Openings on Maggie planning board
 

Openings on Maggie planning board

The Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen is now taking applications for appointments for both the Planning Board and the Zoning…
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The eastern terminus of a proposed walkway along Old Asheville Highway, east of Canton, lies at Chestnut Mountain Road (lower left). Haywood GIS photo
 

Pedestrian path proposed for portion of US 19/23

A treacherous and heavily travelled portion of U.S. 19/23 east of Canton could soon see major pedestrian improvements if an…
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Steady growth: Maggie budget looks strong
 

Steady growth: Maggie budget looks strong

With no proposed tax increase, slightly lower spending and a healthy fund balance, the Town of Maggie Valley’s proposed FY…
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Canton budget holds the line on taxes
 

Canton budget holds the line on taxes

While Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers has seen several budgets during his previous stint as an alderman, he appears to be…
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Participants display the Confederate flag during last year’s Canton Christmas parade. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Confederate flag debate could resurface in Canton

It’s been a hot topic for almost a year now, but the role of Confederate imagery in contemporary society is…
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Cashiers development interest could accelerate sewer plan
 

Cashiers development interest could accelerate sewer plan

The announcement that 20,000 gallons of sewer capacity will soon be released in Cashiers has spurred interest from homeowners and…
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The new Caney Fork General Store is located just across the road from the original location along N.C. 107. Holly Kays photo
 

Debate continues over unpaid bills at Caney Fork store

Finger-pointing over who’s to blame for unpaid bills following a business relocation project in Jackson County has transitioned to the…
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DA hires new prosecutor
 

DA hires new prosecutor

The District Attorney’s Office recently hired a new prosecutor, Kimberly Hayes Harris.
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Guilty pleas entered, sentences rendered in marriage fraud case
 

Guilty pleas entered, sentences rendered in marriage fraud case

Two defendants in a marriage fraud case set to go to trial Monday, May 14, have opted to enter a…
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Jerry Lowery (center) goes before the State Board of Elections & Ethics Enforcement to appeal his candidate challenge against Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran. Donated photo
 

State dismisses candidate challenge against Swain sheriff

Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran will remain a candidate on the November ballot after the State Board of Elections &…
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Gun rights activists to hold Haywood event May 19
 

Gun rights activists to hold Haywood event May 19

Second Amendment supporters in Haywood County will take to the Historic Courthouse lawn May 19 to protest what they say…
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Gun range suddenly a tourist destination
 

Gun range suddenly a tourist destination

While most people have certainly heard of agritourism, ecotourism and even necrotourism (visiting famous cemeteries and gravesites), most may not…
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Formerly home to the Palaestra Combat Sports Club, this building in downtown Sylva will soon hold an outpost of Bryson City’s Nantahala Brewing Company. Holly Kays photo
 

Nantahala Brewing will expand to Sylva

Nantahala Brewing Company will move forward with opening an outpost in Sylva after the Sylva Board of Commissioners voted unanimously…
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More than 100 people attend a support rally for the family and friends of Scott Knibbs. Macon Media photo
 

Supporters rally around Scott Knibbs family

More than 100 people gathered at the Macon County Courthouse on May 8 to rally in support of Scott Knibbs’…
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Primary results roll in to Jackson
 

Primary results roll in to Jackson

Jackson County voters went for a mixture of something different and stay the course when they cast their Primary Election…
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Jim Tate (left) and John Shearl.
 

Macon commissioner keeps his seat

Macon County District 1 Commissioner Jim Tate won a third term on the board beating out Republican challenger John Shearl. 
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Ben Bushyhead
 

Swain County elects new chairman

Swain County Board of Commissioners will have a new chairman in November after a majority of voters cast their ballot…
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Some races settled in May 8 election
 

Some races settled in May 8 election

Although the results have not yet been certified in North Carolina’s May 8 Primary Elections, there were several races where…
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Paying the price: Will checkered past haunt congressional candidate?
 

Paying the price: Will checkered past haunt congressional candidate?

Last week, Phillip Price prevailed in a competitive three-way Democratic primary for the right to challenge incumbent Asheville Republican Congressman…
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Taking the longtime Appalachian craft of corn shuck dolls to a whole new and creative level, Karen Collis can spend upwards of 70 hours on one piece, many of which being sold to collectors around the world.
 

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 a…
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Weaver Susan Morgan Leveille.
 

This must be the place: Never forget what you made, what made you

It seems like a race against time. As a longtime arts and entertainment editor, I find myself in the backwoods…
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Interactive drumhead painting from the WCU School of Art and Design Roadworks Art Trailer.
 

Roadworks: Experiential Arts Opportunities

The Western Carolina University College of Fine and Performing Arts presents WCU Roadworks, a free outreach program offering experiential arts…
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Living in the moment with ALS
 

Living in the moment with ALS

We rode in silence. I glanced at the clock as we came to another stoplight. Already five minutes late, I…
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Brene Brown.
 

Moms, remember to breathe it all in

Last week, I went to a conference in L.A. with 800 other moms who tell their stories through creative outlets,…
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Now or never for the red wolf
 

Now or never for the red wolf

To the Editor: The red wolf, which once ranged from Pennsylvania to Texas, is now battling extinction in the wild…
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Plott Creek no place for apartment complex
 

Plott Creek no place for apartment complex

To the Editor: As with most newly proposed developments everywhere, all the standard comments come out in newspapers and town…
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State, local GOP need to re-think their role
 

State, local GOP need to re-think their role

To the Editor: I am a 59-year-old disabled veteran and lifelong Christian conservative. And I am appalled at what I…
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Yes, we are in danger with a wall
 

Yes, we are in danger with a wall

To the Editor: Yes, we do need a wall to protect ourselves. A couple weeks ago a contingent of Guatemalan…
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Rep. Meadows needs history lesson
 

Rep. Meadows needs history lesson

To the Editor: In 1804 a Republican-dominated House of Representatives voted impeachment charges against a sitting Supreme Court judge. The…
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Discovering a writer who sings to my heart
 

Discovering a writer who sings to my heart

Time to have some fun. And Adultolescence (Keywords Press, 2017, 248 pages) is just the place to go for that…
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Job Corps center expands opportunities
 

Job Corps center expands opportunities

The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is increasing its partnerships and training options, providing more opportunities for the students…
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HCC students take fifth at national competition
 

HCC students take fifth at national competition

The Haywood Community College student chapter of The Wildlife Society finished fifth place overall against 24 other schools at the…
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A red wolf walks along a roadside in eastern North Carolina. Donated photo
 

Red wolf status grim, review says

A five-year red wolf status review, released April 24, showed that only about 40 red wolves are left in the…
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Glenville no wake zone request denied
 

Glenville no wake zone request denied

Jackson County’s request for a no wake zone on Lake Glenville has been denied following an April 26 vote from…
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Smokies chief ranger retires
 

Smokies chief ranger retires

After 35 years of service — 30 of them in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Chief Ranger Steve…
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Blackpoll warbler at Beaver Lake. Tim Carstens photo
 

The Naturalist's Corner: Not quite a wrap

The starting date for my annual bird survey for the U.S. Forest Service is May 1. All of our nesting…
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A firm foundation: SCC graduates 100th class of future National Park Service officers
 

A firm foundation: SCC graduates 100th class of future National Park Service officers

It’s been a full morning on top of a full week, and I’m tired when I file into the fluorescent-lighted…
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Health and social services consolidation final in Jackson
 

Health and social services consolidation final in Jackson

A pair of party-line votes May 7 triggered the next step in consolidating Jackson County’s social services and health departments,…
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A recent vote of the Cherokee Tribal Council prohibited non-Cherokee media outlets from sitting in the Council chambers, but The Cherokee One Feather is hoping to reverse the ban. File photo
 

Resolution to reverse Cherokee media ban withdrawn

A resolution seeking to reverse a ban on non-Cherokee media outlets — enacted by the Cherokee Tribal Council Thursday, April…
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Iconic Maggie Valley restaurant Joey’s Pancake House will reopen later this month. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Rebirth of an icon: Joey’s Pancake House reopens this month

Over the past two summers, visitors to the western end of Haywood County have experienced something few others ever have…
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Empty desks in the M.C. Nix Horticulture Complex at the Haywood Community College haven’t been full for some time now. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Every rose has its thorns: Cuts coming for HCC horticulture program

There’s a bit of pruning taking place at Haywood Community College — specifically, the Horticulture Technology program. And just like…
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Scott Knibbs of Franklin died following an officer-involved shooting at his residence. Donated photo
 

Franklin man shot and killed by Macon deputy

The lawyer for a Franklin resident killed by a Macon County deputy claims the shooting was not justified and that…
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Weapons and ammunition seized from a 16-year-old’s home after he created a ‘hit list’ with names of fellow students, school administration and law enforcement officers. Donated photo
 

Student suicide pact, hit list rocks Macon

It’s been a difficult couple of weeks for Macon County as school administration and law enforcement try to get to…
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Comment

Robert Saunooke (left) talks with Patrick Lambert’s attorney Scott Jones during the May 2017 impeachment hearing. Holly Kays photo
 

Impeachment attorney banned from practicing law in Cherokee

Cherokee attorney Robert Saunooke will no longer be allowed to practice law on the Qualla Boundary following a recent ruling…
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Swain completes recreation master plan
 

Swain completes recreation master plan

Swain County commissioners recently approved a 10-year master plan for its parks and recreation programs and facilities, but it appears…
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Swain County Schools could see an increase in revenue for capital projects if a quarter-cent sales-tax increase is approved. File photo
 

Swain mulls putting sales tax back on ballot

As they prepare for the annual budgeting process, Swain County commissioners are considering placing a quarter-cent sales tax increase on…
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Town of Franklin releases preliminary budget
 

Town of Franklin releases preliminary budget

With the 2018-19 preliminary budget in hand, Franklin Town Council will have a week to review it before the board’s…
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No tax increase proposed in Haywood
 

No tax increase proposed in Haywood

It was a good day for Interim Haywood County Manager Joel Mashburn, and will probably go down as a good…
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After 16 years, Perry Hines (left) has served his last meal at the Open Door. The Open Door’s new Executive Director Tom Owens (right) will begin work in early July.
 

The Open Door’s ‘next season’

One memorable afternoon several years ago, Perry Hines was sitting in the dining room of the Open Door after it…
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Unofficial Primary Election results are in
 

Unofficial Primary Election results are in

The unofficial results of the May 8 Primary Election are now in with all precincts reporting.
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