This certainly is not politics as usual
 

This certainly is not politics as usual

To the Editor: I have been a political junkie since the Kennedy-Nixon race, but this letter is not about partisan…
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We need real change in this country
 

We need real change in this country

To the Editor: Are you an emotional voter letting the media and others tell you how to vote? Or an…
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Let’s ask Rep. Presnell to step down
 

Let’s ask Rep. Presnell to step down

To the Editor: As we face a drought, Rep. Michele Presnell, R-Burnsville, not only vigorously supports fracking (hydraulic fracturing) in…
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Vox Populi — the voice of the people: Voters express indecision, dissatisfaction with candidates, parties
 

Vox Populi — the voice of the people: Voters express indecision, dissatisfaction with candidates, parties

As Jonathan Creek Road meanders south from Interstate 40 some 17 miles hence, it forms a “T” with Soco Road.…
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Challengers want change in Swain County
 

Challengers want change in Swain County

In this year’s commissioner election, Swain County residents will have to decide whether they are happy with the work done…
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Hipps and Davis race once more for Senate seat
 

Hipps and Davis race once more for Senate seat

Franklin orthodontist Jim Davis has held the District 50 seat in the N.C. Senate since 2010, when the legislature flipped…
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Early voting underway
 

Early voting underway

Residents of Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties wishing to vote in advance of the Tuesday, Nov. 8, election in…
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Contentious ‘Dangerous Faggot’ tour brings alt-right punditry to WCU
 

Contentious ‘Dangerous Faggot’ tour brings alt-right punditry to WCU

Feminism is cancer. Patriarchy is good for everyone. The wage gap is a myth. Islam is not a religion of…
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‘Little Biltmore’ goes Hollywood
 

‘Little Biltmore’ goes Hollywood

Thom Morgan isn’t the type to be star struck.  When a location scout approached him two years ago about filming…
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Luck of the draw: how a Waynesville mansion made the silver screen
 

Luck of the draw: how a Waynesville mansion made the silver screen

Haywood County was abuzz with excitement during the filming of the major motion-picture “Masterminds” two summers ago, but exactly how…
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Mountain Projects latest victim of USDA fiasco
 

Mountain Projects latest victim of USDA fiasco

Last month, the town of Canton’s highly anticipated municipal pool project hit an unexpected snag when it was learned that…
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Wilderness debate goes to the government
 

Wilderness debate goes to the government

When the forest planning process for the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests kicked off more than two years ago, it…
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Multiple school campuses on lock down
 

Multiple school campuses on lock down

Around noon today, a telephone call was made to local law enforcement. The caller made threatening comments about Canton Middle…
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You’re going the wrong way – not
 

You’re going the wrong way – not

When you’re out chasing fall migrants and you either have a good internal compass or you’re somewhere it’s pretty easy…
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New, free maps show the Smokies in greater detail
 

New, free maps show the Smokies in greater detail

New U.S. Topo maps are out, and the quadrangles covering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park now display trails, campgrounds,…
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Take the 100-mile challenge
 

Take the 100-mile challenge

A statewide challenge to knock out 100 miles of hiking, walking, running, paddling, skating, horseback riding or rolling a wheelchair…
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Congressman sits down with wilderness supporters
 

Congressman sits down with wilderness supporters

Congressman Mark Meadows (R-Cashiers) and a room of 30 wilderness supporters spent two hours discussing everything from ecology to U.S.…
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Elk Bugle Corps gets a boost
 

Elk Bugle Corps gets a boost

A $3,500 grant from the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority will help enrich the elk viewing experience in the Cataloochee…
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Western Carolina recognized for energy savings
 

Western Carolina recognized for energy savings

Western Carolina University was among the 18 public colleges and universities recently honored by the state for leadership in reducing…
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Presidential power grows at an alarming rate
 

Presidential power grows at an alarming rate

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will…
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New Haywood dance initiative
 

New Haywood dance initiative

It has been over 10 years since the Haywood County Arts Council brought the Atlanta Ballet to Haywood County to…
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WCU professor receives Cherokee honor
 

WCU professor receives Cherokee honor

Brett Riggs, Sequoyah Distinguished Professor of Cherokee Studies at Western Carolina University, has received the 2016 Cherokee National Worcester Award…
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This must be the place
 

This must be the place

What the hell, I figured. Sometime around midnight, and somewhere around my third beer, I decided to send her a…
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After the dust settles: A conversation with Tim Reynolds
 

After the dust settles: A conversation with Tim Reynolds

It is the rhythm of life. When you hear the guitar mastery of Tim Reynolds, you’re listening to the joyous…
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Sen. Jim Davis, corporate lapdog
 

Sen. Jim Davis, corporate lapdog

To the Editor: From my mailbox recently I pulled a large political mailer from State Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, attacking…
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Negative flyers are a waste of money
 

Negative flyers are a waste of money

To the Editor: With the advent of the election season, my mailbox and my sensitivities are being assailed by political…
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Tax facts instead of Sen. Jim Davis’ spin
 

Tax facts instead of Sen. Jim Davis’ spin

To the Editor: Your income went down, but your N.C. income tax went up. Is this possible? You bet. If…
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Volunteer for school science laboratory
 

Volunteer for school science laboratory

To the Editor: Have you ever seen the light in a student’s eyes when they learn a new  concept? I…
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Local dogs need our help, not Korean dogs
 

Local dogs need our help, not Korean dogs

To the Editor I was astonished by your recent article about the HSUS bringing dogs from Korea to Western North…
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‘And you may ask yourself, how did I get here?’
 

‘And you may ask yourself, how did I get here?’

There were left hooks and right uppercuts. The crowd couldn’t look away as they cringed with each blast and low…
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It’s called The Open Door, so come on in
 

It’s called The Open Door, so come on in

Lately I’ve been hanging out at The Open Door in Frog Level and I have to admit, it’s my new…
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Sorting out my aversion to Donald Trump
 

Sorting out my aversion to Donald Trump

Cruel. That was it, that’s the word that defines why I think Donald Trump is unfit to be president. Obviously,…
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Comment

FBI investigating tribal housing authority
 

FBI investigating tribal housing authority

A tribal authority tasked with helping tribal members find housing is under investigation by the FBI for “possible criminal conduct…
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Tools of the trade: Preppers prepare for disaster
 

Tools of the trade: Preppers prepare for disaster

Close your eyes and imagine this: It’s another picture-perfect Western North Carolina Wednesday morning with Chamber of Commerce weather and…
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Pay increases coming for some in Haywood schools
 

Pay increases coming for some in Haywood schools

Some employees in the Haywood County school system will see more money in their paychecks this month, thanks to state…
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Diversity officer discusses differences, exploration and the lost art of respectful debate
 

Diversity officer discusses differences, exploration and the lost art of respectful debate

When Ricardo Nazario-Colon first stepped onto Western Carolina University’s campus to interview for the new chief diversity officer position, one…
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Liberty group protests campus speech restrictions; WCU says its policies are reasonable
 

Liberty group protests campus speech restrictions; WCU says its policies are reasonable

It was a sunny Constitution Day at Western Carolina University, and the colors shone brightly on the giant beach ball…
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Will Presnell survive Schandevel challenge?
 

Will Presnell survive Schandevel challenge?

Rhonda Cole Schandevel is a survivor.  “I hate it. I miss him terribly,” she said, a limpid pool of tears…
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Candidates focus on Macon’s future
 

Candidates focus on Macon’s future

Macon County residents will more than likely recognize the names of the four commissioner candidates who will appear on their…
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Women in Business 2016
 

Women in Business 2016

Women climbing the corporate ladder or owning their own business is nothing new, and in fact North Carolina is among the…
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Sylva’s homegrown talent
 

Sylva’s homegrown talent

Nestled betwixt the Great Balsam and Plott Balsam ranges not far from Western Carolina University in Jackson County, the town…
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Edwards reflects on culture changes spanning 30 years in the workplace
 

Edwards reflects on culture changes spanning 30 years in the workplace

In Western North Carolina’s travel and tourism community, it’s not too unusual to find women at the helm. But when…
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Passion for fashion
 

Passion for fashion

Sarah Miller has a glowing personality and limitless energy when it comes to pursuing her passion.
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Crossroads of art and community
 

Crossroads of art and community

It’s a constant flow. “All day people are coming in and out of the gallery, to wander the shop or…
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Designing your dreams
 

Designing your dreams

The “wow” effect. “When we reveal a project to a client and they have that ‘wow’ expression on their face…
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Rural animal care offers constant joy, constant challenge for vet clinic
 

Rural animal care offers constant joy, constant challenge for vet clinic

It’s not unusual to hear a visiting veterinarian term Cherokee Animal Care Clinic an emergency day clinic, Dr. Robbie McLeod…
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Finding femininity in the family business
 

Finding femininity in the family business

Amanda James Shaw never expected she’d be back in her hometown of Franklin running the family business, especially a power…
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Stepping out on faith at Sylva’s Sassy Frass
 

Stepping out on faith at Sylva’s Sassy Frass

Originally from Jackson, Tennessee. Tammy Fuller moved to Sylva seven years ago. Four years after that she opened Sassy Frass…
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Farmer’s daughter finds life purpose in family business
 

Farmer’s daughter finds life purpose in family business

It may be mostly men tending to the crops these days at Darnell Farms, but it’s Afton Roberts who has…
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Livestock you love: Bethel man carves out a life among alpacas
 

Livestock you love: Bethel man carves out a life among alpacas

A cadre of curious animals gathers at the gate as Joe Moore, owner of Indian Springs Farms in Bethel, approaches…
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