Coffee with the Poet continues Oct. 20
 

Coffee with the Poet continues Oct. 20

City Lights’ “Coffee with the Poet” series continues at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20 with local artist and author…
Read More

Comment

‘Every Breath Sings Mountains’ authors to read at Blue Ridge Books and News
 

‘Every Breath Sings Mountains’ authors to read at Blue Ridge Books and News

Three of the authors who contributed to the poetry book Every Breath Sings Mountains will appear at Blue Ridge Books…
Read More

Comment

An intriguing, intricate tale with plenty of twists
 

An intriguing, intricate tale with plenty of twists

When I was a teenager, I became addicted to a late-night horror movie host named Bestoink Dooley. Based in Atlanta,…
Read More

Comment

Don’t cut Postal Service jobs prematurely
 

Don’t cut Postal Service jobs prematurely

Editor’s note: Rep. Health Shuler wrote this letter to U.S. Postmaster Pat Donahoe to express his concern for potential job…
Read More

Comment

Cashiers Leaf Festival was huge success
 

Cashiers Leaf Festival was huge success

To the Editor On behalf of the Greater Cashiers Area Merchants Association we would like to thank everyone who contributed…
Read More

Comment

Let Duke know rate hike request is too much
 

Let Duke know rate hike request is too much

To the Editor: Duke Energy has applied to the N.C. Utilities Commission for yet another rate increase in an attempt…
Read More

Comment

SMN needs to practice balanced journalism
 

SMN needs to practice balanced journalism

To the Editor: I was born and raised in Cashiers and have always disliked the phrase “country come to town.”…
Read More

Comment

The killer is among us, and she is Tuppence
 

The killer is among us, and she is Tuppence

When I moved to Sylva from Bryson City, two dogs stayed and three cats came with me. These are Edgar…
Read More

Comment

Optimism in the public sphere is always refreshing
 

Optimism in the public sphere is always refreshing

The Occupy Wall Street movement is leaderless, somewhat vague and lacking vision. Still, people are joining in growing numbers around…
Read More

Comment

Sunburst Trout opens Waynesville location
 

Sunburst Trout opens Waynesville location

Sunburst Trout Farm has opened a retail location in downtown Waynesville, offering a convenient spot to pick up local trout…
Read More

Comment

WCU ranked among best for business
 

WCU ranked among best for business

The Princeton Review has named Western Carolina University’s College of Business one of the top business schools in the country.…
Read More

Comment

MedWest focuses on fall prevention
 

MedWest focuses on fall prevention

Programs at the Osteoporosis Center at MedWest-Haywood already promote the prevention, detection and treatment of osteoporosis, but the doctors at…
Read More

Comment

Nominate volunteers for citizenship award
 

Nominate volunteers for citizenship award

Duke Energy and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce is looking for nominees for its Duke Energy Citizenship and Service…
Read More

Comment

Barking dogs spark pleas for ordinance change
 

Barking dogs spark pleas for ordinance change

Residents in a Cashiers subdivision weary of incessant dog barking called on county commissioners this week to help them find…
Read More

Comment

Jackson nixes consumption of booze at library
 

Jackson nixes consumption of booze at library

Jackson County commissioners won’t allow alcohol to be served during private functions at the newly renovated historic courthouse and library.…
Read More

Comment

Cold for a cause: High school students homeless for a night
 

Cold for a cause: High school students homeless for a night

Suitcase in hand, freshman Jared Conrad was ready to move into his box and prepare for the night to come.…
Read More

Comment

Mark your calendars, Catamounts!
 

Mark your calendars, Catamounts!

Western Carolina University is holding its “Forever a Catamount”-themed homecoming Oct. 21 thru 23. FRIDAY • The annual Alumni Scholarship…
Read More

Comment

Waynesville hopes business incentives could help land new jobs
 

Waynesville hopes business incentives could help land new jobs

The Town of Waynesville might join the 60 percent of local governments in North Carolina that have adopted a formal…
Read More

Comment

Waynesville to cast a wide net in search for new town manager
 

Waynesville to cast a wide net in search for new town manager

The Waynesville town board has hired a search firm to help with its hunt for a new town manager. The…
Read More

Comment

Haywood forges plan to put old Bargains building to use
 

Haywood forges plan to put old Bargains building to use

The Haywood County plans to renovate the formers Bargains building on Russ Avenue near K-Mart to house Haywood County Board…
Read More

Comment

Construction guidelines targeted next week in Macon
 

Construction guidelines targeted next week in Macon

Macon County commissioners will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, to discuss regulations on earth moving…
Read More

Comment

Macon reval on hold in light of sputtering real estate market
 

Macon reval on hold in light of sputtering real estate market

Macon County will postpone a countywide reassessment of property values from 2013 until 2015. County Tax Assessor Richard Lightner recommended…
Read More

Comment

Jackson County’s “other” bookstore
 

Jackson County’s “other” bookstore

Here, by the side of U.S. 74 as you start up the Balsams after leaving Sylva, isn’t exactly the place…
Read More

Comment

Jiu Jitsu legend to offer seminar
 

Jiu Jitsu legend to offer seminar

A member of the world-famous fighting family, the Gracies of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will be offering a seminar in…
Read More

Comment

Ronald Reagan dinner and dance
 

Ronald Reagan dinner and dance

The late President Ronald Reagan was born 100 years ago this year, and Republicans in Swain, Graham and Jackson counties…
Read More

Comment

Learn good guard techniques
 

Learn good guard techniques

Girls on Guard will be offered from 9 a.m. until noon this Saturday, Oct. 22, on Southwestern Community College’s Jackson…
Read More

Comment

Sylva AM station off the air but still trolling for a buyer
 

Sylva AM station off the air but still trolling for a buyer

There’s still no reprieve in sight for WRGC, Sylva’s radio station and a five-decade community mainstay for local weather, news…
Read More

Comment

Table is set for Sylva town election
 

Table is set for Sylva town election

This November, Sylva residents will elect three commissioners, deciding who will control the majority on that five-member board. All three…
Read More

Comment

Collective discontent bonds candidates
 

Collective discontent bonds candidates

Three candidates running for the Maggie Valley town board with a similar message have buddied up in the campaign and…
Read More

Comment

Maggie candidates want to rekindle tourism, but how?
 

Maggie candidates want to rekindle tourism, but how?

Waning tourism in Maggie Valley and what to do about it is dominating the town’s election this fall. Four people…
Read More

Comment

From humble beginnings to goodwill enterprise: Manufacturing medical supplies provides jobs for disabled
 

From humble beginnings to goodwill enterprise: Manufacturing medical supplies provides jobs for disabled

Crafting cornhusk dolls is a far cry from mass-producing blue surgical drapes, but one local non-profit made that leap in…
Read More

Comment

Mission: Free-market enemy or health care savior?
 

Mission: Free-market enemy or health care savior?

The medical community in Western North Carolina is embroiled in a debate over Mission Hospital — should its influence and…
Read More

Comment

State auditor to speak at Democratic rally
 

State auditor to speak at Democratic rally

The Haywood Democratic Party will hold its annual Fall Rally Saturday, Oct. 29, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with…
Read More

Comment

‘Occupy’ movement moves into Sylva
 

‘Occupy’ movement moves into Sylva

“Occupy Sylva” on Saturday looked and sounded a lot like a Democratic-party function, but with a twist. The message wasn’t…
Read More

Comment

Do-over of room tax hike in Jackson
 

Do-over of room tax hike in Jackson

Jackson County commissioners likely erred two weeks ago when they voted to double the county’s tax on overnight lodging: they…
Read More

Comment

Fine Art Museum to showcase lithographs, Latin-American art
 

Fine Art Museum to showcase lithographs, Latin-American art

The Fine Art Museum at Western Carolina University will host a reception for an exhibit from the collection of Rob…
Read More

Comment

WCU, Green Energy Park offer blacksmithing classes
 

WCU, Green Energy Park offer blacksmithing classes

Western Carolina University’s Office of Continuing Education will offer adult (18 years and older) blacksmithing classes this fall and winter…
Read More

Comment

Artists sought for garden art exhibit
 

Artists sought for garden art exhibit

The Haywood County Arts Council is joining with the Haywood County Master Gardener Volunteer Association for an exhibit in April…
Read More

Comment

Learn the papermaking process Oct. 25
 

Learn the papermaking process Oct. 25

Hendersonville resident Stefanie Kompathoum will offer a workshop on how to make handmade paper at the Jackson County Public Library…
Read More

Comment

Crowe presents his first childrens’ book
 

Crowe presents his first childrens’ book

The Jackson County Public Library will host a special evening storytime for children at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27, in…
Read More

Comment

Ready for a night of terror?
 

Ready for a night of terror?

Starting on Oct. 21, a spooky Haunted Trail will be set up at the Oconaluftee Indian Village in Cherokee. The…
Read More

Comment

Chinese acrobatic troupe to perform in Asheville
 

Chinese acrobatic troupe to perform in Asheville

The National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China will perform at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium at 4 p.m. on…
Read More

Comment

WCU brings fast-rising comic Bo Burnham to campus Oct. 26
 

WCU brings fast-rising comic Bo Burnham to campus Oct. 26

Comedian Bo Burnham will perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts…
Read More

Comment

‘Arc’toberfest fundraiser scheduled
 

‘Arc’toberfest fundraiser scheduled

The Arc of Haywood County’s third annual “Arc”toberfest will be held from 7-11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, at the…
Read More

Comment

Guild craft fair returns to WNC Oct. 20-23
 

Guild craft fair returns to WNC Oct. 20-23

The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands has set the standard for fine craft shows across the country since its…
Read More

Comment

Pumpkinfest serves up fall variety Oct. 22
 

Pumpkinfest serves up fall variety Oct. 22

Historic Downtown Franklin is gearing up for the 15th Annual Pumpkinfest to be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.…
Read More

Comment

Artists ready to paint the town during ColorFest
 

Artists ready to paint the town during ColorFest

The vibrant hues of autumn come to life Saturday, Oct. 22, at the third annual “ColorFest, Art of the Blue…
Read More

Comment

WCU to screen ‘The King’s Speech,’ host discussion in honor of International Stuttering Awareness Day
 

WCU to screen ‘The King’s Speech,’ host discussion in honor of International Stuttering Awareness Day

Western Carolina University will host a screening of the movie “The King’s Speech” followed by a discussion focusing on stuttering,…
Read More

Comment

Treating stuttering problems a labor of love for WCU professor
 

Treating stuttering problems a labor of love for WCU professor

The author of the newly released second edition of Stuttering Intervention: A Collaborative Journey to Fluency Freedom admits that his…
Read More

Comment

Civil War crossing of Smokies was memorable feat
 

Civil War crossing of Smokies was memorable feat

The war in the Smokies proved to be … a curious conjunction of terrain, history, politics, and culture ... a…
Read More

Comment

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.