Executive Director Jordan Smith (left) and Land Conservation Manager Emmie Cornell stand in front of the newly acquired property at Historic Watauga Town. Mainspring photo
 

Mainspring celebrates land purchases

Mainspring Conservation Trust has purchased two new properties that will add to ongoing conservation projects in Macon and Jackson counties.
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A mother bear and her cubs make a dangerous journey across Interstate 40. Susan Detwiler photo
 

House bill seeks $5 million for wildlife crossings

The N.C. House of Representatives has filed a budget bill that includes $5 million for infrastructure to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions…
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Bloodroot is named for the reddish-orange sap that oozes from its rhizome. Adam Bigelow photo
 

It’s in our blood

Each spring I am struck by the beauty and encouraged by the support given by bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) as it…
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Officials cited multiple factors contributing to declining enrollment.
 

Declining school enrollment prompts unusual financial ask

Nearly all manner of calamity — global pandemic, cyber-attack, flooding and an impending shutdown of one of the area’s largest,…
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Balsam Edge will be located directly behind the Ingles on Russ Avenue in Waynesville.
 

Waynesville ups affordable housing incentives for nonprofit developer

Continuing to make bold steps in addressing Haywood County’s affordable housing crisis, the Town of Waynesville Board of Aldermen voted…
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The candidate filing period for municipal elections begins July 7.
 

Candidates begin lining up for Waynesville election

Every seat on Waynesville’s Board of Aldermen will be up for election this year, but if the town’s plan for…
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The Shadow Self
 

The Shadow Self

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor | When we are born into this world we are total perfection. Everything about us…
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Dozens of cars sit on the grass at Green Hill Cemetery last Halloween.
 

Cemetery committee chair refuses to comply with public records law, resigns

Sharon Franks, the embattled chair of Waynesville’s Cemetery Committee who sent a scathing email to a committee member for reporting…
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‘Staurolite’ by Hoss Haley.
 

New sculpture at WCU

Located outside Western Carolina University’s Apodaca Science Building is a new sculpture by Spruce Pine artist Hoss Haley, titled “Staurolite,”…
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Use common sense with library controversy
 

Use common sense with library controversy

To the Editor:  As a parent, as a teacher of elementary children and as a former member of the Macon…
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U.S. Attorney Dena King presents Principal Chief Richard Sneed an award in recognition of his efforts to partner with and support the Western District Court of North Carolina. Holly Kays photo
 

U.S. Attorneys discuss tribal issues in Cherokee

T The U.S. Attorney General’s Advisory Committee’s Native American Issues Subcommittee is meeting in Cherokee this week, bringing together leaders…
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The road to tyranny starts with censorship
 

The road to tyranny starts with censorship

To the Editor:  “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Franklin Roosevelt said this at his inauguration…
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The 'Airing of the Quilts' returns May 6 in Dillsboro.
 

‘Airing of the Quilts’ open call

The Appalachian Women’s Museum invites quilters and quilt collectors a chance to show off their fabrics during the annual “Airing…
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March is a tease, so hello April
 

March is a tease, so hello April

March is over. It’s over at last, thank merciful heavens. 
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The Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas, Texas.
 

This must be the place: ‘The road goes on forever and the party never ends’

Hello from Room 519 at the Canvas Hotel in downtown Dallas, Texas. It’s almost 80 degrees. Monday morning. Bluebird skies…
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Will West Long, an authority on Cherokee language, ceremony, and medicine, dedicated his life to preserving and sharing his culture.
 

'Behind the mask': Cherokee exhibit focuses on mask makers, legacy

Showcased at the Chief Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center in Cherokee, the new exhibition, “Behind the Mask: Cherokee Mask Makers…
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NC’s repeal of handgun licensing is shameful
 

NC’s repeal of handgun licensing is shameful

Since 2020 gun violence has been the leading cause of death among children in the United States, not automobile accidents or…
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A parent at Shining Rock Classical Academy has been charged with cyberstalking by school officials. File photo
 

Parent who alleged Shining Rock abuse charged in connection to ‘harassing’ emails

Shining Rock Classical Academy is pressing criminal charges against a school parent who previously accused the school of abusive disciplinary…
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Macon County School Board signed a resolution opposing House Bill 219. MCS photo
 

Macon school board opposes charter school bill

The Macon County School Board has signed a resolution in opposition to a bill that would greatly expand the ways…
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Jackson considers UDO amendments for cell towers, campgrounds
 

Jackson considers UDO amendments for cell towers, campgrounds

Jackson County will hold a public hearing on two amendments to its Unified Development Ordinance this month.
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Jackson schools address vape usage
 

Jackson schools address vape usage

The Jackson County Schools Health Advisory Council has been conducting research into vape use among students and its findings have…
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The spongy moth has the potential to devastate Western North Carolina's forests.
 

Spongy moth treatment for Cruso postponed

After residents voiced concerns during a March 21 meeting over a North Carolina Department of Agriculture initiative to treat an…
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Q&A with Lisa Conard of Pigeon River Mercantile
 

Q&A with Lisa Conard of Pigeon River Mercantile

In last week’s Rumble issue, we featured a roundup of female-driven businesses in Canton, N.C. CLick HERE to see the…
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Lemon Mushroom Chicken
 

Lemon Mushroom Chicken

By Stefanee Sherman • Rumble Contributor | If you’re looking for comfort food, give this recipe a try. It’s the perfect…
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Jason Harley Kloepfer stands at the door with his hands up one second before officers fired.
 

DA recuses herself from police shooting case

A This story has been updated from the original version published Wednesday, March 29, to include reporting from additional public…
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Contrary to reports in other media, Pactiv Evergreen has said nothing about its Waynesville facility since March 6.
 

Public urged to disregard false mill story

A story published in today’s edition of the Waynesville Mountaineer contained inaccurate information about Pactiv Evergreen’s facility in Waynesville, a…
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The Divorce House
 

The Divorce House

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor | Feng Shui consultants know that major life changing events affect the energy of a…
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The presence of a devastating invasive moth has been detected in Haywood County. Wikipedia photo
 

Moth brawl: A little moth is causing big problems in Cruso

Last week, more than a hundred people turned up to an informational meeting about a North Carolina Department of Agriculture…
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Trilliums bloom in the Highlands  Nature Center Botanical Garden. Dylan Lytle photo
 

Take a walk in the woods

Spring is here, bringing with it ample opportunity to get outside, stretch your legs and enjoy the abundance of wildflowers…
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The festival will feature hundreds of carefully crafted orchid displays. N.C. Arboretum photo
 

Orchid festival returns to Asheville

The Asheville Orchid Festival, one of the largest international orchid shows in the Southeast, will return for its 22nd year…
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Turkey season opens this week. Tom Reichner photo
 

Wild turkey season is nearly here

The season opens for youth hunters is April 1-7, and the statewide season is April 8 to May 6. Hunters…
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Volunteers pound in live stakes along a riverbank.
 

Help restore Allens Creek

Help make Allens Creek healthier with a stream improvement project noon to 4 p.m. March 29-30, and possibly Friday, March…
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The Get Right Band are (from left) Silas Durocher, Jesse Gentry and J.C. Mears. The group will play Asheville on April 7. Donated photo
 

‘Hell yes, refresh’: The Get Right Band release ‘iTopia’

With its latest concept album, “iTopia,” Asheville-based indie-rockers The Get Right Band have offered up food for thought on where…
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Steep Canyon Rangers at Suwannee Spring Reunion. Garret K. Woodward photo
 

This must be the place: 'Same ol' moon, same ol' sun, same ol' race that we've always run’

Hello from the backstage area at the Suwannee Spring Reunion music festival in Live Oak, Florida. It’s hot and humid.…
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Reading, reviews, and self-remonstrance
 

Reading, reviews, and self-remonstrance

Maybe it’s the mixed-up weather. The warmer temperatures have delivered a sort of raucous springtime mood, though Whatever the cause,…
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Comment

What this old house remembers
 

What this old house remembers

I live in an old farmhouse that is literally falling apart. Each spring, clouds of termites rise in the bathroom…
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Serendipity during the Lenten season
 

Serendipity during the Lenten season

This year for Lent I took on a challenge instead of giving up something. I challenged myself to communicate more…
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Dr. Stephen Loyd delivers the keynote address Thursday, March 23. Holly Kays photo
 

Building second chances: Conference explores impact of trauma on tribal workforce — and how to help

When Katelynn Ledford McCoy stood in front of her Cherokee High School classmates in June 2009, the class valedictorian was…
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A speaker holds up a book containing LGBTQ content during public comment at a March 14 Macon County Commission meeting. Bob Scott photo
 

Macon residents, commissioner float withdrawing from Fontana Regional Library

What started as a group of citizens concerned about certain LGBTQ books in the Macon County Library has turned into…
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Prosecutors seek enhanced sentence for Moody as second defendant pleads guilty
 

Prosecutors seek enhanced sentence for Moody as second defendant pleads guilty

Darris Moody’s failure to appear for a federal court hearing back in October could come back to haunt her, as…
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Mountain Housing Opportunities’ longtime leader announces retirement
 

Mountain Housing Opportunities’ longtime leader announces retirement

Scott Dedman, President and Executive Director of Mountain Housing Opportunities (MHO), announced his plan to retire in August of this…
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Not so fast — Medicaid expansion contingent on state budget passing
 

Not so fast — Medicaid expansion contingent on state budget passing

While some elected officials and media outlets are going to great lengths to celebrate Gov. Roy Cooper’s signing of the…
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EBCI Housing Secretary Edwin Taylor addresses Tribal Council March 2. EBCI photo
 

Cherokee buys out business lease for housing development

In a divided vote Thursday, March 2, the Cherokee Tribal Council appropriated $275,000 to buy out the lease of a…
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Comment

Jenny Holland (right) and Dr. Don Tomas, SCC President, hold the Order of the Long Leaf Pine that was awarded posthumously to Lambert Wilson.
 

Order of Long Leaf Pine awarded posthumously to former SCC Trustee Chair

On Friday, March 10, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine was presented posthumously in honor of Lambert Wilson to…
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Jonathan Crompton. File photo
 

Tuscola High School announces new coach

Tuscola High School has found a new head football coach in former NFL quarterback Jonathan Crompton.
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County approves half of Sylva’s municipal grant application
 

County approves half of Sylva’s municipal grant application

After pressing the brakes on Sylva’s municipal grant application, county commissioners have decided to approve a portion of the grant,…
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For some workers at Pactiv Evergreen’s Canton paper mill, the last day of work could come as early as June 9. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Government, union prepare for impact of mill closing

The initial shock of Pactiv Evergreen’s announcement that its Canton paper mill would soon cease operations hasn’t quite worn off for…
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Pactiv Evergreen has received 11 notices of violation from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality since May 2021. File photo
 

Mill receives water quality violation

Pactiv Evergreen has received a notice of violation from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality after a water quality measurement…
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Debra Bechtel will serve as Jackson County’s interim county attorney beginning April 1. Teague Campbell photo
 

New attorney selected for Jackson County

Jackson County is losing long-time county attorney Heather Baker, but it has already selected a new attorney to serve as…
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Main Street in Sylva. File photo
 

Sylva aims to expand role of Main Street director

Sylva taxpayers may be looking at a one-cent tax increase in the coming 2023-24 fiscal year. In return for that…
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