Fatal stabbing in Hyder Mountain community
Updated: 2/19/20 10:30 a.m Jody Vance Jones, 26, of Clyde, has been charged with murdering his father Marion Jones and…
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In Fitzgerald’s fields
In Fitzgerald’s fields they toiled, sun-dappled and rain-soaked, caked in mud and in blood and in sweat. They raised corn…
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Waynesville merchants offer discounts for locals
It's February, which means Waynesville merchants are once again offering special discounts for locals the entire month of February. Look…
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Waynesville names homelessness task force members
Although there was more than a little wrangling over logistics, the Town of Waynesville has finally announced the membership of…
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Charter renewed for Shining Rock Classical Academy
The North Carolina State Board of Education recently voted to renew the charter for Shining Rock Classical Academy for another…
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Council approves purchase of Franklin properties
Franklin Town Council recently approved purchasing two parcels of land in the downtown area for a total cost of $206,660.
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Debate over Second Amendment sanctuary continues in Macon
More than a hundred people crammed Franklin’s Macon County courthouse to speak both for and against designating the county a…
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Pancake Day fundraiser free to community
The beloved community fundraiser known as Pancake Day will return Tuesday, Feb. 25, to First United Methodist Church of Waynesville.
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Macon starts preliminary budget talks
Macon County continues to find itself in a secure financial position heading into the 2020-21 fiscal budget process, but commissioners…
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Work begins on Haywood County budget
Haywood County’s financial position remains strong ahead of talks about next year’s budget, but a host of challenges will test…
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Morris announces internet speed, access increases
Morris Broadband has significantly upgraded and expanded its service in Macon and Jackson counties, increasing both its download speeds and…
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Cherokee, Sylva pass food truck ordinances
The landscape got a bit brighter for food truck owners following a pair of decisions in Cherokee and Sylva this…
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Haywood commissioners face Primary Election opponents
Two years ago, voters in Haywood County made some decisions at the polls that were at odds with not only…
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Sample ballots for WNC
Early voting is underway in Western North Carolina for the March 3 Primary Election. View sample ballots here:
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Democrats fight to flip 11th Congressional District seat
The 2018 General Election was a momentous one for Democrats still smarting from the stunning 2016 loss by one of…
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Agriculture commissioner election about more than just farming
From the mountains to Manteo, it’s easy to see that agriculture is North Carolina’s largest industry, but while driving through…
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Republicans seek to maintain control of Meadows’ seat
Last September at a Macon County GOP event, Franklin Republican and five-term Sen. Jim Davis announced that he wouldn’t be…
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Youth voters on the rise
The elusive youth voter. Politicians want to know what they’re thinking, what issues motivate them and what it takes to…
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Rep. Mark Meadows announces retirement, 18 seek his seat
Santa Claus was especially good to Western North Carolina Democrats this year, delivering from his sack one big item on…
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State superintendent candidates sound off
As Primary Election season sets in, a number of statewide races will have voters making some serious decisions at the…
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Candidates work for Labor post
After a long career in public service, North Carolina’s current Commissioner of Labor Cherie Berry — who you probably know…
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State Treasurer job important, overlooked
Sure, your local civic organization, athletic club or hobbyist group probably has a treasurer — the person with the checkbook…
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Corbin, Conway seek GOP nod for Senate
When five-term N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, announced his surprise retirement at the Macon County GOP headquarters last fall, it…
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Clampitt, Mau offer stiff competition for Queen, each other
Over the past decade or so, there’s been only one serious candidate willing or able to run for the District…
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GOP attorney general candidates offer differing perspectives
North Carolina’s attorney general may be the top law enforcement officer in the state, but the AG also serves as…
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Three Democrats face off in Swain primary
Three Democrats running for county commissioner will appear on the primary election ballot in Swain County this year, and voters…
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Democrats face off in Jackson commission race
With Republican Commissioner Ron Mau leaving his seat for a run at N.C. House District 119, three Democrats are vying…
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Five candidates seek Macon commission seats
Five candidates will be running in the primary election for a chance to claim an open seat on the Macon…
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WCU works to engage student body
Students at Western Carolina University have helped hundreds of their fellow Catamounts register to vote in the 2020 election, and…
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Tribal Council OKs donation to Jackson Schools
Tribal Council approved an $89,745 donation to Jackson County Schools during its Budget Council meeting Tuesday, Feb. 4, money that…
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Cause of WCU evacuation undetermined, but classes will resume
The Health and Human Sciences Building at Western Carolina University will reopen on Monday, Feb. 10 after a Feb. 6…
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Draft forest management plan released
After more than six years of work, a draft forest management plan for the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest is now available.
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Student Democracy Coalition achieves more than voter registration
CULLOWHEE – It is starting to get very busy for members of the Student Democracy Coalition at Western Carolina University. Led…
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Slide Closes U.S. 19/74 in Nantahala Gorge
TOPTON – A rockslide has closed U.S. 19/74 in the Nantahala Gorge for the remainder of today and at least through…
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Tenants trickling in to former Gateway Club
Less than a year after it finally found new owners, a historic building in downtown Waynesville is beginning to attract…
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Tribal Council lifts media ban
Tribal Council expressed its support of the free press during a thoughtful discussion between its members and Smoky Mountain News…
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Sponsored: Honoring a hero
If you love to run and enjoy the scenic views of the Smoky Mountains, come out on Saturday, April 4,…
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Franklin appoints interim police chief
Capt. Danny Bates will serve as Franklin’s interim police chief while the town goes through the hiring process to find…
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Long’s Chapel looks for the next Open Door
Long’s Chapel leadership only received word about two weeks ago that its lease for The Open Door Ministry building in…
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SMN launches digital newsletter
The Smoky Mountain News has lauched a digital newsletter that will publish every Friday morning to give you the latest…
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Macon residents unhappy with hospital transition
The independent firm responsible for ensuring HCA Healthcare complies with the terms of its purchase agreement for Mission Health Systems…
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Frog Level soup kitchen lease won’t be renewed
Much misinformation is being spread about the state of and the fate of Frog Level’s community-based food ministry — namely,…
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Symposium seeks input on Cherokee language preservation
How do you create new fluent speakers in a language that’s no longer the common tongue of its community? That’s…
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Haywood commissioners pass broad ‘Constitution protecting’ resolution
Haywood County didn’t pass a Second Amendment sanctuary resolution on Feb. 3, but what commissioners did pass was somehow something…
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Road project guides Sylva budget talks
Sylva’s finances are in a good place going into the 2020 budget season, but with the N.C. 107 project looming…
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Haywood commissioners to hear 'Constitution protecting' resolution on Monday
While it’s not exactly a “Second Amendment sanctuary” resolution, a proposal to declare Haywood County a “Constitution Protecting County” does…
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Chamber honors director’s service
The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recently recognized Julie Spiro Donaldson for 20 years of service as…
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Haywood commissioners get earful on 2A sanctuary status
The opening act of what promises to be a protracted melodrama played out in the Historic Haywood County Courthouse last…
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Jackson commissioners change meeting schedule
The Jackson County commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 21 to change their regular meeting schedule, with their second monthly meeting to…
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Super Bowl to showcase Sylva
Western North Carolinians tuning into the Super Bowl this Sunday might do a double take when they glimpse scenes of…
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