A recent piece by HCAC artist member Rose Hardest. Donated photo
 

Haywood Arts ‘Pets’ exhibit

The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) will unveil its latest exhibit, “Pets,” with an opening reception from 6-9 p.m. Friday,…
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Russ Wilson will play Waynesville June 8. File photo
 

‘Mouth of the South’ returns to Classic Wineseller

Jazz/swing duo Russ Wilson & Hank Bones will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at The Classic Wineseller in…
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‘Darwin and the Art of Botany’
 

‘Darwin and the Art of Botany’

Local author Jim Costa will present his new book, “Darwin and the Art of Botany: Observations on the Curious World…
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Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling
 

Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling

The Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling will be held from 7-9 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays through Oct. 31 at…
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Looking forward to SMN in 2049
 

Looking forward to SMN in 2049

This week SMN is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a business. As we mark the milestone, this industry is changing…
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Could Trump be a president for all?
 

Could Trump be a president for all?

To the Editor: Recently Donald Trump spoke at the NRA convention and promised to roll back gun control measures enacted…
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The SBX-1 platform features a 280-foot dome in the middle. Wikimedia Commons photos
 

Appeals panel sends Kituwah LLC back to court: Lawsuit alleges theft of trade secrets from other tribally owned company

A lawsuit filed against Kituwah LLC that was initially dismissed is heading back to court after the 11th Circuit Court of…
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Waynesville’s public hearing for its annual budget will be held on June 11. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Waynesville budget will come down to the wire

A rare public impasse by Council Members over the Town of Waynesville’s proposed budget will leave things unsettled for the time…
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UNC Board of Governors repeals DEI policy
 

UNC Board of Governors repeals DEI policy

After the UNC Board of Governors approved a new policy on diversity and inclusion within the University of North Carolina,…
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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 Golf Club housing development stymied again

Amid complaints from neighbors, the new owners of the Waynesville Inn and Golf Club once again saw their proposed 12-unit…
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Generations of locals and visitors will upon arrival to Waynesville be greeted by a handsome decorative arch, just as in generations past. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Arch unveiled in Waynesville

June 1, 2024, was a historic day for a historic town, as members of Waynesville’s government and the Downtown Waynesville…
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Around $150 million in capital improvements are on the table in Macon County. File photo
 

Despite rising costs, new Franklin High School still on track

Despite increasing cost estimates, Macon County is in a good financial position to move forward with both the Franklin High…
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The tournament will be held at Haywood Community College’s disc golf course. Donated photo
 

HCC hosts inaugural Charity disc golf event

The Haywood Community College Foundation is hosting the inaugural Charity Disc Golf Tournament, Discs in the Dogwoods, from 8:30 a.m.…
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Haywood Rec offers hiking outings
 

Haywood Rec offers hiking outings

Haywood County Recreation is hosting a series of hikes throughout June. All hikes are subject to cancelation due to harsh…
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Franklin club hosts birding walks
 

Franklin club hosts birding 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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Hit the stream with Haywood Rec
 

Hit the stream with Haywood Rec

Haywood County Recreation is hosting various fly-fishing expeditions throughout June. 
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Zahner lectures begin June 13
 

Zahner lectures begin June 13

The Highlands Biological Foundation (HBF) announced the kickoff of its annual Zahner Conservation Lecture series. 
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Youth hiring event planned
 

Youth hiring event planned

The Town of Waynesville, in collaboration with NCWorks Career Center, will host a youth hiring event from 2-5 p.m. Friday,…
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An artist rendering shows what the completed Racoon Creek Bike Park might look like. Haywood County photo
 

Endless fun: Raccoon Creek Bike Park takes shape

For years, the old Francis Farm landfill was just that — a leaky, gassy problem that did little but sap…
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Frog Level will play host to Haywood County's first Pride event.
 

Pride parade prevails in Waynesville as opposition evaporates

A controversial email that led many to bring accusations of homophobia against two local business owners in Frog Level has…
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Tommy Stinson will play Franklin May 31. Garret K. Woodward photo
 

Fall apart together: A conversation with Tommy Stinson

Leaning back into his chair, Tommy Stinson tilts his head and gazes towards the sunset falling behind the Blue Ridge…
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Teresa Pennington is a featured artisan at ‘Art After Dark.’ File photo
 

Waynesville art walk, live music

A cherished gathering of locals and visitors alike, “Art After Dark” will launch its 2024 season from 6-9 p.m. Friday,…
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Two fine novels for spring reading
 

Two fine novels for spring reading

Two novels, one a classic Western set in 1885 Nevada, the other centered on Barcelona and the aftermath of the…
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City Lights poetry reading
 

City Lights poetry reading

Benjamin Cutler will launch his new book of poetry, “Wild Silence,” at 6 p.m. Friday, May 31, at City Lights…
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Outlaw Whiskey will play Bryson City June 1. Garret K. Woodward photo
 

Outlaw Whiskey returns to Bryson City

Haywood County rock/country act Outlaw Whiskey will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at the Unplugged Pub in Bryson…
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Contra dancing returns to Franklin June 1. File photo
 

Want to learn contra dancing?

There will be a contra dance class offered from 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at the Macon County Public Library…
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Revenue losses attributable to Pactiv top $1 million. A Shot Above photo
 

Mill closure looms large over Canton municipal budget

Administrators for the Town of Canton have presented a conservative fiscal year 2024-25 budget that seeks some sense of sustainability…
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Retired Command Sergeant Major Willard Dockery salutes the casket of Capt. Fred Hall during his funeral at Green Hill Cemetery last fall. Hall had been listed as missing in action for 54 years until his remains were finally identified early in 2023. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Veterans commemorated by JROTC cadets

Gloomy skies and pouring rain couldn’t stop a group of about 30 people from gathering at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park on…
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From left: Mayor Zeb Smathers, Mayor Pro Tem Gail Mull, alderman Tim Shepard, Alderman Ralph Hamlett, Alderwoman Kristina Proctor
 

Putting in overtime: Canton leaders work late to solve mill problems

Several notable things happened during the Town of Canton’s regular board meeting on May 23, but the meeting was perhaps…
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Sylva Pride held its first Pride parade in 2021. Hannah McLeod photo
 

Sylva declares June Pride Month

The Town of Sylva Board of Commissioners signed a proclamation last week declaring June to be LGBTQ Pride Month, just…
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No tax increase for Macon
 

No tax increase for Macon

Macon County will be able to cover all its upcoming capital projects in the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget without a…
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Jonathan Brown will serve as a commissioner for the Town of Sylva. File photo
 

Brown appointed Sylva commissioner

Following the resignation of Natalie Newman from the Sylva Town Board in April, commissioners have appointed Jonathan Brown to fill…
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New Waynesville arch to be unveiled
 

New Waynesville arch to be unveiled

Join local leaders, civic groups and citizens of Waynesville for a historic occasion — the unveiling of a new decorative…
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Jackson TDA’s Addy celebrates new certification
 

Jackson TDA’s Addy celebrates new certification

The Jackson County Tourism Development Authority (JCTDA) announced that Kara Addy, APR, its Social Media Manager, has completed the Professional…
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School choice isn’t a conspiracy
 

School choice isn’t a conspiracy

North Carolina is becoming a national leader in expanding choice and competition in education. For some North Carolinians, this is…
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Some legislation really helps
 

Some legislation really helps

To the Editor: Everyone deserves to live a healthy life with financial security. We want to pay less for prescription…
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Border situation is a disaster
 

Border situation is a disaster

To the Editor: It is amazing how people focus on the abortion issue yet ignore important issues that affect far…
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HCC holds charity disc golf tournament
 

HCC holds charity disc golf tournament

The Haywood Community College Foundation is hosting the inaugural charity disc golf tournament, Discs in the Dogwoods, from 8:30 a.m.…
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Smokies Life wins national public engagement award
 

Smokies Life wins national public engagement award

Smokies Life, formerly Great Smoky Mountains Association, received national recognition at the 2024 Public Lands Alliance Partnership Awards for its…
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When areas become infested with spongy moths, trees may be completely stripped of foliage. File photo
 

Moth infestation in Haywood to be treated

Treatments for spongy moth (formerly known as the gypsy moth) infestations in several areas across North Carolina will start as…
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Earth Day brought big clean-up in Haywood
 

Earth Day brought big clean-up in Haywood

On Earth Day, April 22, members of the Haywood County Solid Waste Management team worked with a local environmental group…
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Jackson hosts youth soccer camp
 

Jackson hosts youth soccer camp

The Future Mustang Soccer Camp, sponsored by Jackson County Parks and Recreation, will welcome local kids to build their skills…
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An N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission official releases trout into a river.
 

Trout stocking reduced as hatchery gets rebuild

As the Bobby N. Setzer Fish Hatchery in Transylvania County readies to shut down for a lengthy renovation, local anglers,…
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Participants practiced casting, learning how to let the fly drift down to the water in a way that will have the fish biting in the future.
 

Wading in: An inside look at Haywood County’s fly fishing class

When my wife told me she’d signed me up for a fly-fishing class, I probably let out an audible groan.…
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Pactiv Evergreen's Canton mill closed in June 2023.
 

State suit alleges Pactiv violated grant agreement

Pactiv Evergreen’s shocking announcement that it would close its 115-year-old paper mill broke lots of hearts — and wallets —…
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Barry Bales will perform in Brevard June 1. Donated photo
 

Bright sunny south: A conversation with Barry Bales

Barry Bales has 15 Grammy Awards and 23 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) honors, including four IBMA “Bass Player of…
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Building a world beyond
 

Building a world beyond

Having just recently written a review for these pages of an anthology made up of multiple writers published in 2023…
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Billionaires, public education and vouchers
 

Billionaires, public education and vouchers

Despite stiff opposition, the N.C. Senate voted this month to double the funding for Opportunity Scholarships to boost enrollment in privately run…
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Robinson’s comment taken out of context
 

Robinson’s comment taken out of context

To the Editor: I wish to respond to the recent letter from Margaret Pickett of Highlands which she opened with…
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Remember never to forget
 

Remember never to forget

To the Editor: I wish to say something about Memorial Day, which is coming up this Monday. I know most…
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