Archived

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 12:42

Ballot measure would bar felons from serving as sheriff

After six felons in North Carolina ran for sheriff during the May primaries, legislators decided it was time to close that particular legal loophole. This November, voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would put a stop to convicted…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 12:39

Sylva board rift over police chief reveals larger power play afoot

Sylva Commissioner Christina Matheson surfaced as peacemaker last week for a town board that, among other matters, has shown signs of fracturing over the best method of hiring a new police chief. Commissioner Harold Hensley bucked up at a meeting…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 12:37

Sylva pedestrian plan to come one step at a time

Getting around on your own two feet in Sylva would be safer and easier if an ambitious, $4.5-million pedestrian plan becomes reality. The plan — really, a wish list that would help keep the town moving now and in the…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 12:35

Efforts to preserve Waynesville neighborhood underway

Waynesville is attempting to preserve the neighborhood bounded by Walnut and North Main streets by seeking official recognition from the National Register of Historic Places. The town recently received a grant through the Certified Local Government Program to prepare a…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 12:34

Old Waynesville hospital could be converted to affordable housing

Haywood County officials foresee the historic hospital in Waynesville one day being transformed into affordable or senior housing. “That would be my vision,” said Commissioner Bill Upton. “Something might show up that we haven’t thought of, but affordable housing is…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 12:31

Supporters hoping to keep WBHN on the air

When Swain County faced an onslaught of snow and ice last winter, local radio station WBHN wasn’t broadcasting road information or school closings. Die-hard fans of Swain County High’s sports teams haven’t been able to tune into any of the…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 12:28

How would being a town help Cullowhee?

In hopes of transforming Cullowhee into a more vibrant college community, a group dedicated to reinventing the lackluster area around campus wants the Village of Forest Hills to expand its town limits and annex a portion of the university and…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:54

Sometimes you just know when it’s right

I felt sure this morning the thermometer was telling lies. It read 48 degrees, but the chill in the air felt positively Siberian. Woodstove weather. Harvest weather. Count the hay bales, fill the root cellar, oh my golly we’d better…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:53

Independent candidates might deserve a look

To the Editor: With the occurrence of each election cycle, more and more Americans are choosing to support and vote for candidates who do not have an “R” or a “D” after their name. That’s why it is not surprising…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:52

Good ideas can’t get past Democratic leadership

To the Editor: Congressman Heath Shuler just sent out an email talking once again about the wisdom of his “S.A.V.E. Act” immigration bill. And indeed it is a good first step that, in his words, “expands an existing and successful system…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:51

GOP was blamed for good reason

To the Editor: I want to thank the League of Women Voters in Franklin for holding candidate forums for our community. On Aug. 12, the candidates for the North Carolina House and Senate running in the November election were invited…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:43

What’s the game, living longer or looking better?

“Pssst!” I was just finishing up my lat pull-down exercise when I heard it, but I was too busy thinking about how sore I’d be tomorrow to fully register the sound. Out of the gym all summer and good to…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:41

From the composition book…

Saturday morning … sitting alone at the kitchen table … nothing much going on … looking out the window … watching the bend in the creek and the bend in the path that leads up to the bend in the…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:40

Senior trip to see the elk

Seniors will get a chance to see the Cataloochee elk up close and personal on Sept. 13. The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department is offering the trip to everyone age 50 and above. Learn some of the rich history of…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:39

Coexisting with bears

A group of wildlife lovers area has launched an initiative to make the Cashiers and Highlands area a “Bear Smart” community. “Black bears can live with people. Can people live with black bears?” asked Bill Lea of Franklin, both a…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:38

Fish expert to deliver “State of the Trout”

Matt Kulp, fisheries biologist with Great Smoky Mountain National Park, will be speaking at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20, at The Plateau Fly Fishing club meeting in Cashiers. Kulp will discuss “What’s going on in the Great Smoky Mountain National…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:37

Fall leaf forecast: get ready for good color

Visitors to Western North Carolina’s mountains can look forward to a vibrant display of color this autumn, predicts Kathy Mathews, Western Carolina University’s fall foliage forecaster and associate professor of biology. “It’s been a hot year in North Carolina, with…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:36

No more daily bag limits for deer hunters this year

The Wildlife Commission has unveiled its proposed changes to hunting and fishing rules, but the list is a super short one this year and controversial proposals are markedly absent. A public hearing on the proposed changes will be held at…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:35

GSMNP seeking volunteers for trail work

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host two volunteer trail projects on Saturday, Sept. 25, in recognition of National Public Lands Day — the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. The…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:35

Apples are in, let the pressing begin

A field trip to the Wykle family apple orchard in Macon County will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 9. Learn about heirloom pommes, pick your favorites and press them into fresh cider. A home-made apple press will…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:34

Bike ride to benefit injured cyclist

A cyclist who was seriously injured during the Blue Ridge Breakaway race last month in Haywood County is showing some progress, but a full recovery is not expected, according to his doctors and family. Gary Williams, 62, from the greater…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:33

Cullowhee puts on just-for-fun Tuck paddling race

A race for amateur paddlers will be held on the Tuckasegee River in Cullowhee on Saturday, Sept. 11. Paddlers in the second-annual Citizens Race will canoe or kayak through 10 slalom gates on a flat section of river off Old…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:32

Educate yourself on waterfall safety

A new video podcast emphasizing water safety for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is now available for viewing. The podcast, “Water Safety and Day Hiking,” is a four-minute video that showcases creeks, waterfalls and rivers in the park…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:24

Growing demand prompts organic research at research station

This year, Mountain Research Station in Waynesville is investigating organic farming on the Western North Carolina landscape on a greater scale than ever before. The launch of the test farm’s new organic unit has already turned heads and sparked mixed…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:22

First-ever Southeast Indian Writers Gathering lined up

Native American writers from the Southeast are invited to participate in the first-ever Southeast Indian Writers Gathering, to be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, and Friday, Sept. 17, at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:21

First annual “Celebration of Books” in Highlands

Twenty-eight Carolina authors will be selling and signing their books at the Celebration of Books from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11 at the Highlands Civic Center. There will also be workshops, readings, and entertainment for the…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:20

Meet Lin Stepp, author of the Smoky Mountain series of novels

Lin Stepp will sign copies of Tell Me About Orchard Hollow from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville. The novel tells is second in the Smoky Mountain series and tells the story…

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:15

Putting the spotlight on Whittier

My Mountain Granny by Matthew Link Baker. Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, Inc., 2010. In the opening pages of My Mountain Granny, author Matthew Link Baker announces his intention of producing a book that would embody a kind of memorial…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 20:00

Go behind the scenes of historic canning house

“Women’s Work Preserving the Past, Educating the Future,” will exhibit from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11, at The Appalachian Women’s Museum, located at the Monteith Farmstead in Dillsboro. The opening of the exhibit celebrates the restoration…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 19:54

Southeastern tribes share cultural traditions

The 6th annual Southeastern Tribes Cultural Arts Celebration will bring together master dancers, craftsmen, artists and athletes from the five main southeastern tribes: Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, Seminole and Choctaw. The celebration takes place Friday, Sept. 17, and Saturday, Sept. 18,…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 19:52

Motorcycle stunts and more at Rally in the Valley

The Carolina Harley-Davidson Dealers Association’s 10th Annual Rally in the Valley will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sept. 17 and 18 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. The rally features two days of great riding, live…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 19:49

Lynyrd Skynyrd member appears at Thunder in the Smokies

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2006 Inductee Artimus Pyle from Lynyrd Skynyrd is coming to Maggie Valley on Saturday, Sept, 11, for the Thunder in the Smokies Motorcycle Rally. Also appearing are Thunderfoot, DB Bryant, Preacher Stone and Big…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 19:44

HCC Professional Crafts students awarded at International Woodworking Fair

Two Haywood Community College Professional Crafts—Wood students brought home awards recently from the International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta. Joshua Janis and Melissa Engler took high honors in the biennial Design Emphasis student competition. The contest draws entries from top design…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 19:43

Sylva concert series concludes with gospel acts

An all-star lineup of regional gospel performers will take the stage from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, at the Bridge Park Pavilion in downtown Sylva. Artists scheduled to appear are: Tim Jamerson, Skeeter Hindman, Promises and 3 or…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 19:42

Classical concert features Bach, Mozart and Grieg

Pianist Bruce Murray and violinist Jason Posnock will play a program of classical music at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12, at Franklin’s First Presbyterian Church. Works will include J.S. Bach’s Sonata in G, Beethoven’s Sonata in C minor, and…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 19:38

Cinematography professor wins Telly Award for ‘Wesley’

Arledge Armenaki, Western Carolina University associate professor of cinematography, is recipient of a Telly Award for his work as director of photography on “Wesley,” a historical movie about a co-founder of the Methodist church. Armenaki won the bronze prize in…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 19:36

Audition for next HART play, ‘The Little Foxes’

Auditions for the fall production of the classic Broadway play, “The Little Foxes,” by Lillian Hellman will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11, and at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12. The Haywood Arts Regional Theatre production…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 19:35

Star in HCC’s next film

Local acting talent is being sought for Haywood Community College’s fall semester short film project called, “The Pond.” Casting takes place from noon until 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, and from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sep. 13, in the…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 19:33

Bold art featured in ‘Fire and Heat by Three’

Gunpowder, furnaces and kilns are used by three featured artists in the “Fire and Heat by Three” exhibit, which opens on Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Bascom in Highlands. Experience traditional and innovative uses of materials glass artist Alex Bernstein,…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 19:21

Bold art featured in ‘Fire and Heat by Three’

Gunpowder, furnaces and kilns are used by three featured artists in the “Fire and Heat by Three” exhibit, which opens on Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Bascom in Highlands. Experience traditional and innovative uses of materials glass artist Alex Bernstein,…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 19:13

WNC sees boom in performance venues

The days of driving hours away from Western North Carolina to see your favorite acts may well be over. In the past five years, three major performance venues have debuted in the region: Western Carolina University’s Fine and Performing Arts…

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 12:19

Tiny town of Forest Hills holds fate of Cullowhee revitalization in its hands

Being the top leader of the Village of Forest Hills isn’t as serene as it once was. Admittedly, Irene Hooper, the first mayor of this subdivision-turned-town, dealt with some thorny issues after the residential area near Western Carolina University voted…