Red Cross calls for blood and platelet donors amid critical shortage
 

Red Cross calls for blood and platelet donors amid critical shortage

This July, the American Red Cross continues to stress that blood and platelet donors are critically needed to support lifesaving…
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Swain County BOE hosts voter ID seminar
 

Swain County BOE hosts voter ID seminar

The Swain County Board of Elections host an educational seminar on North Carolina’s photo ID requirement for voting. 
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LeConte Lodge. File photo
 

LeConte now seeking concessions business

The National Park Service (NPS) issued a prospectus for a concessions contract to provide lodging, food, beverage and retail services…
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Highlands lecture on rare bird, habitat
 

Highlands lecture on rare bird, habitat

The Highlands Biological Foundation (HBF) invites the community to the next installment of its Zahner Conservation Lecture series at 6…
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Enjoy fitness opportunities in Bryson City
 

Enjoy fitness opportunities in Bryson City

The Marianna Black Library in Bryson City has Fitness Classes each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Fitness is known to build…
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Jackson County Coon Hunters host water races
 

Jackson County Coon Hunters host water races

The Jackson County Coon Hunters Association will host a pair of water races this weekend. 
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When bears learn to rely on unsecured garbage for food, they can become aggressive and dangerous, creating a risky situation for both bears and humans. Sarah Robinette photo
 

Word from the Smokies: Smokies cities make strides toward ensuring bear, human safety with new trash bins

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to an estimated 1,900 black bears — about two per square mile —…
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Andrew Thelston will play the NOC July 4. File photo
 

Rock rolls into NOC

Asheville rock group The Andrew Thelston Band will hit the stage at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 4, at the Nantahala…
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'Footloose' will play on select dates in July at HART. Donated photo
 

HART to present 'Footloose'

A special production of “Footloose” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. July 18-19, 25-27 and 2 p.m. July 20-21…
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Jasper String Quartet. Donated photo
 

Chamber music returns to Waynesville

The popular Chamber Music Society of the Carolinas (CMSC) will perform at 4 p.m. July 21 and 28 at First…
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‘Textures’ will be at HCAC until Sept. 1. Donated photo
 

Experience ‘Textures’ at Haywood Arts

The Haywood County Arts Council’s (HCAC) latest exhibit, “Textures,” will run through Sept. 1 at the HCAC gallery on Main…
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‘Textures’ will be at HCAC until Sept. 1. Donated photo
 

Experience ‘Textures’ at Haywood Arts

The Haywood County Arts Council’s (HCAC) latest exhibit, “Textures,” will run through Sept. 1 at the HCAC gallery on Main…
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42 counties, including most of Western North Carolina, were considered ‘abnormally dry.’ From ncdrought.org
 

Dry conditions impacting 99 N.C. counties

The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC) has classified all or part of 99 counties as in moderate drought…
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Members of Defenders of Wildlife, Wildlands Network and North Carolina Department of Transportation lead the way for students hoping to learn more about wildlife crossings.
 

College students tour WNC ‘Safe Passage’ projects

Earlier this year, members of Safe Passage, including the N.C. Department of Transportation, led a tour of wildlife crossing project sites along Interstate…
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HBF hosts ‘Landscape Meanders’ lecture
 

HBF hosts ‘Landscape Meanders’ lecture

The Highlands Biological Foundation (HBF) continues its Zahner Conservation Lecture series Thursday, July 1.
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Rivers in Western North Carolina, although normally peaceful, are prone to flash flooding. Hannah McLeod photo
 

Macon County floodplain ordinance debate heats up

A proposed change to Macon County’s floodplain regulation has prompted outcry from the public and rippled across the county government. 
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The roundtable was held June 25 in Asheville. Sophie Mestas photo
 

Roundtable sheds light on threat to abortion care

June 24 marked the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. Since…
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eCourts will ideally make things easier for attorneys, clerks and judges, but it will also allow the public a far greater degree of access. File photo
 

eCourts coming to Western North Carolina: Officials promise greater public access to judicial system

The public in Western North Carolina is about to have more access to the courts than ever before, assuming all…
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The 2024-25 grants will help create and maintain the events that bring visitors to Haywood County. File photo
 

Haywood TDA announces next round of grants

The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority announced last week that it had awarded just over $250,000 in grants to 18…
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Jackson school board signs resolution against private school vouchers
 

Jackson school board signs resolution against private school vouchers

The Jackson County Board of Education has signed a resolution urging the North Carolina General Assembly to prioritize public education…
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Macon County School Board. File photo
 

Macon reaches high school sports decision

The Macon County School Board has voted to require students to play high school sports at the school where they…
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Waynesville’s Kathryn Greeley has been appointed to the University of North Carolina Board of Governors. Donated photo
 

Greeley appointed to UNC Board of Governors

The Western Carolina University Board of Trustees will have a bit of a different look at its next meeting.  Kathryn…
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While cannabis will be available to tribal members, it’s still not known when non-enrolled adults will be able to purchase it. Great Smokies Cannabis Company photo
 

EBCI to sell recreational cannabis to enrolled members

Cherokee is moving one step closer to full adult recreational cannabis use. The newest advance will come July 4 when…
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Lake Junaluska
 

Lake Junaluska to host services and workshops

Lake Junaluska’s Summer Worship Series has now resumed with seven visiting theologians serving as guest preachers. Summer Worship Series’ services…
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Federal government announces $20 million for improvements to Corridor K
 

Federal government announces $20 million for improvements to Corridor K

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced a $20 million grant from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to…
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Ada Limón. adalimon.net photo
 

U.S. Poet Laureate to visit Smokies

United States Poet Laureate Ada Limón is coming to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a special event at…
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Become a Master Gardener volunteer
 

Become a Master Gardener volunteer

Join a network of passionate community members across the state dedicated to learning and sharing research-based information, enhancing their communities…
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Join Franklin Bird Club for Macon County walks
 

Join Franklin Bird Club for Macon County walks

The Franklin Bird Club leads walks along the greenway on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. Walks start at alternating locations:…
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Haywood Rec offers Parkway sunset yoga
 

Haywood Rec offers Parkway sunset yoga

Join Haywood County recreation for a sunset yoga session on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 
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Paddling ahead: Nantahala Outdoor Center enters new chapter
 

Paddling ahead: Nantahala Outdoor Center enters new chapter

It’s not lost on Colin McBeath how unique and cherished the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is to locals and visitors…
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Dennis Thurman (left) and Helen Ryde shake hands after a prayer meeting held by the Haywood Baptist Association on June 28.
 

First Amendment on display as opposing sides reckon with Pride

For many, a Pride festival is a fairly straightforward event, a celebration of unity among people marginalized for who they…
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This artist's rendering shows what the bronze plaque on the monument might look like.
 

Monument to papermakers coming to Canton

The shuttered paper mill at the heart of Canton is still there — for now. One day it won’t be,…
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The photograph, depicting Masa on a rock outcrop with his camera and a companion, was previously believed to have been taken at Graybeard Mountain. Recent findings confirm that the actual location is Blackstack Cliffs in the Cherokee National Forest. Donated photos
 

Iconic photo of George Masa ID’d

The true location of one of the most iconic photographs of George Masa has been accurately identified. The photograph, depicting…
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George Masa Foundation announces Youth Conservation Photography Prize
 

George Masa Foundation announces Youth Conservation Photography Prize

The George Masa Foundation has announced the launch of the inaugural George Masa Youth Conservation Photography Prize. This unique competition…
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Since its first running 34 years ago, the Firecracker 5K has grown from 30 to 300 runners. Donated photo
 

Firecracker 5K returns to Bryson City

Thursday, July 4, marks the 34th running of the Firecracker 5K in Bryson City. Created in 1989 to celebrate the…
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Fourth of July in the Smokies
 

Fourth of July in the Smokies

Nothing says summer more than the Fourth of July with friends and family. And in Western North Carolina, we celebrate…
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The Brothers Gillespie will play Waynesville July 6. File photo
 

Ready for 'The Great American Bash'?

Presented by Adamas Entertainment and The Scotsman Public House, “The Great American Bash” will feature Americana/rock sensation The Brothers Gillespie…
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Dale Ann Bradley will play Robbinsville June 29. Donated photo
 

Stecoah welcomes bluegrass legend

As part of the annual “An Appalachian Evening” concert series, bluegrass icon Dale Ann Bradley will hit the stage at…
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Maggie Valley Arts & Crafts Show
 

Maggie Valley Arts & Crafts Show

The 33rd annual Maggie Valley Arts & Crafts Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 6-7…
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‘Thunder in the Smokies’ returns to Maggie Valley June 28-30. File photo
 

‘Thunder in the Smokies’

The annual “Thunder in the Smokies” spring rally will be held June 28-30 at the Maggie Valley Fairgrounds. 
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Let’s get real about ‘school choice’
 

Let’s get real about ‘school choice’

There are some things John Hood (SMN, May 29) and his ilk don’t want you to think about in their…
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A host of Pride events are scheduled for this coming weekend. File photo
 

Haywood’s inaugural Pride festival kicks off

Raymond Valentine has seen a lot of things in his long life, but after 80 years he doesn’t have to…
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Haywood reappraisal will bring huge numbers, huge choices
 

Haywood reappraisal will bring huge numbers, huge choices

Appraisers are still in the field putting the finishing touches on the upcoming countywide property reappraisal set to take effect…
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Sylva Town Council will likely appoint the members of the economic development board. Hannah McLeod photo
 

Sylva to create economic development board

The Town of Sylva is looking to create an economic development board made up of business owners outside the downtown…
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As seen here, David Loftis, far left, was present prior to the closed session, but was absent once commissioners returned and video resumed. From YouTube
 

Swain County commissioner expelled from meeting

Following a heated exchange with another county commissioner during a closed session, Swain County Commissioner David Loftis was expelled from…
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Metal boxes like these contain lifesaving help for opioid overdoses. Michele Rogers photo
 

Free opioid overdose kits available in three Haywood locations

Most people don’t realize that some accidental opioid overdoses are reversible with the quick administration of an opioid antagonist called…
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Public safety, personnel costs push Waynesville tax increase
 

Public safety, personnel costs push Waynesville tax increase

In the second split budget vote in the last four years, Waynesville’s Town Council approved a property tax hike of…
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Old Edwards Inn is the oldest building in Highlands. Garret K. Woodward photo
 

Old Edwards Inn changes ownership : Highlands officials expect ‘business as usual’

Old Edwards Inn — the historic Highlands landmark and premier worldwide travel destination — has been sold, but little is…
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The census had a 56% participation rate. From EBCI.com
 

EBCI reveals census results

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Census results have been finalized for the first time in over two decades. 
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Despite challenges, no tax increase in Canton budget
 

Despite challenges, no tax increase in Canton budget

A full year after one of the county’s largest employers — the Pactiv Evergreen paper mill, in downtown Canton — shut…
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