Appalachian Trail season is here, with more than 2,500 people registered to start a thru-hike from Springer Mountain between Feb. 1 and April 30. As they arrive in Franklin, a full schedule of events and services will greet them and help the larger community celebrate what the A.T. means to Western North Carolina. 

A mussel found in Western North Carolina will be listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act following a decision from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Help root out invasive species from Island Park in Bryson City 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, March 29. 

Six shuttle companies will offer rides to and from popular trailheads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this year, one of multiple firsts for the park in 2023 as it continues seeking solutions to traffic congestion, parking and overcrowding issues. 

Visitors to the Nantahala Ranger District have a new Appalachian Trail Shelter to visit thanks to months of work from the Nantahala Hiking Club to replace the Rock Gap Shelter. 

Brian Turner, a four-term member of the N.C. House of Representatives who left office in January, will serve as the new policy director for Audubon North Carolina starting in April. In that role, he will oversee the organization’s policy work across the state. 

Rising Americana/bluegrass act The JackTown Ramblers will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at The Scotsman in Waynesville.

Acclaimed master blacksmith Brock Martin will host a “Traditional Utility Axe” class from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 31-April 1 at the Jackson County Green Energy Park in Dillsboro.

The Luc Gibson Foundation and the Town of Canton are hosting the Inaugural Cerebral Palsy 5K this Saturday, March 25 at Sorrells Park.

The world premiere of the play “Recycled Nuts” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. March 24-25 and 2 p.m. March 26 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre (HART) in Waynesville.

The 41st annual “Country Western Show” will be held at 7 p.m. March 24-25 and 2 p.m. March 26 in the auditorium of Tuscola High School in Clyde.

The Main Street Sylva Association will host its sixth annual “Sylva Brew Hop” from 3-7 p.m. Saturday, April 1, in downtown.

To the Editor:

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine ; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Those are wise words from Romans 12:19, King James Version of the Bible. Do you take the Bible literally or figuratively? Either way, ponder the wisdom of the words.

The economic impact of Pactiv Evergreen’s decision to close the Canton paper mill will be substantial. It is estimated that about 1,000 employees will be out of work by the summer, the majority of whom are Haywood County residents. 

Sixty-five-year-old Donna lived an active life until 2014, when her health struggles began. She soon felt isolated and depressed. Donna was desperate to get better, both emotionally and physically, even though her mobility was now limited. 

Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation, Inc. will join animal shelters across the country in hosting a Shelter Slumber Pawty March 25-26. 

It's almost time for the 3rd annual Mighty Four Miler race in Waynesville. This event is presented by The Corner Kitchen and benefits The Riley Howell Foundation. Riley is a Waynseville, N.C. native who was killed after tackling a gunman who opened fire in a classroom school shooting at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. 

The National Heritage Areas Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law on Jan. 5, has implications for Western North Carolina. The act establishes a National Heritage Area System and a statutory framework for the NPS’s role in its administration, as well as designating, extending and authorizing studies for National Heritage Areas across the United States. 

A theme has been announced for the Outdoor Economy Conference coming up Sept. 18-21 in Cherokee — “Connecting the Ecosystem.”

U.S. Forest Service districts around the area are planning prescribed burns this spring to reduce wildfire risk and improve wildlife habitat, with dates depending on weather and fuel conditions. 

A new organic gardening class is open for registration at Western Carolina University, with the five-week workshop to be held 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays starting March 28. 

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has received the 2023 River Champion Award from American Rivers for its leadership in pursuing removal of the Ela Dam on the Oconaluftee River. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is delaying the publication of the final revised red wolf recovery plan, which courts had ordered to be released by Feb. 28. That deadline has been extended to Sept. 29. 

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking public input on migratory game bird hunting seasons and species conservation plans for the bog turtle and southern hognose snake. 

To the Editor:

I liked Scott McLeod’s column last week, but disagree with the characterization of Pactiv Evergreen’s disastrous decision to close their Canton mill as a problem of “corporate culture.”

Join naturalist Scott Dean for a discussion and photos of our region’s native spring wildflowers. Dean will discuss natural history, adaptations for life in the mountains, and the folklore of these wondrous things. He will also talk about some of the animals that make the region their home.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park experienced its second busiest year ever in 2022 with 12,937,633 visits. Last year’s visitation was more than 1.5 million above the park’s 10-year average and more than the visitation of Yellowstone, Yosemite and Grand Canyon national parks combined. This marks the fourth time the park has exceeded 12 million yearly visits. 

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont has been awarded $25,000 from Lawson Family Foundation to support their efforts to connect people with nature through innovative pathways. 

Friends of the Smokies, an official nonprofit partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of “Get on the Trail with Friends and Missy,” led by former U.S. Olympian and fitness expert Missy Kane.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is currently recruiting local volunteers to ‘Adopt-A-Plot’ and track the seasonal change of trees, also called phenology.   

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will open approximately 1,000 miles of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters at 7 a.m. April 1.  

Wildlife biologists at the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are asking the public, particularly anglers as opening day of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters approaches April 1, to report any sightings of hellbenders and mudpuppies.

The process of termination (unwinding) of Medicaid coverage for those enrolled in the program because of the Covid Public Health Emergency begins on April 1, 2023. 

A 1,295-acre prescribed burn in the Yellow Creek area of Graham County could take place any time before April 15. 

Much of the maintenance on one side of the Spur Tunnel is complete, allowing contractors to begin work on the other side. Depending on weather conditions and arrival of supplies, the single-lane closure will switch to the opposite lane sometime between March 1-3.  

During a business meeting Thursday, Feb. 23, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission voted to adopt eight proposed rules related to wildlife management for the 2023-24 season.

The Great Smokies Eco-Adventure, a fundraising event for Discover Life in America, will be held Sunday, April 30, through Tuesday, May 2, near Gatlinburg. 

The 2022 Classic Hikes of the Smokies Series has begun. 

To the Editor: I was heartened to see the recent coverage that the Pilot Travel Center off of I-40 on Exit 24 received from WLOS in Asheville. In this featured segment, the dangerous situation that has developed from the lack of adequate pull-in access for trucks was highlighted.

David Green Edwards, 32, of Cherokee, was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual contact with a minor. 

The Jackson County Tourism Development Authority announced the hire of Kara Addy as its new Social Media Manager.

Jake Tallent vividly remembers the impact that the New Century Scholars program had on his life.

Dana Soehn, a 34-year employee of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park who has been part of its management team for the past decade, will be the next executive director and president of Friends of the Smokies. 

Folkmoot USA has announced the second semester of its “Life Long Learning” education initiative. Conceived and sponsored by Dr. Darryl Nabors, Life Long Learning offers a variety of subjects tailored to our residents.

Tax season officially began at the end of January. While most people don’t particularly enjoy dealing with taxes, we can make our lives easier by being prepared. Below are five tips to better prepare you for this tax season and those in the future. 

The N.C. Parks and Recreation Authority has approved $13.7 million to fund 11 capital improvement projects at state parks, including $900,000 for maintenance facility renovations at Mount Mitchell State Park. 

Equine infectious anemia has been found in 19 horses located in nine counties, including Henderson County. Of the 19 horses, 17 have been euthanized to prevent further spread. 

Construction of 4 miles of new trail will soon be underway on the Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest in Old Fort, part of a planned 42-mile trail expansion in the Old Fort area. 

To the Editor: I enjoy the articles written by Chris Cox. They are always thoughtful and thought provoking. I particularly appreciated his Feb. 8 article about meeting Jean Ellen Magers and beginning his work at Southwestern Community College.