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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War history cites brotherhood, and bloodshed
 

War history cites brotherhood, and bloodshed

Sometimes we read certain histories — Scott’s expedition to Antarctica, for example, or Washington’s troops at Valley Forge, or the…
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A reason for the patriotism gap
 

A reason for the patriotism gap

To the Editor: In The American Legion Magazine (July 2023), in an article titled “Flag Wavers,” Alan W Dowd states: “The…
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Out-of-town vacationers in Asheville for a wedding said they were among 24 guests staying in two rental houses on Upstream Way.
 

Vacation rentals: Explosive growth brings jobs, money, but some say it contributes to housing shortage

In a neighborhood along Asheville’s French Broad River and abutting a residential street that includes young families, Upstream Way stands…
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The short-term rental issue is now a crisis
 

The short-term rental issue is now a crisis

Short term vacation rentals — and their impact on affordable housing and the tourism industry — are vexing both local…
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A fine line between heaven and hell
 

A fine line between heaven and hell

“Dad, this may be the greatest job of all-time.” 
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New voter ID requirements are now in effect. File photo
 

Parties prep for voter ID requirements

The issue of requiring voters to present identification at the polls before casting a ballot has been contentious in North…
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Casino employees stand ready to take the first bets at The Book in Cherokee in March 2021. Harrah’s Cherokee photo
 

EBCI welcomes new sports wagering law: Law will increase competition, but allow mobile betting

When sports wagering started in Cherokee  two years ago, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ two casinos were the only…
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A voter guide for Painttown Tribal Council
 

A voter guide for Painttown Tribal Council

Cherokee’s June 1 Primary Election whittled the field of candidates for Painttown Tribal Council down to four, and they will…
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Shining Rock Classical Academy will not continue with the second phase of school construction. File photo
 

No phase two for Shining Rock Classical Academy, for now

Shining Rock Classical Academy is hitting pause on plans for expansion of its school building — now untenable due to…
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Another step toward a middle school
 

Another step toward a middle school

Jackson County Schools recently approved an agreement to undergo a master planning process that will move the school system one…
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Fee increase for Macon County solid waste
 

Fee increase for Macon County solid waste

After some pushback from Commissioner John Shearl, Macon County has approved three changes to the solid waste fee structure for…
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United Christian Ministries welcomes new director
 

United Christian Ministries welcomes new director

United Christian Ministries of Jackson County has appointed a new Executive Director.  
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Jackson Health Department announces wellness program
 

Jackson Health Department announces wellness program

The Jackson County Health Department announced a new wellness program, Elevate828.
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Anita Lossiah. File photo
 

EBCI census will impact Tribal Council outcomes

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is trying for the first true census of its citizens in more than 20…
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Wall holds Tillia, a Virginia opossum who is one of the Balsam Mountain Trust’s roster of animal ambassadors. Holly Kays photo
 

Living better together: New Balsam Mountain Trust director aims to make people and wildlife better neighbors

Located up a narrow mountain road in a building about the size of an average single-family house, the Balsam Mountain…
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A tufted titmouse perches on a twig. Greg Clarkson photo
 

Celebrate birds and old trees

A pair of lectures planned for the Highlands Nature Center over the next couple weeks will explore the complexities of…
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Master Gardeners available to chat
 

Master Gardeners available to chat

Learn more about gardening at the Master Gardener Booth, available 8 a.m. to noon on the second and third Saturday…
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Evan Joseph and Madeline Craig conduct research within Western Carolina University’s Mosquito and Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Facility. WCU photo
 

Dress, drain and defend to prevent mosquito-borne illness

Recent cases of malaria in Texas and Florida have caused alarm about the potential for the disease to spread in…
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Volunteers look for specimens using a “beating sheet.” Jaimie Matzko photo
 

Document diversity at Deep Creek

Record wildlife and remove litter from the Deep Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Bryson City…
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A lightning bug perches on a blade of grass. Donated photo
 

Meet the bright lights of summer nights

Learn about lightning bugs — and how your yard care choices can help reverse their decline — during a program…
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Bikers explore Forge Creek Road in Cades Cove. NPS photo
 

‘Adaptive Adventures’ coming to the Smokies

A trio of programs aimed at allowing people with disabilities to explore the outdoors will be held in the Great…
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Forest plan documentary film premieres
 

Forest plan documentary film premieres

A feature documentary exploring the release of the Pisgah-Nantahala Forest Plan will have its premier screening at 7 p.m. Thursday,…
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