News Headlines
‘As lean as we can be:’ HCS on a tight budget
Haywood County Schools is working with a tight budget for the coming year.
After making cuts where possible over the last few years, Superintendent Trevor Putnam told county commissioners last week that the school system was as lean as it could be and would dip into its fund balance for the second year in a row in order to balance the budget for the 2025-26 school year.
Maggie budgets for ‘needs, not wants’
Maggie Valley’s proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year reflects a cautious and calculated approach, with officials holding the line on taxes but planning modest increases to some service fees.
Mountain Projects raises alarm on housing crisis
In the face of challenges with Section 8 rental assistance, Mountain Projects Executive Director Patsy Davis visited county commissions in both Haywood and Jackson counties this month to inform elected officials of just how dire the situation is becoming.
From hurricanes to handcuffs: Sheriff Wilke recaps a whirlwind year
In a year-in-review summary report released this week, Haywood County Sheriff Bill Wilke outlined key accomplishments and challenges from 2024, marking a year of operational growth, community engagement and the continuing fight against crime and drugs.
FEMA decision to cost WNC millions: Rep. Edwards accepts ruling while governor files formal appeal
In a move that will cost the state and local governments hundreds of millions of dollars, the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied North Carolina’s request for an extension on the period during which the federal government would reimburse 100% of recovery expenses for Hurricane Helene.
Haywood farmers talk Hurricane Helene recovery, continuing loss of farmland
Local elected leaders and farmers, along with state and federal officials, gathered April 14 over bacon and eggs to tackle twin challenges facing Western North Carolina’s agricultural sector — ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene and the accelerating loss of prime farmland.
Attorney General, regional LEOs band together to fight fraud
Nearly two dozen law enforcement professionals from across Western North Carolina stood behind Attorney General Jeff Jackson — literally and figuratively — at the Historic Haywood Courthouse April 14 to warn grifters who might be looking to take advantage of Hurricane Helene’s victims.
Cherokee man sentenced following murder plea
U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn, Jr. sentenced Brandon Tyler Buchanan to 30 years in prison for second degree murder, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Police seeking help for bomb threats
A series of recent bomb threats to multiple targets across Waynesville has law enforcement asking for tips that could help with arrests.
On April 14, the Hazelwood Ingles was evacuated due to a threat, the seventh in 10 days according to Waynesville Police Chief David Adams. Previously, Walmart had been evacuated at least twice.
“We don’t have any leads right now,” Adams said. “We definitely need the public’s help.”
Adams said his department had received assistance from the State Bureau of Investigation and that they were reviewing videotape from the incidents, which appear to involve written threats in bathrooms.
Anyone with information about the messages can submit an anonymous tip through the town’s police app, by calling Crime Stoppers at 877.92.CRIME or the WPD at 828.452.2491 or through WPD’s Facebook page.
On March 19, a threat cleared out the Haywood County Courthouse in the early afternoon; however, a suspect was apprehended less than four hours later.
Sheriff Bill Wilke said the courthouse threat was different from the others in that it was submitted by phone.
“Not to reveal too many methods, but with the utilization of witnesses and technology, that came to a close very quickly,” Wilke said.
— Cory Vaillancourt, Politics Editor
