Mo Green won the race for state superintendent, beating his opponent Michelle Morrow. FIle photo
 

Green wins race for superintendent of NC schools

While a majority of North Carolina voters chose Republican candidate Donald Trump for president of the United States, many split…
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The quarter-cent sales tax was estimated to generate $2.4 million annually. File photo
 

Macon votes no, again, to quarter-cent sales tax

For the second time in two years, Macon County voters have rejected the implementation of a quarter-cent sales tax to…
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Jackson Commission considers increasing commissioner pay
 

Jackson Commission considers increasing commissioner pay

With the General Election over and two new members set to join the Jackson County Commission in December, the board…
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FEMA extends deadline to apply for Helene assistance
 

FEMA extends deadline to apply for Helene assistance

The deadline for North Carolinians in 39 counties to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance after Hurricane Helene has been extended…
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In an image captured during a 2018–2021 research project, a black bear uses a culvert to safely cross I-26 above. As rebuilding begins, Safe Passage hopes new culverts will be designed with their usefulness to wildlife in mind. National Parks Conservation Association, Wildlands Network photo
 

Word from the Smokies: I-40 rebuild offers rare opportunity for wildlife conservation

When the Safe Passage coalition started working in 2017 to make Interstate 40 a safer place for people and wildlife…
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Trump victory overshadows Stein win and gains by NC Dems
 

Trump victory overshadows Stein win and gains by NC Dems

While it certainly appears that a “red wave” washed over the United States on Nov. 5, that’s not exactly the…
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Most of North Carolina is at least abnormally dry.
 

North Carolina sees drought, widespread abnormally dry conditions

The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council has classified most of the state, or parts of 89 counties, as abnormally…
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Floodwaters flow through Waynesville's Frog Level district, damaging a number of small businesses on Sept. 27.
 

Haywood TDA reacts to Helene problems with grants, budget cut

Two days after Haywood Chamber President and CEO David Francis announced the creation of a small business grant recovery program…
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North Carolina executive director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency Bob Etheridge (left) chats with Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers at the WNC Regional Livestock Center on Oct. 31. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Following Helene, officials working to avert agricultural disaster

A trio of high-ranking state and federal agriculture officials is warning that if farmers affected by Hurricane Helene don’t get help…
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Officials provide update on MST
 

Officials provide update on MST

It’s been just over a month since Hurricane Helene brought widespread devastation to Western North Carolina and the neighboring states.…
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Black Mountain Campground on the Pisgah National Forest, Appalachian Ranger District. The bridge leading to the campground over the South Toe River was significantly damaged by Hurricane Helene. File photo
 

USDA Forest Service releases update on Helene’s impacts on ecosystem, infrastructure

The USDA Forest Service released its preliminary data on the ecological impacts and infrastructure damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene…
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Armstrong fish hatchery severely Impacted by Helene: Commission responds to continue Public Mountain Trout program
 

Armstrong fish hatchery severely Impacted by Helene: Commission responds to continue Public Mountain Trout program

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s (NCWRC) Armstrong State Fish Hatchery in McDowell County north of Marion sustained significant damage as a…
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FIND Outdoors announces ‘Pickin’ for Pisgah’
 

FIND Outdoors announces ‘Pickin’ for Pisgah’

FIND Outdoors is presenting “Pickin’ for Pisgah,” a benefit concert featuring the Pisgah Pickers, on Sunday, Nov. 10, at the…
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The westernmost part of the state has been categorized as abnormally dry. Source: ncdrought.com
 

Parts of WNC abnormally dry

Following the deluge brought on by Hurricane Helene, parts of Western North Carolina are now considered abnormally dry, while some…
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Master gardener volunteers available to answer questions
 

Master gardener volunteers available to answer questions

The growing season is winding down, but NC State Extension Master Gardener volunteers are still available to answer questions about lawns,…
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Woolybooger. File photo
 

Mountain Layers gets the blues

Americana/folk singer-songwriter Woolybooger will perform at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, at Mountain Layers Brewing in Bryson City.
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The HCB will play Clyde Nov. 10. File photo
 

‘Songs of America’ at HCC

The Haywood Community Band will present “Songs of America” honoring our veterans at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, at Haywood…
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Hats off to Mountain Research Station
 

Hats off to Mountain Research Station

To the Editor: The Haywood Gleaners wish to express our sincere gratitude to the Mountain Research Station for their recent…
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The county has delayed the property revaluations for a couple of years due in part to property damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Haywood County postpones property reappraisal

A state-mandated countywide property reappraisal that was nearly complete and slated to take effect on Jan. 1, 2025, has been shelved…
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State of the waterways: Water Quality Advisory Committee releases new report
 

State of the waterways: Water Quality Advisory Committee releases new report

The Water Quality Advisory Committee has released its latest report detailing potential impacts of revising the Macon County Flood Damage…
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Bradley B. Letts. File photo
 

Letts appointed to EBCI Supreme Court, vacates superior court seat

Last month, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians swore in Bradley B. Letts as the tribe’s new chief supreme court…
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Jackson’s school improvement plan under question from board member
 

Jackson’s school improvement plan under question from board member

When district leadership presented school improvement plans to the Jackson County Board of Education during its October meeting, one school…
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Zachary J. Schneider, a resident of Asheville who graduated from WCU in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in art, died Aug. 17, 2024, from complications related to cancer treatment. Donated photo
 

Memorial scholarship established to assist nontraditional art students at WCU

Nontraditional students working to earn a degree in an art-related major at Western Carolina University soon will have financial assistance…
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Small businesses wiped out by Hurricane Helene on Sept. 27 are looking for a lifeline after the North Carolina General Assembly’s latest relief bill left many of them underwater. Jack Snyder photo
 

Grants for businesses impacted by Helene are on the way in Haywood County

A coalition of Haywood County community organizations, quasi-governmental institutions, local businesses and private individuals have stepped in where the North Carolina…
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Swain awarded $52 million for new middle school
 

Swain awarded $52 million for new middle school

Swain County is on its way to building a new middle school after securing $52 million in grant funds from…
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Connecting local businesses with the outside world
 

Connecting local businesses with the outside world

Challenges still abound after Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina a little over a month ago. But one resource…
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Haywood County's board of commissioners will remain a 5-0 Republican majority for at least the next two years.
 

Haywood voters stick with Ensley, Rogers for commission

Two Republicans seeking to fend off a challenge by a lone Democrat, Waynesville native Tausha Forney, have done so, and…
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Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) returns to Washington for two more years.
 

Edwards overperforms, wins in 11th Congressional District

Western North Carolina Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards, who became a Hurricane Helene hero for debunking storm response lies spread by…
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Rep. Mark Pless, seen here during a visit from the Israeli Consul General Oct. 29, won handily.
 

Pless easily cruises to third term in House District 118

Haywood County native and Republican Rep. Mark Pless will return to the North Carolina General Assembly for a third term…
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Sen. Kevin Corbin, the dean of Western North Carolina’s Republican legislative delegation, will continue his work at the capitol for two more years.
 

Corbin will return as North Carolina’s westernmost senator

Macon County native Kevin Corbin just keeps on winning and will return to Raleigh for his third term as the…
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Rep. Mike Clampitt has earned another term.
 

Clampitt keeps 119th House District

The man still known for his protracted electoral feud with former Democratic Rep. Joe Sam Queen — the two faced…
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Rep. Karl Gillespie, North Carolina’s westernmost state representative, has at least two more years of that long drive to Raleigh.
 

Gillespie continues dominance in House District 120

Over the past four years, Macon County native and second-term House Rep. Karl Gillespie has represented one of the most…
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Republicans take Jackson Commission
 

Republicans take Jackson Commission

With all precincts reporting, Republican candidates appear to have secured two more seats in the Jackson county commission, creating a…
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Incumbents keep Macon County Board of Education
 

Incumbents keep Macon County Board of Education

With all precincts reporting, three incumbents have maintained their seats on the Macon County Board of Education. 
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Newcomers win Swain County Commission seats
 

Newcomers win Swain County Commission seats

Swain County has elected two political newcomers to its board of commissioners.
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Massive soil nails are being drilled into the earth to shore up the westbound lanes of I-40.
 

NCDOT estimates date for 2-lane traffic on I-40 in gorge

Traffic may be flowing in both directions on Interstate 40 through the Pigeon River Gorge — albeit slower than normal…
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Minnesota governor and Democratic nominee for Vice President Tim Walz speaks at The Orange Peel in Asheville on Oct. 30.
 

Walz makes final campaign push in return to Asheville

With just days remaining before voters go to the polls on Nov. 5, Democratic Vice Presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov.…
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Choose wisely with your vote
 

Choose wisely with your vote

To the Editor:  This upcoming election is going to be a close call. According to many of the polls being…
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It’s about living our faith
 

It’s about living our faith

To the Editor: I still remember September 27, 1953. That was the Sunday my brother, Greg, and I were baptized…
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Don’t feed us lies during this tragedy
 

Don’t feed us lies during this tragedy

To the Editor: Donald Trump has been guilty of spewing so many fact-free statements over the years that ‘fact checking’…
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By all means, do the research
 

By all means, do the research

To the Editor: One of the few good things to come from the pandemic is you hear more and more…
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Stunningly false mailers are absurd
 

Stunningly false mailers are absurd

To the Editor: Medicare and Social Security are programs that have always been priorities of the Democratic Party. Democrats started…
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Elected leaders who will address climate
 

Elected leaders who will address climate

To the Editor: Our EMS and fire departments, law-enforcement and many in serving military units have come to our region’s…
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We must put planet over profit
 

We must put planet over profit

To the Editor: A vote for Trump is a vote for Project 2025, the incredibly dangerous game plan for a…
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Brothers Gillespie will play Waynesville Nov. 2. File photo
 

‘Haywood Heroes’ welcomes Brothers Gillespie

Presented by Axe & Awl Leatherworks and powered by the Historic Frog Level Merchants Association, the “Haywood Heroes” flood benefit…
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The Kruger Brothers will play WCU Nov. 7. File photo
 

'Echoes Across the Smokies’

The Western Carolina University Mountain Heritage Center will present “Echoes Across the Smokies: A Night of Bluegrass, Ballads, and Tall…
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Fancy & The Gentlemen. File photo
 

Lake Logan flood benefit

The “Cold Mountain Community Cookout & Concert” featuring blues-rockers Fancy & The Gentlemen will take place on Saturday, Nov. 2,…
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Mac Arnold will play Hayesville Nov. 9. File photo
 

Blues legend comes to Hayesville

Renowned blues act Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’Blues appears at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Peacock Performing…
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Many small businesses in Waynesville’s Frog Level district were wiped out by flooding from Hurricane Helene. Jack Snyder photo
 

Latest flood relief bill leaves businesses underwater

The Republican-led North Carolina General Assembly took its second step in flood recovery on Oct. 24, designating from the state’s…
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Left a loan: Small businesses continue to wait for Helene help
 

Left a loan: Small businesses continue to wait for Helene help

When the Coronavirus Pandemic resulted in the closing of millions of businesses across the United States in March 2020, federal…
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