Dogs’ anti-freeze deaths sadden families
Two dogs in the rural countryside of Upper Crabtree in Haywood County died from antifreeze poisoning last week, a tragic…
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Live well with diabetes
Learn how to better manage diabetes at a two-day workshop at Angel Medical Center. The event will be held Tuesday,…
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Desperate for work, WNC residents flock to regional jobs fair
People once again lined up at the Biltmore Square Mall in Asheville last week, but this time they weren't waiting…
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Stuck in a rut: Too few jobs coming on line
Similar to other parts of the U.S., counties in Western North Carolina have been plagued with high unemployment rates and…
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Who will Haire’s heir be? State office holder’s retirement opens up race for House
N.C. Rep. Phil Haire’s decision not to run for re-election after 14 years in office opens the door for a…
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Numbers tell the tale: New Jackson library a self-fulfilling prophecy
The number of people applying for library cards in Jackson County has doubled since the new library opened this summer.…
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New Sylva library top in the state
Everyone who has seen and toured Jackson County’s new public library knows that it’s beautiful, but now the state has…
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Waynesville begins fund drive to pay for historic arch replica
Donations are already rolling in for the Waynesville Art Commission’s latest public art piece, a replica of the historic Smokies’…
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Clyde’s top cop sidelined on suspension
Clyde’s police chief has been placed on suspension, but town leaders are not saying why. Police Chief Derek Dendy is…
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Motorcycle battle royale: Maggie parleys with Rally in the Valley, Thunder in the Smokies to negotiate truce
The coordinators of the annual Rally in the Valley motorcycle event have strapped Maggie Valley leaders a seemingly impossible ultimatum…
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2011 In Review
The Smoky Mountain News takes note this week of some of the newsmakers of 2011 by handing out our annual…
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Vigil planned for troops
Honor the troops who have fought in the war in Iraq by participating in a candlelight vigil on Friday, Dec.…
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Support available for prostate patients
MedWest Health System is sponsoring “Man to Man” support group meetings for prostate cancer patients and survivors. The meetings are…
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Judo classes to start
Beginner judo classes in Waynesville start Jan. 3 through the Waynesville Kodokan Judo Club. The club practices at the Waynesville…
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Going for the green: Tribe debates future course for Sequoyah Golf Club
Despite a double-digit rise in revenue this year, the Sequoyah National Golf Club in Cherokee is at least five more…
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School wants to help foundation
Smokey Mountain Elementary seventh-grade students will help the Tye Blanton Foundation through their “Service to Others” project. Tye, who died…
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Mustang magic: Magazine marvels over restoration job by Franklin man
Jim Pennington’s rebuilt Mustang car is a thing of beauty. Candy-apple red, spotlessly clean, sleek lines and an immaculate, original…
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Long-time state legislator retires
N.C. Rep. Phil Haire, D-Sylva, will retire from the state legislature this year after 14 years in office. Haire will…
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Out with the fryer, in with baked sweet potatoes: Schools balance healthier lunches with what kids will eat
It was only 11 a.m., and already 60 fidgeting children had streamed down the lunch line at Jonathan Valley Elementary…
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Swain courthouse slated for civic revival
After years of talk and little action, Swain County is moving forward with a long-held dream to turn its iconic,…
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Barely legal: reincarnation of video gambling continues on borrowed time pending court challenge
It’s early on a workday, and there’s a single player seated at one of the 18 machines in the two-room…
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Tug-of-war heats up over highway sign pointing to Cherokee
Counties and towns in the region are sparring over a highway sign that points the way to Cherokee, each hoping…
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Haywood to cash in on landfill methane
An alternative energy project to convert methane landfill gas into electricity will cost Haywood County a little extra after a…
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North Carolina wins federal award for education
North Carolina will receive a $69.9 million grant award from the federal Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge fund…
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Learn to swim, or learn to swim better
The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department will offer swim lessons in January, February and March. The lessons will take place…
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Jackson County Schools leading the way on farm-to-school path
When it comes to connecting farmers with students and substituting common cafeteria fare with fresh, local produce grown here in…
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Ringing it up: Strained finances pose a hurdle to healthier school lunches
Few restaurants could afford to lose $1 on every meal they serve, but in Haywood County school cafeterias, that’s the…
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Lockdown, quick arrest follow bank robbery near WCU
A bank robbery at the N.C. State Employees Credit Union last week in Cullowhee saw a series of recent safety…
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WCU students hope new athletic director will turn the tide
Randy Eaton has been selected Western Carolina University’s new athletics director and the man designated with rescuing the school’s floundering…
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From purple ties to Liz Claiborne handbags, purple apparel all the rage at WCU
Just one day after being named Western Carolina University’s athletics director, Randy Eaton was shopping for purple-colored clothing at the…
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Hooper House gets historic designation
The Hooper House on West Main Street in Sylva has received Jackson County’s first designation as a Local Historic Landmark.…
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Haywood has low infant mortality rate
Haywood County has a lower infant mortality rate than the state as a whole, according to a report given at…
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Chamber hopes to regain footing with new director
After several years without a full-time promoter, the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce plans to bring back an executive director…
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Folkmoot statue could get new home on Main Street
A whimsical sculpture that honors the Folkmoot international dance festival will find new prominence at a different spot on Main…
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Group prepares for Panama relief trip
A group of residents and students from Western North Carolina will embark in early March on a trip to the…
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Students will need to dig deeper to cover costs
Western Carolina University students likely will shell out an additional $399 in tuition and fees to attend school next year,…
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Ignore the rumors: The Coffee Shop isn’t closing
Rumors of an impending closing to the contrary, The Coffee Shop in Sylva is not shutting down, owner Phyllis Gibson…
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Free throw contest this month in Waynesville
The annual Elks National "Hoop Shoot" Free Throw Contest will take place at the Waynesville Recreation Center on Friday, Dec.…
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Closing of Cope’s Superette in Sylva marks end of an era
It’s 8 a.m. and the everyday regulars — Sylva’s working class Janes and Joes — are stopping by Cope’s Superette…
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Historical Society commemorates Pearl Harbor anniversary
The Jackson County-Webster Historical Society commemorated Pearl Harbor’s anniversary on Dec. 7 at its first public meeting in the renovated,…
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Slope work alters landscape of Waynesville’s main corridor
When bulldozers began demolishing trees on a hillside overlooking Waynesville’s main commercial thoroughfare this summer, Byron Hickox was bombarded by…
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WCU prepares for graduation ceremonies
Western Carolina University will honor its fall graduating class and recognize a group of graduates who received their degrees after…
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State to Bryson City Fire Department: respond to false alarms
Bryson City Fire Department failed its state mandated insurance inspection last week for failing to respond to false alarms. The…
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WCU announces new athletic director
After a five-week search, Western Carolina University has found its new director of athletics. Randy Eaton, former senior associate director…
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What price athletics? WCU football costs mount as university pursues wins
The price tag of transforming Western Carolina University’s losing football team into a winner — or anything less than a…
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Catamount comeback: Can new athletic director turn Western football around?
Western Carolina University hired a new athletic director this week who will face the daunting challenge of turning the college’s…
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Chancellor fields football question
SMN: The $300,000 to the football coach represents at least three professors’ salaries. Is this cost worth trying to have…
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Late-breaking idea to merge gym and auditorium proves short-lived
An expected rubberstamp by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners to build a new auditorium and gym at Smoky Mountain…
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Commissioners bounce subdivision regs back to Jackson planning board
Jackson County’s subdivision ordinance is destined for more tweaking by the planning board. The planning board spent several months revising…
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Radio station wants loan from Jackson County
Prospective buyers of an AM radio station in Sylva could land a $289,000 loan from the Jackson County economic development…
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