The weight of the wait: Local governments look forward to FEMA reimbursements

The aftermath of deadly flooding that killed six people in the Cruso community of Haywood County on Aug. 16 saw…
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Highlands looks for balance of progress, preservation

Discussions going on right now in the town of Highlands are the same discussions happening across the nation as the…
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COVID cases still climbing

Haywood County Public Health has received notice of 321 new cases of COVID-19 in the last week. 
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Designs unveiled for Jackson pool

Waves, water and mountain streams will be key design elements at Jackson County’s new indoor pool complex, commissioners heard during…
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Town takes over Downtown Waynesville Association duties

After months of debating the future of Waynesville’s downtown business district, the Waynesville Board of Aldermen voted unanimously during a…
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Parking rule changes approved in Sylva

Two new changes to Sylva’s rules for downtown parking are now in effect following a pair of unanimous votes at…
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Haywood activist shakes up NC11 Dem Primary

Progressive Haywood County organizer Chelsea White made it official during a Sept. 19 rally at the Haywood County Courthouse —…
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Dueling rallies in Haywood highlight persistent divisiveness

If anyone thought that the political polarization of 2020 died with President Donald Trump’s election loss that year, they’d need…
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Moving forward by circling back: Pathways new kitchen manager brings education, experience

Haywood Pathways Center’s mission has always been to help people from all walks of life get back on their feet,…
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Proposed Waynesville subdivision meets stiff initial resistance

The seemingly endless conflict between preservation and development in Waynesville — specifically, badly needed housing — entered a new chapter…
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Enrollment, retention dip at WCU

Enrollment, retention and freshman interest at Western Carolina University are all down this fall compared to last year, and university…
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FEMA assistance for flood victims
 

FEMA assistance for flood victims

Homeowners and renters in Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties who had uninsured losses from Tropical Storm Fred may be eligible…
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Sen. Tillis returns to Canton

Almost exactly one month after extreme flooding on the Pigeon River killed six, displaced hundreds and dropped mud and debris…
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Maggie Valley to give food trucks a try

Maggie Valley has decided on the details for its Food Truck Pilot Program, slated for approval Oct. 4. 
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Haywood reports 12 COVID-19 deaths this week

"This is the kind of information no one wants to have to share with our community. We’ve written and shared…
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Maggie Valley to give food trucks a try

Maggie Valley has decided on the details for its Food Truck Pilot Program, slated for approval Oct. 4. At the…
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‘And then it was too late’: Flood warning timeline reveals challenges of mountain forecasting

On the afternoon of Tuesday, Aug. 17, Rob Young was watching the rain fall. He watched it first through the…
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Resignations plague Downtown Waynesville Association board

Updated at 10 a.m. Sept. 15: The Waynesville Board of Alderman voted unanimously at Tuesday night's meeting for the town…
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Haywood County Schools has $10.5 million in flood damage

Beginning Sept. 20, students at Central Haywood High School will return to part-time in-person learning. These students have been learning…
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Cherokee upholds same-sex marriage ban

After nearly two hours of discussion, debate and even tears during its Thursday, Sept. 9 meeting , the Cherokee Tribal…
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Elected officials, employees to see raises in new Cherokee budget

The $633 million budget Tribal Council approved Sept. 7 represents a return to growth, after a cautious 2020-2021  budget relied…
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How to apply for FEMA assistance
 

How to apply for FEMA assistance

Residents of Buncombe, Haywood, and Transylvania counties who were affected by the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred from Aug. 16…
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Permits required for bridge rebuilding
 

Permits required for bridge rebuilding

Many smaller, private bridges were damaged in Tropical Storm Fred, and homeowners are understandably anxious to get them replaced. 
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Swain man found guilty of murder
 

Swain man found guilty of murder

A federal jury in Asheville convicted Shane McKinley Swimmer, 21, of Cherokee, of second degree murder last week, announced William…
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Franklin’s new town manager no stranger to WNC

A little over a year after she left for a town manager job in Altavista, Virginia, former Waynesville Assistant Town…
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Two incumbents defeated in Council elections

Three current Tribal Council members will not return in October following the Sept. 2 General Election, but the 2021-23 government…
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Sylva shows community ‘Pride’

Under bright blue skies filled with hot sun, Sylva hosted its inaugural Sylva Pride celebration this past Saturday. Over 500…
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Biden declares major disaster in Haywood County

More than three weeks after deadly flash flooding along the East Fork of the Pigeon River killed six and displaced…
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Enrollment dips at WCU

For the first time since 2015, Western Carolina University has posted a fall enrollment figure lower than that of the…
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What’s new in downtown Sylva?

Like the rest of the world, Sylva has had to grapple with the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic and the ensuing economic…
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EXCLUSIVE: Conservative firebrand Cawthorn responds to furor over insurrection comments

Western North Carolina Congressman Madison Cawthorn is known for making controversial statements, but video footage from a recent Macon County…
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Labor shortage will be focus for Sylva’s new downtown director

Bernadette Peters arrived in Western North Carolina in 2011 as a novice in the world of food service and an…
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Sylva wraps up summer festival season

Planning events during the COVID-19 Pandemic has been no picnic. Just as businesses and agencies make plans for their next…
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WCU waives application fees for 2022
 

WCU waives application fees for 2022

Western Carolina University officials are waiving admission application fees for both undergraduate and graduate programs for students wanting to enter…
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Fleeing man pleads guilty in Macon
 

Fleeing man pleads guilty in Macon

A man who sped in a stolen vehicle through Franklin last year in a botched attempt to evade law enforcement…
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Alcohol referenda pass in Cherokee

In a historic vote, Cherokee voters said yes to expanded alcohol sales on the Qualla boundary following a Sept. 2…
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Training tomorrow’s scientists: WCU opens $110.5 million science building

Until 2016, then-Chancellor David O. Belcher spent much of his time and energy as leader of Western Carolina University in…
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Waynesville homeless task force foundering

Waynesville’s homeless task force, now rocked by resignations and dissention, failed to meet a deadline to present recommendations to the…
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Katie Dean promises ‘blue collar’ campaign in NC11

Born and raised in North Georgia, Katie Dean has taken a different path to the NC11 Democratic primary than most. 
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New EBCI budget includes salary increases for employees, elected officials

Tribal Council passed a 2021-2022 budget today that incorporates recommended salary increases for employees, board members and elected officials following…
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Franklin man pleads guilty to robbery with AR-15

A Franklin man will spend at least 118 months and up to 128 months in prison after admitting in court…
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319 new COVID cases in Haywood, 3 more deaths

In the week since the last press release, Haywood County Public Health has received notice of 319 new cases of COVID-19.  As…
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WCU waives admission application fees for 2022

Western Carolina University officials are waiving admission application fees for both undergraduate and graduate programs for students wanting to enter the…
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Waynesville’s former Gateway Club lands first major tenant

In retrospect it’s odd that a region with such strong historical ties to Scotland doesn’t have a greater number of…
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Beyond major: Cruso depth dwarfs 2004 figures

Though Tropical Storm Fred bears the brunt of the blame for last week’s flood, a cold front moving ahead of…
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The Sound of Silence: Disaster relief now a waiting game

As state elected leaders toured areas of Haywood County decimated by deadly flooding that killed six people last week, local…
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‘We’re already left behind’: Following massive floods, Cruso residents getting frustrated

Standing next to a debris pile as tall as he is, Steve Chaney scans up and down U.S. 276 at…
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HCC celebrates Marshall’s service

Haywood Community College Board of Trustees chairman George Marshall recently completed eight years of service on the board. Originally appointed…
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U.S. 23/74 public meeting rescheduled
 

U.S. 23/74 public meeting rescheduled

A public meeting regarding improvements to U.S. 23/74 is scheduled for 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2, at the Harrell…
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DA to prosecute looters

In the wake of the torrential rain and flooding in Haywood County, centered in Cruso community, District Attorney Ashley Hornsby…
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