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Wednesday, 20 March 2013 13:14

Jackson planning board wants to toss out part of steep slope rule

The Jackson County Planning Board voted last Thursday to eliminate a pivotal component of the county’s steep slope building rules. The planning board wants to do away with a controversial limits on how many homes can be built on steep…

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 13:12

No recourse for trout farmer in wake of menacing landslides

Howard Brown doesn’t sleep well when there’s rain in the forecast. His trout farm in Nantahala — teaming with $400,000 worth of rainbow trout at any given time — has twice been victim of near miss landslides from a road…

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 13:11

Swain school leaders set bar low on budget

Despite a big wish list, Swain County school leaders won’t be asking the county for more money next year. Swain school officials instead have posed a quite modest request — just don’t cut our budget.

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 13:10

Cherokee bear zoo debate roars on

As the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ leaders mull the fate of bear zoos on the reservation, representatives from two of Cherokee’s three bear zoos have said they are being unfairly harried because of one bad egg.

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 13:09

SCC wants money for building plan

A contingent of administrators from Southwestern Community College made a pitch to Jackson County commissioners Monday to help pay for a campus building plan.

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 13:07

New tourism pitches unveiled in time for spring

The mountains are an undeniable tourist magnet, but with so many WNC destinations to chose from, the crusade to stand out from the pack is prompting county tourism agencies to constantly refine and redefine their message. What will entice a…

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 13:06

Friends of the Lake launched to support walking path

Ed Green has plenty of time for contemplation during his 15 mile runs on the paths circling Lake Junaluska. One of his recurring thoughts turns to what’s underfoot: how lucky he is to run in such a beautiful place.

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 13:03

New MedWest-Haywood CEO comfortable in challenging situation

Janie Sinacore-Jaberg has run a lot of hospitals — small hospitals, financially precarious hospitals, turf-war embattled hospitals, hospitals in the midst of a merger, even hospitals in the midst of hostile take over.

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 13:01

Will Jackson ante up to bring tourist train back to Dillsboro?

Jackson County is one step closer to giving money to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad to outfit the scenic rail line with a refurbished steam engine in hopes of getting a tourist boost in return.

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 12:59

Service with a smile

If you want a seat at one of Bobby Harracks’ tables, you better get to Clyde’s Restaurant early. A steady crowd of customers makes a beeline for Harracks’ section of the mainstay hometown diner in Waynesville, filling in the booths…

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 12:29

Haywood fundraiser showcases lineup of mountain music, dance

A seemingly endless array of mountain music and dance will be showcased at the Dr. Ann R. Wilke Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at the Haywood County Fairgrounds in Waynesville. Entertainment will be provided…

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 12:27

Celebrate Easter in WNC

Communities across the mountains are rolling out the green carpet for the Easter bunny over the next two weekends. Check out the “Easter Events” section of the calendar for a full lineup Easter egg hunts, Easter services and even breakfast…

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 12:25

Alicia Keys hits Harrah’s

With her unmistakable blend of soul, hip-hop, jazz and classical music, superstar Alicia Keys will be performing at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, at Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center.

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 12:24

Liars Bench to host Sheila Kay Adams

The Liars Bench will present storyteller/musician Sheila Kay Adams at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 28, in the Mountain Heritage Center auditorium at Western Carolina University.

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 12:14

The road to success: Blue Ridge Music Trails of Western North Carolina

It was a decade in the making, but its origins are hundreds of years old. Partnering with the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, the North Carolina Arts Council recently launched its latest initiative – the Blue Ridge Music Trails of…

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 23:20

Lorca, Neruda and the beautiful game

By Ted Olson • Contributing writer New Native Press, a small independent book publisher based in Tuckasegee in Jackson County, recently issued a book offering new translations of poems composed by the internationally recognized Spanish-language poets Federico Garcia Lorca and Pablo…

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 23:15

Magic in a bottle

If you build it, they will come. If you brew it, they will come and party. Celebrating the fourth release in their “Trail Magic Ale” series, Nantahala Brewing Company in Bryson City will host a weekend of music and craft…

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 23:10

My cousin the Keynesian and his mistaken ideas

By Kenn Jacobine I have this cousin, let’s call him Giovanni. He is a great guy – industrious, hospitable, great family man. He is my go to source when it comes to information and analysis about sports in general and…

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 22:59

Don’t forget First Amendment as we debate the Second

“The pen is mightier than the sword.” For years I had ascribed those words to Thomas Paine, the fiery British-American writer who fanned the flames of America’s revolutionary spirit with his pamphlet “Common Sense.” A quick search, though, reveals it…

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 22:45

Booth display class for the farmers market

Farmers market vendors can get tips on how to set up their booths at a free seminar called “Booth Display for the Farmers Market” from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at the Haywood Community College Student Center.

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 22:40

In the land of water and rock

Like Old Esdras in the Bible, some live in a land of milk and honey. Here in the Blue Ridge, we live in the land of water and rock. Moving water and worn stone are the predominant features in our…

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 22:38

And now for something completely different

So what’s in the news nowadays? Any bad news for the environment? Let’s see. Wednesday, February 13, 2013, in the Smoky Mountain News – A story about the retirement of Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Phil Francis noted “… he faced…

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 22:35

Mountain anglers gain toehold in national fly fishing scene

Like New York is known for its basketball legends, and Texas is known for its football stars, Western North Carolina has become one the big names in a slightly less conspicuous sport: competitive fly fishing. Fly fishing was long dominated…

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 22:27

Walmart to Sylva: No scrimping on our sign size

Walmart has asked Sylva leaders for a pass on local sign regulations as it prepares to replace its older signs with a new design and logo.

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 22:26

Riverside development proposed in Cullowhee

A large residential development proposed near Western Carolina University could boost Cullowhee’s revitalization movement and cater to the region’s professional crowd seeking an outdoor lifestyle, but its proximity to the Tuckasegee River has also attracted criticism from area environmentalists.

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 22:24

MedWest asks patients: What do you want?

The new CEO of MedWest-Haywood is rounding on the county, asking residents about the hospital’s past performance and how to improve in the future. “I really want to engage your community,” said Janie Sinacore-Jaberg, who came on board with the…

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 22:21

Nonprofits struggle to win back funding

It’s been five years since the recession hit, and nonprofits in Haywood County are still struggling to get by after losing their monetary contributions from the county. Before the recession hit, Haywood County gave about $472,000 to nonprofits, among them…

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 22:20

Cherokee scores federal storm clean-up assistance

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians became the first tribe in the nation to receive a Presidential Declaration of Disaster for damages to tribal lands from severe rainstorms in January. The designation means that the Eastern Band is eligible for…

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 22:16

State cuts judges to keep legal system ticking

State funding cuts for magistrate judges are taking a toll on rural counties and the judges themselves. Long hours, a growing workload and a shrinking workforce are changing the way this staple position in the state justice system does business.

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 22:04

Cherokee becomes first tribe in space

It’s 20 degrees outside and Spencer Thomas is standing on a Cherokee soccer field holding a balloon. “Hopefully, everything goes according to plan,” he said.

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 21:56

Cherokee Tribal Council mulls over second casino

Cherokee Tribal Council was asked to green light the construction of a second $110 million casino and hotel near Murphy last week but instead voted to table the issue for further study. The new casino could add about 800 jobs…

Wednesday, 06 March 2013 16:04

Rash’s Appalachia is both rich and flawed

Ron Rash’s latest collection of short stories echos a theme that runs through all of his works: an awareness that Appalachia is in transition, that it is becoming something else. Of course, this is a quality that is shared by all things…

Wednesday, 06 March 2013 16:00

Getting the 'word' out

It’s a sunny, crisp afternoon in the high hills of Tuckasegee and Thomas Rain Crowe throws another log into the woodstove. Unwinding into a nearby seat, the renowned Western North Carolina poet is all smiles. As owner/founder of New Native…

Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:50

Angelina Ballerina comes to Franklin

The musical “Angelina Ballerina” will be onstage at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin, brought by the award-winning Vital Theatre Company of New York. The musical follows 8-year-old Angelina as…

Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:49

Roller girls host ‘Spring Fling’Her’ bout

Smoky Mountain Roller Girls “Spring Fling’Her” bout against G-Force (Gastonia) is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday, March 16 at the Swain County Recreation Center in Bryson City. Proceeds from the bout will benefit the Big Brother and Big Sister Program…

Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:48

Wheels Through Time to be featured on TV cable show

Wheels Through Time Museum, one of America’s most famous motorcycling destinations located in Maggie Valley, will be featured on the show “Small Town Big Deal,” which airs on RFD-TV at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14.

Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:46

Pride of the Mountains in the spotlight at band directors convention

Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band will be highlighted next week at the national convention of the College Band Directors National Association in Greensboro.

Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:45

Textile art exhibit opens in Waynesville

The exhibit “Textures” featuring the work of nine textile artists will open next week at the Haywood County Arts Council’s Gallery 86, in downtown Waynesville.

Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:28

Don’t be in a rush to cut courthouse trees

To the Editor: I am concerned that the decision to remove the trees at the courthouse was hasty and ill-judged. Once mature trees are removed, they will not be replaceable in our lifetime. According to Cornell University, sugar maples, such…

Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:27

Once again, we need to save Needmore

To the Editor: After all the time and effort put forth by the citizens of Macon and Swain counties, the NCDOT is back again wanting to pave Needmore Road. It seems the public gets to have its input, but does…

Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:26

The roots of the U.S. gun culture

To the Editor: In all the current commentary about gun violence in the wake of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook, little if any attention has been give to the roots of the problem in our Western/American culture. Three aspects…

Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:25

A great night of music at the Bardo Center

To the Editor: What a wonderful evening recently at the Bardo Arts Center. Western Carolina University School of Music presented The Symphony Band, 108 students conducted by David Starnes and Graduate Conductor Emily Talley. It was so encouraging to see…

Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:23

Joining Waynesville right move for Junaluska

To the Editor: From my perspective, much of the discussion of whether or not to allow annexation of Lake Junaluska by Waynesville is a result of the deep felt emotional attachment many of the residents have to Lake Junaluska and…

Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:22

Give McCrory, GOP a chance before piling on

To the Editor: Ms. Abel’s letter said that the state’s Democratic ideals are fading fast since the last election (“State’s democratic ideals fading fast,” Feb. 27, SMN). For about 140 years North Carolina was under the control of the Democratic…

Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:21

Making tourism sustainable as economic development

By Ken Stahl • Guest Columnist There appears to be controversy concerning the proposed 2 percent occupancy tax increase. This is a good thing as it generates a reflection on concerns of the stakeholders. Several issues have been discussed, and…

Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:01

Haywood picks up the torch on landslide hazard mapping

A team of laid-off state geologists will soon start mapping landslide hazard zones in Haywood County after a coalition of environmental nonprofits raised money to keep the project alive. The state two years ago axed an ongoing effort to map…

Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:58

To map or not to map? Jackson ponders the question amid spate of rain-induced landslides and steep slope rewrite

Jackson County planning board members are considering whether to re-start a landslide hazard mapping initiative that was axed by the state two years ago. A team of state geologists had been creating landslide hazard maps for every mountain county. They…

Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:53

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