River protest calls attention to debris removal

On Saturday, April 26, a group of protesters took to the Little Tennessee River to call attention to what they…
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Get ready for summer with an activity pass to Lake Junaluska

People can get their Lake Junaluska Summer Activity Passes now. Enjoy admission to the lakeside pool all summer long as…
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Word from the Smokies: Couple will focus on insect field guide during park residency

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the crown jewel of the Southern Appalachians, an ancient landscape teeming with life —…
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SCC provides support for wildfire response teams

Shortly after a wildfire broke out in the Lower Alarka region of Swain County, Southwestern Community College’s Megan Nicholson made…
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Smokies begins multi-year rehabilitation of Bullhead Trail to Mount LeConte

The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with Friends of the Smokies, is beginning a multi-year rehabilitation of the iconic…
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North Shore Cemetery Association hosts cemetery decoration day

On Sunday, May 4 with the cooperation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the North Shore Cemetery Association will…
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Smokies announces selection of park concessioner to operate LeConte Lodge

The National Park Service has selected LeConte Lodge L.P. as the concessioner for the new contract to provide services at…
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Jackson County hosts bike rodeo

Join Jackson County Recreation from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Cullowhee Valley School for a bike rodeo. This is…
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HRMC to offer free sports physicals to students

Haywood Regional Medical Center is offering free sports physicals for local student athletes on Tuesday, May 13, at the Haywood…
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Master gardeners to answer questions at Haywood farmers market

Master gardener volunteers will be on hand at a booth on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, May through August,…
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Plan for maintenance along the Spur
 

Plan for maintenance along the Spur

Visitors should prepare for planned routine road maintenance in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Park maintenance crews will implement temporary,…
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Franklin farmers market returns for 2025

The Franklin farmers market will open up for the season beginning May. 
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Lake Junaluska plant sale offers new varieties

Lake Junaluska’s Spring Plant Sale will be 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Nanci Weldon Memorial…
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West Swain Fire Department hosts bass tournament and BBQ dinner

The West Swain Fire Department — an all-volunteer department — is hosting its 31st annual bass tournament and BBQ dinner.…
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Public input sought on Jackson County conservation plan

The Jackson County ‘Headwaters District’ Conservation Plan seeks to apply an objective, fact-based approach to assessing the conservation and development priorities of communities within…
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Much of Western North Carolina still abnormally dry

The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council has classified most of the state as at least abnormally dry with only…
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Jackson County opens flag football registration

Registration for youth flag Football clinics and youth flag football league is now open. Registration will remain so until April…
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Join Franklin Bird club for Macon County walks

The Franklin Bird Club leads walks along the Greenway on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. through September. Walks start at…
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Life on Our Planet: Emmy-nominated producer to speak at WCU

As a young child, growing up right outside of London, Dan Tapster fondly remembers watching David Attenborough’s nature documentaries with…
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WCU hosts ‘Life on Our Planet'

Western Carolina University will welcome eight-time Emmy-nominated showrunner Dan Tapster to talk about the making of our planet. 
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Smokies hosts cemetery decorations day

On Sunday, April 27, with the cooperation with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the North Shore Cemetery Association will…
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‘Kids Fishing Days’ in the Cherokee National Forest

Spring is here, and it’s time for that childhood tradition of fishing at the local fishing hole. To honor and…
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Haywood to host hazardous waste collection event

Haywood County has partnered with Consolidated Waste Services and EcoFlo to hold its spring Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event from…
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Spring litter sweep begins

The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Spring Litter Sweep kicked off April 12 and runs through April 26. This biannual cleanup event invites…
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Word from the Smokies: For bears, relocation is no happily ever after

The four-state mountain region that includes Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to an estimated 14,500 black bears, but…
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Application period open for crop loss disaster assistance in 2024: Farmers urged to sign up by the May 4 deadline

N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced that the Agricultural Disaster Crop Loss Program is open and accepting online applications through…
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Panthertown Map Association publishes 30th anniversary edition

Panthertown Map Association, the non-profit publishers of Burt Kornegay’s popular map, “A Guide’s Guide to Panthertown,” recently celebrated the publication…
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Central Haywood High School gets new tractor

The Haywood County Farm Bureau Board of Directors is proud to announce the sponsorship of Central Haywood High School’s new…
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WCU pitches new ‘Ballparks and Brews Tour’ for alumni, friends

The Western Carolina University Office of Alumni Engagement is stepping up to the plate and taking a swing at a…
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Join Franklin Bird club for Macon County walks

The Franklin Bird Club leads walks along the Greenway on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. through September. Walks start at…
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Debris removal begins along Pigeon River

Equipment and personnel have arrived in Haywood County to begin removing debris at 22 sites along the Pigeon River.  The…
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Smokies to reopen portions of The Cataloochee Valley April 4

On April 4 by noon, the National Park Service (NPS) will reopen portions of Cataloochee Valley in Great Smoky Mountains…
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The Cradle of Forestry to reopen

FIND Outdoors is excited to announce the seasonal reopening of the Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah National Forest on April…
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Repair homes now before bat pupping season

N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) recommends that homeowners check now for bats that may be getting into their home and evict them responsibly…
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Some waterways remain dangerous post-Helene

Officials at the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) report there are still areas that are unsafe to participate in water…
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Blue Ridge Parkway provides damage update

Hurricane Helene caused at least 57 landslides on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, damaging roads and trails across…
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EPA announces completion of Helene response in WNC

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the agency has completed its work supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the North Carolina Department…
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Governor Stein, Ag Commissioner call on USDA to allocate funds to farmers

On the six-month anniversary of Hurricane Helene, Governor Josh Stein and Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler sent a letter to…
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Whiteoak Sink group size limited for wildflower viewing

As Spring begins, Great Smoky Mountains National Park reminds visitors of group size limits during the popular wildflower season at…
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Invasive plant crew celebrates milestone

The Pisgah Conservancy’s Invasive Plant Management Crew celebrates one year of tackling non-native invasive species in the forest this month. …
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Word from the Smokies: In the fight against litter, volunteer organizations are key

Every year, millions of people visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park to experience its clear mountain streams, verdant views, and…
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What to do in the event of an animal encounter

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) offers helpful guidance when encountering wildlife as they become more visible this time of year.  Black…
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WNC Orchid Society presents ‘Orchid Arcadia’

The Western North Carolina Orchid Society (WNCOS) and The North Carolina Arboretum will once again host one of Western North…
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Haywood to host hazardous waste collection event

Haywood County has partnered with Consolidated Waste Services and EcoFlo to hold its spring Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event from…
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Mainspring and partners protect Parkway views

The Conservation Fund announced that a critical property in the Great Balsam Mountains is protected as forest and natural land.
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North Carolina sees drought, widespread abnormally dry conditions 

The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council has classified most of the state as abnormally dry, while 56 counties are…
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Haywood Community College Hosts Spring Boater Safety Courses

Haywood Community  College and the  North Carolina  Wildlife Resources Commission  will offer three opportunities for boater safety courses in Spring 2025. Classes…
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‘The fish that wears a feather’: Sicklefin Redhorse fish given scientific name

The Sicklefin Redhorse has a long history in the waters of southern Appalachia. But the fish wasn’t rediscovered and recognized…
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Word from the Smokies: Shedding light on the nature of venomous snakes

Southern Appalachia affords many opportunities to watch and learn more about our diverse species of wildlife. At my home near…
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HCC hosts environmental summit

Haywood Community College in Clyde will welcome multiple speakers, guests and partners to campus for the WNC Environmental Summit from…
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