The Shuler effect: Democrats face uphill battle to hang on to seat
The race for the Congressional seat representing Western North Carolina was flipped on its head last week when incumbent U.S.…
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Family first: As Shuler steps down to spend time with family, finding a Shuler-esque candidate to fill the void has Democrats scrambling.
When Coach Boyce Dietz got a call from his former standout quarterback Heath Shuler asking him to meet for breakfast…
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I-40 West expected to be open by Monday, Feb. 6
The Tennessee Department of Transportation anticipates the re-opening of Interstate 40's westbound lanes by Monday Feb. 6. TDOT has awarded…
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Slide closes westbound I-40
A rockslide has shut down a portion of Interstate 40 in Haywood County for up to two weeks. In the…
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REACH Volunteer Training Day
REACH of Haywood will hold its annual Volunteer Training Day on Saturday, Feb. 4, in Waynesville. Anyone who would like…
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‘Fight Like A Girl’ offered
Southwestern Community College will once again offer the popular Fight Like A Girl course from 9 a.m. to noon on…
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Sylva foot cop takes to patrol car to put the brakes on speeders
Sylva speeders beware: at downtown business owners’ requests, Sylva is tapping the full array of skills that newly hired downtown…
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Education cuts likely to steal the stage in elections
N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, spent much of his two-hour town hall in Haywood County last week addressing the topic…
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Bothwell goes on the stump in primary race for Congress
An Asheville Democrat going up against Congressman Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, in the May primary held his first town hall meeting…
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The difference between us and them
To the Editor: I wish to address the controversy surrounding the Macon County Planning Board. Maybe, just maybe you’ll understand…
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Haven keeps promises, makes enemies
To the Editor: Macon County should be proud to have a politician who makes promises to voters and then works…
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Macon’s Ron Haven is making a difference
To the Editor: Macon County Commissioner Ron Haven is a man of character, courage and conviction. He is knowledgeable of…
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We must fix election spending fiasco
To the Editor: There are two ways to look at the Supreme Court decision that enables corporations to spend what…
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Program was a unique, moving experience
To the Editor: My wife and I were richly blessed at a recent presentation of a unique ministry called “Let…
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Soon, we may all be working in our 70s
To the Editor: Last year I watched news coverage of the Occupy movement as it took root in cities around…
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McCrae’s new book a must have for local historians
Macon County residents, indeed all local history buffs, are about to receive a great gift from Barbara McRae, editor of…
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Shame on you, Smoky Mountain News, for poking fun
Shame on you, Smoky Mountain News, for making fun of my attempts at public service and, in so doing, potentially…
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Celebrating our little corner of the world
“[I] discovered that my own little postage stamp of native soil was worth writing about and that I would never…
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MedWest leadership shuffle gives hospitals more autonomy
Concerns among Jackson County doctors that Harris Regional Hospital is not thriving as it should under a partnership with Haywood…
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Jobs at what price? Jackson has long history of extending questionable loans
Supporters of Jackson County’s revolving loan program describe the financial give-outs as a tool in the county’s economic toolbelt, a…
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Sagging roof trusses on Waynesville fire station prompt lawsuit
The town of Waynesville is suing a Hendersonville contractor for negligence in the construction of its new fire station on…
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Just ask this therapist: laughter is definitely the best medicine
Teeheeheehee, yuk yuk yuk, ho ho ho, BAHAHAHA — no matter how you do it, laughter can boost your mood, lower…
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Waynesville leaders caught between salt factory and irked neighbors
Giles Chemical pledged last week to do what it could to appease neighbors fed up with intrusive truck traffic on…
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Lighten Up 4 Life seeks participants
Angel Medical Center and Macon County Public Health will kick-of Lighten Up 4 Life, a community wide weight loss challenge,…
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Financial series for women planned
Mountain BizWorks will host a free, women only three-part series on increasing your financial independence. The series is sponsored by…
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Local students compete in science fair at WCU
Students from across Western North Carolina will participate in the 2012 Western Regional Science Fair at Western Carolina University’s Ramsey…
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Cleanup leaders in Haywood County recognized
Winners of “Community Pride” awards through Haywood County’s Commission for a Clean County will gather at noon, Feb. 15, at…
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Human billboard gets his groove on to the delight of passing motorists
It ain’t easy be green. Nor is it particularly easy for a full-grown man to position himself beside a busy…
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Shuler confirms that he won’t run for governor
U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler (D-Waynesville) on Tuesday ended speculation that he was considering a run for governor. “I will not…
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Tombstone buyers in grave situation with Moody Funeral Home
It’s been nearly a year-and-a-half since Edna Queen lost her son, and despite forking over $1,100 for a headstone to…
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Macon planning board on the chopping block?
The fate of Macon County’s planning board and whether it will exist in a meaningful form will be decided at…
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Sylva funeral home directors swindled pre-payers, investigators say
A former Jackson County funeral director has been charged with fraud for swindling people who paid for their own funerals…
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Job help streamlined by SCC and JobLink
Southwestern Community College and Macon County JobLink Career Center have joined forces to provide a “one-stop shop” for people looking…
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New accounting firm opens in Franklin
The Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for Carla L. Haire, a certified public accountant who…
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Haywood chamber to host elected officials reception
The Greater Haywood County Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual elected officials reception from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on…
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Free speech or rude disruption? Jackson County bans woman from holding signs during meetings
In town and county governments there are those dedicated members of the public who speak out and stand up to…
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Sales tax hike for education faces uphill battle
Gov. Beverly Perdue laid out a proposal last week to increase the state’s sales tax by three-quarters of a cent…
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Occupy protesters rally in Bryson City
Western North Carolina occupiers “took possession” last week of the Federal Building in Bryson City where federal court is held…
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Sullied by sewer back-ups, Cherokee resident files suit against tribe
A member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is suing the tribe over sewage overflows onto her property, which…
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Police look for high-tech help tracking stolen goods
Sylva will likely hire a private company in Texas to process daily pawnshop and second-hand dealers’ receipts instead of those…
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Smoky Mountain Living seeks spring photos
Smoky Mountain Living magazine prominently features images from across the southern Appalachians in each edition. Photo essays adhere to the…
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Conrad Burrell steps down as SCC leader
Macon County resident and longtime educator Terry Bell will take over as chairman of Southwestern Community College’s Board of Trustees.…
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Franklin walk benefits Cystic Fibrosis
A “Great Strides” walk will take place in Franklin, with a kickoff party and information session at 6 p.m., Feb.…
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Sustainable tourism subject of seminar
A seminar on sustainable tourism is set for 2 p.m., Jan. 31, at the First Presbyterian Church in Highlands, in…
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Folkmoot sculpture must be moved, but to where?
Finding a new home for the Folkmoot sculpture in downtown Waynesville has taken a new turn. The Waynesville public art…
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Tug-of-war over Cherokee sign takes a new turn
Maggie Valley has been rallying allies in its fight to save a small but perhaps precious sliver of its struggling…
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WCU students stage drag show to get out the vote against gay marriage proposal
A student club at Western Carolina University is defending its decision to pair a drag show featuring “kings” and “queens”…
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Help neighbors during disasters
American Red Cross Disaster Relief Training will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 28 in Waynesville for…
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Free self-defense class for women
A free self-defense and personal-safety seminar for women is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17 at…
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Exploring the ethical issues and aging
Learn about the ethical issues faced when loved ones age at a Feb. 6, 1 p.m. workshop at Haywood Community…
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