Bit by bit, major investments bring broadband to the mountains
After years of pecking away at Western North Carolina’s broadband problem at the state level, a large-scale federal investment in…
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Nikwasi Initiative changes plans for Franklin property
Nikwasi Initiative, the nonprofit that took over ownership of the Nikwasi Mound in Franklin two years ago, recently announced some…
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Hottest ticket in town: Capacity limits for rivalry game ‘make no sense’
It’s a rivalry that runs as deep as the waters of Lake Logan and as wide as the Pigeon River…
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Jail expansion opponents ask county to reprioritize
As promised, members of Down Home North Carolina presented to Haywood County commissioners a budget alternative that prioritizes treatment and…
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All signs point to Canton’s continuing renewal
Another aesthetic improvement to Canton’s emerging downtown business district — rundown and dilapidated for years, until recently — will soon…
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Impaired driver takes Alford plea
A woman who wrecked while driving impaired, killing a close friend after the two left work from the now-shuttered No…
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‘Enroll Anytime’ now available at SCC
Uncertainty about university schedules, childcare and other variables prevented some prospective students from enrolling in college classes this spring.
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Macon Leaders Encourage Vaccine Registration
The supply of COVID-19 vaccine from N.C. DHHS to Macon County remains limited at this time and a waitlist was…
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Traffic stop leads to drug arrests in Haywood
On Tuesday, Feb. 9, Haywood County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped a vehicle on North Canton Road around 4 p.m. A search…
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WCU prepares to open COVID vaccine clinic
With freezers now on campus, staff in place, and volunteers on the way, Western Carolina University is in the final…
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Haywood reports two more COVID-19 deaths
Haywood County Health and Human Services has received notice of three more COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total number now to…
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Child pornography arrests made in Macon
Two investigations and subsequent arrests in cases that were first initiated in Fall 2020 has Macon County Sheriff’s Office detectives…
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HRMC recognized for maternity care
Haywood Regional Medical Center has been recognized by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina with a Blue Distinction…
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Wheels Through Time founder dies of cancer
Dale Walksler, the founder and curator of the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley, passed away peacefully, with his…
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Macon budget remains agile through pandemic
Despite dire predictions of how local governments would be financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Macon County has fared well…
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Masking rules take effect on public lands
On Jan. 20, President Joe Biden issued an executive order requiring coronavirus prevention protocols — including mask-wearing — on all…
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Disc golf course proposed in Franklin
The Whitmire property on East Main Street in Franklin could soon become a public disc golf course.
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‘Something’s got to give’: Sylva police chief argues for more officers
Every year, Sylva’s department heads have a chance to tell town commissioners what they need — and what they want…
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Macon steps up COVID response
When Macon County Commissioners met on Jan. 12, health department staff was having a difficult time meeting the demands of…
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WCU center examines economic recovery after pandemic
The Center for the Study of Free Enterprise at Western Carolina University has issued an assessment of economic recovery, sustainability and growth in North…
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Franklin man pleads guilty to trafficking
A Franklin man who pleaded guilty last week to trafficking in methamphetamine has been sentenced to serve 70 to 93…
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Jackson gets influx of vaccine doses
Jackson County is still lagging behind surrounding counties when it comes to the percentage of its population that’s received a…
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WNC schools already adhering to state recommendation
Last week, North Carolina officials recommended that all schools return to in-person learning as soon as possible.
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Cost-saving measure could lead to less government transparency
A bill in the North Carolina General Assembly that would allow local governments to stop publishing mandated legal notices in…
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Jail expansion project enters critical phase
Opponents of Haywood County’s proposed $16 million jail expansion project are ramping up pressure on county commissioners to consider alternative…
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Council overrides veto claiming Charter violation
Following an 80-minute closed session discussion, Tribal Council voted 9-3 last week to override Principal Chief Richard Sneed’s veto of…
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Tribe to explore indoor sports facility
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is moving toward construction of an indoor baseball and softball facility following a Feb.…
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Dog park coming to Cashiers
Cashiers will get a dog park following the Jackson County Commissioners’ unanimous vote Jan. 26 to approve a contract with…
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NASA extends SCC partnership for 5 years
Two years before a total solar eclipse left area residents breathless in 2017, Southwestern Community College started working with the…
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What to know about second dose appointments
COVID-19 Second Dose clinics are coming up in Haywood County, here is what you need to know.
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Three more COVID deaths reported in Macon
Macon County Public Health reported that three Macon County residents diagnosed with COVID-19 have passed away. To protect the family…
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Haywood reports five more COVID-19 deaths
Since mid-January Haywood County Health and Human Services has received notice of five more COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total number now…
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Cashiers crossroads developer offers last-minute plan reduction
After nearly eight hours of discussion and testimony on Monday, Jan. 25, the first day of the quasi-judicial hearing that…
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Enrollment for ACA coverage open Feb. 15 through May 15
People have a new opportunity to enroll in health insurance for 2021 on HealthCare.gov, but only for a limited time.
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Pro-bono legal service requests spike during COVID
As people continue to struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for pro-bono legal services has spiked, putting more demand…
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Raising canes: River cane project protects environment, Cherokee culture
The sky shone an unbroken blue and afternoon sunshine cast sparkles on the lazy Pigeon River as a group of…
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Sarge’s dedicates memorial plaque
Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation dedicated a memorial plaque to honor Gary Smith Dec. 17, at Sarge’s Adoption Center.
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Haywood vaccinations surge, other counties lag
The number of Haywood County residents receiving a first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine jumped by 45 percent between…
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Bi-partisan opposition builds against Cawthorn
He hasn’t even been in office for a month, but Western North Carolina’s Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn is already starting…
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Equal Rights Amendment introduced in General Assembly
More than 40 years after it first took up the matter, the North Carolina General Assembly may consider finally ratifying…
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Cullowhee Valley retires controversial mascot
Cullowhee Valley School will no longer be represented by the Rebel mascot, which is personified by an old, white, confederate…
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SCC to host two virtual job fairs
Even as the pandemic continues, employers continue to seek eager workers to fill important job roles. To help with the search,…
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Significance of iconic Rock City Barn in Bryson City
Unbeknownst to many a passerby as they enter the town of Bryson City from the east, there lies a structural…
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Ultra-cold vaccine freezers come to UNC schools
New mobile freezers capable of capable of safely storing and transporting COVID-19 vaccine vials will soon arrive at all 15…
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WCU students research which masks work the best
Things like color, size, shape, prints and even bling, factor into the decision-making process. There are standard face coverings and…
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Pancake Day in a pandemic?
That is the question the Pancake Day Team and staff at First United Methodist Church of Waynesville pondered last fall…
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Getting to Madison Cawthorn: New congressman courts controversy
Madison Cawthorn, rolling himself around the Longworth House Office Building, draws attention from around every corner and down every straightaway…
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The Inauguration in pictures
Photojournalist Jeffrey Delannoy spent four days on assignment for The Smoky Mountain News in Washington, D.C. both before and after…
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Vaccinations climb in WNC
Staff at Jackson County Public Schools looking forward to COVID-19 vaccination got a welcome surprise last week when an impromptu…
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COVID vaccine supply diverted to larger counties
Just last week, Swain and Macon county health officials lamented over a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines making it to…
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