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This must be the place
Claire Lynch likes to blur lines. Born and raised in Upstate New York, she eventually moved away, crossing the Mason-Dixon…
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The heartbeat of a community
It never ceases to amaze Lorraine Conard. “It’s a little bit magical,” she said. “You walk in and there’s this…
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Let’s show real respect for teachers
By Jim Hunt • Guest Columnist Earlier this year, I called for a state commitment to raise teacher pay to…
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Let your voice be heard at the ballot box
To the Editor: By this means I thank N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, for presenting the fracking forum in Macon…
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Fracking debate needs more research, facts
To the Editor: The letter writer on fracking in the Sept. 17-23 issue of The Smoky Mountain News appears to…
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Why textbooks matter even now
To the Editor: Although Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, and his fellow Republicans Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, and Rep. Michele Presnell,…
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Fracking is a ticking time bomb
To the Editor: As someone with 25-plus years of experience in water and wastewater equipment design, manufacture and installation, I…
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Burning the couch and chair, now that’s practical
Tammy is out in the yard burning the couch. There is no telling where this will end. All by herself,…
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A conversation with Ty Pennington
Ty Pennington is a celebrity carpenter best known for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” a show that involved lightning-quick remodels of…
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Community rallies for three-day makeover of Hazelwood prison
It was a scene that any fan — or casual viewer — of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” would find familiar.…
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N.C. House candidates Queen and Clampitt draw distinctions during debate
N.C. Rep. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, and Republican challenger Mike Clampitt are on a similar mission. Each is trying to…
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Cullowhee development standards have been drawn up; will the community buy-in?
Cullowhee is the fastest growing area of Jackson County. The growth owes much to Western Carolina University and is evidenced…
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Macon approves final school officer position
All 11 Macon County schools will now have their own school resource officer, called an SRO, after county commissioners voted…
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Dillsboro sells Duke property to Jackson County
The quiet, early morning streets of Dillsboro seemed still asleep as the town board ambled in. They arrived one by…
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Swain sees three-way race for sheriff
With Election Day nearing, Odel Chastain seemed pretty relaxed. “I’m sitting on my porch with my feet thrown up, watching…
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Jackson candidates drill down on fracking
The three Democratic challengers in the Jackson County commissioners race took the sitting commissioners to task for their inaction on…
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Game on: Jackson commissioner candidates go to the mat in three-on-three race
Three challengers for Jackson County commissioner opened with a strong offensive charge at a candidate debate last week, rarely letting…
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District attorney race pits colleagues against each other
Jim Moore and Ashley Welch have been on the same team for years, working side-by-side in the district attorney’s office…
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A prolific year for buckeye productions
A large buckeye tree overhangs and supports the swinging gate leading into our property. Thereby, we have the opportunity to…
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Timbersports team to take on competition
Chopping, sawing, axe throwing, tree climbing, log rolling and more will be on tap during an intercollegiate Woodsmen’s Meet Saturday,…
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Forestry to Forest Festival coming up at Cradle of Forestry
The Cradle of Forestry’s Forest Festival Day will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. More than…
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Smokies celebrates Wilderness Act
Ed Zahniser, son of the man who was widely regarded as the father of the Wilderness Act, will speak at…
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NOC recognized as top 100
Outdoor USA Magazine named Nantahala Outdoor Center, located outside Bryson City, as one of the top 100 outdoor specialty retailers…
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Franklin loves the AT, and the AT loves Franklin
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy recently recognized a passel of Franklin businesses and organizations for their support of the Appalachian Trail,…
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A bevy of 5K’s this fall
As the weather cools down, the competitive edge will be heating up in the running communities of Western North Carolina…
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Down by the water: Waynesville Rec gets busy with $25,000 worth of paddling equipment
“I’m gonna mark the spot with an X, right here,” says Tim Petrea, program supervisor for the Waynesville Parks and…
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A realist writer examines uncomfortable topics
“Evil is no more at an end than History, and so long as there are men there will be no…
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‘Elemeno Pea’ comedy hits WCU stage
A comedy set in Martha’s Vineyard that explores a wealthy world of infinity pools, Bentleys and yacht clubs with men…
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Fall, art comes alive at ColorFest
The 6th Annual ColorFest: Dillsboro Fine Arts & Crafts Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday,…
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Demonstration of printmaking with photopolymer plates
Frank Brannon, Jr., proprietor of SpeakEasy Press in Dillsboro, will present “How to Make and Print Photopolymer Plates” for Art…
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Taste of Sylva returns
Featuring local food, music and children’s activities, the 5th annual Taste of Sylva culinary tour will run from 1 to…
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Music, fall camping at Barnaroo
The 5th annual Barnaroo fall music festival will be held Oct. 4 at Franny’s Farm in Leicester.
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Claire Lynch to play Cataloochee Ranch
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Claire Lynch will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley. Long recognized…
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Balsam Range to command the Colonial stage
Acclaimed bluegrass/gospel group Balsam Range will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the Colonial Theatre in Canton. The…
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Jake Owen to perform at Harrah’s
Country megastar Jake Owen will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at Harrah’s Cherokee. Tickets are $45 and $55. 800.745.3000…
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This must be the place
It’s a lot harder than it looks. Stepping up to the first tee of the disc golf course at Grand Targhee…
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Tapping into Macon County
Dale Heinlein never thought he’d set down roots in his hometown of Highlands. “Living in Atlanta, in suburbia, with the…
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Use better science to support position
To the Editor: Ironically, the executive director of an organization named for the sacrificial bird used in mining operations endorses…
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Nikwasi Mound belongs to people of Macon
To the Editor: The deed to the Nikwasi Mound states that, “the mound shall be preserved for the citizens of…
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U.S. also commits acts of barbarism
To the Editor: We have chosen war yet again because we have deemed someone else’s behavior to be barbaric; in…
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North Carolina’s great balancing act
To the Editor: Since they took over control of the North Carolina Legislature, there has been a great cry among…
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Cutting taxes not always the best way to lead
To the Editor: A candidate for the county commission wants to cut your taxes. That is the basis for his…
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Ellison just plain wrong about Granville Calhoun
To the Editor: I have read with interest the original article by George Ellison questioning the account that Granville Calhoun…
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More on the saga of Kephart’s arrival at Hazel Creek
To the Editor: Readers may well be approaching exhaustion with this ongoing exchange regarding circumstances surrounding Horace Kephart’s arrival at…
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Webster wants to keep post office open
To the Editor: The letter from Mark Jamison of Webster that’s published in your most recent edition (“What does Webster…
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Old paper mill landfills mostly go unnoticed, un-monitored
More than 200 acres of scattered tracts along the meandering Pigeon River Valley in Haywood County are quiet sentries to…
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The good, the bad and the silver lining
The Canton paper mill has been an economic anchor in Haywood County since 1908, providing livelihoods for tens of thousands…
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Industrial landfills: A better way
The dangers of coal ash have taken center stage in North Carolina in the wake of the Dan River disaster,…
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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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Haywood Habitat welcomes new director
Jamye Cooper will be taking the reins of Haywood Habitat for Humanity, bringing with her 25 years of professional experience…
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