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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Cherokee funeral home hires director with criminal past: Owner currently faces several felonies

The owner of Long House Funeral Home, himself facing decades in prison, has hired a convicted felon to be funeral…
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Construction contract approved for Haywood jail expansion

After an extensive, yearslong process featuring dozens of public hearings, presentations and private meetings, Haywood County will finally get its…
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Canton plans for water system upgrades

Although concerns about Canton’s post-mill wastewater treatment remain front and center, the town’s recovery from devastating flooding in 2021 continues…
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Charters of Freedom bring founding documents to life in Canton

Canton is paying homage to some of this nation’s most vital founding documents through the installation of Charters of Freedom…
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Quarter-cent sales tax headed for Macon ballot

Macon County residents will see the quarter-cent sales tax referendum on the ballot this November after commissioners unanimously approved a…
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Large donation fully funds Canton playground

A longtime community advocate has made a substantial financial donation to the Town of Canton that will help speed the…
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Spreading it around: Waynesville pushes plans for prosperity in Frog Level, Hazelwood

Waynesville’s North Main Street has been an important economic engine for the town and the county for decades, and the…
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Quiet western Primaries signal November's partisan battles, voter frustration

While the March 5 Primary Election was relatively quiet in the west — with few races and even fewer competitive…
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HCS mental health services report

Haywood County Schools has increased the number of people it employs to care for and monitor students’ mental health this…
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New commissioner for Macon

The Macon County Commission will see one new member seated in December after Barry Breeden beat incumbent Paul Higdon to…
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Installment financing contract for Haywood jail approved

Haywood County commissioners have taken the final financial step in the long process toward approving a jail expansion, all but…
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Professor honors fallen WWI soldiers through 'Last Post' bugle tribute

In the West Flanders region of Belgium, there are several thousand graves of British Commonwealth soldiers who never made it…
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Russ Avenue construction starts in Waynesville

A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation has begun work on one of the busiest roads in Haywood County that…
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Swain TDA names new director

The Swain County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) announced the appointment of its new director, Sarah Conley. 
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Drop-in childcare returns to Waynesvlle Rec Center

The Waynesville recreation center has reopened its childcare rooms and has its drop-in childcare program back up and running. 
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Miles ahead, miles to go: despite a year of progress, post-mill challenges remain in Canton

Not a lot of people remember the date the whistle last blew or the date the last workers put their…
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Legal Action sought for injuries in Haywood explosive fire safety drill

Conrad & Scherer, a litigation firm with its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has filed a lawsuit against Fireblast Global,…
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New leadership for Haywood County Schools: Finance director returns, two schools see new principals

The Haywood County School Board approved several personnel recommendations last week that saw the return of a previous finance director…
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Folded: chronicling the closure of Pactiv Evergreen’s Canton paper mill

History will whisper through the mountain mists that once upon a time, Pactiv Evergreen’s paper mill in Canton stood as…
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Continuing the cleanup: Pigeon River slowly bounces back as mill environmental violations mount

Once Pactiv Evergreen’s Canton paper mill shut down for good, people wondered how the Pigeon River and the aquatic life…
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Jackson County Schools receives safety grant

Jackson County Schools will install over 100 new security cameras throughout the school system after it received over a quarter…
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Woody, Jamison win race for Jackson County School Board

Incumbent Wes Jamison and newcomer Gayle Woody have won the race for Jackson County Board of Education.
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Young, Breeden win seats for Macon Commission

The Macon County Commission will see one new member seated in December after newcomer Barry Breeden beat out incumbent Paul…
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Hornsby wins new district court seat

Macon County attorney Virginia Hornsby will be a district court judge at the end of the year.
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Edwards prevails in NC-11

First-term incumbent Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) will go on to face Democrat Caleb Rudow in the November General Election after…
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Incumbent Parton, newcomer Lawson win Swain County Commission Republican primary

Incumbent Kenneth Parton and newcomer Tanner Lawson have won the Swain County Commission Republican primary.
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Mill Street revitalization plan moves forward

The Town of Sylva is embarking on a five-year plan to revitalize Mill Street with updated façades as part of…
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WCU alumna, Haywood educator is state's 'Beginning Teacher of the Year'

A local teacher has won a prestigious award given to new educators in the field. Abby Bentley, a science teacher…
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Wildlife Commission approves bear season expansion, deer season shift

During its Feb. 22 meeting, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission voted to adopt a slate of proposed rule changes for…
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District Court judge one step closer to moving up to Superior Court

Attorneys in Western North Carolina now know who will likely hold the farthest west superior court seat. 
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Considerable apprehension haunts Haywood jail expansion project

With several critical deadlines approaching and the cost of construction only going up, Haywood County commissioners spent more than two…
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Housing needs dire and growing in Jackson

The Development Finance Initiative has conducted a housing needs assessment for Jackson County, and while the findings won’t be surprising…
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Brooks returns to Franklin football

Josh Brooks will return as head coach for Franklin High School football after players implored the school board to reinstate…
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Lake Junaluska hosts regional youth groups

Lake Junaluska hosted youth groups from across the Southeast recently during its annual Winter Youth Retreats.
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