Eat burgers, learn to fish
 

Eat burgers, learn to fish

Learn how to fly fish with the Tuckasegee Chapter of Trout Unlimited 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, at East LaPorte…
Read More

Comment

Waynesville Rec Center to close for maintenance, expand pool hours
 

Waynesville Rec Center to close for maintenance, expand pool hours

The Waynesville Recreation Center will close for its annual maintenance week Monday, Sept. 4, through Tuesday, Sept. 12.
Read More

Comment

Talk land conservation with the Sierra Club
 

Talk land conservation with the Sierra Club

Look behind the scenes of a land conservation project with a presentation at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6, at Manheimer…
Read More

Comment

Wooden trout to race in support of local organizations
 

Wooden trout to race in support of local organizations

Support Haywood Waterways Association and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Haywood County during the annual Trout Race slated for 2…
Read More

Comment

Phony writs from a sham court prompted a federal investigation, and resulted in two convictions.
 

Moody, Dever sentenced in sovereign citizen ‘phony writs’ case

Two defendants who pleaded guilty in federal court for their roles in communicating threats to dozens if not hundreds of…
Read More

Comment

Free speech, as it turns out, needs protecting
 

Free speech, as it turns out, needs protecting

It was an eye-opener for me, that’s for sure.
Read More

Comment

Thank you, lord, for the fixers
 

Thank you, lord, for the fixers

Once in a while, something will happen that freezes time for just a moment.
Read More

Comment

GOP at its best when it divides
 
A look at the massive crowd at the beginning of play for Flight A in the Monster Stack event. Kyle Perrotti photo
 

Ante up: High-stakes poker tournament brings thousands to Cherokee

Gone are the days of backroom poker tournaments where players peer through a haze of smoke just to see their…
Read More

Comment

Bryson City community jam
 

Bryson City community jam

A community jam will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.
Read More

Comment

Left to right: Beulah Land, Josie Glamoure and Alexis Black at the Mx. Sylva Pride Pageant. Sylva Pride photo
 

Sylva Pride Pageant event elicits threats, controversy

The 2023 Mx. Sylva Pride Pageant wasn’t all glitz, glamour, pomp and pageantry, as social media threats and agitated protesters…
Read More

Comment

Before the start of the Pisgah High School football season opener last week, the entire Black Bears team gathered together at the 50-yard line.  Garret K. Woodward photo
 

More than a football game, much more: Pisgah High kicks off season amid continued community heartache

It didn’t matter that Pisgah High School defeated neighboring Brevard 24-10 last Friday night. What mattered most were the kids…
Read More

Comment

Well over 95% of the clients served by Mountain Projects  are the working poor, disabled, elderly or handicapped. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Lacking landlords: Short-term rentals squeezing out Section 8 tenants

The effect of short-term rental properties on the availability and affordability of workforce housing has been well-documented in Haywood County. 
Read More

Comment

A voter guide for Wolfetown Tribal Council
 

A voter guide for Wolfetown Tribal Council

This year’s race for Wolfetown/Big Y Tribal Council is an unusual one, with the two incumbents having held their seats…
Read More

Comment

Pedestrian islands currently being installed in Maggie Valley, like this one in front of Guayabitos, could increase pedestrian safety but could also cause traffic problems. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Placement of pedestrian islands in Maggie Valley causes concern

A construction project on the five-lane road in Maggie Valley is aimed at improving pedestrian safety, but some are also pointing…
Read More

Comment

Haywood County Republican Rep. Mark Pless (left) speaks on Aug. 17 in Canton with Elizabeth Biser, secretary of North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality.  Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Accountability, remediation focus of DEQ secretary’s Canton mill visit

Elisabeth Biser, secretary of North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality, made her second visit to Canton last week, touring Pactiv…
Read More

Comment

Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood) speaks in Maggie Valley in July 2022. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Madison elections go partisan, Haywood spared

Over the past two years, Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood) has made multiple attempts to bring partisan municipal elections to the…
Read More

Comment

Eight graduates of Haywood Community College’s truck driving program  were awarded diplomas on Aug. 16. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

HCC’s first class of truck drivers looks down the road

Six months ago, the eight men gathered on the auditorium stage at Haywood Community College’s Regional High Technology Center were…
Read More

Comment

Workers inspect one of the smokestacks at Pactiv Evergreen’s Canton paper mill on Aug. 21.  Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Crane works to lower smokestacks at mill

The appearance of a bright yellow construction crane towering over Pactiv Evergreen’s shuttered Canton paper mill prompted questions from citizens…
Read More

Comment

The Jackson County Public Library is located in the old courthouse. File photo
 

Jackson tables FRL governance change

With the Fontana Regional Library agreement up for its 10-year review, Jackson, Macon and Swain county commissions are taking a…
Read More

Comment

Webster Village is planned for a parcel located  on Cloverdale Road, off Little Savannah Road,  near its intersection with NC 116. Donated photo
 

Local partnership to impact regional housing needs

A new collaboration is poised to make a large impact by providing new housing options for Jackson County seniors, low-income…
Read More

Comment

BBB warns about paving scams
 

BBB warns about paving scams

BBB Scam Tracker has numerous reports of unscrupulous contractors who trick homeowners with supposedly good deals.
Read More

Comment

Residents offer feedback on parkway plan
 

Residents offer feedback on parkway plan

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is one step closer to drafting its new action plan following a series of seven…
Read More

Comment

Film screening to show safe highway wildlife crossing efforts
 

Film screening to show safe highway wildlife crossing efforts

The Safe Passage Fund Coalition is hosting The Crossing, a free event and screening of films highlighting road ecology in Southern…
Read More

Comment

Book signing, benefit for Botanical Gardens
 

Book signing, benefit for Botanical Gardens

Western Carolina University’s Highlands Biological Station will be hosting a book signing event to benefit the Highlands Botanical Gardens from…
Read More

Comment

Get outside with Haywood County Recreation
 

Get outside with Haywood County Recreation

Haywood County Recreation is hosting a series of events throughout September. Here’s a look at what lies ahead
Read More

Comment

The event is expected to remove tons of debris  from roadways and waterways. Donated photo
 

Volunteers needed for annual stream cleanup

Join Haywood Waterways for its annual “Big Sweep” cleanup event, which will remove tons of trash from local waterways and…
Read More

Comment

Franklin opens pickleball courts
 

Franklin opens pickleball courts

The Town of Franklin has modified the basketball court at Memorial Park to include two new pickleball courts.  
Read More

Comment

People will have multiple opportunities in September to get involved  with Friends of Panthertown. Donated photo
 

Get Involved with Friends of Panthertown

Friends of Panthertown has two events coming up in September that will give people a chance to get involved.
Read More

Comment

Join Jackson County Recreation
 

Join Jackson County Recreation

Jackson County Recreation will host a series of events throughout September.
Read More

Comment

Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation adds to council of advisors
 

Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation adds to council of advisors

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation recently welcomed Bronwyn Lance to the nonprofit organization’s Council of Advisors. 
Read More

Comment

Plant more trees
 

Plant more trees

The N.C. Forest Service is now accepting tree seedling orders for its annual sale.
Read More

Comment

Audubon interim director to speak at Grandfather Mountain
 

Audubon interim director to speak at Grandfather Mountain

Long-time Audubon staffer Curtis Smalling has been named interim executive director of Audubon North Carolina.
Read More

Comment

High bids put Highlands Middle School project on hold
 

High bids put Highlands Middle School project on hold

The Highlands Middle School renovation project went out to bid in May, but after two rounds in which only one…
Read More

Comment

Changes are coming to municipal elections in North Carolina's 118th House district.
 

Partisan elections bill passes, with one major change

Just two hours after Senators failed to concur on a bill that would have forced Haywood and Madison counties to…
Read More

Comment

Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood) speaks in Maggie Valley in July, 2022.
 

Partisan elections bill pushed by Pless is down, but not out

After months of pushing for partisan municipal elections in the counties he represents, Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood) has again come…
Read More

Comment

The Marshall Tucker Band will play Harrah’s Cherokee on Aug. 25. Donated photo
 

Gratitude is the attitude: Doug Gray of Marshall Tucker Band

Last Tuesday morning, Doug Gray was standing outside his hotel room in Jackson, Wyoming.
Read More

Comment

Local news remains as important as ever
 

Local news remains as important as ever

Dear Readers and Advertisers  
Read More

Comment

Yes, its that time of year again.
 

Back-to-school excitement is upon us

A lot has changed through the decades, but the excitement surrounding a back-to-school season remains.
Read More

Comment

Understanding will come in time
 

Understanding will come in time

To the Editor: I appreciate the clear, factual reporting done by Cory Vaillancourt uncovering the truth regarding the Waynesville Recreation…
Read More

Comment

The turbine room features stark words above its massive windows — “Built for the people the United States of America.”  Kyle Perrotti photo
 

Inside Fontana Dam: Rare tour inspires awe and reflection on a complicated history

It was one of the best opportunities I’d been given since I became a journalist and moved to Western North…
Read More

Comment

Haywood program offers path out of addiction
 

Haywood program offers path out of addiction

The first thing anyone likely sees when they walk into Amanda Seay’s Haywood County Courthouse office is her quote of…
Read More

Comment

After threats, Waynesville revises public comment policy
 

After threats, Waynesville revises public comment policy

The Town of Waynesville will no longer require speakers at its public comment sessions to reveal their addresses, after a…
Read More

Comment

A voter guide for Yellowhill Tribal Council
 

A voter guide for Yellowhill Tribal Council

During the General Election Sept. 7, Yellowhill voters will choose two of the four names before them to be their…
Read More

Comment

The Macon County Public Library is part of the Fontana Regional Library system. File photo
 

Change recommended to Fontana Regional Library System

A few months ago, issues arose about the placement of certain LGBTQ+ books in the Macon County Public Library.
Read More

Comment

The Town of Waynesville has already taken a number of steps to reduce emissions and promote energy efficiency. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Waynesville establishes environmental sustainability board

Long a leader among Western North Carolina’s local governments in the field of environmental sustainability, the Town of Waynesville has…
Read More

Comment

October jail death confirmed to be overdose
 

October jail death confirmed to be overdose

Autopsy results for the October death of a man in custody at the Jackson County Detention Center confirm that he…
Read More

Comment

Haywood County Schools will buy Ratcliff Cove land
 

Haywood County Schools will buy Ratcliff Cove land

More than three months after a rezoning request revealed plans by Haywood County Schools to consolidate several facilities on a…
Read More

Comment

Mark Meadows. File photo
 

Former WNC Rep. Mark Meadows indicted along with Trump

With former President Donald Trump’s most recent indictment — his fourth in five months — comes a slew of familiar…
Read More

Comment

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.