Balancing act: Robinson, Stein offer competing visions of the future in North Carolina
 

Balancing act: Robinson, Stein offer competing visions of the future in North Carolina

They couldn’t be more different. But it’s not about race, religion or party affiliation.  Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat,…
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Congressman Chuck Edwards was sanctioned by a House commission earlier today.
 

Busted: WNC Rep. Chuck Edwards sanctioned for abusing communications standards

Western North Carolina Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) has been unanimously sanctioned by the bipartisan House Communications Standards Commission for violating…
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Maritzaida and Aaron Weibe will play Waynesville May 2. Donated photo)
 

Folkmoot celebrates Latin American heritage

Folkmoot USA will present Maritzaida & Raíces Emma-Erwin Latin America Dancers at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at the Folkmoot…
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'Airing of the Quilts' will be May 4 in Hillsboro. File photo
 

'Airing of the Quilts'

The Appalachian Women’s Museum “Airing of the Quilts” will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 4,…
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Haywood Choral Society. Donated photo
 

Haywood Choral Society spring concert

Directed by Don Kirkindoll, the Haywood Choral Society will perform its spring concert, “Cry Out for Peace,” at 4 p.m.…
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Arnold Hill. Garret K. Woodward photo
 

Rock rolls into Scotsman

Regional rock/jam group Arnold Hill will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at The Scotsman Public House in Waynesville. 
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‘The Tribes of the Littles’
 

‘The Tribes of the Littles’

Local author Pamela Volpert will read from her book, “The Tribes of the Littles,” at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 27,…
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Woolybooger. File photo
 

Mountain Layers gets the blues

Americana/folk singer-songwriter Woolybooger will perform at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Mountain Layers Brewing in Bryson City. 
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Sylva Fire Department conducts controlled burn on an NC 107 property slated for demolition. Sylva Fire Department photo
 

Slow burn: NC 107 work marches on

The towns of Sylva, Webster, Cullowhee and Cashiers are all connected by five lanes of chaos, better known as N.C.…
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Waynesville’s Town Council has some tough decisions ahead. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Mounting capital needs put tax increase on the table in Waynesville

Waynesville’s town government has kept taxes as low as possible for as long as possible, but is quickly finding truth…
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Ever since Sylva Pride’s request to close downtown street’s was denied, people have rallied in support of the parade. File photo
 

No revote on Pride parade, listening session scheduled

After the Sylva Town Council denied Sylva Pride’s road closure application for the annual Pride Parade, the community organization has…
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Volunteers from the Canopy Realtor Association prepare to plant a small shrub in Canton’s Sorrells Street Park on April 19. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Haywood realtors lend a helping hand

While many real estate agents spent last Friday morning the usual way — listing homes for sellers, finding homes for…
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‘Carousel of the Arts': Macon residents urge funding for arts
 

‘Carousel of the Arts': Macon residents urge funding for arts

Emergency federal funding provided quick relief to school systems burdened by costs incurred during the COVID-19 Pandemic. For Macon County…
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Republican runoff elections nearing
 

Republican runoff elections nearing

The Primary Election season isn’t quite over in North Carolina, as several races didn’t meet the 30% vote threshold to…
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Women of Waynesville host open house
 

Women of Waynesville host open house

Women of Waynesville, a nonprofit organization that supports the needs of women and children in Haywood County, is inviting all…
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The Haywood County Chamber of Commerce announced the appointment of David Francis as its new president.
 

Local leader to serve as Haywood Chamber of Commerce President

The Haywood County Chamber of Commerce announced the appointment of David Francis as its new president.
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Darren Nicholson will play HCC April 19. File photo
 

Carolina Heritage Weekend

A multi-day event celebrating Appalachian heritage, Carolina Heritage Weekend will take place April 18-20 around Haywood County. 
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The Maggie Valley Band will play Sylva April 27. File photo
 

Greening Up the Mountains

Presented by the Town of Sylva, the 26th annual Greening Up the Mountains festival will be held from 10 a.m.…
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HART presents ‘I’ll Eat You Last’
 

HART presents ‘I’ll Eat You Last’

A production of “I’ll Eat You Last” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. April 19-20, 26-27 and 2 p.m.…
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Alma Russ. FIle photo
 

Americana, folk at Mountain Layers

Rising singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Alma Russ will hit the stage at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at Mountain Layers Brewing…
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Blue Ridge Books welcomes Hall
 

Blue Ridge Books welcomes Hall

Author Tiffany Hall will present her new book, “Bigger,” at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at Blue Ridge Books in…
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River Eure, pictured here with Misfit Mountain dog Zennia, has worked in animal shelters in the past, but Koda was the first dog he’d fostered for the rescue. Kyle Perrotti photo
 

Welcome to Summer Camp: Rescue program provides a lifeline for four-legged friends during hardship

Summer camp. Memories of the great outdoors, new friends, fun adventures. But around Misfit Mountain in Haywood County, the rescue’s Summer…
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According to the planning board’s staff report, STR rental compliance consultant Granicus said there were 319 such rentals within Waynesville’s town limits in 2019, but 444 in 2021. Stock photo
 

Waynesville planning board to study short-term rental regulations

Seeking to balance the economic benefits of short-term vacation rentals with the negative effects they have on housing affordability in…
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More than 50 people started at the fountain below the Old Jackson County Courthouse to march in support of a Pride Parade. Lilly Knoepp/BPR photo
 

‘We will march’: Sylva community members support Pride Parade

On Thursday night, Sylva community members marched to the town council meeting to show their disappointment in a recent vote…
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From left to right, WCU students Lola Hickey, Zekariah Lackey, Anjili Romero and Yiqing Yang, associate professor of sociology. Donated photo
 

WCU Faculty, students collaborate on Health Equity Data Consortium

Although it has been four years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the effects are still being felt around the world,…
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The Pine Grove School was built in 1912. Donated photo
 

Macon County will not sell Pine Grove School

After extensive input from Macon residents who wanted to see the old Pine Grove School remain available for community use,…
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The Smoky Mountain Robotics Team took first place at the recent event in Charlotte. Donated photo
 

Smoky Mountain Robotics Team makes an award-winning impact

The Smoky Mountain Academic Robotics Team (SMART) brought home the Impact Award at the Mecklenburg District FIRST (For Inspiration and…
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A crowd gathered in 2023 at the Lake Junaluska amphitheater below the Cross to participate in Haywood County's National Day of Prayer service. The National Day of Prayer is designated as the first Thursday of May each year. Donated photo
 

Lake Junaluska to host National Day of Prayer

A National Day of Prayer service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 2, at the outdoor amphitheater below…
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Natalie Newman. File photo
 

Newman resigns from Sylva Town Council

Natalie Newman has been serving her community on five different boards and associations for the past several years, but announced…
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NC launches Haywood Homeownership Assistance Program
 

NC launches Haywood Homeownership Assistance Program

UPDATED April 29: NCORR has received over the program budget in interested applicants for the Homeowners Assistance Program. NCORR is pausing…
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Jackson County man convicted in fatal collision
 

Jackson County man convicted in fatal collision

An intoxicated Jackson County man who drove at a high rate of speed and careened into two other cars, killing…
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Haywood to conduct property reappraisals
 

Haywood to conduct property reappraisals

The Haywood County Tax Assessors Office is currently conducting a comprehensive reappraisal of all properties within the county for the…
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A rendering provided by developers shows what the proposed apartment buildings might look like.
 

Large apartment complex appears likely for Canton outskirts

The Town of Canton’s governing board will soon consider approval of a substantial residential project after the town’s planning board…
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The Well Drinkers will play Waynesville April 18. File photo
 

Bluegrass, Americana at Folkmoot

In conjunction with Haywood County’s “Carolina Heritage Weekend,” Folkmoot USA will present The Well Drinkers at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18,…
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Cracker will play Murphy April 13. File photo
 

Cracker, Kevn Kinney to rock Murphy

Legendary rockers Cracker and Kevn Kinney (of Drivin’ N’ Cryin’) will perform on Saturday, April 13, at the Murphy Music…
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World music in Franklin
 

World music in Franklin

The Ubuntu Choir of the Great Smoky Mountains will perform a program of uplifting music from around the world at…
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The NC Symphony will play Cherokee April 18. File photo
 

Cherokee welcomes NC Symphony

The North Carolina Symphony will host a special concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at the Chief Joyce Dugan…
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Intersectional Peonies, also known as Itoh peonies, possess attributes that make them highly desirable landscape plants. Donated photo
 

Festival of the Peonies in Bloom begins

Wildcat Ridge Farm is welcoming visitors throughout May to enjoy the peonies in bloom. 
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Stations throughout Cades Cove will feature presenters from both the park and the deaf community discussing the work that goes into protecting our shared heritage. Donated photo
 

American Sign Language Day programs offered at Cades Cove

Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s “Signs of Spring” event celebrating National American Sign Language Day will be back for the second year…
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The Earth Day 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run start and finish in the same location at The Outpost venue located right by Carrier Park in Asheville. Donated photo
 

Green Built Alliance announces annual Earth Day 5K

The nonprofit Green Built Alliance will host the second-annual Earth Day 5K, presented by Pine Gate Renewables on April 20. 
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Mingus Mill. File photo
 

Parking fees generate $10 million

In the first year since Great Smoky Mountains National Park launched the Park it Forward program, the fee has generated…
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Lakeview Drive road project to conclude
 

Lakeview Drive road project to conclude

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with funding from the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund, will finish the approximate $15.7…
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Jackson County announces bike rodeo
 

Jackson County announces bike rodeo

Join Jackson County Parks and Recreation for the department’s bike rodeo. 
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Smoky Mountain Beekeepers to talk pollinator gardens
 

Smoky Mountain Beekeepers to talk pollinator gardens

The Smoky Mountain Beekeepers are welcoming N.C. Extension Agent Minda Daughtry to talk about how to support bees and other…
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Haywood County hosts the Senior Games
 

Haywood County hosts the Senior Games

The senior games are coming to Haywood County beginning April 17, and adults 50 and older are invited to participate…
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Smokies' first dispensary to open: Cherokee's long-awaited marijuana venture to finally generate some green
 

Smokies' first dispensary to open: Cherokee's long-awaited marijuana venture to finally generate some green

The path to cannabis legalization on the Qualla Boundary has been riddled with roadblocks, some of which the Eastern Band…
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Jo Ellyn Woodward, right, a.k.a. The Blunt Queen, is the driving force behind the Stoner’s Ball. Donated photo
 

Stoner’s Ball brings legal high to Haywood County

The Stoner’s Ball is coming to Haywood County, but it may not be quite what people think. 
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Recreational cannabis remains unlikely in NC
 

Recreational cannabis remains unlikely in NC

In recent years, more and more states have made the decision to legalize, regulate and tax recreational cannabis products —…
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Board members (left to right) Tim Shepard, Ralph Hamlett, Zeb Smathers, Gail Mull and Kristina Proctor attend a budget workshop on April 8. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Canton budget hole, thanks to Pactiv, approaches $1 million

Ever since Pactiv Evergreen announced back on March 6, 2023, that it would shutter its paper mill in Canton, town…
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One person hospitalized after officer-involved shooting in Haywood County
 

One person hospitalized after officer-involved shooting in Haywood County

The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting with the Haywood County Sheriff’s office over the weekend.
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