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Swain candidates address task of pulling county out of the red
Nine Democrats and four Republicans have set their sights on four open commissioner seats in Swain County. A primary on…
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Dillsboro bats looking for new homes
Throughout the years-long bickering over the future of the Dillsboro Dam, the little brown bats that spent the summer in…
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Deadly fungus could annihilate even the most common bats
Nine bat species across the South are at risk from a deadly fungus decimating certain bat populations known as white-nose…
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A modern take on Chaucer’s classic
eoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales: a Retelling by Peter Ackroyd. Viking Press, 2009. 436 pages Being an old English teacher,…
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Live-Art fundraiser offers ‘Backstage Pass’ to creation
Looking for a high-energy spring art evening that’ll make your jaw drop, open your eyes and please your palate, give…
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Remembering when books were magic
We’re still at it—considering books and related matters like shelving strategies, bookplates, home libraries, favorite books, and “How do we…
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The Naturalist's Corner
Spring in the watershed The Town of Waynesville’s annual spring pilgrimage to the Waynesville Watershed will be Saturday, April 24.…
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A tale of two sports at new Jonathan Creek Park
It’s not often that soccer players go head-to-head with softball and baseball athletes. But whenever Haywood County decides to build…
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A knack for helping others
With a long trail of accomplishments already behind him, Tony Giorgio is ready to work his magic on Western North…
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Friedman aims to take ‘green’ thinking to Raleigh
Avram Friedman is not your average North Carolina political candidate. Born in the Bronx, Friedman studied political science at Hunter…
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TWASA looks for long-term solution on orphan sewer lines
Last month, officials from the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority and the Town of Sylva clashed over who was responsible…
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The Naturalist's Corner
Spring’s a buzzin’ Mom was a little concerned the other day as she helped Izzy find a butterfly net to…
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Smoky Mountain Center privatizes services
Smoky Mountain Center, the mental health management entity for Western North Carolina, has finally gotten itself out of the game…
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Jackson ridge law review off the table
The Jackson County planning board is no longer contemplating revisions to the county’s ban on ridge top construction. The ridge…
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Marking Easter with a community of three
When I was young, Easter was a circumscribed affair. We woke up, hunted for painted eggs in the backyard, ate…
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Residents challenge price tag of new DSS building in Haywood
A handful of Haywood County residents are demanding a vote by the people before county leaders proceed with purchasing the…
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New standards to shine light on WNC air quality
New federal standards for ozone will be issued by year’s end, and the verdict will determine whether Western North Carolina…
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GOP contenders
There are six Republicans vying for a shot to run against Congressman Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, this year. The six Republican…
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WNC Fly-Fishing trail adds trophy trout water in Cherokee
The Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail has added a new stop on the map for anglers — the Raven…
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Peregrine falcons take up new nesting spot on Whiteside Mountain
A pair of endangered peregrine falcons has established a new nesting spot on Whiteside Mountain near Highlands, forcing a relocation…
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GOP hopes voter anger will help beat Shuler
Republicans hope 2010 will be their year to reclaim the congressional seat representing Western North Carolina — a seat they…
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President Obama’s change brings debt and doubts
By Kirkwood Callahan • Guest Columnist Plunging public support for Obamacare accelerates presidential efforts to convince the nation that great…
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Malicious prosecution lawsuit dismissed
A malicious prosecution lawsuit by a woman accused of misappropriating flood relief donations was dismissed by a federal judge last…
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Design under way for old Wal-Mart renovations
The deserted Wal-Mart near Clyde will be hardly recognizable once Haywood County is through with its makeover of the megastore.…
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Live dealer conversation stalled in courts
After years of a stalemate with the state over live dealers at Harrah’s Casino, the election of Gov. Beverly Perdue…
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The case for soccer
Soccer coach Nathan Trout recalled, with a tinge of jealousy, the four “unbelievable” sports parks in his Florida hometown, including…
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EPA ozone standards
Limit prior to 2008: .08 parts per million New limit set in 2008: .075 parts per million New limit pending…
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Duke faces yet another hurdle on substation
A coalition of Cherokee and Swain County residents have stepped up the pressure on a proposed Duke Energy substation in…
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Quintessential quilts
In 1980, Gov. Jim Hunt signed a proclamation declaring Franklin as the “Quilting Capital of the World.” That tradition has…
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Iconic drugstore to interesting bookstore
We’re been considering books and related matters like shelving, bookplates, home libraries, favorite books, and (last week’s topic) — “How…
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Haire seeks re-election in N.C. 119 race
N.C. House District 119 represents Jackson, Swain and portions of Haywood and Macon counties. In the Democratic primary, incumbent Phil…
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The case for ball and bat
Like many of the stakeholders in the argument, county commission chairman Kirk Kirkpatrick wishes the county could build enough fields…
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Obsessing over grammar
Twelve years ago, while teaching Latin at a local high school, I was discussing a point of grammar — I…
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Life and death aboard a tin can
By Dr. Robert H. Spiro Jr. • Guest Columnist Friday, April 6, 1945, is a day emblazoned in my memory.…
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Debate over Duke power lines shifts to second front
Imagine buying an idyllic piece of land in the mountains only to learn you’ll be living under a giant, humming…
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Haywood challenger emerges as top vote-getter
With the county budget on everyone’s mind, two Haywood commissioners received a vote of confidence on the job they’ve done…
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Shelton beats Brown in Jackson primary
Incumbent William Shelton beat challenger James Bo Brown by almost a two-to-one margin to win the Democratic spot on the…
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Crowded judge field narrowed
District Court judge candidates who made it past the primary hope the race will become more digestible to voters now…
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Neighbors draw the line over latest rock quarry expansion
A grassroots effort to halt a mine expansion in west Waynesville jumped its first hurdle last week. Citizens have convinced…
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A package from home opens portal to a treasured past
When I took my morning walk with our miniature dachshund to the mailbox to get the mail last Friday, I…
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Queen to face new challenger
After three straight match-ups with the same Republican challenger, Sen. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, will face a new opponent on…
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Peace for the World’s Children: 2010 Lake Junaluska Peace Conference
Join children’s advocates from across the United States at the third annual Lake Junaluska Peace Conference September 18-21, 2010, as…
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In Next, life changes in a day
Next by James Hynes. Reagan Arthur Books, 2010. 320 pages. In The Lecturer’s Tale, previously reviewed in The Smoky Mountain…
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Lake Logan dredging could reduce flood danger
Removing sediment from Lake Logan would not only benefit its owner, Evergreen Packaging, it could potentially save homes and businesses…
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No Wal-Mart for Cherokee
Wal-Mart will not build a new Supercenter in Cherokee. After months of speculation that the deal between the tribe and…
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HART director Steve Lloyd honored for theater outreach
Steve Lloyd, executive director of Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville, has been honored with The Herman Middleton Distinguished Service…
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An engaged – and very angry – electorate
The primary election is over now, but even before the vote tallies made winners and losers out of so many…
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Ashe holds on in Democratic primary
Jackson County Sheriff Jimmy Ashe proved he could survive a tough race during the Democratic primary, defeating challenger Robin Gunnels…
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The Naturalist's Corner
Why we do it “You’re getting up when?” “You’re going out in this weather?” People who have a passion for…
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Celebrating Kephart, and his teacup
This past weekend marked the second annual Horace Kephart celebration in Bryson City. There was a terrific presentation of newly…
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