants get prison time following trafficking investigation

Eight people charged in Haywood County with trafficking and possessing illegal drugs are now serving active time in state prison,…
Read More

Comment

Champion Credit Union and Ecusta Credit Union Announce Merger
 

Champion Credit Union and Ecusta Credit Union Announce Merger

Champion Credit Union announced that Ecusta Credit Union, which has served Transylvania and Henderson counties since 1976, will formally merge…
Read More

Comment

Hawthorn Heights home now locally owned
 

Hawthorn Heights home now locally owned

Hawthorn Heights WNC, a nonprofit founded in Bryson City, announced it has purchased its current facility from Children’s Hope Alliance.
Read More

Comment

Seat belt use encouraged  during Child Passenger Safety Week
 

Seat belt use encouraged during Child Passenger Safety Week

State and local officials are reminding people during “Child Passenger Safety Week” to buckle up their youngest passengers because car crashes…
Read More

Comment

Mike Wade, with SCC President, Don Tomas, left, and SCC Foundation Director Brett Woods, right, recently created a new $500,000 endowed fund with the Southwestern Community College Foundation. When complete, it will be the single largest cash commitment in SCC history. Donated photo
 

Mike Wade creates endowed fund at SCC

Roughly a decade ago, Mike Wade heard a quote from successful industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie: “I spent the first…
Read More

Comment

The allure of gambling money
 

The allure of gambling money

What’s behind Republican leaders’ insistent push to legalize multiple forms of gambling – from online sports betting to casinos and…
Read More

Comment

A tribute to Dr. Arnold, a true teacher
 

A tribute to Dr. Arnold, a true teacher

Sometimes, it feels like we’re just nowhere in this life. It was like that for me in the early 1980s.
Read More

Comment

Buddy Cochran boosts his great-grandson Corbin Smith, 2, for a better look at the livestock show during the 2023 N.C. Mountain State Fair. Donated photo
 

‘It all ties together’: Waynesville couple inducted into Livestock Hall of Fame

Buddy and Janice Cochran are used to seeing things through. 
Read More

Comment

A bumblebee drinks from a mountain mint plant.  Adam Bigelow photo
 

Notes from a plant nerd: Mountain-mint, a great pick for a pollinator garden

No matter where you are in the world, if you encounter a plant that has a square stem and opposite…
Read More

Comment

A child holds a tagged monarch butterfly.  N.C. Arboretum photo
 

Celebrate monarchs at the arboretum

Monarch Butterfly Day will be filled with fun, informative activities for both kids and adults 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.…
Read More

Comment

Beverly Collins is a professor emeritus  at Western Carolina University and the  school’s resident leaf expert. WCU photo
 

Color season expected to be earlier, less intense

Western Carolina University’s resident fall color expert is predicting that the start of leaf season will come earlier than usual…
Read More

Comment

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.