Census deadline fast approaching
 

Census deadline fast approaching

The census deadline is Sept. 30, and response rates are low in WNC counties, meaning that the region could miss…
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Cooking with stone fruits: an early fall treat
 

Cooking with stone fruits: an early fall treat

Literature abounds with references to stone fruits. They signal something luscious and, if not romantic, intensely pleasurable. But there is…
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County will assume Clyde PD duties
 

County will assume Clyde PD duties

A request by the Town of Clyde to disband its police force and contract with the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office…
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Sen. Tillis wants Ginsburg’s seat filled now
 

Sen. Tillis wants Ginsburg’s seat filled now

Shortly before Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away on Sept. 18 after serving on…
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Important voting deadlines draw near
 

Important voting deadlines draw near

The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, and there are plenty of ways to vote early, or vote from the…
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'Tis the Season of Seasonal Beers
 

'Tis the Season of Seasonal Beers

The transition from summer to fall brings with it a sense of excitement for favorite pastimes, favorite foods and of…
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WNC Apple Orchards, Festivals and Corn Mazes
 

WNC Apple Orchards, Festivals and Corn Mazes

JUSTUS ORCHARD U-PICK PUMPKINS AND APPLES: Address: 187 Garren Rd., Hendersonville, NC, 28792 Hours: Daily 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Cost: Various prices depending…
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Lost and found in the woods
 

Lost and found in the woods

It has been said that the best place to start a story is at the beginning. With the first page…
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Comment

The art of sitting and listening
 

The art of sitting and listening

In a seismic move that will further propel the Asheville and greater Western North Carolina music scene into the national…
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Comment

Alan Jones
 

Presnell's open seat draws competitors

After eight years in office, Burnsville Republican Rep. Michele Presnell will probably be better remembered for the things she didn’t…
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Future of Folkmoot Festival uncertain
 

Future of Folkmoot Festival uncertain

The Folkmoot International Festival has overcome many obstacles in its 36 years of existence, but it couldn’t withstand the pressures…
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Comment

Candidates to meet in debates
 

Candidates to meet in debates

Candidates for offices ranging from county commissioner to state senate will appear in upcoming debates. 
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Comment

Cawthorn’s integrity 
is a problem
 

Cawthorn’s integrity 
is a problem

To the Editor: Whatever categories are on a home-schooled student’s report card, “works well with others” is probably not one…
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Comment

Vote as if the Earth 
depended on it
 

Vote as if the Earth 
depended on it

To the Editor: I recently hiked to the top of Wayah Bald. Stunning views, and sobering to see the remnants…
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Comment

Tribe purchases casino-adjacent property
 

Tribe purchases casino-adjacent property

Tribal Council unanimously approved a $3.4 million land purchase in the Painttown Community during its meeting on Thursday, Sept. 3. 
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Just what is ‘appropriate' for a newspaper?
 

Just what is ‘appropriate' for a newspaper?

Our readers have spoken. You won’t find a single case of the F-word in this article, and perhaps never again…
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Tribe asks for new BIA superintendent
 

Tribe asks for new BIA superintendent

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is asking the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs to give it a new agency…
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The power of music amidst the chaos
 

The power of music amidst the chaos

When I was a little girl we had a Victrola sitting atop the stairs in our split-level home. Occasionally my…
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Research shows parks are important to Americans
 

Research shows parks are important to Americans

A recently released report from the National Recreation and Park Association shows that most U.S. adults — 82 percent of them…
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Fairview teen wins national volunteer award
 

Fairview teen wins national volunteer award

Fairview resident Virginia Ward has received the 2019 Youth Award as part of the George and Helen Hartzog Awards for…
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Rolf Kaufman reflects 
on Folkmoot USA
 

Rolf Kaufman reflects 
on Folkmoot USA

“Dr. Border was a neighbor of mine. He called me one day in 1983 and asked me to come to…
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Comment

This must be the place: Ain’t it funny how the time just flies, don’t 
you think it’s time to get on board?
 

This must be the place: Ain’t it funny how the time just flies, don’t 
you think it’s time to get on board?

Nearing midnight here in Eastern Idaho. A landscape I used to call home some 12 years ago. The faces I…
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Haywood K-5 students will return to in-person learning
 

Haywood K-5 students will return to in-person learning

Elementary school students in Haywood County will return to school full-time beginning Oct. 5. 
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Emergency responders stage a search at Big Creek.
 

Drowning victim found in Big Creek area

Emergency responders have found the body of a 25-year-old man reported missing at 7:36 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, after falling…
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Comment

Karly Jones takes a moment to reflect after summiting Mount Katahdin.
 

From end to end: Against ATC wishes, thru-hikers summit Katahdin

When Karly Jones began the Appalachian Trail on Feb. 27, the weather was cold and the trail crowded. She quickly…
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Comment

Maggie Valley Fall Days, a community affair
 

Maggie Valley Fall Days, a community affair

Fall decorations in Maggie Valley are a tradition that involves the entire town. 
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Smokies investigates racially charged vandalism on Foothills Parkway
 

Smokies investigates racially charged vandalism on Foothills Parkway

Racially charged vandalism in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has prompted an investigation searching for those responsible. 
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Comment

Perfect Picnic Spots in the Great Smokies
 

Perfect Picnic Spots in the Great Smokies

As the sweltering heat is nearing an end, the fall season provides many enjoyable outdoor activities. Utilizing the beauty of…
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Two contractors die in fire at Canton paper mill
 

Two contractors die in fire at Canton paper mill

Haywood County Emergency Services issued an alert at 6:15 a.m. Monday morning reporting a large commercial structure fire at Evergreen…
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Comment

Jessi and Matt on a 2018 trip through Tennessee.
 

Onederland and Wanderlust

I struggle with my wanderlust most of the year, but there’s something about the change from summer to fall that…
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Cooper says K-5 students can all return to class Oct. 5
 

Cooper says K-5 students can all return to class Oct. 5

On. Sept. 17, Gov. Roy Cooper authorized Plan A in-person opening of schools for all elementary students in Kindergarten through fifth…
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Comment

Jackson seeks legislative change following Cullowhee erosion issues
 

Jackson seeks legislative change following Cullowhee erosion issues

Jackson County commissioners voted unanimously Sept. 15 to ask for the N.C. Association of County Commissioners’ support for state legislation…
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Comment

COVID-19 cluster reported at Canton salon
 

COVID-19 cluster reported at Canton salon

The Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency, in consultation with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services…
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Comment

House District 120 candidates to debate online
 

House District 120 candidates to debate online

Western North Carolina voters are invited to participate in the first-ever online candidate forum featuring two candidates who are running…
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Comment

CDC issues temporary moratorium on renter evictions
 

CDC issues temporary moratorium on renter evictions

As a means to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a…
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Comment

Hospitals, BCBS renegotiating Medicare Advantage plans
 

Hospitals, BCBS renegotiating Medicare Advantage plans

Unless a new agreement is signed, patients with Blue Cross, Blue Shield Medicare Advantage Plans will have to pay out-of-network…
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Comment

Family Life Abroad
 

Family Life Abroad

By Whitney White Living abroad with my family is simultaneously good, weird, and freeing. As I sit down to pen…
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Nikwasi Initiative Executive Director, Elaine Eisenbraun, joins the Cherokee Culture Keepers in Bear Dance to celebrate groundbreaking at new Kiosk site.
 

Meet the director of Nikwasi Initiative

Nikwasi Initiative, a new nonprofit established in 2018 with the mission of preserving the Nikwasi Mound in downtown Franklin and…
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Peaches and Cream Pie and a late summer wedding
 

Peaches and Cream Pie and a late summer wedding

My sister was married last month in a small ceremony in Waynesville. 
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Conservation projects protect key National Forest inholdings
 

Conservation projects protect key National Forest inholdings

Two parcels totaling 219 acres will eventually be added to the Nantahala National Forest thanks to a recently completed conservation…
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Comment

Clay Jordan. NPS photo
 

Smokies deputy chosen for NPS superintendent job in California

Clay Jordan will soon leave the Great Smoky Mountains National Park after landing a job as superintendent of Sequoia and…
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Comment

Hemlock initiative to continue
 

Hemlock initiative to continue

On Sept. 2, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and WNC Communities Executive Director Jennifer Ferre cosigned a pledge to continue support…
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Comment

Looking back at famous Americans
 

Looking back at famous Americans

Every once in a while, I’ll read a book of history and want to throw a party: bottles of champagne,…
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Comment

Consider the kind of leader you want
 

Consider the kind of leader you want

To the Editor: Consider this case study in trust: A meteorologist reports the track of a category 2 hurricane, explaining that…
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Comment

Davis puts public health before politics
 

Davis puts public health before politics

To the Editor: If you were hanging around outside one of the NC-11 Congressional debates at WCU’s main campus in…
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Comment

Cawthorn wrong about health care
 

Cawthorn wrong about health care

To the Editor: As the campaign for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District enters its final months, I’d like to draw…
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Comment

Vote Democrat and restore morality
 

Vote Democrat and restore morality

To the Editor: As another Election day approaches, I feel compelled to express my thoughts and opinions to my community.…
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Comment

Who is the real ‘sucker’ and ‘loser’?
 

Who is the real ‘sucker’ and ‘loser’?

By Mike Leatherwood • Guest Columnist | When I was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Corps of…
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HIGHTS builds tiny home to support programs
 

HIGHTS builds tiny home to support programs

HIGHTS (Helping Inspire Gifts of Hope, Trust and Service) works with communities’ most at-risk youth to provide meaningful service opportunities,…
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Comment

Haywood’s biggest pizza party: Pizza nights at Ten Acre Garden grow community
 

Haywood’s biggest pizza party: Pizza nights at Ten Acre Garden grow community

At 5 p.m., the August sun is hot and high overhead as my husband and I walk through the hodgepodge…
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