Fire tax likely for Cashiers, Highlands
A fire tax for Sylva and Cullowhee is off the table, at least for now, but Jackson County Commissioners told…
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60-unit apartment complex proposed in Franklin
The proposed development of a 60-unit apartment complex in Franklin may be another sign that the economy is recovering, slowly…
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Cigarette users about to find it harder to light up in Waynesville
“Where will the smokers go?” has been the question on many people’s mind since the town of Waynesville and Haywood…
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Forest Service backs off planning timeline
It wasn’t long before the management planning process for the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests got heated and emotional, eventually…
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Wilderness proponents flummoxed by not-in-my-back-yard mindset
A movement to create new wilderness areas in the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests has met resistance in the seven…
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Evergreen clinic prepares to close
Evergreen Family Medical Center in Canton is no longer making new appointments for patients as it prepares to shutter its…
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Bill introduced to de-annex subdivision in Maggie Valley
For the second year in a row, Rep. Michele Presnell, R-Burnsville, has introduced a bill to de-annex property from Maggie…
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Cherokee adopts Baker Roll list as basis for tribal membership
Blood quantum. Even on their own, the words have a ceremonial, reverent ring to them. For Cherokee tribal members, reality…
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Welcome to the better side of the Smokies
The new Smokies superintendent got his introduction to the North Carolina side of the park amid plates of snacks and…
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New bill heads to Raleigh to join Lake J with Waynesville
The Lake Junaluska community will make a renewed bid to merge with the town of Waynesville this year, this time…
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Four arrested in connection with Sylva Halloween party
Four arrests were made yesterday (March 3) in connection with a Halloween party last fall that allegedly involved underage drinking…
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Franklin asks state for annexation exception
To accommodate potential future growth, the Franklin Board of Aldermen passed a resolution asking the North Carolina General Assembly to…
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Franklin considers allowing street banners
Larry Hollifield, owner of American Computer Repair in Franklin, has been tasked with forming a committee and coming up with…
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Haywood Chamber, Tourism Authority and Downtown Waynesville Association talk about moving in together
Waynesville’s old town hall on Main Street could be converted into a garrison for tourism, business and economic development agencies…
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Jackson grapples with fire tax question
Jackson County’s elected leaders will be have a big decision to make over the coming month: to levy a fire…
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Jackson planning board gets new leadership
With a slate of issues including steep slope development, cell phone tower construction and zoning rules for fracking facing the…
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Haywood’s old and new tax collectors settle into new roles
When Haywood County’s long-time tax collector David Francis was narrowly ousted by a younger, inexperienced opponent in last fall’s election,…
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Noise complaints could shut down animal haven
A dispute between Haywood County neighbors could result in one couple shutting down a nonprofit operation that is near and…
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Neighbors keep close eye on Nantahala
Ami Shinitzky, developer of Mystic River, understands why all eyes are on him as he works to develop lots for…
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Survey aims to prove rural Internet need to companies
When the sun sets in rural Fines Creek, the little community library gets bumping. It may be after-hours, but any…
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Jackson entrepreneur takes on the last-mile challenge of high-speed Internet in the mountains
The gap between the haves and have nots in the world of high-speed Internet will get a little smaller this…
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Haywood discusses background checks for appointees
Haywood County commissioners debated this week whether to make volunteers who serve on appointed boards and committees undergo a background…
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Franklin plans for water and sewer improvements
Engineers for the town of Franklin are recommending the town spend $15.1 million over the next 10 years to make…
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Elections embezzlement case lands on DA’s desk
It could be just a matter of months before District Attorney Ashley Welch decides whether to press charges in a…
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Burned at auctions, Haywood retools how it recoups back taxes
When Haywood County gets stiffed on property taxes, it carries a big stick of last resort: the foreclosure. But since…
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Opinions sought on redevelopment plan for abandoned factory
A draft plan to revamp the old Drexel furniture factory property in Whittier into an agricultural center will be presented…
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Lawyers involved in Sylva’s bar noise dispute
Attorneys for the Town of Sylva and No Name Sports Pub are busy trying to hash out the legal road…
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University says county development ordinance shouldn’t apply
County and university officials had a sit-down last week over the question of whether Western Carolina University should fall under…
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Canton moves forward with expanded Labor Day
Canton has decided not to spend upwards of $60,000 to bring in a nationally known headlining music act for Labor…
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Hydropower plant proposed in Highlands
The town of Highlands may not be interested in investing millions to rebuild a hydropower plant along the Cullasaja River,…
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Haywood tourism authority to hire new position
The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority plans to grow its staff to five as it dives into reviewing applications for…
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Tribal Council approves $10 million for new tech, organizational overhaul
Scanty wireless networks, outdated computer equipment, slow servers — technological woes have been a centerpiece of discussion at Cherokee Tribal…
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Higher ed a solid investment, study shows
Higher education in North Carolina got some good news with the release of an economic impact study last week, which…
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Folkmoot center renovation plans finalized
Folkmoot USA has finalized its capital improvements and business plan for the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Hazelwood. Since taking over…
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Babcock resigns from Folkmoot
After being at the helm of Folkmoot USA for six years, Karen Babcock has resigned as executive director and is…
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Community notes
Brush clearing at Monteith Farmstead Appalachian Tree Services of Franklin donated its services to remove several large trees and brush…
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Sylva Garden Club proposes pavilion for Bicentennial Park
The Sylva Garden Club is raising money to build a small pavilion in Bicentennial Park, a small green space located…
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Murphy casino project on track for summer
When the Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise board opted to get rid of the project manager position for its Murphy casino…
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Land purchase under way for outdoor pool in Cherokee
Cherokee is one step closer to having an Olympic-sized outdoor pool following Tribal Council’s unanimous vote this month to purchase…
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Highlands lowering lake for major repairs
Lake Sequoyah in Highlands is currently being drained in preparation for completing about $3 million in repairs to the dam.
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State won’t help Maggie Valley ‘decipher’ its own ridge law
Maggie Valley is in limbo over a proposed mountaintop cross after learning last week the state won’t help sort out…
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YMCA summer camp coming to Swain
YMCA of Western North Carolina is getting ready to break ground on Camp Watia, a summer camp in Swain County…
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WCU falls under county subdivision ordinance, planning board says
Western Carolina University will now be subject to Jackson County’s revised subdivision ordinance, the planning board decided last week. Technically,…
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WCU to end off-campus busing
Once the spring 2015 semester wraps up at Western Carolina University, off-campus students will no longer have the option of…
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Haywood notifies clients of missing data report
Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency recently notified clients that an accounts receivable report went missing from a billing…
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Canton second guesses proposed Labor Day changes
Canton will continue researching recommended changes to the town’s Labor Day celebration despite several aldermen expressing reservations about changing the…
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Haywood Schools stick with national firm over local cleaning company
The Haywood County School Board followed the recommendation of school cafeteria workers this month and voted to continue buying cleaning…
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Nonprofit manufacturer expanding in Sylva
Webster Enterprises is settling into its newly leased building on Harold Street in Sylva following the town board’s unanimous vote…
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Dillsboro allocates $25K for economic incentives
It’s been a tough few years for the tiny town of Dillsboro. Ever since the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad moved…
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Blood donors show loyalty to Red Cross
The new contract Mission Health signed with The Blood Connection for blood products will affect the American Red Cross’ collections…
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