A loaded tomato vine comes ripe. File photo
 

Assessment referendum coming up for tomato growers

The N.C. Tomato Growers Association will conduct an August referendum on assessments per harvested commercial tomatoes.
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Bird Buck Springs
 

Bird Buck Springs

Go birding at Buck Spring along the Blue Ridge Parkway with an expedition meeting 8 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at…
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E. coli testing yields mixed results in Little Tennessee, Hiawassee watersheds
 

E. coli testing yields mixed results in Little Tennessee, Hiawassee watersheds

Halfway through the season for its weekly E. coli sampling program in Western North Carolina swimming holes, MountainTrue reported 11…
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July finishes hot for N.C.
 

July finishes hot for N.C.

Following two months of cooler-than-average temperatures, July came in hot in North Carolina. According to the N.C. State Climate Office,…
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Harrowing MST maintenance project complete
 

Harrowing MST maintenance project complete

Four years ago, the Carolina Mountain Club identified the “forgotten 14” as an unsafe section within its 155-mile maintenance responsibility…
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Be prepared outdoors
 

Be prepared outdoors

Learn how to stay safe in the woods with a course 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at…
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Get schooled in the Smokies
 

Get schooled in the Smokies

Catch a doubleheader in mountain education with a pair of programs offered through the University of Tennessee Smoky Mountain Field…
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An adult female Nesticus nasicus spider carries her egg sac. Marshal Hedin photo
 

Word from the Smokies: Dykeman namesake among three new Smokies spiders

By Frances Figart • Contributing writer | Although the word “spider” may elicit a “yuck” or an “ew” from many…
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Erin McCarson will appear onstage at HART. Donated photo
 

HART presents ‘Every Brilliant Thing’

A one-hour, one-person show, a production of “Every Brilliant Thing” by Duncan MacMillan will be held at 7:30 p.m. Aug.…
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Cherokee chief candidates make their case: Tribal finance, business ventures key issues in 2023 race
 

Cherokee chief candidates make their case: Tribal finance, business ventures key issues in 2023 race

As voters ponder the ballot for executive offices within the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians next month, they’ll be looking…
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Jon Hardister is currently in his sixth term in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Facebook photo
 

Working his way up

Hardister seeks important labor post 
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Sylva Pipes opened to the public in June. Hannah McLeod photo
 

What’s next for Sylva skate? Commissioners continue to work toward a skatepark

  Now that Sylva Pipes is up and running with a temporary half-pipe, commissioners are looking at next steps for…
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 The Higdon property is located across the street from Franklin High School. Zillow photo
 

County to lease Higdon property to school system

After Macon County declared its intent to purchase the Higdon property earlier this year, there was some confusion  as to…
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The Virginia big-eared bat has been listed as endangered since 1979. Larisa Bishop-Boros photo
 

Forest plan will harm endangered bats, conservation groups say

Groups file intent to sue Forest Service 
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Haywood community wellness program opens registration
 

Haywood community wellness program opens registration

The Haywood 4 Good community wellness program announced that registration is open for the fall 2023 program.
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Fund established to support transition following mill closure
 

Fund established to support transition following mill closure

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) has established a charitable fund to support nonprofit organizations and municipalities impacted…
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What would a library be without ‘outside influences’?
 

What would a library be without ‘outside influences’?

At the June 27 meeting of the Macon County Board of Commissioners, Chairman Bill Dyar was asked by Leah Gaston…
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Life lessons learned this summer
 

Life lessons learned this summer

This summer I’ve been learning several important life lessons. 
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Community makes things less scary
 

Community makes things less scary

To the Editor: After attending the meeting on Tuesday evening at the Waynesville Town Hall, one of the speeches that…
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Thanks for showing Pless’ spiteful actions
 

Thanks for showing Pless’ spiteful actions

To the Editor: Thanks to Scott McLeod for pointing out the inappropriate control Mark Pless wants to have in local…
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A whitetail shiner caught during sampling is held up with the mill in the background. NCWRC photo
 

‘Hard to believe’: Downstream fish populations explode following mill closure

When the impending closure of Canton’s paper mill was announced in March, conservation professionals predicted a swift improvement  in downstream…
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Sometimes standing as high as 8 feet, the native Turk’s-cap lily is often taller than most people. Adam Bigelow photo
 

Notes from a plant nerd: A lily so superb

Right now, throughout Southern Appalachia, and especially along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Balsam Gap in either direction, one of…
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The green floater is a candidate for threatened species status. Ryan Hagerty/USFWS photo
 

Threatened status proposed for N.C. mussel species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to list the green floater, a freshwater mussel found in North Carolina, as…
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A Venus flytrap plant displays deep red traps. Dale Suiter photo
 

Venus flytrap will not be listed as threatened or endangered

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has decided not to pursue listing the Venus flytrap as a threatened or endangered…
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The sun sets over Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. Donated photo
 

Meet Mountain Bridge

The last Zahner Conservation Lecture of the year will focus on the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area of neighboring South Carolina…
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Kids try out freshwater snorkeling. File photo
 

Go snorkeling

Break in the new snorkeling site at East LaPorte Park in Cullowhee during an event 2-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8.
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Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is home to old-growth trees. File photo
 

Experience spirituality among old-growth trees

Take a hike through the old-growth forest at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest near Robbinsville at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5,…
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Perfect your cast
 

Perfect your cast

Learn to fly fish this month with lessons offered by Haywood County Recreation.
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Hike Haywood
 

Hike Haywood

Explore the trails of Haywood County with a series of hikes offered this month from Haywood County Recreation and Parks.
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Mountain State Fair entry deadlines coming up
 

Mountain State Fair entry deadlines coming up

It’s time to start entering exhibits in the 2023 N.C. Mountain State Fair, coming Sept. 8-17 at the Western North…
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NPS issues decision on Gatlinburg Spur improvements
 

NPS issues decision on Gatlinburg Spur improvements

The National Park Service issued a decision and a “Finding of No Significant Impact” for the Gatlinburg Spur Improvements Environmental…
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Waynesville forms Environmental Sustainability Board
 

Waynesville forms Environmental Sustainability Board

The Town of Waynesville is looking for members to serve on its new Environmental Sustainability Board.
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Pick up tips for living with bears
 

Pick up tips for living with bears

Learn how to live safely with black bears during a program at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, at the Macon…
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In addition to men's and women's locker rooms, Waynesville's Recreation Center has a gender-neutral family locker room as well.
 

Waynesville unites against hate and bigotry after false trans allegations

Claims of indecent behavior involving a transgender person at the Waynesville Recreation Center roiled this tight-knight rural community last week,…
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Pactiv Evergreen contests chemical dumping allegations
 

Pactiv Evergreen contests chemical dumping allegations

In response to a July 10 notice of violation accusing Pactiv Evergreen of illegally dumping unused chemicals  into the wastewater…
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Artimus Pyle is a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. File photo
 

Believe in me for who I am: Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer to play AVLfest

On Oct. 20, 1977, a plane carrying southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd crashed into the woods near Gillsburg, Mississippi.
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An indigenous road map for all mankind
 

An indigenous road map for all mankind

Sometimes a great book just falls into my lap, which is what happened recently with Sherri Mitchell’s “Sacred Instructions” (North…
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A member of Dogwood Crafters, Bill Douglas specializes in woodworking and weaving.
 

Bill Douglas: Passing down a bit of history

Heritage crafter Bill Douglas is continually gathering knowledge about the processes he uses to produce his work and takes great…
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Dangerous vigilante fantasies must end
 

Dangerous vigilante fantasies must end

What does Jason Aldean have to do with the recent uproar over a transgender person using the swimming pool at…
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Pless continues to support some ‘bad stuff’
 

Pless continues to support some ‘bad stuff’

Rep. Mark Pless, to put it bluntly, is a piece of work.
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When in Edisto, it’s jungle rules
 

When in Edisto, it’s jungle rules

Edisto Beach, SC – Not more than 15 minutes after we finished lugging all of our stuff up two flights…
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How can we describe Trump?
 

How can we describe Trump?

To the Editor: By reading the final report of January 6 Committee, I noticed this bit of information: As many…
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Thanks for supporting Folkmoot event
 

Thanks for supporting Folkmoot event

To the Editor: Folkmoot’s first-ever Summer Soirée on July 20 at the Folkmoot Friendship Center attracted nearly 200 guests and…
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Mike Holland (left) and Dean Trull are just two of many former mill workers who had trouble with their health care coverage. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Health care coverage crisis for mill workers continues

Employees at Pactiv Evergreen’s Canton paper mill knew a health care coverage crisis  was coming, and many of them did…
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An SRCA parent accused of cyberstalking has had the charge dismissed. Hannah McLeod photo
 

Charges dropped against Shining Rock parent

A criminal charge against the Shining Rock Classical Academy parent accused of cyberstalking has been dismissed. 
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Charter school budgets won’t be set in stone until ADM is determined for the coming school year.
 

Charter schools budget for growth

There are several outstanding variables that will affect budgets for local charter schools in the coming school year — average…
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A voter guide for Snowbird/Cherokee County Tribal Council
 

A voter guide for Snowbird/Cherokee County Tribal Council

Only three candidates are running for the two Tribal Council seats representing the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ farthest-flung township,…
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Principal Chief Richard Sneed addresses Tribal Council July 13. EBCI livestream photo
 

Expanded sports betting could add to EBCI per cap

Tribal members could see their per capita checks grow after the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians expands its gaming business…
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Qualla Enterprises General Manager Forrest Parker speaks  during the Tribal Council discussion July 13. EBCI Livestream photo
 

EBCI Council tightens transparency rules for tribal LLCs

In response to what he says are ongoing issues with transparency on the part of the tribe’s cannabis business Qualla…
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New health initiative provides relief for costs
 

New health initiative provides relief for costs

A program to assist those who have lost health insurance due to the closure of Pactiv Evergreen is underway thanks…
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