Women’s History Trail takes steps to complete sculpture project

The Folk Heritage Association of Macon County (FHAMC) held a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 27 after completing a five-year grassroots campaign to raise funds for its Women’s History Trail sculpture. 

Five compete for Highlands Commission

Highlands will have at least one new member on its Board of Commissioners after Election Day this November. 

State budget commits substantial funding to critical needs in WNC

This year’s state budget process may have been one of the most discordant in recent memory, but Western North Carolina’s legislative delegation was able to secure record-setting funding for critical needs in a relatively poor region that sometimes feels overlooked when Raleigh gets to dishing out the dough. 

Master plan adopted for Macon rec park

Macon County Commissioners have adopted a master plan for the county’s recreation center and surrounding park.

School board approves Higdon property lease

After months of back and forth, the Macon County School Board has approved a lease agreement for the Higdon property, purchased by the county earlier this year for use by the school system. 

Above the law: Sheriffs largely silent on sovereign group’s meeting

A controversial law enforcement association that holds a fringe interpretation of the Constitution and has ties to white nationalism, the sovereign citizen movement, election denial and COVID-19 conspiracy theories will host a meeting in Cherokee County this weekend, but Western North Carolina sheriffs have been largely reluctant to say whether they’ll attend. 

Legislature ignoring citizen needs

To the Editor:

Union Academy transforms to Bartram Academy

Union Academy, an alternative high school in Macon County, will henceforth be known as Bartram Academy, home of the Explorers.

Franklin opens pickleball courts

The Town of Franklin has modified the basketball court at Memorial Park to include two new pickleball courts.  

Silers gather in Macon for 172nd ‘family meeting’

The Silers were at it again.  

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.