Smokies' first dispensary to open: Cherokee's long-awaited marijuana venture to finally generate some green

The path to cannabis legalization on the Qualla Boundary has been riddled with roadblocks, some of which the Eastern Band…
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Waynesville planning board to study short-term rental regulations

Seeking to balance the economic benefits of short-term vacation rentals with the negative effects they have on housing affordability in…
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Local leader to serve as Haywood Chamber of Commerce President

The Haywood County Chamber of Commerce announced the appointment of David Francis as its new president.
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Welcome to Summer Camp: Rescue program provides a lifeline for four-legged friends during hardship

Summer camp. Memories of the great outdoors, new friends, fun adventures. But around Misfit Mountain in Haywood County, the rescue’s Summer…
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‘We will march’: Sylva community members support Pride Parade

On Thursday night, Sylva community members marched to the town council meeting to show their disappointment in a recent vote…
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WCU Faculty, students collaborate on Health Equity Data Consortium

Although it has been four years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the effects are still being felt around the world,…
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Macon County will not sell Pine Grove School

After extensive input from Macon residents who wanted to see the old Pine Grove School remain available for community use,…
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Smoky Mountain Robotics Team makes an award-winning impact

The Smoky Mountain Academic Robotics Team (SMART) brought home the Impact Award at the Mecklenburg District FIRST (For Inspiration and…
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Lake Junaluska to host National Day of Prayer

A National Day of Prayer service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 2, at the outdoor amphitheater below…
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Newman resigns from Sylva Town Council

Natalie Newman has been serving her community on five different boards and associations for the past several years, but announced…
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NC launches Haywood Homeownership Assistance Program

The N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) is supporting Haywood County in the April 22 launch of its Homeownership Assistance Program…
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Jackson County man convicted in fatal collision

An intoxicated Jackson County man who drove at a high rate of speed and careened into two other cars, killing…
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Haywood to conduct property reappraisals

The Haywood County Tax Assessors Office is currently conducting a comprehensive reappraisal of all properties within the county for the…
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Large apartment complex appears likely for Canton outskirts

The Town of Canton’s governing board will soon consider approval of a substantial residential project after the town’s planning board…
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Stoner’s Ball brings legal high to Haywood County

The Stoner’s Ball is coming to Haywood County, but it may not be quite what people think. 
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Recreational cannabis remains unlikely in NC

In recent years, more and more states have made the decision to legalize, regulate and tax recreational cannabis products —…
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Canton budget hole, thanks to Pactiv, approaches $1 million

Ever since Pactiv Evergreen announced back on March 6, 2023, that it would shutter its paper mill in Canton, town…
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One person hospitalized after officer-involved shooting in Haywood County

The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting with the Haywood County Sheriff’s office over the weekend.
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Cooper makes appointment to fill WNC judicial vacancy

Gov. Roy Cooper has appointed a new Superior Court judge in Western North Carolina. 
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Duotech to expand in Macon

Almost 100 high-paying jobs are expected in Macon County with the expansion of Duotech Services, LLC. 
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Two unaffiliated Swain commission candidates make the cut

Swain County now knows who will appear on the November General Election Ballot for county commissioner. 
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Cherokee man charged in wife’s murder from 10 years ago

A Swain County man is facing a federal charge for allegedly killing his wife in 2013, announced Dena J. King…
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WCU, Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority sign agreement for McKee Clinic funding

Throughout Western North Carolina, there is a critical need for pediatric psychologists to conduct testing and provide other resources needed…
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Drivers urged to put the phone down

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is calling on motorists to focus solely on the road and do all they…
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'Busting at the seams': JCPS reconsiders partnership with Catamount School

The memorandum of understanding between Jackson County Public Schools and the Catamount School is up for annual review, and this…
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Farm Bureau sounds the alarm on disappearing agricultural land

The Haywood County Farm Bureau’s legislative breakfast is an annual tradition where the usual topics of conversation include crop prices,…
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Unintended consequences: Jackson County school board signs suicide screener resolution

The North Carolina General Assembly passed the Parent Bill of Rights in August of last year, and now school systems…
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Funds allocated to address foster care needs

The Jackson County Department of Social Services has faced incredible challenges over the past year associated with placing children in…
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Women’s History Trail names seventh ‘Macon Matriarch’

With the opening of the Women’s History Trailhead at Women’s History Park and the unveiling and dedication of “Sowing the…
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Waynesville grants golf club development request

Raines Company can now move forward with plans to open up development for 13 custom-built single-family homes on 11 acres…
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WCU Global Black Studies program shines

Every year, the National Council for Black Studies, the preeminent professional Black studies organization, recognizes one academic program for outstanding…
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Macon students speak up about coming NCHSAA changes

Macon County Early College student athletes took to the public comment period during the March 25 school board meeting to…
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Real estate supply increasing, but so is demand

Critically low housing inventory has been steadily rising across the region since last fall and average sales prices have slipped…
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Two plead guilty to drug trafficking in separate cases

Two people in unrelated cases pleaded guilty to trafficking charges in Cherokee County, District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said. 
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Get your Lake Junaluska activity pass

Lake Junaluska Outfitters summer activity passes are now available. The passes provide admission to the lakeside pool all summer long,…
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Settling for less: Plenty of questions remain over local, national impact of realtor settlement

A recent multimillion-dollar court settlement involving realtor commissions has left many unanswered questions in the real estate industry, especially when…
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Canton realigns staff to focus on recovery from flood, mill closure

The Town of Canton, still beset with myriad issues related to both natural and human-caused disasters, took an unprecedented step…
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A Different Kind of Green: WCU band finds cultural connections in Ireland

Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains marching band recently returned from its first trip across the pond, where it…
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All together now: Haywood Tourism Development Authority eyes countywide approach

It’s been a little under a year since Corrina Ruffieux took over for longtime Haywood County Tourism Development Authority Executive…
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New museum exhibition highlights EBCI sovereignty

The Museum of the Cherokee People has opened a new attraction focused on the sovereignty of the Eastern Band. 
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Sylva denies pride parade, festival still a go

The Sylva Pride celebration will look a little different this year after the Sylva Town Board denied the group’s road…
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'Sowing the Seeds of the Future': New sculpture unveiled on Franklin's Women's History Trail

Overcast skies didn’t deter a large crowd from coming out to witness the unveiling of the sculpture “Sowing Seeds of…
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EBCI Police Commission on the chopping block

Former Cherokee Indian Police Department Chief Josh Taylor has now made it clear that he stands behind a push from…
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Canton mill notches another violation

Pactiv Evergreen’s paper mill in Canton has been hit with its fifth-straight notice of an environmental violation following the failure…
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Defense contractor to create 95 jobs in Macon County

Gov. Roy Cooper’s office has announced that Duotech Services, an engineering company that specializes in the repair and maintenance of…
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WNC wedding venue settles with federal government after ADA suit
 

WNC wedding venue settles with federal government after ADA suit

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with Nantahala Weddings to remedy alleged violations of the Americans with…
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WCU journalists host panel discussion on ‘fake news’
 

WCU journalists host panel discussion on ‘fake news’

On Wednesday, April 10, at 7 p.m., the Western Carolina University chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists will host…
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Friendship House to host Easter egg hunt
 

Friendship House to host Easter egg hunt

On Saturday, March 30, hop on over to 566 South Haywood St. in Waynesville at 9 a.m. for a free,…
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Waynesville Planning Board splits recommendations on golf club developments

After deciding that the time is finally right, the owners of the Waynesville Inn and Golf Club are making good…
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Making do: Haywood Schools budgets for post-mill future

When Pactiv Evergreen announced it would close its Canton paper mill last year, Haywood County Schools was already facing a…
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