South Main renaissance may be in Waynesville’s cards yet

When Super Walmart opened in Waynesville in 2008, it was viewed as just the beginning of a business boom that would reverse a long, steady downward spiral of South Main Street. But, the economy had other plans. The hoped-for land rush of new stores and development along South Main stalled out before it ever got started.

Hop, tip and a pump away: Haywood welcomes a burgeoning brewery scene

coverIt’s noon on a Wednesday and Scott Peterson already has beer on the mind.

Funny guise: Comedy group finds footing in Waynesville

art frWhat could’ve been a lifelong haunting moment for most turned out to be an epiphany for Josh Merrell.

“I farted in front of my fourth-grade class. The teacher asked who did it and instead of sheepishly hiding at my desk, I raised my hand,” he said. “The room erupted with laughter; I even made a few friends. That’s when I got a taste for comedy, although I took the fart bit out of my routine just recently.”

Waynesville and Lake Junaluska talk merger

fr junaluskaAs Lake Junaluska residents chart a future course for their community, two options now remain on the table: become its own town or merge with the town of Waynesville.

For decades, Lake Junaluska has operated as a well-oiled homeowners association — with its own security force, trash pick-up, water and sewer service and other amenities normally only found in actual towns.

Don’t fear the beard

fr beardsThough Aaron Stone has always had a love of mayonnaise, lately the condiment has become a real nuisance in his life.

“It just gets all stuck in my beard,” he said. “That and soups, it’s just becomes a real mess.”

Get cooking for a good cause: New recipe book to raise money for downtown Waynesville art piece

The Waynesville Public Art Commission has put together a 150-recipe cookbook to benefit future public art pieces.

The Taste of the Great Smoky Mountains Cookbook is $10 and is the culmination a month-long process of collecting recipes from area residents. Many are old recipes handed down from generation to generation. One recipe dates back to a 1966 church cookbook.

Russ Avenue in Waynesville to get Ingles gas station

Ingles has unveiled plans to build a new gas station on Russ Avenue, Waynesville’s most heavily trafficked commercial corridor.

It marks a slight change to previous plans, which called for a gas station along the entrance road leading to Ingles grocery store. The gas station was initially slated to go in between Belk’s and Home Trust Bank. Now, it will go beside Home Trust bank and will front Russ Avenue.

Ingles chain to make big splash in Waynesville

Waynesville will be home to the largest Ingles grocery store in Western North Carolina following major renovations and expansion at its Russ Avenue location.

Shoppers will have a larger beer and wine selection, expanded deli and prepared food counter and café.

Trading autonomy for security: Lake Junaluska weighs whether to merge with town of Waynesville

fr lakejWhen Tom Sigmon tells people in Charlotte that he only lives there part-time, they often ask where he spends the rest of his year. Waynesville, he responds.

For bargain price, Haywood County is proud new owner of shuttered prison

fr prisonFor a little less than the cost of a cup of coffee, Haywood County is buying the small, closed-down state prison in the Hazelwood community of Waynesville.

The county is buying the 128-bed minimum security prison from the state for just $1. However, the county will not take ownership of the complex until Jan. 1.

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