Swain candidates address task of pulling county out of the red
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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 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
 

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
 

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
 

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 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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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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