Natti Love Joys will play WNC March 29-30. File photo
 

Reggae, soul at Lazy Hiker

The Natti Love Joys will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, March 29, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Sylva. The band…
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Dillsboro’s ‘Easter Hat Parade’
 

Dillsboro’s ‘Easter Hat Parade’

A beloved Western North Carolina tradition, the “Easter Hat Parade” will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 30, in…
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Wyatt Espalin. File photo
 

Espalin returns to Mountain Layers

Singer-songwriter Wyatt Espalin will hit the stage at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 24, at Mountain Layers Brewing in Bryson City. 
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Author Peter Conti stands before Baldpate Mountain in Oxford County, Maine, near the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. Peter Conti photo
 

Finding healing and acceptance at the end of a trail

Peter Conti seemed destined for a life of chronic pain.  For nearly two years after a devastating motorcycle accident left…
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Weigh in on NC river quality
 

Weigh in on NC river quality

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources is now accepting public comment on the proposed list…
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Orders for the native plant sale are now accepted through April 15. Donated photo
 

Native plant sale extended

The annual native perennial plant sale sponsored by the NC State Extension Master Gardener volunteers has been extended. 
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The fee for the specialty plate helps fund key improvements along the Parkway. Donated photo
 

Blue Ridge Parkway license plate sales top $570,000

North Carolina drivers raised $574,461 to enhance the Blue Ridge Parkway by purchasing or renewing the national park specialty license…
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N.C. Forest Service celebrates Arbor Day
 

N.C. Forest Service celebrates Arbor Day

Arbor Day will be observed March 22 in North Carolina.  N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said tree planting is a…
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Applications open for state ag grants
 

Applications open for state ag grants

Applications are now being accepted for the N.C. Agriculture Manufacturing and Processing Initiative, which has been created to fund and…
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Jackson County Chamber of Commerce ambassadors (from left) Michele D. Smith, John Hagdorn, Patricia Wink-Bryson, Marne Harris, EcoForesters’ Josh Parris (EBCI Forest Manager), Andy Tait (EcoForesters’ Co-Executive Director), Andrew Danner (EcoForesters in Sylva), Desirae Kissell-Abella (EBCI Conservation Outreach Coordinator & USDA-NRCS Liaison), ambassadors Matt Saenger, Steve Baxley and Matthew Ridley. Jackson County Chamber of Commerce photo
 

Jackson Chamber welcomes EcoForesters

The Jackson County Chamber and Visitor Center Ambassador Team held a grand opening/ribbon cutting ceremony for its new members at EcoForesters,…
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WNC Environmental Summit comes to HCC
 

WNC Environmental Summit comes to HCC

Join the WNC Environmental Summit March 23 at Haywood Community College. Paul Allen from “Feed Me Foam” will showcase his…
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Join wildflower, bird walks at Lake Junaluska
 

Join wildflower, bird walks at Lake Junaluska

Lake Junaluska’s Corneille Bryan Native Garden is offering wildflower walks on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. from March 27 through May…
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Register for Fire Mountain Inferno
 

Register for Fire Mountain Inferno

Registration is now open for the Fire Mountain Inferno mountain bike event in Cherokee. 
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Public comment period open for migratory bird seasons
 

Public comment period open for migratory bird seasons

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is seeking public comment on the 2024-2025 migratory game bird hunting seasons for…
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Trump doesn’t deserve our support
 

Trump doesn’t deserve our support

To the Editor: Recently the world lost one of the most honorable and bravest advocates for democracy that we have…
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Election volunteers deserve thanks
 

Election volunteers deserve thanks

To the Editor: The primary voting has ended in North Carolina, and because of those registered voters who chose to…
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HCS administration created this year’s budget in the wake of Canton’s mill closure. Hannah McLeod photo
 

Making do: Haywood Schools budgets for post-mill future

When Pactiv Evergreen announced it would close its Canton paper mill last year, Haywood County Schools was already facing a…
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Long House Funeral Home Director Reg Moody Jr. is a convicted felon, and owner Bruce Martin Jr. has several pending child sex charges. Holly Kays photo
 

Cherokee funeral home hires director with criminal past: Owner currently faces several felonies

The owner of Long House Funeral Home, himself facing decades in prison, has hired a convicted felon to be funeral…
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A map of the Waynesville Inn and Golf Club’s recently renovated course shows two areas, off the 10th and 12th fairways where developers want to build 25 new homes. Raines Company photo
 

Waynesville Planning Board splits recommendations on golf club developments

After deciding that the time is finally right, the owners of the Waynesville Inn and Golf Club are making good…
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Haywood County’s long overdue jail expansion has been talked about for years. File photo
 

Construction contract approved for Haywood jail expansion

After an extensive, yearslong process featuring dozens of public hearings, presentations and private meetings, Haywood County will finally get its…
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Substantial upgrades to Canton's drinking water system are on their way. File photo
 

Canton plans for water system upgrades

Although concerns about Canton’s post-mill wastewater treatment remain front and center, the town’s recovery from devastating flooding in 2021 continues…
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The settings include the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Civil Rights documents. Kyle Perrotti photo
 

Charters of Freedom bring founding documents to life in Canton

Canton is paying homage to some of this nation’s most vital founding documents through the installation of Charters of Freedom…
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Quarter-cent sales tax headed for Macon ballot
 

Quarter-cent sales tax headed for Macon ballot

Macon County residents will see the quarter-cent sales tax referendum on the ballot this November after commissioners unanimously approved a…
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Ken Wilson
 

Large donation fully funds Canton playground

A longtime community advocate has made a substantial financial donation to the Town of Canton that will help speed the…
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Artwork by Robin Arramae is currently showcased at Panacea. Donated photo
 

Misfit Mountain hosts art fundraiser

 In an effort to raise funds for Misfit Mountain, there will be a special art showcase and sale through March…
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‘The Lightning Thief’ will be at HART on select dates in March. Donated photo
 

HART presents ‘The Lightning Thief’

A production of “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. 22-23 and 2…
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Smoky Mountain Roller Girls’ will ride again March 24. File photo
 

Ready for roller derby?

The Smoky Mountain Roller Girls will host its next bout against the Yellow Jackets Roller Derby from Georgia Tech University…
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A lawsuit argues that the U.S. Forest Service’s timber targets fail to take into account the billions of tons of carbon stored in trees. File photo
 

Lawsuit challenges Forest Service timber targets

A lawsuit filed last month in a Washington, D.C., federal court alleges the U.S. Forest Service’s practice of setting “timber…
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The rare, elusive Appalachian cottontail is found in Western North Carolina. Donated photo
 

Research measures disease impact on elusive mountain rabbit

Researchers are concerned that the Appalachian cottontail’s population may be impacted by a fast-spreading virus, RHDV2. 
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New program aims to electrify homes
 

New program aims to electrify homes

The WNC Sierra Club is hosting a few public events to explain how the Federal Inflation Reduction Act has incentives…
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The cleanup will take place on March 16. Donated photo
 

Clean up Richland Creek

Join Haywood Waterways to clean up Richland Creek in Waynesville. 
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The trail guide’s author will discuss the book Tuesday. Donated photo
 

Author to discuss new trail guidebook

Join Brent Martin, director of the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy, as he discusses the guidebook he wrote for William…
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Greenhouse space available at Old Armory
 

Greenhouse space available at Old Armory

Get an early start on this year’s garden by renting space at Waynesville’s Old Armory Recreation Center Greenhouse beginning March…
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Presentation to focus on conservation strategy
 

Presentation to focus on conservation strategy

Join Mainspring Conservation Trust on March 18 for a presentation on conservation strategy in Western North Carolina by Mainspring Conservation…
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Waynesville park reopens after damage
 

Waynesville park reopens after damage

Allens Creek Park in Waynesville is open once again after being closed due to necessary cleanup efforts following recent adverse…
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Prescribed burns scheduled for Cataloochee
 

Prescribed burns scheduled for Cataloochee

Officials plan to burn approximately 96 acres in Cataloochee Valley at Great Smoky Mountains National Park this week. Weather permitting,…
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MST hosts annual membership meeting
 

MST hosts annual membership meeting

Join the Mountains to Sea Trail community for an annual membership meeting — a meeting that will also offer opportunities…
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Public input sought for trail rehab project
 

Public input sought for trail rehab project

The Nantahala Ranger District is seeking public input to implement trail rehabilitation and repairs along with other work within the…
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All of us can help fight drug addiction
 

All of us can help fight drug addiction

To the Editor: With interest, I read the article “Combating the Opioid Crisis” with interest in the February 22 issue…
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Both sides of Depot Street, from Boundary Street to Richland Creek, are home to small businesses. Haywood GIS photo
 

Spreading it around: Waynesville pushes plans for prosperity in Frog Level, Hazelwood

Waynesville’s North Main Street has been an important economic engine for the town and the county for decades, and the…
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The November General Election is now less than eight months away. File photo
 

Quiet western Primaries signal November's partisan battles, voter frustration

While the March 5 Primary Election was relatively quiet in the west — with few races and even fewer competitive…
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Haywood County Schools Superintendent Trevor Putnam said that despite budget cuts, the district has maintained as many mental health services as it couild. File photo
 

HCS mental health services report

Haywood County Schools has increased the number of people it employs to care for and monitor students’ mental health this…
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New commissioner for Macon
 

New commissioner for Macon

The Macon County Commission will see one new member seated in December after Barry Breeden beat incumbent Paul Higdon to…
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Haywood County’s jail has been running at or near capacity for years. File photo
 

Installment financing contract for Haywood jail approved

Haywood County commissioners have taken the final financial step in the long process toward approving a jail expansion, all but…
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Ulrich plans to complete his project in October by playing at 70 more Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries. Donated photo
 

Professor honors fallen WWI soldiers through 'Last Post' bugle tribute

In the West Flanders region of Belgium, there are several thousand graves of British Commonwealth soldiers who never made it…
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Russ Avenue construction starts in Waynesville
 

Russ Avenue construction starts in Waynesville

A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation has begun work on one of the busiest roads in Haywood County that…
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Swain TDA names new director
 

Swain TDA names new director

The Swain County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) announced the appointment of its new director, Sarah Conley. 
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Drop-in childcare returns to Waynesvlle Rec Center
 

Drop-in childcare returns to Waynesvlle Rec Center

The Waynesville recreation center has reopened its childcare rooms and has its drop-in childcare program back up and running. 
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Jake is the son of HCAC Executive Director Tonya D. Harwood. Donated photo
 

Haywood Arts differently abled exhibition

In 2004, my life was completely changed when one of my twin boys was born with Down Syndrome. Initially, I…
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Bird in Hand will play Bryson City March 15. File photo
 

Americana, folk at Mountain Layers

Jackson County Americana/folk duo Bird in Hand will perform at 6 p.m. Friday, March 15, at Mountain Layers Brewing Company…
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