Town board failed Plott Creek residents
 

Town board failed Plott Creek residents

To the Editor: In a recent Smoky Mountain News article, the writer confirmed the Waynesville Town Board overwhelmingly reached a…
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The truth no longer matters
 

The truth no longer matters

To the Editor: “A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes,”…
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Grants made for home repairs
 

Grants made for home repairs

Over the last couple months, there have been some grants made for home repairs to enable veterans, senior citizens, and…
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Sheriff warns of phone scam
 

Sheriff warns of phone scam

The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office has received several calls from concerned citizens regarding a phone scam that is very specific…
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Apply for Maggie Valley boards
 

Apply for Maggie Valley boards

The Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen is now taking applications for appointments for both the Planning Board and the Zoning…
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Waynesville seeks volunteer board applicants
 

Waynesville seeks volunteer board applicants

The Town of Waynesville Board of Aldermen is accepting applications to fill the following vacancies on various community boards and…
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More Boy Scouts programming open to girls
 

More Boy Scouts programming open to girls

Darrian Childers is quitting Boy Scouts after joining a local troop about three years ago when his family moved to…
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David Knight, director of the newly established North Carolina Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, speaks to a packed room of outdoor recreation leaders in Western North Carolina. Jessi Stone photo
 

New state office to focus on outdoor recreation growth

Outdoor recreation leaders in the region recently had the opportunity to weigh in on a newly established North Carolina Outdoor…
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Blackrock Falls tumbles through the property that Sylva is considering adding to Pinnacle Park. Donated photo
 

Jackson to vote on Blackrock conservation project

Sylva commissioners voted unanimously during their May 24 meeting to contribute $250,000 to a 441.5-acre conservation project adjacent to Pinnacle…
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The Southwestern Child Development Center is serving as the interim shelter manager, but its leaders told commissioners it can’t serve in the role long-term. Holly Kays photo
 

Jackson seeks homeless shelter manager

Before Jackson County commissioners can answer the question of whether Jackson should have a permanent, year-round homeless shelter building, they’ll…
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Speedy’s Pizza and the Valero Gas Station & Convenience Store are both on the N.C. Department of Transportation’s preliminary list of businesses that could be displaced. Holly Kays photo
 

N.C. 107 remake could displace many Sylva businesses

For more than 30 of its 45 years in business, Speedy’s Pizza has served its famous pies out of the…
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Haywood County tourism strong, growing
 

Haywood County tourism strong, growing

Encouraging signs from Haywood County’s Tourism Development Authority suggest the lingering effects of the Great Recession of 2008 may finally…
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Tribe looks to diversify business interests
 

Tribe looks to diversify business interests

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is hoping to diversify its revenues beyond gaming through creation of a new limited…
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Term limits could end for Jackson ABC
 

Term limits could end for Jackson ABC

Term limits could soon be lifted for the Jackson County ABC Board, pending a final vote from the Jackson County…
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Lake Junaluska Executive Director Ken Howle (left) chats with Lake resident Bill Lowry on the second floor balcony at the Lambuth Inn. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Renovated Lambuth Inn looks to the next 100 years

Western North Carolina is a region filled with special places, one of the best known being a century-old religious retreat…
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Franklin proposes 4-cent tax increase
 

Franklin proposes 4-cent tax increase

The Franklin Town Council is recommending a 4-cent property tax increase this year in order to cover its growing expenses…
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A penny for your thoughts: Fee increases keep Waynesville taxes down
 

A penny for your thoughts: Fee increases keep Waynesville taxes down

The Town of Waynesville is about to embark on year two of a more conservative budget mindset; the days of…
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A penny for your thoughts: Fee increases keep Waynesville taxes down
 

A penny for your thoughts: Fee increases keep Waynesville taxes down

The Town of Waynesville is about to embark on year two of a more conservative budget mindset; the days of…
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New Waynesville gallery, pottery classes
 

New Waynesville gallery, pottery classes

Our Summerhouse Pottery, LLC  opened its doors in a very familiar location in downtown Waynesville. The former studio of Dane…
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All-American bluegrass girl: A conversation with Rhonda Vincent
 

All-American bluegrass girl: A conversation with Rhonda Vincent

Hot off the heels of winning the Grammy for “Best Bluegrass Album” this past winter, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage…
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This must be the place: Chasing the American Dream of Breakfast
 

This must be the place: Chasing the American Dream of Breakfast

It’s the only way to eat breakfast. Two eggs, two slices of toast (cut into four triangular pieces), a side…
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Waynesville's Board of Aldermen deliberate a proposed text amendment May 22.
 

Over opposition, Waynesville passes controversial text amendment

A Gastonia-based developer’s request to change a small part of the Town of Waynesville’s zoning rules to allow for multi-family…
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A scientist collects algae for documentation. NPS photo
 

Smokies celebrates 20 years of new discoveries

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is celebrating 20 years of conducting biodiversity inventories, with the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory…
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Colt Miller was recently hired as a program specialist to administer the Base Camp on the Go program. Donated photo
 

Base Camp prepares to go mobile

A mobile recreation program offering outdoor recreation opportunities in communities throughout Haywood County will begin June 18, and a meeting…
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“Wrong way” lady slipper from Harmon Den. Don Hendershot photo
 

The Naturalist's Corner: Back in the saddle

I have had, since 2004, one of the best gigs any bird nerd could ask for. That was when I…
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Audio books a real pleasure when traveling
 

Audio books a real pleasure when traveling

For 16 years, I have made several annual trips between Western North Carolina and Front Royal, Virginia, a town located…
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If you have opinions on growth, it’s time to speak up
 

If you have opinions on growth, it’s time to speak up

Fifteen or so years ago, meetings like those Monday and Tuesday night in Waynesville were all too common: private citizens…
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Summer break is coming into view
 

Summer break is coming into view

Watching my two little boys get excited about summer vacation makes me reflect upon my own childhood summers. Both my…
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Air B&B destroying my peace of mind
 

Air B&B destroying my peace of mind

To the Editor: It would seem that Haywood County has a new growing pain, at least for my small neighborhood.…
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Presidents are not above the law
 

Presidents are not above the law

To the Editor: Draw a Venn diagram. Circle one is morality. Circle two is ethics. Number three is law. As…
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Large corporations get boost under bill
 

Large corporations get boost under bill

To the Editor: Thank you Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., for your public service, and thank you for your response to…
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Cancer support group values patients
 

Cancer support group values patients

To the Editor: The Cherokee Cancer Support Group is in its 20th year. We couldn’t have progressed without donations from…
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Teachers take to the streets: WNC teachers demand more money for public education
 

Teachers take to the streets: WNC teachers demand more money for public education

More than 20 school districts in the state of North Carolina had to shut down as more than 15,000 teachers…
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An estimated 15,000 educators took to the streets in Raleigh May 16 to rally for more funding for public education. Donated photo
 

Clampitt: teachers need to start ‘sharing the toys’

As thousands of North Carolina teachers descended on the state capitol last week demanding more education funding and better pay,…
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Reps. Michele Presnell (left) and Mike Clampitt speak to Second Amendment supporters in Waynesville May 19. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Haywood’s legislators show support for Second Amendment

One day after the 22nd school shooting of 2018 took place in Texas, a previously planned Second Amendment rally at…
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Macon budget battles increasing costs
 

Macon budget battles increasing costs

Macon County’s proposed budget for 2018-19 does not include a tax increase despite increasing costs and capital needs throughout the…
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Macon Schools request $3.2 million for capital projects
 

Macon Schools request $3.2 million for capital projects

Between Macon County Schools and Southwestern Community College, education expenses make up 18 percent of the county’s budget. 
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While welcome, more school resource officers aren’t necessarily the answer to school safety issues, according to Interim Haywood Schools Superintendent Dr. Bill Nolte. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Never again, again: School safety could be beyond the reach of counties, states

In April, students at Santa Fe High School southeast of Houston walked out of classes to protest gun violence in…
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Former Principal Chief Patrick Lambert (left) tells Tribal Council his concerns about the payouts as Principal Chief Richard Sneed (far right) sits in the front row of Council chambers in January. File photo
 

Sneed investigation results ‘ease concerns’ about wrongdoing, press release says

An investigation into the legality of a lawsuit settlement in which Principal Chief Richard Sneed agreed to pay seven former…
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Tax increased proposed in Jackson
 

Tax increased proposed in Jackson

A proposed property tax increase in Jackson County would pay for increased school safety personnel and community safety resources. 
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TWSA board members discuss what to do about upfront fees during a May 15 meeting. Holly Kays photo
 

TWSA to keep upfront fees

The Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority will look to keep up-front fees for water and sewer hookups high when it…
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Cherokee voters will soon decide whether the Qualla Boundary should have a tribally operated beer, wine and liquor store. Holly Kays photo
 

Cherokee to vote in alcohol referendum

Increased alcohol availability could be on its way to the Qualla Boundary pending the outcome of a referendum vote slated…
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A sweeping mountain view stretches along property owned by America’s Home Place. Donated photo
 

Conservation project stalls in Jackson

An effort to conserve 441.5 acres of land in the Plott Balsam Mountains adjacent to Sylva’s Pinnacle Park has met…
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Affordable apartments for seniors coming to Franklin
 

Affordable apartments for seniors coming to Franklin

A second affordable apartment development is coming to Siler Road after the Franklin Town Council approved a special-use permit. 
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Justin Townes Earle.
 

Least I got the blues: Justin Townes Earle on songwriting, Van Zandt

When two-thirds of your full name encompasses two-thirds of arguably America’s greatest songwriters, it’s pretty apparent you’ll follow suit —…
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Chicago, with Terry Kath center.
 

Cry sweet tears of joy, touch the sky

Right around the point of the song “Beginnings” when Chicago singer/keyboardist Robert Lamm belted out the lyrics, “Time passes much…
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Area residents packed a Waynesville Planning Board meeting last night.
 

Plotting progress: Community conflicted over proposed apartment complex

It’s rare to see great interest taken in the meeting of a municipal planning board, but a contentious proposal that…
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Tribal Council media ban a mistake
 

Tribal Council media ban a mistake

Symbolism is often just as important as reality. The decision by the Cherokee Tribal Council to ban all media from…
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It’s prom, and my daughter is trying on adulthood
 

It’s prom, and my daughter is trying on adulthood

My daughter has become the person she hoped she would be at age seven. We should all be so lucky.…
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