Haywood program offers path out of addiction
The first thing anyone likely sees when they walk into Amanda Seay’s Haywood County Courthouse office is her quote of…
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After threats, Waynesville revises public comment policy
The Town of Waynesville will no longer require speakers at its public comment sessions to reveal their addresses, after a…
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Change recommended to Fontana Regional Library System
A few months ago, issues arose about the placement of certain LGBTQ+ books in the Macon County Public Library.
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Waynesville establishes environmental sustainability board
Long a leader among Western North Carolina’s local governments in the field of environmental sustainability, the Town of Waynesville has…
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October jail death confirmed to be overdose
Autopsy results for the October death of a man in custody at the Jackson County Detention Center confirm that he…
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Haywood County Schools will buy Ratcliff Cove land
More than three months after a rezoning request revealed plans by Haywood County Schools to consolidate several facilities on a…
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Former WNC Rep. Mark Meadows indicted along with Trump
With former President Donald Trump’s most recent indictment — his fourth in five months — comes a slew of familiar…
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Trial expected in 2024 for Crowe assault case
Former Wolfetown Rep. Bo Crowe pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault in federal court Friday, Aug. 11, but plans to fight…
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Bridge, sidewalk, roundabout, bike lanes coming to Cullowhee
NCDOT awarded a $6.2 million contract to replace a bridge, build a roundabout, new sidewalk and new bike lanes in…
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National Guard conducts training exercise in Canton
The presence of multiple vehicles and a decontamination tent in downtown Canton today prompted tips to The Smoky Mountain News…
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One hundred years and counting: Jackson County Chamber of Commerce marks milestone anniversary
This year the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce is celebrating 100 years of work and involvement in its community —…
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NCDOT seeks input for 10-year transportation plan
The N.C. Department of Transportation is beginning to evaluate projects for its next 10-year capital plan and wants the public…
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Cannabis Control Board budget approved in Cherokee
The Cherokee Tribal Council has approved $946,000 in tribal dollars to go toward the Cannabis Control Board’s budget for the 2024…
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Maggie Valley candidate denies fraudulent registration accusation
The upcoming race for two alderman seats in Maggie Valley is sure to be exciting, but one Republican candidate is…
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Paper mill logs new violation notice
Pactiv Evergreen has been issued its second notice of violation in less than a month, bringing its total since May…
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Tribe ends interest-only payments for gaming ventures
With much of the conversation taking place in closed session, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council passed a…
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Candidate withdraws from Waynesville Council race
The field got just a little bit smaller in the race for Waynesville Town Council last week, as one of…
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Forest plan will harm endangered bats, conservation groups say
Groups file intent to sue Forest Service
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Pactiv Evergreen contests chemical dumping allegations
In response to a July 10 notice of violation accusing Pactiv Evergreen of illegally dumping unused chemicals into the wastewater…
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County to lease Higdon property to school system
After Macon County declared its intent to purchase the Higdon property earlier this year, there was some confusion as to…
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What’s next for Sylva skate? Commissioners continue to work toward a skatepark
Now that Sylva Pipes is up and running with a temporary half-pipe, commissioners are looking at next steps for…
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Haywood community wellness program opens registration
The Haywood 4 Good community wellness program announced that registration is open for the fall 2023 program.
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Fund established to support transition following mill closure
The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) has established a charitable fund to support nonprofit organizations and municipalities impacted…
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Municipal election races set in Western North Carolina
The slates are now set for November’s municipal elections in Western North Carolina, and although a number of surprise candidates…
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Waynesville unites against hate and bigotry after false trans allegations
Claims of indecent behavior involving a transgender person at the Waynesville Recreation Center roiled this tight-knight rural community last week,…
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A rush to judgement: The mere existence of trans people is not a crime
Social media posts alleging multiple instances of improper activity by a transgender person at the Waynesville Recreation Center last week…
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Health care coverage crisis for mill workers continues
Employees at Pactiv Evergreen’s Canton paper mill knew a health care coverage crisis was coming, and many of them did…
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Charges dropped against Shining Rock parent
A criminal charge against the Shining Rock Classical Academy parent accused of cyberstalking has been dismissed.
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Charter schools budget for growth
There are several outstanding variables that will affect budgets for local charter schools in the coming school year — average…
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Expanded sports betting could add to EBCI per cap
Tribal members could see their per capita checks grow after the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians expands its gaming business…
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EBCI Council tightens transparency rules for tribal LLCs
In response to what he says are ongoing issues with transparency on the part of the tribe’s cannabis business Qualla…
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New health initiative provides relief for costs
A program to assist those who have lost health insurance due to the closure of Pactiv Evergreen is underway thanks…
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Mountain Projects receives award from Mission Health
Mountain Projects, one of 52 regional human service organizations working on North Carolina’s groundbreaking Healthy Opportunities Pilot program (HOP), under…
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Wilke transforms HCSO’s vision
It’s been a long road for Bill Wilke to become Haywood County’s sheriff, and now that he’s got the job,…
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Holbrooks follows in father’s footsteps
New sheriffs in North Carolina are bombarded with new information and leadership duties their first year in office, but Macon…
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Farmer focuses on detention, patrol with JCSO
Settling into the role of sheriff is tough for any law enforcement professional, but in Jackson County, Doug Farmer brings…
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Swain teens push for youth center
Students in rural America already face many of the challenges experienced by their urban cousins — albeit with fewer resources…
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Council axes constitution, term limit referenda Convention to continue working on document
After voting unanimously in April to put a proposed constitution on the ballot for approval this year, the Eastern Band…
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Tourism dollars fund Jackson capital projects
The Jackson County Tourism Development Authority has selected two projects to be funded with occupancy tax dollars — one in…
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Jackson moves forward on opioid recovery
Jackson County Commissioners are set to approve two grant-funded positions aimed at substance use disorder recovery and treatment during a…
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Canton passes industrial development moratorium aimed at Pactiv
After closing its paper mill in Canton early last month, Pactiv Evergreen is reportedly now engaged in discussions with potential…
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Municipal election filing period ends Friday
The candidate filing period for November’s municipal elections that opened on July 7 ends this coming Friday, July 21, at…
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As promised, Pless strips Maggie Valley of development powers
The Haywood County Town of Maggie Valley has lost significant authority to exercise development powers after a bill promoted by…
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More money available to help displaced Evergreen workers
In the latest in a long line of efforts by the Southwestern Commission to help those affected by the Evergreen…
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Champion Credit Union named to list of Great Employers to Work for in North Carolina
Champion Credit Union announced it has been named to the Great Employers to Work for in North Carolina 2023 list…
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Waynesville’s mayoral race heats up with inclusion of Reece
Waynesville native, retired DEA agent and unsuccessful 2019 Waynesville aldermanic candidate Joey Reece will run for mayor of Waynesville, Reece…
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Pactiv Evergreen accused of illegally dumping chemicals during shutdown
In a notice of violation issued Monday, July 10, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality has accused Pactiv Evergreen of…
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Vacation rentals: Explosive growth brings jobs, money, but some say it contributes to housing shortage
In a neighborhood along Asheville’s French Broad River and abutting a residential street that includes young families, Upstream Way stands…
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