News Headlines
Trump, light on policy but heavy on Harris attacks, visits Asheville
At his Aug. 14 rally in Asheville — billed as an opportunity to deliver remarks on the economy — former President Donald Trump didn’t have much in the way of specifics, but he may have finally found his voice on the candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Word from the Smokies: Reunion brings Cataloochee descendants home to the valley
Shadows and seasons are the main markers of time in Cataloochee Valley, a remote corner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park located more than 20 miles from the closest town and reachable only by a windy, narrow gravel road.
Catamount School makes its move
“History repeats itself” and “Everything comes full circle,” are just two examples of a myriad of sayings that could describe the Catamount School starting the 2024-2025 school year on Western Carolina University’s campus.
Macon passes soil erosion and sedimentation control ordinance revisions
Macon County approved revisions to its soil erosion and sedimentation control ordinance despite an outpouring of opposition from the public — so much so that not everyone who had signed up to speak on the issue at the Aug. 13 meeting was able to do so.
Pheasant pleads guilty to 2013 cold case murder
Over a decade after Marie Walkingstick Pheasant’s body was found in a burned-out vehicle in Cherokee, the community has finally received a modicum of closure as her husband, Ernest Dwayne Pheasant, has pleaded guilty to committing the murder.
Financing approved for Franklin’s new high school
Macon County is one step closer in the long march toward a new high school after commissioners approved financing for the more than $135 million-project last week.
Mountain Heritage Awards recognize Darnell Farms
Western Carolina University will present the 2024 Mountain Heritage Awards during the Mountain Heritage Day festival Saturday, Sept. 28, on the Ingles Blue Ridge Stage around midday.
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser in Bethel
The Bethel Rural Community Organization will hold a spaghetti dinner fundraiser at Jukebox Junction from 5-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26 in support of its benevolence fund, student scholarships, rural and historic preservation initiatives, educational programs and community pantry.
Haywood TDA revokes grant after vetting mistake
Clarification: In the original version of this story, SMN reported that TDA Executive Director Corrina Ruffieux said that IDEA of Haywood County was named on the signature line of the grant application along with Misfit Mountain. Documents provided by the TDA show that to be true for the initial application, but not the subsequent revised application, where no organizations are listed on the signature line. The story has been updated to reflect this information.
The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority voted unanimously today to rescind a $10,000 grant it had previously approved, citing its own failure to properly vet the grant application.
