Haywood reports 95th COVID-19 death
Haywood County Health and Human Services have received notice of another COVID-19 death, bringing the total number now to 95.
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Franklin man pleads guilty to child abuse
District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said a Franklin man admitted this week in court to sexually abusing a child. He…
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‘I don’t feel like it’s safe’: For many, concerns about long-term impacts drive vaccine hesitancy
When the pandemic first hit, Waynesville resident Sammie Conner was so scared of contracting COVID-19 that she wouldn’t even go…
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The facts on the vax: Survey shows widespread support for COVID-19 vaccination
More than 80 percent of Smoky Mountain News readers have already received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine,…
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COVID-19 vaccine means getting back to ‘normal’
People who have been fully vaccinated can start to do some things they had stopped doing because of the pandemic,…
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Vaccine hesitancy could impact employers, employees
The last time Americans lived through a global pandemic, the field of employment law wasn’t nearly as developed as it…
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Man pleads guilty in Haywood
A Buncombe County man pleaded guilty April 6 to two counts of first-degree statutory sexual offense and four counts of…
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Sylva denies one apartment application, approves another
Despite gusting winds and a temperature of 42 degrees at the time the three-hour meeting began — it was 37…
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Lunsford pleads no contest to one count of animal cruelty
More than 16 months after animal cruelty allegations were filed against Haywood resident James Lunsford, justice has finally been served.
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Kings Mountain gaming to start this summer
A federal lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Interior’s decision to allow the South Carolina-based Catawba Indian Nation to build a…
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Lottery-funded renovation coming to former Central Elementary
Students enrolled in Haywood County Schools’ exceptional children’s program will soon have a new home at no taxpayer expense.
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Swank named Macon Matriarch
By Theresa Ramsey • Guest writer | The Women’s History Trail project of the Folk Heritage Association of Macon County…
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A woman with vision: Barbara McRae leaves her mark on Macon County
Barbara McRae loved history — learning about it, sharing it with others and making it herself. The long-time community organizer lost…
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WCU clinic to provide its 10,000th vaccine
Western Carolina University’s regional COVID-19 vaccine clinic will deliver its 10,000th vaccine to a student around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April…
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Fire at Canton mill contained
A potentially dangerous situation at the Evergreen Packaging paper mill in Canton earlier today is under control.
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First responders monitoring situation at Canton mill
Emergency services workers from several jurisdictions were responding this morning to reports of a fire at Evergreen Packaging’s Canton papermill.
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Haywood County COVID-19 update
“To date, over 18,000 people in Haywood County are at least partially vaccinated. Mass vaccination efforts have been running smoothly,…
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CDC Extends Moratorium on Renter Evictions to June 30
Just as it was about to expire at the end of March, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…
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Haywood vaccine clinic moves to Lambeth Inn
Key Updates: Haywood County’s Mass Vaccination clinic will move this week to a new temporary location at the Lambuth Inn at…
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Dillsboro break-ins prompt caution for Jackson County businesses
Sylva Police Chief Chris Hatton is urging local businesses to secure their buildings after multiple Dillsboro restaurants were broken into…
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Latino vaccine clinic to take place April 4
The International Friendship Center, the Community Care Clinic of Highlands-Cashiers and Vecinos have hosted six weekly Latino COVID-19 vaccine clinics…
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Long overdue regulation bans rebel flag in Haywood County Schools
J.D. Moore started his first year at Tuscola in 1999. He was an athlete, played football and basketball. He learned…
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Sen. Corbin again leads health care push
With the support of a bi-partisan panel including commissioners from Macon and Graham counties as well as the head of…
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Reps. Clampitt, Pless make big ask for mental health
Filed in the General Assembly on March 15, House Bill 280 contains only 112 words, but if it gains legislative…
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Room tax increases proposed for Haywood, Bryson City
Western North Carolina Republicans have introduced a bill in the General Assembly that would result in substantial changes to the…
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New tax values, fire protection costs drive rate discussion
With the 2021 property revaluation now complete, Jackson County’s taxable value will rise nearly 20 percent over the value established…
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DWA leader announces retirement
Downtown Waynesville Association Executive Director Buffy Phillips has apparently told members of the DWA executive board that she plans to…
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Tribe approves $35 million for Sevier County project
Tribal Council voted 11-1 this month to allocate an additional $35 million toward a Kituwah LLC development project along Interstate…
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Tribe approves allocation plan for commercial gaming profits
By unanimous vote, Tribal Council approved an allocation plan for future revenues from the Southern Indiana Casino during its monthly…
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Mountain Pediatrics re-opens Canton office
Mountain Pediatric Group’s Canton location, temporarily closed during the pandemic, has now reopened and is accepting new patients.
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Transparency efforts underway for cops, teachers, other gov’t employees
For the very first time, the North Carolina General Assembly will consider giving the public meaningful access to personnel records…
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New leadership for Jackson County Schools
Jackson County Schools Board of Education has selected Dr. Dana Ayers as its new superintendent beginning June 1.
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COVID-19: Those We've Lost
By Sally Kestin | Asheville Watchdog They taught students in school, delivered the mail, advised Congress, and served the country in…
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Ghost Town developers reach major milestone
In another encouraging sign of progress, ownership of the land upon which Maggie Valley’s Ghost Town in the Sky amusement…
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Vaccine distribution update from Haywood
Key Updates: Haywood County has opened vaccination to all groups eligible under North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services…
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Macon reports two more COVID-related deaths
Macon County Public Health received notification that two Macon County residents diagnosed with COVID-19 have passed away.
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Detour Allows Crews to Finish Dillsboro Bridge
SYLVA – Just one short phase remains before a major bridge project in Jackson County is functionally complete.
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Environmental Review Process Complete for Corridor K
A major milestone has been reached in the planning phase of a project to improve Corridor K in Graham County.
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Jackson opens vaccine registration to all groups, WCU to follow
Anyone 18 or older can now schedule a vaccine appointment with the Jackson County Department of Public Health, regardless of…
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Hospitals offer incentives to attract providers
In 2019, registered nurses were listed as the third most in-demand job in the U.S., and even though enrollment in…
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Growing the pipeline: Amid pandemic, educators train new generation of healthcare professionals
As a respiratory therapist, Bruce Moyle is trained to deliver breathing therapies to people who struggle to draw oxygen. As…
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Nursing students find purpose amid difficulties of pandemic
For students in the nursing program at Western Carolina University, the Coronavirus Pandemic sauntered into their world during spring break…
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As cases recede, health experts urge caution
Vaccination numbers have nearly doubled in the four-county area of Haywood, Jackson, Swain and Macon counties over past month and…
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Early start for 2022 Haywood sheriff’s race
It’s been an open secret for a while now, but two-term incumbent Democratic Sheriff of Haywood County Greg Christopher made…
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Two apartment projects proposed for Sylva
A pair of public hearings slated for April 1 will determine the fate of two proposed apartment developments in Sylva.
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Waynesville greenway survey needs your input
The Town of Waynesville’s chances at being awarded a $500,000 grant for greenway infrastructure could drastically improve — with your…
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Sports betting opens at Harrah’s
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ new sports betting venue is now open following a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Thursday, March…
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WNC schools to finish school year in person
North Carolina State legislators have voted to send more students back to in-person learning with the passage of Senate Bill…
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Blue Ridge Parkway seeks help in identifying armed robbery suspect
National Park Service officials are seeking help from the public in identifying a suspect believed to be connected to a…
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