Pless files bill to abolish Haywood room occupancy taxes
Today in the North Carolina General Assembly, Haywood County Republican Rep. Mark Pless filed a bill that would strip the county of its ability to levy room occupancy taxes.
Loving the locals — then, now and always
This past weekend our family attended the 4th annual Waynesville Chili Cookoff Stroll in downtown. The event spanned the districts of Main Street, Frog Level and Haywood Street and lasted from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Folkmoot welcomes Zoe & Cloyd
Popular Asheville-based Americana/folk act Zoe & Cloyd will hit the stage at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville.
Protesters rally against Trump: Attendees angered by Musk’s influence, Democrats’ inaction
On a holiday meant to honor the nation’s presidents — past and present — demonstrators in Jackson and Haywood counties joined others who gathered in cities across the country to protest what they describe as a dangerous concentration of power under Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.
Stormwater overhaul plan eyes future flood fixes for Waynesville
In the months before Hurricane Helene, the Town of Waynesville initiated a comprehensive stormwater master planning process. Now that the project is about at the halfway point, consultants checked in with Town Council to give a progress update on some capital projects that could help mitigate damage during the region’s next extreme weather event.
Haywood County Master Gardeners offer plant clinic
The planting season is getting closer, and Master Gardeners are available to answer questions about lawns, vegetables, flowers, trees and ornamental plants; disease, insect, weed or wildlife problems; soils (including soil test results) and fertilizers; freeze and frost damage; and cultural and chemical solutions to pest problems.
Jackson, Stein announce settlement in Pactiv grant lawsuit
Updated Feb. 18
early $6 million in taxpayer money will be coming back to Haywood County after Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Gov. Josh Stein announced that a settlement has been reached in a lawsuit alleging that Pactiv Evergreen had violated the terms of a decade-old economic development grant agreement when it closed its Canton paper mill in 2023.
Scotsman welcomes Maggie Valley Band
The Maggie Valley Band will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at The Scotsman Public House in Waynesville.
A blend of old-time mountain, Americana and psychedelic indie-folk music, the Haywood County group is fronted by siblings Whitney and Caroline Miller.
Ready for the ‘Chili Cook-Off Stroll’?
Sponsored by the Waynesville Rotary Club, the annual “Chili Cook-Off Stroll” will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at participating locations around downtown Waynesville.
Americana, blues at Cataloochee Ranch
Musical duo Brian Ashley Jones and Melanie Jean will perform from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley.
