News Headlines
Flying Blind: Fontana library board navigates turbulent times without legal counsel
As tension develops among Fontana Regional Library trustees and a seismic shift lies ahead in about nine months, the board is plugging ahead without an attorney.
The July FRL meeting was the last for former board attorney Rady Large, who had offered his services pro bono for about the last two years but had to resign upon taking a job with Western Carolina University.
Haywood schools lead region in achievement scores: Early colleges dominate WNC rankings, but gaps persist
Another year, another set of numbers, and once again the mountains tell a complicated story of educational achievement.
As in years past, Haywood County set the regional pace, with the highest-performing high school (Haywood Early College), the highest-performing middle school (Bethel) and the highest-performing elementary school (Riverbend) based on achievement scores issued by the Department of Public Instruction for schools in The Smoky Mountain News core coverage area of Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties.
Haywood still waiting on millions in FEMA reimbursements
It’s beginning to sound like a broken record — nearly a year after Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina, Haywood County government has received only 4% of the money it is owed from the federal government, leaving officials frustrated and taxpayers effectively footing the bill.
Canton seeks operators for wastewater plant
When the Pactiv Evergreen paper mill in Canton closed after more than a century of operations in June 2023, the shockwaves went far beyond the hundreds of workers who lost their jobs.
Macon County delays action on health board consolidation
Macon County has delayed action on consolidating its health board and seems to have taken a commissioner takeover completely off the table.
On July 8, commissioners began working on a strategy to create a consolidated human services agency with the aim of reducing what multiple people called “silos” that can allow government authorities to operate inefficiently or even perhaps in direct opposition to each other without even knowing it.
Macon County cancels Burningtown-Iotla Fire Department contract
After over a year of discussion, Macon County has canceled is contract with the Burningtown-Iotla Fire Department and has begun working toward changing the Cowee Fire Department’s contract to provide permanent coverage to the areas BIFR used to have jurisdiction over.
Day of resilience set in Waynesville
The Smoky Mountain Long Term Recovery Group will host a free “Day of Resilience” event on Saturday, Sept. 20, from noon to 5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Waynesville, 566 S. Haywood St.
Haywood commemorates Helene this week with events
Haywood County will mark the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene this week with a series of commemorations beginning during the opening ceremonies of the annual Haywood County Fair.
New Democratic challenger takes aim at Edwards, reshapes NC-11 race
The field for one of North Carolina’s most closely watched congressional races grew again this week with the entry of Dr. Richard Hudspeth, a physician with deep ties to the region who says his experience caring for mountain families gives him a unique perspective on what Chuck Edwards has failed to deliver.
