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A rich newspaper account of Bryson City circa 1910
Despite the boosterism (and alliteration) that permeated a front page layout (perhaps instigated by the ever-energetic Jack Coburn, who is…
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A visit to the library and some amazing finds
On my last visit to the public library, I picked up Kathryn Sermak’s Miss D & Me: Life With The…
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All-American mutt — Jamie Kent
As the music capital of the world, the bright lights of Nashville have always been a tough place to make…
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This must be the place: The heart has its seasons, its evenings and songs of its own
“If you see all the people playing corn hole in the driveway you’re at the right place,” the familiar voice…
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There’s not much room left in the gutter
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders got asked to leave a restaurant because the owner can’t stand her boss’…
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After the shock, and the pain, life goes on
It has been about eight months since my stepfather died. My mother has been talking about getting her house in…
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We are fractured as a nation
To the Editor: All of us who rely upon the local news as a monitor on morality have heard and…
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Environmentalism needs a new leader
To the Editor: One question that keeps going over and over in my mind is, will there be an environmental…
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Anti-Trump vitriol just too much
To the Editor: Oh my goodness! What an amazing bunch of nonsense from anti-Trump letter writers in the June 20…
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Whitner named Alumni of the Year
Bryan Whitner, 1998 Haywood Community College criminal justice graduate, was named Outstanding Alumni of the Year Award recipient for 2018.
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SCC student starts recovery podcast
A student in the Substance Abuse Treatment program at Southwestern Community College, Stephen Steen recently paired his passion for helping…
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A life stranger than fiction: Local author releases novel of true-life confessions
As Royal Phillips packs up her belongings that signify the last 20 years she’s spent in Waynesville and prepares for…
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New mental health crisis center to open in WNC
A new mental health facility in Asheville is set to open this summer to serve children and teens in Western…
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WNC celebrates life of David Belcher
For the son of a small-town Baptist preacher who studied to become a classically trained pianist — only to find…
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Waynesville workshop reveals vision, goals
Although the philosophical basis of the Waynesville comprehensive plan is rooted in academic concepts and professional standards related to long-term…
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Jackson committee to tackle affordable housing woes
A committee focused on increasing affordable housing options in Jackson County has been created following a unanimous vote of the…
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Meadows floats immigration fix
As House Republicans scramble to address the ongoing family separation issue on the nation’s southern border, several competing bills have…
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Cherokee tribes condemn family separations
The three Cherokee tribes joined voices last week to decry the recent surge of family separations at the U.S.-Mexico border.
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Rate increase for Duke Energy customers denied
When residents gave testimony back in January adamantly opposing Duke Energy Carolinas’ rate increase request to the North Carolina Utilities…
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Macon passes $51 million budget
Following plenty of public input, Macon County commissioners approved a final budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year that includes more…
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County could take over Canton sports complex
Taxpayers in the Town of Canton are about to again test political will, as the town has of late entered…
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Pay to play: recreation spending a burden for some small towns
Among the various spending categories in many municipal budgets — general government, public safety and the like — one can…
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TWSA closes the lid on 2018-19 budget
Hookup fees are set to plummet for water and sewer customers in Jackson County following adoption of the Tuckaseigee Water…
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DA: Trooper not at fault in deadly crash
District Attorney Ashley Welch has completed the review of the SBI investigation into the events of July 25, 2017, involving…
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Backyard trails: Local mountain bike trails surge to popularity
In 2013, Western Carolina University cut the ribbon on 7-mile trail system zig-zagging an otherwise unbuildable piece of university property. …
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Sharing the craft: Jo Ridge Kelley Fine Art
With the traffic and noise of a busy Main Street in downtown Waynesville zooming by outside her window, Jo Ridge…
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Blue Collar Dreams: A decade in, Balsam Range looks ahead
Ten years into his tenure with Balsam Range, Tim Surrett can only shake his head. “The most amazing factor is…
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Aw, shucks: Haywood County crafter keeps heritage craft alive, vibrant
You’ve probably driven by the Red Barn Greenhouse & Garden Center on Dellwood Road between Maggie Valley and Waynesville. But,…
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A closer look at WNC festivals
The proud communities that make up Western North Carolina were once mountain towns that played host to several successful blue-collar…
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Brewing success: Two WNC craft breweries win national medals
With sunshine spilling into the taproom of Currahee Brewing Company in Franklin one recent afternoon, brewmaster Taylor Yates is all…
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On your plate, on the plateau: Chef Ken Naron of Canyon Kitchen
Though the culinary and agricultural history of Southern Appalachia is as vast and robust as the tall and rigorous mountains…
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Grant will fund waterways in Macon
Cartoogechaye Creek will become a little healthier thanks to a $100,000 grant that Mainspring Conservation Trust landed from Duke Energy’s…
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The wildest show: Synchronous fireflies display untamed beauty in the Smokies
I entered the lottery on a whim, figuring that, like 90 percent of my fellow entrants, I’d end up with…
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Playground opens for kids with special needs
A new playground designed for kids with mental and physical disabilities is now open in Waynesville.
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Recycling on the uptick
Recycling is on the rise in North Carolina according to a recently released report showing numbers for all 100 counties…
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The Naturalist's Corner: Musings from count year 2018
This past spring was one of the more trying ones with regard to my annual U.S. Forest Service bird point…
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Book examines ‘meanness’ in Christianity
The author of this book is a speech language psychologist and university educator. Now in his sixties, Billy has extensive experience…
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Such a sad people we have become
To the Editor: Based on available evidence, how would we describe the American population? The answer would seem to be…
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False reporting in sheriff story
To the Editor: In a news article (Swain sheriff suspends mutual aid to town, opponent claims the move is purely…
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Most body cam videos should be public
To the Editor: As the Mayor of Franklin, I agree with the efforts of the three Buncombe County legislators who…
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The perfect name for Trump’s problem
To the Editor: In response to Dennis Ford’s letter, “The standard today is a double standard,” which appeared in the…
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Surely we can do better
To the Editor: Sunday morning in America (Father’s Day). Politicians eat steak, plump and happy, while playing political games. Immigrant…
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Living in The Valley
During a divorce, one person is required to move out of the family home. After months of rigmarole and this…
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No harm in striving to understand each person
By Hannah McLeod • Guest Columnist Do not decry this generation for pushing the boundaries of respect/understanding/acceptance. People today like…
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A life that changed lives: WNC mourns death of WCU Chancellor David Belcher
From the moment Western Carolina University Chancellor David O. Belcher announced he’d been diagnosed with brain cancer — more than…
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‘Forever in our purple-and-gold hearts’
Outpourings of support and sadness were in ample supply once news of Western Carolina University Chancellor David Belcher’s death reached…
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Answers still wanted in Bryson City K9 death
It’s been several months since a young police K9, Kanon, died while in the possession of a Bryson City Police…
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Sidewalk seating could come to Waynesville’s Main Street
Customers of downtown Waynesville’s restaurants and bars may soon be told to “hit the bricks” — but in a good…
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Capacity use fees proposed for Waynesville
Infrastructure in municipal sewer and water systems isn’t cheap, but a debate recently settled in the General Assembly clarified what…
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Bumpy road for vehicle tax proposals
With municipal budget season coming down to the wire and those municipal budgets coming down to the penny, two Haywood…
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