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In narrow vote, WCU Faculty Senate opposes reopening
In a nearly split vote held during a special-called meeting Aug. 10, the Western Carolina University Faculty Senate passed a…
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Cawthorn Takes a Hard-Right Turn
‘Pro-Trump,’ defends use of symbols tied to white nationalism By Tom Fiedler AVL Watchdog When then 24-year-old Madison Cawthorn easily…
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Women sentenced for stealing Lake Junaluska vehicle
A Waynesville woman must serve in prison a minimum of six months to a maximum of 17 months for stealing…
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COVID-19 cluster identified at Haywood Regional
The Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency has identified a COVID-19 cluster connected to Haywood Regional Hospital. Currently, fewer…
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Waynesville comprehensive plan nears adoption
After more than two years of planning and public presentations the Town of Waynesville’s new comprehensive land use plan is…
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Jackson allows student athletes to resume practices
As of Tuesday, Aug. 4, Jackson County schools entered phase two for school athletics. The North Carolina High School Athletic…
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Haywood reports 6 more COVID-related deaths
Haywood County Health and Human Services are reporting six additional COVID-19 associated deaths. The individuals died within the last week,…
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Fifth COVID-19 death announced in Jackson
A fifth COVID-19 death has been confirmed in Jackson County.
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Commissioners vote to keep Sylva Sam, with some changes
Jackson County Commissioners voted 4-1 Aug. 4 to keep Sylva Sam in his place overlooking downtown Sylva, but according to…
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The comeback of the turkey a real success
The come back of the wild turkey in the southern mountains in recent years is one of the notable success…
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Change of plans for Master Gardener classes
The Haywood County Master Gardener course typically offered from January through April each year will move to August through October…
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Report unsolicited seed shipments
Numerous people in North Carolina have reported receiving unrequested shipments of seeds from foreign sources, and the N.C. Department of…
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Mainspring hires new employee
Rachel Newcomb has been hired as a conservation outreach associate for Mainspring Conservation Trust.
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Bringing backcountry to the back door: Early plans unveiled for Chestnut Mountain park
The project may still be in its early stages, but plans are beginning to take shape for the 448-acre park…
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Mainspring conserves Cherokee mound
A culturally significant 40-acre property in Macon County has now been conserved, thanks to Mainspring Conservation Trust.
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More Parkway facilities reopen
The Blue Ridge Parkway has reopened four previously closed campgrounds in North Carolina and Virginia, but some seasonal facilities remain…
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Why we need honest journalists right now
The ancient philosopher Diogenes used to stroll about Athens holding a lantern to the faces of those he met and…
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Brothers of a feather: New acoustic duo to make WNC debut
With the current pandemic and economic shutdown, the music industry was the first business sector to close its doors and…
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This must be the place: Your neighbor isn’t out to get you, nor is your local newspaper
Stepping out of my pickup truck this past Saturday afternoon, I stood in the parking lot of the Maggie Valley…
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The common thread — we’re Americans
In the streets of Western North Carolina, mostly young protestors calling for an end to structural and sometimes violent racism…
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Cawthorn’s hubris not surprising
To the Editor: By now, it’s disappointingly clear that Madison Cawthorn, the Republican candidate to represent N.C. District 11 in…
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Support Parsons for Swain Commissioner
To the Editor: Roger Parsons is running for re-election as Swain County commissioner and is a lifelong resident of Swain…
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Cawthorn should support ACA
To the Editor: It is disappointing to see a young, politically inexperienced but passionate and courageous gentleman like Madison Cawthorn…
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Pardon me while I scream
To the Editor: “The Constitution is not a suicide pact” is a quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln as he defended…
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Are politicians non-essential?
To the Editor: Would the governor, his staff, his advisors, and cabinet make different decisions if they were determined to…
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Franklin’s female employees making more on average
The town of Franklin may employ a majority of men, but the women are making more on average than their…
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Pay equality a priority in Macon
Pay for Macon County employees is constantly on the mind of Macon County Manager Derek Roland, and every year putting…
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Women running Bryson City Town Hall
Bryson City is a small town with a lot of big responsibilities and limited financial resources. While it is a…
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Women take on important roles in Swain government
Swain County might still be led by men, but women are key contributors in the day-to-day operations of the county…
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Status of the pay gap
The Equal Pay Act, which mandates equal pay for equal work and forbids employers from paying men and women different…
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Women rule the roost in Sylva
Sylva is a town that’s run by women, both on the board of commissioners and among staff positions in town…
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Female leadership key in Jackson government
While men hold the highest-paying and highest number of jobs in most Western North Carolina governments, Jackson County is a…
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Waynesville takes steps to address gender balance, pay
As the largest North Carolina town west of Asheville, Waynesville often sets the bar for how other municipal governments handle…
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Local governments show room for improvement in gender pay equality
From the very birth of this nation, the words “All men are created equal” never really meant all men, and…
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Cunningham responds to Tillis attacks
Ever since my days in Scouts, I’ve loved hiking, backpacking, and traveling in Western North Carolina. As adults, my wife…
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Governments work toward equal pay
In recognition of the 19th Amendment’s centennial anniversary this month, The Smoky Mountain News is doing a series of stories to…
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BLM marchers again take to Maggie Valley under increased security
The Aug. 1 Black Lives Matter demonstration in Maggie Valley may have been bigger and louder than its predecessor on…
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Cherokee will delay budget hearings, adopt baseline budget
In a resolution passed last month, Tribal Council decided that it will not hold budget hearings this year but will…
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Tribe engages firm to pursue expanded casino holdings
As states throughout the Southeast consider allowing or expanding commercial gaming in their jurisdictions, Tribal Council has voted to enter…
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Turning towards woodturning: Mike McKinney’s path to discovering his craft
By Andrew Dundas • Contributing Writer | Bowls in various stages of production scattered the workshop around Mike McKinney, piled onto tables…
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Haywood schools to adopt new complaint policy
Haywood County Schools Title IX Coordinator Jason Heinz recently discussed policy changes that must go into effect by Aug. 14…
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Harris urges community to wear masks
Harris Regional Hospital is urging community members to wear face masks or cloth face coverings in public areas where social…
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More COVID-19 outbreaks reported in WNC
According to the Haywood County Health Department, a significant number of the close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases recently identified…
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School board, community work to garner internet access
At a July 30 special called meeting, Dr. Trevor Putnam presented the Haywood County School Board with a contract in…
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New COVID-19 outbreak identified in Macon
Macon County Public Health has identified a COVID-19 outbreak in staff and residents at Drake Cottage, a congregate living facility.…
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COVID-19 death reported in Jackson
A new COVID-19 death has been confirmed in Jackson County, bringing the county’s total death toll to four.
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Complete United Way COVID-19 impact survey
United Way of North Carolina launches a statewide survey today to assess how COVID-19 has impacted community members across the…
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Haywood reports two more COVID-19 related deaths
Haywood County Health and Human Services is reporting two additional COVID-19 associated deaths. Both individuals died on July 28 at…
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Slide closes U.S. 19/74 in Nantahala Gorge
BRYSON CITY – A band of heavy rains late Friday night started a mudslide that closed U.S. 19/74 in the Nantahala…
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