Kyle Perrotti
New sheriffs in North Carolina are bombarded with new information and leadership duties their first year in office, but Macon County Sheriff Brent Holbrooks came into the position with a unique understanding of the job because he’s seen it firsthand — his father, Homer Holbrooks, was sheriff for 16 years.
Settling into the role of sheriff is tough for any law enforcement professional, but in Jackson County, Doug Farmer brings a wide range of police experience to the role — experience that has made the transition a bit easier.
Mark Pless has escalated his war against three of the five Maggie Valley aldermen.
As residents in counties across Western North Carolina continue to face food insecurity issues, the Haywood Health Care Foundation is stepping up to put a dent in the problem for two of the community’s most vulnerable groups — children and elderly individuals.
Waynesville’s USA Farm Labor is suing the federal government in hopes of changing a new rule it claims will cost the company hundreds of thousands, perhaps even millions, of dollars per year.
The Macon County GOP is poised to take action against one of its precinct chairs, Rob Tolp, after he sent emails threatening to censure four of the five Republican members of the county’s board of commissioners.
The Macon County GOP is poised to take action against one of its precinct chairs, Rob Tolp, after he sent emails threatening to censure four of the five Republican members of the county’s board of commissioners.
Former congressional candidate Lynda Bennett has been sentenced to 12 months of probation after pleading guilty in March to violating the Federal Campaign Act of 1971.
Western North Carolina’s judicial system might get the help it’s needed for several years now.
After five years of litigation the Macon County Sheriff’s Office and former Macon Deputy Anthony Momphard have agreed to settle the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the Estate of Michael “Scott” Knibbs for $900,000.
Avery Pittman, a first-year entrepreneurship and interior design major from Startown, won first place in the Western Carolina University College of Business Pitch Competition.
The Town of Waynesville Historic Preservation Commission will host a pair of public meetings to discuss the preparation of a preservation plan for Main Street and Frog Level.
Following her son’s death, a Haywood County mom is on a mission to get people to slow down and move over.
Sam Pattillo has been in leadership roles for some time now, but his latest move to become Bryson City’s town manager is a step in a whole new direction.
Last Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin was indicted on a war crime related to his country’s invasion of Ukraine.
To visitors, the noise seems strange and maybe even concerning. To folks in Canton, it sounds like home.
A lawsuit filed by a former deputy against District Attorney Ashley Welch and Assistant District Attorney John Hindsman has been entirely dismissed.
There’s some truth to the old cliché that one readily recognizable sound is the ultimate deterrent against a would-be home intruder.
Western North Carolina has one of the most proactive anti-drunk driving forces in the state, and now a contingent from this region is pushing for a new set of laws that will further restrictions.
There are many things that come to mind when folks think of Maggie Valley.
In the two months since the Mountain Projects resale store opened in Waynesville, it’s already seen serious success in both the number of quality donations and customer traffic.
The front door of the office for Zito Media in Haywood County has a piece of paper taped to the inside that reads “closed until further notice … hopefully opening later today 11/4 or Monday 11/7.”
The holidays, a time of overabundance for some, can be the toughest time of year for those suffering food insecurity looking ahead toward a long winter.
Mark Meadows may soon know whether he’ll face voter fraud charges in North Carolina.
Across North Carolina’s seven westernmost counties, a whole slew of new sheriffs was sworn in on Monday, Dec. 5.
Hospital Corporation of America and Asheville’s Mission Hospital have responded to a lawsuit filed by a Canton woman that claims their negligence led to life-threatening complications during the birth of her son.
A couple that owns a home near Highlands is speaking out after they say FedEx failed to act even after warned that one of its drivers was likely robbing several homes along his route.
Of the many Republican victories in the 2022 General Election amid a red wave washing over Western North Carolina that brought multiple unexpected GOP wins, 21-year-old Sebastian Cothran’s remains the most surprising.
The predicted red wave washed over most of North Carolina’s elections last week, but now as it recedes and parties begin strategizing for the next presidential election cycle amid shifting demographics and potentially contentious primaries in several races, Republicans may have cause to worry about a low tide in 2024.
Haywood County residents with special needs have long treasured the Special Olympics Spring Games, but now they’ll have a reason to celebrate and compete throughout the year.
Republicans have shifted the balance of the North Carolina supreme court.
The results are in, and the Macon County Board of Commissioners is going to look different for the next two years.
Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran has won his bid for reelection after defeating Doug “Tank” Anthony.
The Swain County Board of Commissioners will be shaken up next year.
Construction on one of Waynesville’s largest ever single-family home development hasn’t been underway for long, and it’s already transformed the previously pastoral landscape known for years as Queen Farm.
Folks driving up or down Soco Mountain on the Haywood County side may notice some new signage indicating elk could be in the area.
They may be the most consequential races in North Carolina this year, yet most people don’t even know who’s running.
Heated speculation lit up social media the night of Oct. 3. The rumor: The 2022 County Clash wouldn’t take place at Tuscola’s C.E. Weatherby Stadium as planned, but rather at the Bethel Middle School football field.
The Town of Maggie Valley is encouraging residents to participate in developing its upcoming land-use plan.
To be a sheriff in North Carolina is to be the most powerful elected official in a county.
An officer who risked her own safety to save the lives of others was hailed as a hero last week as she received honors from both the Maggie Valley Police Department and the region’s representatives in Raleigh.
Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that John Shearl ran unopposed in his party's primary, which is not accurate. Shearl defeated fellow Republican Don Willis with 58.6% of the vote in the primary.
Macon County has three commission seats up for grabs this year, and with so many large capital projects and other challenges down the line, the outcome of the races for those seats may determine how and when resources are provided to complete those projects and meet those challenges.
The issues facing Swain County are similar to those in other Western North Carolina communities — an affordable housing shortage, a boom in short term rentals, a laundry list of large projects that need to be tackled — but its geography, demographics and economic makeup differ from many of its neighbors, given its relatively sparse population and the amount of federal land within its borders.
