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Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:48

Wheels Through Time to be featured on TV cable show

Wheels Through Time Museum, one of America’s most famous motorcycling destinations located in Maggie Valley, will be featured on the show “Small Town Big Deal,” which airs on RFD-TV at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14.
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:46

Pride of the Mountains in the spotlight at band directors convention

Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band will be highlighted next week at the national convention of the College Band Directors National Association in Greensboro.
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:45

Textile art exhibit opens in Waynesville

The exhibit “Textures” featuring the work of nine textile artists will open next week at the Haywood County Arts Council’s Gallery 86, in downtown Waynesville.
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:28

Don’t be in a rush to cut courthouse trees

To the Editor: I am concerned that the decision to remove the trees at the courthouse was hasty and ill-judged. Once mature trees are removed, they will not be replaceable in our lifetime. According to Cornell University, sugar maples, such…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:27

Once again, we need to save Needmore

To the Editor: After all the time and effort put forth by the citizens of Macon and Swain counties, the NCDOT is back again wanting to pave Needmore Road. It seems the public gets to have its input, but does…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:26

The roots of the U.S. gun culture

To the Editor: In all the current commentary about gun violence in the wake of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook, little if any attention has been give to the roots of the problem in our Western/American culture. Three aspects…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:25

A great night of music at the Bardo Center

To the Editor: What a wonderful evening recently at the Bardo Arts Center. Western Carolina University School of Music presented The Symphony Band, 108 students conducted by David Starnes and Graduate Conductor Emily Talley. It was so encouraging to see…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:23

Joining Waynesville right move for Junaluska

To the Editor: From my perspective, much of the discussion of whether or not to allow annexation of Lake Junaluska by Waynesville is a result of the deep felt emotional attachment many of the residents have to Lake Junaluska and…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:22

Give McCrory, GOP a chance before piling on

To the Editor: Ms. Abel’s letter said that the state’s Democratic ideals are fading fast since the last election (“State’s democratic ideals fading fast,” Feb. 27, SMN). For about 140 years North Carolina was under the control of the Democratic…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:21

Making tourism sustainable as economic development

By Ken Stahl • Guest Columnist There appears to be controversy concerning the proposed 2 percent occupancy tax increase. This is a good thing as it generates a reflection on concerns of the stakeholders. Several issues have been discussed, and…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 15:01

Haywood picks up the torch on landslide hazard mapping

A team of laid-off state geologists will soon start mapping landslide hazard zones in Haywood County after a coalition of environmental nonprofits raised money to keep the project alive. The state two years ago axed an ongoing effort to map…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:58

To map or not to map? Jackson ponders the question amid spate of rain-induced landslides and steep slope rewrite

Jackson County planning board members are considering whether to re-start a landslide hazard mapping initiative that was axed by the state two years ago. A team of state geologists had been creating landslide hazard maps for every mountain county. They…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:53

Cherokee leaders contemplate second casino in Murphy

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians could decide soon whether to move forward with a second casino near Murphy, but some tribal members are raising concerns.
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:51

WCU opens up the door for wine and beer sales at performance venue

People attending productions at Western Carolina University’s John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center may soon have the chance to enjoy a glass of wine or a beer before a show or during intermission. WCU’s board of trustees Friday…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:49

Drinking up the essence of thought, innovation

It’s a room full of strangers, ideas and alcohol. Still in its infancy yet gaining steam, the Drink-N-Think congregation came together last Wednesday evening at the Mad Batter Bakery & Café in Cullowhee, near the heart of Western Carolina University.
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:48

HCC president finalists to remain off the record

The Haywood Community College Board of Trustees has decided not to release the names of its finalists for president of the community college — even though it did so during the first round of searching last year. Three finalists have been…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:46

Troubling spike in foster children prompts budget shortfalls

The number of children in foster care in Haywood County is on the rise, a depressing sign for Department of Social Services workers whose first goal is to keep a family together. “Growing up in foster care or growing up…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:44

Proponents of Haywood room tax increase rebut criticism

The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority board responded to outcries from Maggie Valley business owners about a proposed lodging tax increase during its meeting last week. Several business owners in Maggie voiced their collective concerns about the possible increase at…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:42

11th-hour deal saves 100 Franklin manufacturing jobs

In a move that could save nearly 100 jobs and keep a Franklin factory from closing, an English-based company struck a deal early this week to purchase the assets of the Whitley Products plant, a struggling metal manufacturer. For nearly…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:37

The harbingers of spring are upon us

As you read this it may well be freezing or even icy outside. But before long you’ll be outside working in the garden or searching for early spring wildflowers. How do I know? Well, for one thing, it always happens…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:35

News from the AT

Teachers invited to bring the AT into their classroom Teachers and educators interested in incorporating the Appalachian Trail into their lessons ad classrooms can apply to the Trail to Every Classroom program, a series of three workshops led by the…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:31

U.S. 441 through park should reopen by May 15

Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is expected to be repaired and open by May 15 in time for the busy summer travel season. The Federal Highways Administration has just awarded a nearly $4…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:30

Mountain scramble to Black Rock

The third annual Assault on Black Rock will test the strength and stamina of trail runners as they try to make it to the top of Pinnacle Park outside Sylva on Saturday, March 16, in Sylva.
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:28

Hikes of the Smokies series kicks off

A guided hike in the Deep Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be held on Tuesday, March 19, by Friends of the Smokies.
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:26

Louisiana lagniappe

I know, I know, we’ve been in Louisiana for two weeks now, but when I look back at some of the photos and think of our trip I see a lot in common between public lands there and public lands…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:21

Follow me, into the wild

The last time I went camping I was 10 or 11. I was in my grandparents’ backyard, snug in my sleeping bag between my older sister and cousin Jake. I laid awake nervous about a ravenous bear attacking the tent,…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:16

Prepping for the AT 2,184 miles to be ‘in the moment’

During the next several weeks, thousands of people will leave from Springer Mountain in Georgia and begin the 2,184-mile trek to Maine along the Appalachian Trail. SEE ALSO: Follow me, into the wild For some, the trip is a lifelong…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:00

Jackson commissioners mull request for deputies in elementary schools

Jackson County commissioners have postponed a decision on hiring deputies to man the county’s elementary schools. The school board and sheriff’s office made a joint request recently for funding for four additional deputies to serve as school resource officers in…
Wednesday, 06 March 2013 13:56

New Haywood sheriff pledges modern, professional leadership

There’s a new sheriff in town. Greg Christopher, a 51-year-old former lieutenant in the N.C. State Patrol, assumed the role of top lawman in Haywood County this week.
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 02:02

Climbing event at Chimney Rock

An event called “Climbin’ the Chimney” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 2 is an opportunity to for participants to scale Chimney Rock with regional climbing education organization, Fox Mountain Guides. Chimney Rock is located in Chimney Rock…
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 02:02

Duke grants to aid education, environment

Duke Energy is helping to fund new educational and environmental projects as part of its hydropower relicensing agreement in the Nantahala region. Projects include a new high school agri-science program, a youth environmental summer camp, and other educational programs and…
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 01:54

Taking the polar plunge

Around 30 daring souls splashed and jumped into Lake Junaluska last Saturday for the first annual “Polar Plunge” to raise money for Haywood Waterways Kids in the Creek program.
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 01:52

Loosiana part deaux

What better place to start part deaux than Breaux Bridge along Bayou Teche? Firmin Breaux originally purchased the area that is now Breaux Bridge in 1771 from New Orleans businessman Jean Francois Ledée, who had acquired the land as an…
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 01:51

WCU trail system now open to the public

Western Carolina University’s new trail system is open and ready for bikers, hikers and runners. About 100 people turned out Saturday, Feb. 23, for an outdoor campus celebration to mark the trail’s formal opening.
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 01:48

Honest hunters have little tolerance for renegade tactics

Shock waves rippled through the mountain hunting community last week as word spread of a sweeping undercover investigation targeting dozens of illegal rogue hunters.
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 01:45

“Operation Something Bruin:” Dozens of rogue hunters busted in illegal mountain poaching ring

Last week, state and federal wildlife officers began rounding up dozens of suspected poachers in Western North Carolina, bringing to fruition an undercover investigation that spanned several years across several rural mountain counties and penetrated the heart of an illegal…
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 00:00

Final volume of Churchill biography a long-awaited gem

William Manchester, author of a number of best-selling books, including The Death of A President, American Caesar, and Goodbye, Darkness, spent nearly 30 years writing a three-volume biography of Winston Churchill. Still a young man when I read the first…
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 00:00

Liberals arts education enriches one’s life

To the Editor: Scott McLeod (Feb. 6 SMN) pays tribute to the value of a liberal arts education. Even though I never earned a B.A. degree, my college and high school background in literature, philosophy, music and religion has greatly…
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 00:00

Wouldn’t it be wonderful ... to use local builders

To the Editor: Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the building boom of million dollar homes in Jackson County supported this county’s people? Hiring local contractors and skilled laborers, as well as employing the abundant resource of manual labor in the…
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 00:00

Not all doom and gloom in Dillsboro

To the Editor: The claim of Frank Parrish and others over the past few years that Dillsboro is a ghost town is highly exaggerated. By all accounts, most Dillsboro merchants had a very good 2012. My retail store broke even…
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 00:00

Time to be rid of all Cherokee bear zoos

To the Editor: Little has changed in Cherokee since a 1989 Parade Magazine cover story, “Are Our Zoos Humane?” named a Cherokee bear exhibit as one of the 10 worst zoos in America. Thus, I was very pleased to read…
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 00:00

Writer spouted false facts about Obamacare

To the Editor: A recent letter writer makes a number of unsubstantiated and flat out erroneous claims about Obamacare, otherwise known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These sound like talking points from some right-wing propaganda organ. First, the writer…
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 00:00

State’s democratic ideals are fading fast

To the Editor: Our founding fathers, framing our Constitution, created a representative democracy. They formed a republic, a government where the people vote for representatives to govern for them who reflect their views. This is an indirect democracy, a government…
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 00:00

MV Lodging Association opposes TDA tax hike

To the Editor: Contrary to articles recently published in our local papers, there is much opposition to the proposed law to increase the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority occupancy tax by an additional 2 percent, raising the taxes to an…
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 00:00

Increasing Medicare coverage could lower healthcare costs

By Martin Dyckman • Guest Columnist The United States spends twice as much on health care as most other modern nations, with less to show for it in terms of longevity and other true measures of health. The reasons why…
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 00:00

Sylva and Jackson County can’t agree on joint ABC venture

Sylva and Jackson County are at an impasse on the creation of a single Alcoholic Beverage Control board to run the existing liquor store in Sylva and a new one proposed in Cashiers.
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 00:00

With sequestration threat looming, Eastern Band preps for the worst

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians could see an estimated $2.2 million evaporate from its budget in March if Congress does not reach an agreement on the federal budget and mandatory, across-the-board cuts of 5.1 percent known as sequestration kick in.…
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 00:00

Cork and Bean expansion boosts downtown Bryson dining scene

When a building on a town’s main street sits empty, either because a business closed down or moved away, it’s usually a bad omen.
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 00:00

Wireless internet beamed into rural areas solves high-speed service conundrum

Jackson County could be going from zero to high-speed in no time. Two internet providers are laying plans to beam wireless internet into rural and remote reaches of Jackson — areas that until now have been underserved when it comes…
Tuesday, 26 February 2013 21:18

Haywood flips for pancake day

It’s 6:15 a.m., and Woody Griffin is ready. “It’s the calm before the storm,” he chuckled.
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