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When Sydney Bridges sets out to do something, she doesn’t give up. A 10th grader at Tuscola High School in Haywood County, Bridges is currently spearheading a fund-raising campaign to build a clear water well in Kampala, Uganda.
The state fund that helped conserve miles of riverfront, protect thousands of acres of undeveloped mountainsides and build countless sewer and water projects in Western North Carolina is hanging on by a thread.
The Jackson County Planning Board debated where to draw the line between safety and individual rights last month in its ongoing rewrite of steep slope rules. Specifically, should driveways to homes on steep slopes have to meet safety standards?
In several counties in Western North Carolina, a showdown between the printed word and the digital age could soon take place. A bill has passed the N.C. Senate that allows some town and county governments in the region to opt…
Haywood County commissioners may soon revisit the unsettled issue of whether Confederate Flags can be flown on the lawn of the historic Waynesville courthouse. County commissioners were caught in a maelstrom last year when a philosophical debate broke out between…
The Haywood Community College Board of Trustees has given preliminary approval for the construction of a training facility for law enforcement and emergency service workers.
If the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority is footing the bill for a magazine ad, brochure, sign — you name it — the tourism agency deserves recognition, tourism board members reaffirmed last week.
A state bill that would raise Haywood County’s lodging tax is still sitting idly in committee in Raleigh with no signs of going up for a vote soon in the General Assembly.
A convenience store owner in Macon County was let off the hook by a judge for four misdemeanor charges of operating illegal sweepstakes machines — but it will have little or no bearing on the state’s ban on the machines.
Shortly after takeoff, the Smoky Mountain Flying Club is having to re-route its course.  The flying club nearly lost an $11,000 non-refundable down payment on an airplane after a deal with investors went bad.
After months of debate and protest, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ Tribal Council voted to let the bear zoos on the Qualla Boundary remain open, although it was not unanimous.
The town of Waynesville has a large checklist to tackle in the coming months before Lake Junaluska is officially added to the town limits.
Wednesday, 01 May 2013 01:10

Sylva Walmart sign decision pending

Sylva town leaders once again have a public hearing on the docket to decide the fate of oversized Walmart signs, but are once again wondering whether representatives of Walmart will stand them up.
Dr. Janine Keever still remembers that do-or-die moment in her undergrad chemistry class like it was yesterday. The grades just came back on her first exam of the year, and it wasn’t pretty. Her dream of medical school seemed to…
As long as Realtor Sammie Powell leans back in his chair in his home office, he can talk on his cell phone all day long. But as soon as he stands up to reach for something across his desk, his…
The Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin is hosting a one-day leadership event from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 10 for those who want to move forward as a leader. The simulcast event will be broadcast…
A state-of-the-art training facility built by Drake Software is the latest addition to Macon County’s economic landscape.
A bill that recently passed the state Senate would take social assistance away from anyone using drugs by requiring state aid recipients to take a mandatory drug test.
Photographer Barbara Sammons will be showcasing an exhibit of her work from May 7 to July 31 at the Canton Branch Library. Titled “Dusty Roads and More,” the exhibit will offer a collection of photographs of old cars, tractors, wildlife…
Wednesday, 01 May 2013 00:00

J. Creek Cloggers kick into the summer

The J. Creek Cloggers are gearing up for a lively summer festival season. A high-energy dance team based out of Haywood County, the group keeps the mountain tradition alive of clogging, audience participation square dances and broom dances.  Members demonstrate…
The legendary David Holt and local gospel group Mountain Faith will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, May 10, in the Coulter Hall at Western Carolina University as a benefit for the Jackson County chapter of Junior Appalachian Musicians. 
Woofstock, a benefit festival for ARF (the Humane Society of Jackson County), will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Bridge Park in Sylva.
Western Carolina University is accepting nominations for the Mountain Heritage Award, an honor bestowed annually on one individual and one organization that has played a prominent role in the preservation or interpretation of Southern Appalachian history and culture. Letters of…
Wednesday, 01 May 2013 00:00

Reba McEntire to play Harrah’s

Legendary country singer Reba McEntire will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 26, at Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center.
Wednesday, 01 May 2013 00:00

HCC Crafts students debut work

The graduating class of Haywood Community College’s Professional Crafts program will exhibit some their best work at the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville through June 23.
All five North Carolina breweries west of Asheville medaled in the recent Carolinas Championship of Beer during the Hickory Hops Festival.   “It’s a testament that we are all in it for the long haul, that we will strive to…
If the litmus test of a community’s health is how strong its art scene is, then, by the looks of it, Waynesville is in tip-top shape. Hundreds will take to the streets of downtown this Friday evening for the first…
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 02:05

Cliff swallows return

That’s the news. Our common breeding swallows have always been purple martins, barn swallows, and northern rough-winged swallows. To a lesser extent, tree swallows also breed here, where there are suitable tree cavities or boxes. Cliff swallows are another matter. 
A national convergence of Appalachian Trail fans and hiking enthusiasts will descend on Western Carolina University this summer for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Biennial conference. This year, the large gathering will be held July 19 through July 26 in Cullowhee.…
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 02:00

Bugle Corp recognized for their volunteerism

In honor of National Volunteer Week, Friends of the Smokies is recognizing the work of the Elk Bugle Corps. The team of volunteers rove Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and help educate the hordes of visitors…
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 01:56

Protected watershed offers rare public hike

A guided hike to the usually off-limits Waynesville watershed will be held from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27. During the three- to five-mile hike, naturalist Don Hendershot will talk about the surrounding flora and fauna, and Peter…
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 01:55

Protestors call for action on global warming

A group of about 30 demonstrators gathered last Monday at the public fountain on Main Street in downtown Sylva to demand state politicians take action to address climate change. The rally was one of a series of public gatherings around…
A section of the Noland Creek Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be closed to hikers and horseback riders through May 2, as crews repair flood damage from the past winter.
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 01:52

Races, paddling, music and more at NOC

Visitors to the Nantahala Gorge this weekend can take in a full lineup of freestyle paddling competitions, outdoor activities, film screenings, live music and family activities.
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 01:51

Be a responsible ramp picker this spring

Spring means ramp season in Western North Carolina, but the ramp population in Southern Appalachians is being hurt by over-harvesting.
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 01:50

Have what it takes to be a junior ranger?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will celebrate the National Junior Ranger Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 27.
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 01:49

Homecoming

The blue-headed vireo sang to me of spring sometime around the first week of April. Blue-headeds are generally the last “non-resident” songbird we hear in the fall (sometimes into November) and the first we hear in the spring — probably…
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 01:45

Honeybee disappearance baffles experts

Beekeepers in Western North Carolina were hit especially hard this winter by a mysterious rash of bee disappearances.  Amateur Haywood County beekeeper Andy Bailey said he lost three of his four colonies during the winter. His final hive lasted until…
Haywood County Public Library announces the addition of Zinio to its system. Zinio is an online service that allows you to download digital copies of popular magazines to your computer, tablet or mobile device for free. You can view Zinio…
Mark Powell’s The Dark Corner is probably the best Appalachian novel that I have read in the last decade. It is also the most disturbing. In this, his third novel, Powell captures both the natural beauty of northwestern South Carolina and…
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 01:31

WNC Ecofest comes to Haywood

WNC Ecofest will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 4, at Haywood Community College. The festival put on by the Haywood Chamber of Commerce will share practical ways to embrace a sustainable lifestyle and environmentally friendly…
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 01:30

Folkmoot festival holds Canton fundraiser

Folkmoot USA will kick off its 30th anniversary year with the “BIG 30” from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 3, at Sid’s on Main in Canton. It will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres, music, cash bar and live and silent…
Local historian Jane Nardy will lead a presentation on the secret child of Mordecai Zachary at 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 26, at the Cashiers-Glenville Recreation Center. The Cashiers historian, Nardy will deliver a presentation on the secret son of Cashiers’…
The Handlebar Corral presents the annual Thunder in the Smokies spring rally will be held May 3-5 in Maggie Valley.
Tennis superstars Andy Roddick and Jim Courier will play a charity exhibition match on Saturday, July 27, at Cedar Creek Racquet Club in Cashiers.
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 01:26

Dunn to play Harrah’s

Country star Ronnie Dunn will be taking the stage at 9 p.m. Friday, April 27, at Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center.
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 01:24

Photography exhibit goes underwater

Haywood County Arts Council announces a new exhibition, “Under the Sea,” featuring work by Dr. John Highsmith from May 1-27 at Gallery 86 in Waynesville.
Films created by Western Carolina University students will be screened at the fifth annual Controlled Chaos Film Festival at 7 p.m. Friday, May 3, in the Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at WCU.
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 01:21

Aiming for the soul, one note at a time

When finding your artistic voice, it’s about moving forward and not looking back, being true to yourself and refusing to run around in well-worn circles of creativity.
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 01:19

Spring up at Greening Up

The 16th annual Greening Up the Mountains festival takes place Saturday, April 27, on Main and Mill streets in historic downtown Sylva. This free festival celebrates spring in the mountains, when the greening leaves work their way up the Great…