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2023 A Look Back: Honey, the Internet’s Out Again Award
O Zito, O Zito, wherefore art thou, Zito? In case you didn’t know, the phrase “wherefore art thou” is fancy Shakespeare…
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2023 A Look Back: Persistence as Resistance Award
This year was filled with slights and attacks on the LGBTQ+ community by local elected officials. But despite the environment,…
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2023 A Look Back: Survivor Award
This award goes out to the Fontana Regional Library, which, despite consistent attacks throughout 2023, is still standing, and continues…
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2023 A Look Back: Didn’t Read the Fine Print Award
Congressman Chuck Edwards apparently doesn’t read The Smoky Mountain News, but if he did, it may have saved him some…
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2023 A Look Back: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work Award
The Macon County Board of Education has put in countless hours this year working to provide the best education possible…
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2023 A Look Back: The Hero You Never Knew You Needed Award
Not all heroes wear capes. At least not Amanda Seay. She seems more the utility pants and boots type.
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2023 A Look Back: Comeback Player(s) of the Year Award
Raise your hand if you’ve been paying attention to Western Carolina University athletics this academic year.
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2023 A Look Back: Throwback Award
Million-dollar mountaintop vacation homes, phony moonshine from corporate mega-distilleries, dime-a-dozen seedy strip malls — none of these things are Appalachian…
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Fake News Freakout! Episode 8
Welcome to the eighth installment of The Smoky Mountain News’ annual Fake News Freakout. I feel like I say this…
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Ringing out the Year of the Trail: A highlight reel of trail news in 2023
Declared to be the Year of the Trail more than a year before it even began, 2023 had a lot to…
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Set your race calendar
With a new year approaching, it’s the perfect time to start setting fitness goals — and to plan for participating…
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Hike into the 2024
The standing tradition of starting the New Year off on the trail will continue at N.C. State Parks Monday, Jan.…
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The Winter Hiking Challenge
Registration is open for the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s fourth annual Winter Hiking Challenge, asking participants to complete 60 miles…
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Forest Service enhances 128 plans with old growth protections
The U.S. Forest Service has issued a proposal that would amend all 128 forest land management plans in its jurisdiction…
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Celebrate biodiversity
Delve into the amazing biodiversity of the Southern Appalachians with a program offered at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, at…
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N.C. sees uptick in hunting accidents
Across the state, there has been an increase in firearm-related hunting incidents involving serious injury and fatalities.
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Year-in-review tool breaks down weather trends
The N.C. State Climate Office has launched a year-in-review tool that gives a review of trends and records at weather…
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Hipps steps down as Haywood Chamber president
At the Dec. 20 Haywood Chamber of Commerce board meeting, CeCe Hipps announced that she would be stepping down next…
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Cherokee police investigating teen suicide pact
At least one Cherokee teenager is believed to have died as the result of a local teen suicide pact under…
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Over the hills and far away: Warren Haynes' Christmas Jam returns to Asheville
It’s been some 43 years since John Bonham, iconic drummer for rock gods Led Zeppelin, tragically passed away at age…
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Near to where her soul is: Missing hiker Melissa McDevitt is coming home
Almost exactly a year after a hiker vanished in the backcountry of British Columbia the night before a trip home…
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Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office answers police shooting lawsuit
In a 65-page answer to an extensive lawsuit filed in response to the December 2022 police shooting of Jason Harley…
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Haywood sheriff to release footage of alleged constitutional violation
The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office has been ordered by a judge to provide dash and body cam footage to a…
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New leadership sees new direction for Macon
Macon County will see a change of leadership for the coming year after the county commission unanimously voted to appoint…
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Reduction in federal funding for crime victims hits home
The holidays are often viewed as an opportunity for families to gather together and share seasonal cheer, but when there’s…
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Changes for FRL: Jackson looks at Macon’s recommendations for library system
After Macon County proposed several changes to the Fontana Regional Library system agreement, Jackson County commissioners are taking a look at…
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Partisan races for 2024 election set
North Carolina’s candidate filing period for the 2024 General Election ended last week, and after a slow start, a flurry…
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Macon BOE to remain non-partisan
Despite the intention by some commissioners to make the school board race partisan in Macon County, it will remain non-partisan,…
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Cherokee adopts budget reflecting lower casino revenues
After more than two months of operating under a continuing resolution, Tribal Council has approved a new budget for the…
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Jackson considers moving school board race to General Election
The race for Jackson County Board of Education is unique in that it is decided during the Primary Election, despite…
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Haywood gets financial reporting award
Haywood County has been recognized with the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance…
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Jackson TDA announces new cycle for tourism capital project fund
Jackson County Tourism Development Authority (JCTDA) will reopen its cycle for tourism capital projects Jan. 1, 2024. $600,000 is available…
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Haywood Chamber of Commerce gains rare accreditation
The Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (CACCE) recognized the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce as one of two…
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Billion-dollar catch: Report reveals economic impact of N.C. trout fishing industry
The economic impact of trout fishing in North Carolina has more than tripled since 2014, clocking in at $1.38 billion…
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Expanded bear season proposed for WNC
A significantly expanded bear hunting season and loosened rules about bait usage are among the rule changes the N.C. Wildlife…
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Last WNC wildfires contained
For the first time since Oct. 23, Western North Carolina is free of active wildfires.
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Extreme drought leaves North Carolina
Drought conditions are the best they’ve been in a month, according to the latest map from the Drought Management Advisory…
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Explore the world of snowmaking
Go behind the scenes with snowmaking at Cataloochee Ski area with field trips offered Tuesday, Jan. 23, and Tuesday, Feb.…
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Wildlife photo contest open
The Wildlife in North Carolina Photo Competition is now open, accepting entries until 5 p.m. Jan. 31, 2024.
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Namesake chosen for red spruce greenhouse
A namesake has been chosen for the $2 million greenhouse the Southern Highlands Reserve in Lake Toxaway is building to…
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HCSO to release body cam footage to plaintiff alleging Fourth Amendment violation
The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office has been ordered by a judge to provide dash and body cam footage to a…
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Murphy gaming expansion set to open in spring
The Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino and Hotel in Murphy is abuzz these days as 200 on-site construction workers hustle…
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Judge rules on motion to dismiss claims in police shooting suit
The court has made its decision in the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office’s request to dismiss many of the complaints in…
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Alumna gift will create endowment for interior design program
Students in Western Carolina University’s interior design program soon will have access to new experiential learning opportunities thanks to a…
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Courting disloyalty: New program encourages shoppers to patronize Waynesville businesses
The disloyalty card is here and it’s, in a sense, exactly what it sounds like.
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Cherokee Editorial Board ordinance withdrawn: Council, chiefs will retain appointments
An ordinance seeking to change the makeup of the Cherokee One Feather’s editorial board made it back in front of…
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Public hearing set for Franklin social district
The Town of Franklin will move forward with a public hearing for its proposed social district, despite inaction from the…
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Macon schools to consider policy on Narcan
Macon County Schools will follow the example of several other school districts and consider a policy on administration of Narcan.
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Just days remain in 2024 candidate filing period
North Carolina’s candidate filing period for the 2024 General Election ends at noon , Friday, Dec. 15, and if the…
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Ribbon cutting for the house cat museum
On Thursday, Nov. 30, the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Team held a grand opening/ribbon cutting ceremony for the…
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