Shining Rock off to rocky start: Did new charter school violate open government law?

fr shiningrockAs a public entity receiving public dollars, Shining Rock Classical Academy — Haywood County’s first charter school — is required to follow the state’s Public Records and Open Meetings laws.

When a vision comes to life: Filmed in Haywood, ‘Chasing Grace’ hits the big screen

art frI was a little apprehensive.

Strolling into The Strand at 38 Main this past Friday evening, the buzz around downtown Waynesville was the premiere of “Chasing Grace.” A faith-based thriller, the film was shot in town and around Haywood County. But, how would it fare on the silver screen?

When the going gets tough, bring in the bomb dog

haywoodA new K9 skilled in bomb and explosive detection will soon be joining the ranks of the Waynesville Police Department.

New signs will bring greenways under one banner

fr greenwaysFinding the patchwork of greenway paths scattered across Haywood County is a bit like a scavenger hunt.

Ghost Town will remain closed for 2015

fr ghosttownDespite aiming for a July opening, Ghost Town in the Sky will stay closed for the entire 2015 season.

Maggie moves forward with or without Ghost Town

coverIlluminated neon lettering indicated full occupancy on many of the hotels in Maggie Valley during the Fourth of July weekend.

SEE ALSO: Ghost Town will remain closed for 2015

“No Vacancy” signs translate into dollar signs for accommodation owners as well as all the other businesses in the valley. Despite Ghost Town in the Sky not opening this year, Soco Road traffic was bumper to bumper, every parking lot was packed and tourists lined the sidewalks on Saturday evening waiting for the fireworks to begin.

Making it matter: the new paradigm behind Haywood’s tourism grants

haywoodThere was something markedly absent from the nearly $300,000 in tourism grants awarded by the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority this year: contention.

Shining Rock charter announces change in location for coming school year

haywoodA new charter school slated to open in Haywood in August has been scrambling the past few weeks to find somewhere to put kids and teachers after its initial facility plan fell through.

Enrollment numbers down for Haywood charter school

schoolsA new charter school opening in Haywood County has downwardly revised its projected student count for the coming school year.

A painful problem: Haywood teams up to fight prescription drug abuse

coverRecently recovered from rotator cuff surgery, Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher hasn’t popped a single prescription pain pill since the operation. Instead, he’s been using a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen, over-the-counter meds that don’t pose the same risks of abuse and addiction as opioids. 

“Just this morning I was at the physical therapist,” he said in a May interview. “She said, ‘I cannot believe you didn’t take prescription meds.’ I said, ‘I didn’t need to.’”

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