Outdoors
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, single-lane closures along the north and southbound Spur between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge through May 1 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and then from May 5-8 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Franklin farmers market returns for 2025
The Franklin farmers market will open up for the season beginning May.
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 see as excessive debris removal in Macon County as part of the cleanup process from damage by Hurricane Helene last year.
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 — including what naturalist and explorer William Bartram in 1791 called “insects of infinite variety,” many of them “admirably beautiful.” Some 200 years later, naturalist E. O. Wilson would describe them as the “little things that run the world.”
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 Gym.
For sale will be a few thousand plants, including an assortment of annuals, perennials, herbs and vegetables, hanging baskets and several varieties of native plants from the Corneille Bryan Native Garden, said Melissa Marshall, Lake Junaluska director of grounds.
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.
The event will be held from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 3 at the Almond Boat Park at Fontana Lake.
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 the southern half of Jackson County.
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 a few counties entirely normal. Over half of the state’s counties are abnormally while 42 counties — all east of The Smoky Mountain News coverage area — are in a moderate drought. Onslow County is in a severe drought.
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 28 for the clinic and May 15 for the league.
