Council discusses the court system’s place in government
Last week wasn’t the first time since the new tribal leadership took office that the issue of separation of powers…
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Tribal council votes to create legislative office separate from executive oversight
When the Cherokee Tribal Council voted to create the Office of Legislative Support last week, it was doing more than…
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Motion to dismiss filed in lawsuit contesting Cherokee council raises
Defendants in a lawsuit stemming from raises and backpay the Cherokee Tribal Council voted itself in October 2014 are hoping…
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Cashiers cell tower approved
A proposal to build a new cell tower outside Cashiers got the OK from Jackson County Commissioners last week, a…
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Emergency animal clinic to open this spring in Waynesville
Pet owners in the western counties will soon have a shorter drive to tackle when their furry charges are in…
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Howell Mill Road projects nears completion | Gallery
Barring any unexpected circumstances, Howell Mill Road should be open to vehicle traffic in a couple of weeks. The $11.7…
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Abandoned hospital to find new purpose
A new plan is the works to convert the abandoned old hospital in Haywood County into an affordable housing apartment…
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Turning Haywood’s shuttered hospital into apartments hinges on tax credits
The plan to convert the old hospital in Haywood County into low-income apartments isn’t a done deal. It’s contingent on…
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Jackson schools consider artificial turf field
School officials in Jackson County will be crossing their fingers over the next few weeks, hoping to get a low…
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Haywood commissioners take a pass on shooting range controversy
Haywood County commissioners aren’t likely to intervene in the controversy over a proposed indoor firing range and gun store coming…
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Neighbors worry about impact of indoor firing range
Members of a tranquil farming community with deep roots in Haywood County fear their way of life will be ruined…
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Swain animal control ordinance takes shape
After conducting research and gathering public input for several months, an ad hoc committee finally has a working draft for…
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Macon County Health takes over animal services
As of Nov. 1, 2015, Macon County Public Health took on the additional responsibility of overseeing animal services in Macon…
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Election snapshot: A primer on who’s running for state seats
Voters in Western North Carolina have barely taken down the Christmas tree but will soon find themself in the throes…
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Female suspect sought in stabbing incident
Two Haywood County men have been apprehended while one woman is still at large in connection with the stabbing of…
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Three candidates run for U.S. Representative
Incumbent Mark Meadows, R-Cashiers, will face a challenger in next year’s election to represent the 11th District of North Carolina…
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Franklin cops to begin using body cameras
As allegations of police brutality continue to dominate the news all across the country, many law enforcement agencies have turned…
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Franklin approves plans for new subdivision
Plans for a brand new residential subdivision in Franklin will move forward after the town board of aldermen approved a…
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Cattle-loading facility, intended for Jackson County, could come to Swain
Rob Hawk’s been trying since spring to find a landing place for the grant he’d helped get for a cattle…
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2015: News in review
Time to put a bow on 2015 and call it wrapped. But not just yet, at least not for all…
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Former Jackson commissioner booted from TWSA board
Doug Cody was quite clear in his request to the Jackson County Commissioners when he showed up at their meeting…
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Warm start to winter puts dent in ski-based tourism
The winter tourism industry in Haywood County is reeling from unseasonably warm temperatures that have shuttered Cataloochee Ski Area during…
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Possum Drop on for New Year’s
After taking a hit in court earlier this month, the folks behind the annual Clay’s Corner Possum Drop got some…
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Six candidates vie for two Macon commission posts
Six candidates have signed up to run for two commissioner seats in Macon County next year.
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Canton proposes $2 million pool project
Canton’s outdoor pool has given the community a place to gather, play, exercise and relax for more than 70 years.
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Seven in running for Swain commission
Seven candidates will be vying for two commissioner seats in Swain County next year.
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Elk hunting by permit being debated by wildlife commission
As the elk herd in Western North Carolina continues to grow, an elk-hunting season could become a possibility under a…
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Jackson hires planning director
After plugging along for seven months without one, Jackson County will welcome a new planning director when 2016 begins.
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Cashiers development gets green light for expansion
A plan to double the capacity of a planned development near Cashiers got the go-ahead from Jackson County commissioners when…
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Haywood commissioners vexed by attendance record of tax collector
Haywood County commissioners expressed concern this week over what they claim is poor work attendance of the county tax collector,…
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Uncontested primaries on tap for Jackson
Though both of the Jackson County commissioners up for re-election will have competition when November rolls around, the primary season…
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Seven seek two commissioner seats in Haywood
Two additional Republicans joined the race for Haywood County commissioner in the final days of the candidate sign-up period that…
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Swearing to God still carries political weight
Public officials aren’t required to place their hand on a Bible to be sworn into office, but a majority of…
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Separating church and state: Mayor’s oath of office sparks larger debate
In the last couple of weeks, Franklin Mayor Bob Scott has been called un-American, arrogant and an asshole, but he’s…
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Farming community rattled by prospect of indoor shooting range
Janie Higgins was crushed to learn a week before Christmas that the rolling pastures and fields her family has tilled…
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Christmas tree industry growing strong
With more than 25 million real Christmas trees sold in the United States every year, growing Christmas trees is a…
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Jackson appears set to OK development plan
After holding a public hearing last week, at its next meeting Jackson County Commissioners will likely approve an agreement allowing…
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Cashiers residents sound off on proposed cell tower
A proposed cell phone tower in Cashiers is drawing heated opinion from both sides, but it will be several weeks…
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Phone apps causing disruption in schools
New Smartphone applications are being developed every day, and many of them are helping teenagers keep secrets from their parents.
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Breedlove to resign as Webster mayor, take the helm of tourism agency
It took only minutes for the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority to approve Nick Breedlove as its new contracted director…
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Business growth in 2015 gives Dillsboro hope for brighter future
Ever since the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad left Dillsboro in 2008, the little town has been just barely chugging along.…
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Still trapped by the delicate dance of a new town manager, Waynesville’s Marcy Onieal faces a double-edged sword daily
Marcy Onieal had mighty big shoes to fill when she walked through the doors of Waynesville’s town hall four years…
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Waynesville town board divided on whether to keep town manager
A move afoot by two Waynesville aldermen to push out Town Manager Marcy Onieal might seem incongruous with their campaign…
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Local teen’s actions save a man’s life
Mary Kelly, a 16-year-old Smoky Mountain High School student, was recently recognized by Harris Regional Hospital for her quick actions…
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Five signed up to run for Macon commission
Five candidates are running for two commissioner seats in Macon County and there are still five days left to sign…
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Canton finally claims Camp Hope — for good
It has cost Canton half a million dollars to keep ownership of a piece of property it already owns.
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Christmas tree farm experience
People can buy a real Christmas tree just about anywhere these days — from the big box stores to the…
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The art of picking the perfect Christmas tree
Some like them tall and thin. Others like them shorter and thick.
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A real tree takes real work
The Christmas tree business is not a get-rich-quick kind of industry. Once a seedling is planted, it takes about eight…
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WCU chancellor pledges transparency, faculty involvement to vet controversial Koch money
Western Carolina University Chancellor David Belcher announced to faculty this week that he would engage their input and oversight in…
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