As Caroline Kernahan talked about why she wanted to be a foster parent, her 4-year-old daughter Claire climbed into her lap and asked when her new brother or sister would be coming to stay with them.

Donna Lupton, director of social work in Haywood County, admits that fostering a child or teen isn’t for everyone.

As candidate sign-ups get underway, Swain County commissioner incumbents plan to seek another term.

Despite the recent election, the Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen still has an empty seat to fill.

While the former Hawthorn Heights teen shelter presented a number of challenges, the only challenge for teens moving into the new shelter will be calling dibs on their favorite room.

Macon County Commission Chairman Kevin Corbin announced his plans Monday night to run next year for the North Carolina House of Representatives.

Franklin will soon be joining other communities around the world who are incorporating a love for reading with a love of the outdoors.

What would Western North Carolina’s small towns be like without a strong base of small businesses?

Everyone was a bit surprised on Nov. 3 when the election results came out in Franklin — even the candidates who were elected.

Young people growing up in a small town usually have one main goal — to get out.

Ghost Town in the Sky will no longer be a western-themed amusement park come next summer, according to a recent announcement.

Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen welcomed Dave Angel to town Monday night after approving his request for a special exception permit to operate Elevated Mountain Distillery.

Jerry Wolfe is a storyteller. Whether he’s telling a story of his people at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian or retelling his years spent in the U.S. Navy, the 91-year-old remembers every detail.

Alice Bradley says she’s just an old country girl who isn’t used to the applause and compliments that come with being in the spotlight.

As the municipal elections were coming to a close last Tuesday night, it became clear that the race in Bryson City would be too close to call. 

Lowell Monteith is tired of hearing “No.” It seems like everywhere he turns for help, the answer is always the same.

Rep. Michele Presnell, R-Burnsville, has announced her intentions to run for a third term, but two Democrats have stepped up to challenge her for the chance to represent the 118th District of North Carolina.

Bryson City’s town election may be too close to call given that there were eight provisionary ballots left to count on election night.

The Franklin Board of Aldermen will soon have some new blood leading the town into the future.

After a long day at the polls, Ralph Hamlett and Gail Mull were heading to The Imperial on election night to celebrate their re-election to the Canton Board of Aldermen.

Maggie Valley had the opportunity to select new leadership in this election, but residents voted for incumbents to continue the progress made over the last four years. 

Franklin beat out 47 other small towns this year for the title of “2015 Top Small Town” in Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine. 

Two newly completed infrastructure projects in Swain County are welcome additions for the emergency services staff.

A brand new craft distillery is looking to set up shop in the former Carolina Nights dinner theater building in Maggie Valley, but the owner will first have to get special permission from town aldermen.

Girl Scout Elizabeth Martin has remained quiet and humble for the last couple of weeks as local leaders shower her with accolades.

Ingles Markets has gotten approval for a few minor changes to its site plan as it moves forward with a $7.5 million expansion project off Russ Avenue, which includes a Chick-fil-A, gas station, car wash, a parking lot makeover and additional retailers.

The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee has outgrown its name.

Franklin could potentially see a significant changing of the guard during this year’s election with three open seats on the board of aldermen.

The entire staff was called into the Shining Rock Classical Academy’s board meeting Monday afternoon to hear the news — the charter school has finally secured a location for the next five years.

For a town that may only have 300 voters show up to the polls, the mayoral race in Maggie Valley has garnered plenty of interest this election year.

The five newcomers running for the Bryson City Board of Aldermen and mayor have made it clear they want to see some new faces on the board and some much-needed change to the town.

Running unopposed for his second term, Franklin Mayor Bob Scott hopes to continue on his path toward a more open and accessible government while leading the town for the next two years.

The Canton Board of Aldermen has made major headway in the last two years by putting policies in place that will hopefully set the stage for a more prosperous future, which is why the incumbents up for election this year are scratching their heads wondering why they don’t have the support from everyone on the board.

The four candidates vying for two seats on the Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen can all agree on one point — the town is in much better shape than it was two years ago. 

The town of Canton elected a whole new board two years ago when all four aldermen decided not to run for another term.

Elk and humans are still trying to figure out how to cohabitate in Western North Carolina since the herd was re-introduced to the Cataloochee Valley in 2001.

Franklin residents may soon have a closer and safer place to practice their shooting skills now that indoor gun ranges will be allowed in the town limits.

Like many women, Karen Buchanan Bacon loves to shop. She loves skimming through Pottery Barn and Southern Living magazines looking for home décor pieces that mesh together to create the perfect room.

Three women in Franklin have been able to weave their multiple talents together to run a successful downtown business.

Operating a new charter school can be a learn-as-you-go process, and the Shining Rock Classical Academy board of directors is already adjusting to the expected growing pains as it moves into its second month of classes.

Members of the U.S. Motto Action Committee have been making their way around the state asking county commissioners and town boards to display the national motto, “In God We Trust,” prominently on government buildings.

Most people have had the inclination at some point in their lives to just pack it up and hit the road without a finite destination in mind — to just feel the wind on their face with nothing but highway ahead.

Each year, Macon County organizations stand before the Franklin Board of Aldermen to ask for a piece of the nonprofit grant funding the town sets aside in the budget.

Six years ago, Becky Ramey and Terry Frady started a little festival in the parking lot of their Maggie Valley restaurant with improv performers on the back of a flatbed truck and one keg of beer.

What should the future of Southwestern Community College look like in Swain County five to 10 years from now?

What better way to celebrate 50 years of education at Haywood Community College than to invite the community for a firsthand look at what the school has to offer?