Municipal election races set in Western North Carolina
 

Municipal election races set in Western North Carolina

The slates are now set for November’s municipal elections in Western North Carolina, and although a number of surprise candidates…
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Mountain Projects receives award from Mission Health
 

Mountain Projects receives award from Mission Health

Mountain Projects, one of 52 regional human service organizations working on North Carolina’s groundbreaking Healthy Opportunities Pilot program (HOP), under…
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Automated fee machines can accept payments and dispense daily or weekly parking tags. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Four months of fees: Smokies reports high revenues, compliance following parking fee implementation

When new fees went into effect  in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park March 1, park managers were expecting limited…
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Riggs and Eastman work at an archeology site. Donated photo
 

Learn about ancient Cherokee astronomy

Gain insight into the cultural heritage of the Cherokee and their historical, sacred landscapes during a lecture at 6 p.m.…
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Forest thinning proposed near Tellico Gap
 

Forest thinning proposed near Tellico Gap

The U.S. Forest Service has proposed a plan to cut trees on 195 acres in the Nantahala National Forest. The…
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Documentary grapples with forest management
 

Documentary grapples with forest management

A free screening of the critically acclaimed documentary “The River Runs On” will display the mesmerizing beauty and profound significance…
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Mark Endries (right) helps a volunteer plant a young red spruce tree  in the Camp Alice area of Mount Mitchell State Park. USFWS photo
 

Red spruce planted at Mount Mitchell

In May, 327 two-year-old red spruce trees grown by the Southern Highlands Reserve in Lake Toxaway traveled to the Black…
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An ironwood plume moth was recorded in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the first time last year. Will Kuhn photo
 

New species found in the Smokies

Three new species of spiders have been discovered in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, bringing the total number of…
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Monty R. Crump
 

Crump re-elected as Wildlife Commission chairman

Richmond County resident Monty R. Crump has been elected for another term as chairman of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission…
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Wildlife Commission launches new system for license purchases
 

Wildlife Commission launches new system for license purchases

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has launched a new, custom licensing system and mobile app that both residents and non-residents…
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GSMA plans Members Weekend
 

GSMA plans Members Weekend

Registration is open through July 31 to take part in the guided hikes, science classes, birding and live music that…
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Kids fishing extravaganza returning to Cherokee
 

Kids fishing extravaganza returning to Cherokee

The 22nd annual Talking Trees Trout Derby will invite children from across the area to fish in Cherokee Aug. 4-5.
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The law guarantees access to public facilities for transgender people.
 

A rush to judgement: The mere existence of trans people is not a crime

Social media posts alleging multiple instances of improper activity by a transgender person at the Waynesville Recreation Center last week…
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Outlaw Whiskey is a popular rock/country band based in Haywood County.
 

Local rock, country act wins national award

With a hot sun slowly fading behind the Great Balsam Mountains cradling Waynesville, Outlaw Whiskey hopped onto the stage for…
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David Berger is a longtime painter based in Cashiers. Donated photo
 

In search of the muse: Cashiers artisan finds purpose in painting

From fine-detailed still-lifes that resemble photographs to wispy mountain landscapes, artist David Berger’s approach to painting is one reaching every…
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How can the citizenry take back America?
 

How can the citizenry take back America?

Suppose you believe that climate change is a threat to humanity, but you oppose abortion or that you consider owning…
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Sheriff Bill Wilke
 

Wilke transforms HCSO’s vision

It’s been a long road for Bill Wilke to become Haywood County’s sheriff, and now that he’s got the job,…
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Sheriff Brent Holbrooks
 

Holbrooks follows in father’s footsteps

New sheriffs in North Carolina are bombarded with new information and leadership duties their first year in office, but Macon…
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Sheriff Doug Farmer
 

Farmer focuses on detention, patrol with JCSO

Settling into the role of sheriff is tough for any law enforcement professional, but in Jackson County, Doug Farmer brings…
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A voter guide for Big Cove Tribal Council
 

A voter guide for Big Cove Tribal Council

During the General Election Thursday, Sept. 7, Big Cove voters will weigh in on who they want to see represent…
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Swain teens push for youth center
 

Swain teens push for youth center

Students in rural America already face many of the challenges experienced by their urban cousins — albeit with fewer resources…
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The group of young adults who addressed Tribal Council July 12 stand with Constitution Committee members Ernest Tiger (far right) and Carmaleta Monteith (center). Donated photo
 

Council axes constitution, term limit referenda Convention to continue working on document

After voting unanimously  in April to put a proposed constitution on the ballot for approval this year, the Eastern Band…
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Tourism dollars fund Jackson capital projects
 

Tourism dollars fund Jackson capital projects

The Jackson County Tourism Development Authority has selected two projects to be funded with occupancy tax dollars — one in…
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Jackson moves forward on opioid recovery
 

Jackson moves forward on opioid recovery

Jackson County Commissioners are set to approve two grant-funded positions aimed at substance use disorder recovery and treatment during a…
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More money available to help displaced Evergreen workers
 

More money available to help displaced Evergreen workers

In the latest in a long line of efforts by the  Southwestern Commission  to help those affected by the Evergreen…
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Champion Credit Union named to list of Great Employers to Work for in North Carolina
 

Champion Credit Union named to list of Great Employers to Work for in North Carolina

Champion Credit Union announced it has been named to the Great Employers to Work for in North Carolina 2023 list…
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Folkmoot’s 40th is a time to re-assess its future
 

Folkmoot’s 40th is a time to re-assess its future

Folkmoot at 40 is much different than the younger version of itself . But it’s still here, and for that…
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Learning how to have true fun
 

Learning how to have true fun

A couple weeks ago The Smoky Mountain News hosted its anniversary party.
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Yes, indeed, Thomas Paine!
 

Yes, indeed, Thomas Paine!

To the Editor: The indictment of former President Donald J. Trump in the Southern District of Florida on June 8…
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Wildlife disappearing from Lake Junaluska
 

Wildlife disappearing from Lake Junaluska

To the Editor: Since its inception Lake Junaluska has been a beacon and home to some of God’s most beautiful…
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N.C. Arboretum volunteer Tim Southard explains the difference between white and red oak leaves to his group of hikers. David Huff Creative photo
 

Carolina Mountain Club celebrates 100 years: CMC birthday party draws a crowd

As temperatures neared 90 degrees on the sunny afternoon of Sunday, July 16, the forested Carolina Mountain Trail offered a…
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Reflecting on the CMC story
 

Reflecting on the CMC story

If you want to go faster, go by yourself. If you want to go further, go with a group. — Adapted…
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An artist rendering shows what the completed trail might look like. Donated photo
 

Ecusta Trail project receives $45 million

An effort to build a 19.4-mile rail trail between Brevard and Hendersonville got a huge boost following the award of…
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Hikers cross a creek on the Boogerman Trail. File photo
 

Hike Boogerman Trail

Hike through old growth forests, streams and past the historic Palmer house during a trip along the Boogerman Trail in…
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Lakeview Drive overlooks the Tuckasegee River as it swells toward Fontana Lake. NPS photo
 

Smokies to reconstruct Lakeview Drive

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is using nearly $19 million in funding from the Great American Outdoors Act to…
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Haskell records sounds in the field. Donated photo
 

Explore the soundscape of nature

Author and biologist David George Haskell will delve into the captivating world of sonic communication and its profound impact on…
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Bridal Veil Falls. File photo
 

Weigh in on DuPont’s future

The DuPont State Recreational Forest in Henderson and Transylvania counties is launching a master planning process, with an online survey…
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Visit the Native Plant Conference
 

Visit the Native Plant Conference

The Cullowhee Native Plant Conference returns to Western Carolina University July 19-22, with the public invited to take part in…
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“Grandma Gatewood” re-enactor to dramatize A.T. experience
 

“Grandma Gatewood” re-enactor to dramatize A.T. experience

Actress Anne VanCuren will transform into the first woman to complete the Appalachian Trail during a dramatic re-enactment at 5…
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Spend ‘golden hour’ with Jim Costa
 

Spend ‘golden hour’ with Jim Costa

Western Carolina University biologist and best-selling author Jim Costa will discuss his newest book, “Radical by Nature,” during a special…
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Land trusts work to protect Brushy Mountains
 

Land trusts work to protect Brushy Mountains

A pair of land trusts has worked together to permanently protect 1,125 acres spanning parts of Wilkes, Alexander and Iredell…
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Land navigation course offered
 

Land navigation course offered

Learn how to stay found with a land navigation course offered 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 20, at…
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Despite cool June, N.C. on pace for fifth-warmest year
 

Despite cool June, N.C. on pace for fifth-warmest year

On the heels of an unseasonably cool May, based on the average statewide temperature of 71.1F, June finished up as…
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Joey Reece came close to winning a seat on the Board of Aldermen in 2019.
 

Waynesville’s mayoral race heats up with inclusion of Reece

Waynesville native, retired DEA agent and unsuccessful 2019 Waynesville aldermanic candidate Joey Reece will run for mayor of Waynesville, Reece…
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Tribal Council approves referendum for cannabis vote
 

Tribal Council approves referendum for cannabis vote

After a narrow passage in Tribal Council, the September ballot is expected to ask Cherokee voters whether they support legalizing…
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Only areas with industrial zoning, denoted on the town's land use map in purple, will be affected.
 

Canton passes industrial development moratorium aimed at Pactiv

After closing its paper mill in Canton early last month, Pactiv Evergreen is reportedly now engaged in discussions with potential…
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Rep. Mark Pless offers a motion on the House floor on July 12.
 

As promised, Pless strips Maggie Valley of development powers

The Haywood County Town of Maggie Valley has lost significant authority to exercise development powers after a bill promoted by…
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Louise Goings learned the art of basketry from her mother, Emma Taylor.
 

Peeling back the layers: Couple shares Cherokee history, culture

With over 50 years of experience in each of their disciplines, award-winning artisan couple Butch and Louise Goings continuously garner…
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‘Voices from the Past’
 

‘Voices from the Past’

The series “Where We Live: History, Nature and Culture” will host the Women’s History Trail program “Voices from the Past”…
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Front Street Arts & Crafts
 

Front Street Arts & Crafts

The 8th annual Front Street Arts & Crafts Show will showcase some of the finest regional artisans from 10 a.m.…
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