SMN hosts Haywood sheriff candidate forum
The Smoky Mountain News is hosting a forum for the three candidates running for Haywood County Sheriff in 2026.
Sheriff Bill Wilke was first elected to the office in November 2022 and will run as an incumbent. Challenging Wilke in the primary is fellow Republican Mark Mease, who served under former Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher, and Waynesville Police Department Detective Tyler Howell, a Democrat who is running unopposed in the primary.
Candidates will offer opening and closing statements, in addition to answering a series of questions, which will not be provided ahead of time. Candidates will also have chances to provide rebuttals.
The forum, moderated by SMN News Editor Kyle Perrotti, will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at Haywood County's historic courthouse. It is open to the public and will also be streamed on the SMN Facebook page.
Man who shot viral video at local dump sues Haywood sheriff, dump owner
A Prince George’s County, Maryland, man whose viral video of a confrontation with a group at a dump in Haywood County drew outrage and polarized viewers has said he will file a federal civil rights lawsuit against several parties, including Haywood County Sheriff Bill Wilke.
Man pleads guilty to trafficking charges in Haywood
District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch today announced the successful prosecution of a Swain County man on drug trafficking charges.
A Haywood County Superior Court jury late Friday found Clinton Leslie Ensley, 45, guilty of:
Haywood communications team wins prestigious honor
Three public information officers who serve the people of Haywood County were recently recognized in Asheville by the North Carolina City and County Communicators, a statewide network of dedicated professionals working in public information, communications, marketing and media across local governments and universities.
Hurricane Helene can’t deter Haywood’s volunteer spirit
Throughout Hurricane Helene, the slogan going around Haywood County has been, “neighbors helping neighbors.” The personification of those words is nowhere more apparent than at Haywood Pathways Center in Waynesville, where a small group of volunteers gathered on Oct. 5 to minister to some of the county’s most vulnerable residents.
One person hospitalized after officer-involved shooting in Haywood County
The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting with the Haywood County Sheriff’s office over the weekend.
