PAC seeks Cawthorn indictment over knife incident

Another incident involving Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-Hendersonville, possessing a weapon where it’s prohibited drew renewed outrage from many on the…
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Republican field solidifies in NC-11

As the filing period for the 2022 midterm elections draws near, moves are being made on the Republican side of…
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Cherokee kicks off new Council term

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians marked the start of a new Tribal Council term this week, with 2021 election…
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Four candidates vie for two seats in Maggie Valley

Four candidates will compete for two open spaces on the Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen in municipal elections this November. 
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Race for town hall: Sylva board race draws four candidates for two seats

This November, Sylva voters will have their pick of four candidates to fill two seats up for election on the…
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Rolling Start provides independence

Rolling Start N.C. recently presented a 2005 VW Jetta to a single woman living on disability who has not had…
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Canton police chief retires

Shawn Gaddis, chief of the Canton Police Department since March, 2018, announced his retirement today according to an email sent…
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Pillar of NC-11 Democrat Bo Hess’ campaign is safety

Born at Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas, Democrat Bo Hess is both a product of his upbringing and…
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Tubman statue arrives as Confederate soldier gets new plaques

Chiseled by an Emmy- and Academy Award-winning artist, a 2,400-pound bronze piece depicting Harriet Tubman leading a young girl out…
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Mandy Allen named Haywood Teacher of the Year

Bethel Elementary School fifth grade teacher Mandy Allen was named Haywood County Schools’ 2022 Teacher of the Year at a…
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Jackson schools offers onsite COVID testing

Students and staff in Jackson County Public Schools will soon have a convenient option for free COVID-19 testing right in…
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Virus cases have started to fall, but hospitals are still busy

The number of new daily COVID-19 cases in North Carolina fell below 3,000 last week for the first time since…
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Tribal Council balks at golf hotel funding request

The future of a three-star hotel project at the Sequoyah National Golf Club in Whittier is uncertain after Tribal Council…
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Common themes emerge in redistricting hearing

Although a majority of speakers at a Sept. 21 public hearing designed to gather input on the constitutionally-mandated redistricting process…
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Dogwood Health Trust reflects on 2021 progress

Dogwood Health Trust had lofty goals when it was formed in 2019 with the mission to dramatically improve the health…
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Two resign from Transylvania hospital board

By Peter H. Lewis Asheville Watchdog Two long-time members of the Transylvania Regional Hospital board of directors resigned Monday, saying…
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Municipal election
 voting underway

Municipal elections in Western North Carolina will be held in some jurisdictions on Tuesday, November 2, but in-person early voting…
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Waynesville Task Force 
on Homelessness issues 
final recommendations

Riddled with dissention, defections and a lack of clear direction, Waynesville’s Task Force on Homelessness finally limped across the finish…
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Registration snafu leads to NC11 candidate withdrawal

Just five days after announcing her candidacy in the 11th Congressional District Democratic Primary, Chelsea White made another announcement.
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The weight of the wait: Local governments look forward to FEMA reimbursements

The aftermath of deadly flooding that killed six people in the Cruso community of Haywood County on Aug. 16 saw…
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Highlands looks for balance of progress, preservation

Discussions going on right now in the town of Highlands are the same discussions happening across the nation as the…
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COVID cases still climbing

Haywood County Public Health has received notice of 321 new cases of COVID-19 in the last week. 
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Designs unveiled for Jackson pool

Waves, water and mountain streams will be key design elements at Jackson County’s new indoor pool complex, commissioners heard during…
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Town takes over Downtown Waynesville Association duties

After months of debating the future of Waynesville’s downtown business district, the Waynesville Board of Aldermen voted unanimously during a…
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Parking rule changes approved in Sylva

Two new changes to Sylva’s rules for downtown parking are now in effect following a pair of unanimous votes at…
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Haywood activist shakes up NC11 Dem Primary

Progressive Haywood County organizer Chelsea White made it official during a Sept. 19 rally at the Haywood County Courthouse —…
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Dueling rallies in Haywood highlight persistent divisiveness

If anyone thought that the political polarization of 2020 died with President Donald Trump’s election loss that year, they’d need…
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Moving forward by circling back: Pathways new kitchen manager brings education, experience

Haywood Pathways Center’s mission has always been to help people from all walks of life get back on their feet,…
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Proposed Waynesville subdivision meets stiff initial resistance

The seemingly endless conflict between preservation and development in Waynesville — specifically, badly needed housing — entered a new chapter…
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Enrollment, retention dip at WCU

Enrollment, retention and freshman interest at Western Carolina University are all down this fall compared to last year, and university…
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FEMA assistance for flood victims
 

FEMA assistance for flood victims

Homeowners and renters in Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties who had uninsured losses from Tropical Storm Fred may be eligible…
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Sen. Tillis returns to Canton

Almost exactly one month after extreme flooding on the Pigeon River killed six, displaced hundreds and dropped mud and debris…
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Maggie Valley to give food trucks a try

Maggie Valley has decided on the details for its Food Truck Pilot Program, slated for approval Oct. 4. 
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Haywood reports 12 COVID-19 deaths this week

"This is the kind of information no one wants to have to share with our community. We’ve written and shared…
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Maggie Valley to give food trucks a try

Maggie Valley has decided on the details for its Food Truck Pilot Program, slated for approval Oct. 4. At the…
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‘And then it was too late’: Flood warning timeline reveals challenges of mountain forecasting

On the afternoon of Tuesday, Aug. 17, Rob Young was watching the rain fall. He watched it first through the…
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Resignations plague Downtown Waynesville Association board

Updated at 10 a.m. Sept. 15: The Waynesville Board of Alderman voted unanimously at Tuesday night's meeting for the town…
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Haywood County Schools has $10.5 million in flood damage

Beginning Sept. 20, students at Central Haywood High School will return to part-time in-person learning. These students have been learning…
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Cherokee upholds same-sex marriage ban

After nearly two hours of discussion, debate and even tears during its Thursday, Sept. 9 meeting , the Cherokee Tribal…
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Elected officials, employees to see raises in new Cherokee budget

The $633 million budget Tribal Council approved Sept. 7 represents a return to growth, after a cautious 2020-2021  budget relied…
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How to apply for FEMA assistance
 

How to apply for FEMA assistance

Residents of Buncombe, Haywood, and Transylvania counties who were affected by the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred from Aug. 16…
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Permits required for bridge rebuilding
 

Permits required for bridge rebuilding

Many smaller, private bridges were damaged in Tropical Storm Fred, and homeowners are understandably anxious to get them replaced. 
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Swain man found guilty of murder
 

Swain man found guilty of murder

A federal jury in Asheville convicted Shane McKinley Swimmer, 21, of Cherokee, of second degree murder last week, announced William…
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Franklin’s new town manager no stranger to WNC

A little over a year after she left for a town manager job in Altavista, Virginia, former Waynesville Assistant Town…
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Two incumbents defeated in Council elections

Three current Tribal Council members will not return in October following the Sept. 2 General Election, but the 2021-23 government…
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Sylva shows community ‘Pride’

Under bright blue skies filled with hot sun, Sylva hosted its inaugural Sylva Pride celebration this past Saturday. Over 500…
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Biden declares major disaster in Haywood County

More than three weeks after deadly flash flooding along the East Fork of the Pigeon River killed six and displaced…
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Enrollment dips at WCU

For the first time since 2015, Western Carolina University has posted a fall enrollment figure lower than that of the…
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What’s new in downtown Sylva?

Like the rest of the world, Sylva has had to grapple with the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic and the ensuing economic…
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EXCLUSIVE: Conservative firebrand Cawthorn responds to furor over insurrection comments

Western North Carolina Congressman Madison Cawthorn is known for making controversial statements, but video footage from a recent Macon County…
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