Maggie property owners oppose waterfall project
 

Maggie property owners oppose waterfall project

Maggie Valley Country Club Estates Property Owners Association has communicated intense opposition to the proposed Waterfall Park on 8 acres…
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Mountain Heritage Day returns
 

Mountain Heritage Day returns

Mountain Heritage Day, the festival of cultural traditions presented by Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, is again being planned as…
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Balsam Range is Darren Nicholson, (from left) Tim Surrett, Marc Pruett, Caleb Smith and Buddy Melton. (photo: David Simchock)
 

Rivers, rains and runaway trains: Tim Surrett of Balsam Range

In its 14 years together, Haywood County’s own Balsam Range has risen into the upper echelon as one of the…
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Brian Power, aka: ‘Mr. P.’ (photo: Garret K. Woodward)
 

This must be the place: Ode to Mr. P, ode to never sacrificing the gift

It is with an extremely heavy heart that I share the news of the passing last Friday morning of Brian…
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Leigh Forrester.
 

Haywood Arts director retires

Leigh Forrester, who served as executive director of the Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) for four years has announced her…
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This rendering shows the temporary casino facility the Catawba Indian Nation expects to open in Kings Mountain this summer.
 

Court rules in favor of Catawba casino

In a 55-page opinion filed Friday, April 16, U.S. District Court Judge James A. Boasberg gave a green light in…
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State Superintendent Catherine Truitt tours Smokey Mountain Elementary School during her visit to Jackson County on April 16.
 

State Superintendent visits WNC schools

North Carolina State Superintendent of Public Schools, Catherine Truitt, ended a tour of Western North Carolina Schools today, April 16,…
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Tracy Swartout. NPS photo
 

Parkway gets new superintendent

Tracy Swartout will take over as superintendent for the Blue Ridge Parkway on May 23 following the departure of former…
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Candidates announced for tribal elections
 

Candidates announced for tribal elections

With less than two months to go before the Primary Election Thursday, June 4, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians…
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Commissioners discuss changes to Sylva statue
 

Commissioners discuss changes to Sylva statue

Eight months after voting to revamp the pedestal of the county’s controversial Civil War monument, Jackson County commissioners got their…
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Pisgah Legal Offers Free Tax Services
 

Pisgah Legal Offers Free Tax Services

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the…
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Steele pleads guilty to drug charges
 

Steele pleads guilty to drug charges

District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said a Franklin man will spend 70 to 96 months in prison for his role…
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Participants pose for a quick photo by the Franklin-based Special Liberty Project’s outdoor fireplace with co-founder Jessica Merritt (sitting) during SLP’s first monthly Vitality Retreat for Gold Star Widows.
 

Organization Builds on its Veteran Programs

FRANKLIN – For the first time in its five-year history, the national veteran and Gold Star organization Special Liberty Project, which…
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Upcoming Live Music
 

Upcoming Live Music

For up-to-date info on local brewery and restaurant shows, be sure to check the A&E section of the SMN Calendar…
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Why Do Women Still Earn Less Than Men?
 

Why Do Women Still Earn Less Than Men?

Women have made slow progress in attaining corporate executive roles, but once reaching that level, their pay is typically less…
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Emily McCurry
 

SPONSORED: Set Milestones On Road To Financial Security

The road to financial security, like many long journeys toward important goals, can be filled with ups and downs. The…
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'Ladies Level Up' To Build Affordable Housing
 

'Ladies Level Up' To Build Affordable Housing

Habitat for Humanity of Haywood County plays a major part in helping people toward financial freedom, and many of these…
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Violet Gimlet
 

Violet Gimlet

Gathering violets for this Violet Gimlet will be the most time consuming part of the recipe, but it’s well worth…
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Weigh in on Canton’s paper mill permit
 

Weigh in on Canton’s paper mill permit

An online public hearing at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, will take input on terms of a proposed wastewater permit…
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Outdoor-rooted veteran therapy program accepting applications
 

Outdoor-rooted veteran therapy program accepting applications

Equinox Ranch will welcome combat veterans to its inaugural program this June. 
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The Roan Mountain Gateway provides beautiful views of the iconic area. USFS/Dan Belanger photo
 

Important Roan Mountain tract now in public ownership

A 91-acre area known as the Roan Mountain Gateway is now in U.S. Forest Service ownership after the Southern Appalachians…
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‘Leo’ by Pokey Park is one of 17 sculptures now on display. N.C. Arboretum photo
 

Sculpture showcase comes to arboretum gardens

An outdoor sculpture showcase now up in the N.C. Arboretum’s gardens will showcase the work of 17 local and national…
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Pick up a book and travel
 

Pick up a book and travel

If you are like me and have been more than somewhat stranded by the pandemic for the past year or…
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Sometimes, the urge to just go is irresistible
 

Sometimes, the urge to just go is irresistible

They didn’t know where they were going, their only waypoint the “S” on the compass rose. They were both from…
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Corridor K a model for future highway projects 
 

Corridor K a model for future highway projects 

WaysSouth, a regional nonprofit organization working to protect the unique heritage and environment of the Southern Appalachians by promoting sustainable…
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Biden’s gun control proposal a good one
 

Biden’s gun control proposal a good one

To the Editor: President Joe Biden has recently made very appropriate reference to the need for strengthened gun control legislation.
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Comment

Corbin should vote for Medicaid expansion
 

Corbin should vote for Medicaid expansion

To the Editor: I read the March 30 article “Senator Corbin again leads health care push.” The article makes clear…
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Cleveland County casino coverage great
 

Cleveland County casino coverage great

To the Editor: Although I am not a resident of your area, I am very grateful for your articles on…
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The people your God created?
 

The people your God created?

To the Editor: Calling Ken Burns! Calling Ken Burns! We need you to get busy on a new documentary. It…
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Put an end to the filibuster
 

Put an end to the filibuster

To the Editor: I’m a citizen and voter from Sylva, and we all know it’s time to put an end…
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Swain hospital earns blue ribbon
 

Swain hospital earns blue ribbon

Staff caring for patients at Swain Community Hospital have won the Blue-Ribbon Award presented to departments receiving the highest scores…
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Terry Bell (right) receives The Order  of the Long Leaf Pine from SCC President Dr. Don Tomas.
 

Former SCC Trustee receives state’s honor

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is the highest award the state of North Carolina can bestow upon an…
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Signs outside Waynesville’s Sonoco Plastics promote a hiring fair in April, 2020. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Prosperity brings expansion, incentives for Haywood businesses

Things are going so well at two of Haywood County’s best-known industrial employers that they’re both hiring and expanding, making…
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Increased benefits for pregnant women focus of Sen. Corbin bill
 

Increased benefits for pregnant women focus of Sen. Corbin bill

When Republican Sen. Kevin Corbin, R-Franklin, announced  during a March 25 listening session at Southwestern Community College that he intended…
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Protestors hold signs opposing a plan to increase taxes to fund additional police officers during a public hearing on a different topic the board held at Bridge Park April 1. Holly Kays photo
 

Sylva ponders tax increase

Sales tax receipts are booming in Sylva and a newly completed property revaluation will bump real estate values by about…
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Dr. Nicholas Jernigan, chief medical officer at Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital, is a board-certified pediatrician. Donated photo
 

What is the deal with COVID vaccines? Dr. Jernigan addresses SMN readers’ concerns

The COVID-19 vaccination rollout is in full swing, and while many people rushed to get their shot at the first…
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Signups slow for vaccine appointments
 

Signups slow for vaccine appointments

After months of working breakneck speed to clear an ever-expanding backlog of people waiting to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, local…
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Concerns go unanswered during HCA monitor meeting
 

Concerns go unanswered during HCA monitor meeting

The public had a lot of questions during an April 7 virtual meeting regarding Mission Health’s services and operations since…
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Western Republicans elect new congressional district chair
 

Western Republicans elect new congressional district chair

As North Carolina Republicans seek to maintain dominance across the state and in the 11th Congressional District, they’ll do so…
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Cherokee considers decriminalizing marijuana
 

Cherokee considers decriminalizing marijuana

Tribal Council voted unanimously April 1 to table an ordinance aiming to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. However, discussion preceding…
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An ounce of prevention: Stopping emergencies before they start
 

An ounce of prevention: Stopping emergencies before they start

For every 116,732 people visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one experiences an emergency and calls the park’s Search…
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Drew Holcomb.
 

Rowdy heart, broken wing: A conversation with Drew Holcomb

If there ever was a 21st century musical ambassador for the state of Tennessee, it would be Drew Holcomb.  Born…
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This must be the place: Driving down a corduroy road, Ferris wheel is rusting off in the distance
 

This must be the place: Driving down a corduroy road, Ferris wheel is rusting off in the distance

Yesterday, at the corner of Brown Avenue and Hazelview Drive in Waynesville, this weird feeling washed over me. The thought…
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Jackson County pauses J&J vaccine distribution
 

Jackson County pauses J&J vaccine distribution

The Jackson County Department of Public Health will pause its use of the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine following…
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Wendy Nevarez
 

Cawthorn’s first Republican challenger appears

There’s been lots of speculation since very early in Rep. Madison Cawthorn’s tenure in Congress that he’d face a Republican…
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Pictured here in 2017, Jason Burrell has served in Canton administration since 2009.
 

Canton town manager suspended

Effective immediately Canton Town Manager Jason Burrell has been suspended indefinitely without pay pending further board action, Mayor Zeb Smathers…
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Haywood reports 95th COVID-19 death
 

Haywood reports 95th COVID-19 death

Haywood County Health and Human Services have received notice of another COVID-19 death, bringing the total number now to 95.
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Loftis pleads guilty to sexual assault
 

Loftis pleads guilty to sexual assault

A Franklin man admitted in Macon County Superior Court to forcing his way into a woman’s house and sexually assaulting…
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Franklin man pleads guilty to child abuse
 

Franklin man pleads guilty to child abuse

District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said a Franklin man admitted this week in court to sexually abusing a child. He…
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Mushroom Ravioli
 

Mushroom Ravioli

Pasta is a very important part of life. It’s one of those necessities that lies alongside love, good conversation, music,…
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