Public comment open on Ela Dam license surrender
Last week, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission accepted an application that Northbrook Carolina Hydro II LLC submitted in November seeking…
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EPA visits WNC
On Oct. 10, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan joined North Gov. Roy Cooper, Sen. Thom Tillis, Rep.…
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Soil Management recommendations for Hurricane-impacted WNC
Hurricane Helene caused great devastation throughout much of Western North Carolina and farm fields were not spared. There are reports…
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Open burning permits waived until further notice
The N.C. Forest Service is waiving the requirement for open burning permits in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell,…
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Smokies offers update on closures
The National Park Service continues to assess conditions and address damage following the impacts from Hurricane Helene in Great Smoky…
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Joyce Kilmer Memorial trail reopens
The U.S. Forest Service reopened the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Trail and all other facilities in Graham County will reopen on…
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'A minor little thing:' Macon moved ahead on watershed ordinance revision
The Macon County Planning Board voted last week to recommend a revision of the water supply watershed ordinance to the…
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Hurricane Helene recovery in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The National Park Service (NPS) continues to assess conditions and to address damage following the impacts from Hurricane Helene in Great…
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NCDOT offers update on I-40
From the Tennessee state line to about mile marker 4 of Interstate 40, the two eastbound lanes are either gone…
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Haywood Waterways hits septic repair milestone
Since 2006, Haywood Waterways Association (HWA) and the Haywood County Environmental Health Department, with grant funds, have repaired 200 failing…
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State of the waterways: New report details potential impacts of ordinance revisions
The Macon County Commission decided this month to delay consideration of changes to its watershed and floodplain ordinances until at…
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Fall comes to the Smokies
Fall is a beautiful but busy time in the Smokies. Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitors should plan their trips…
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Clingmans Dome receives a name change
The U.S. Board of Geographic Names voted to change the name of Clingmans Dome to Kuwohi. Kuwohi is the Cherokee…
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Changes in effect for WNC deer season
New rules adopted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have shifted the timing of the western zone black-powder…
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Delayed harvest fishing regulations begin
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) will implement Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations on 34 trout waters beginning Oct. 1.
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Junior Golf Program set for Lake Junaluska Golf Course
The Lake Junaluska Golf Course is hosting a Junior Golf Program for boys and girls under age 17 from 4-5:30…
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HCC hosts conservation heritage event
Haywood Community College, in partnership with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are hosting an event on the campus of…
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Sierra Club hosts talk about environmental election stakes
WNC Sierra Club Political Co-Chair Ken Brame will discuss what is at stake for the environment in this fall’s election.…
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Word from the Smokies: Fall adventure supports research into park biodiversity
As days grow shorter in the Great Smoky Mountains, the colorful landscape hums with life. Creatures large and small scurry…
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Cradle of Forestry announces fall events
The following are the Cradle of Forestry’s fall events: Sept. 28: National Public Lands Day Times: 10 a.m. to 5…
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NC Wildlife Resources Commission director to retire
After 34 years of service to the state of North Carolina, Cameron Ingram, executive director of the North Carolina Wildlife…
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Drought expands in WNC
Over the last couple of weeks, the drought has expanded in Western North Carolina, and it now covers all of…
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Camp out with Misfit Mountain animal rescue
Join Haywood County’s Misfit Mountain Animal Rescue for the second-annual Pigs & a Blanket Festival & Campout this weekend. The…
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Ski Lake Junaluska Winter Youth Retreat
Experience the wonder of winter this season during a Ski Lake Junaluska Winter Youth Retreat in the mountains of Western…
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Celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will host two family-friendly events to recognize National Hunting and Fishing Day, an annual celebration promoting outdoor…
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WNC Mountain State Fair winners bring home hardware
The following are winners in the N.C. Mountain State Fair’s opening weekend poultry, rabbit, sheep, goat and beef cattle categories…
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Doing battle with the world's deadliest animal: WCU researchers join the fight against mosquito-borne diseases
Sure, mosquitos are an important link in the food chain for amphibians, birds and other insects, but they’re annoying, they’re…
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Sorghum festival comes to East Tennessee
The 25th Annual Sorghum Festival will allow visitors to have the opportunity to observe sorghum cane being processed into molasses…
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Volunteers needed for the ‘Big Sweep’ stream cleanup
Haywood Waterways is calling for volunteers to take part in a county-wide cleanup event that removes tons of trash from…
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HCC hosts Dahlia Ridge Trail Run
Haywood Community College will hold the second annual Dahlia Ridge Trail Run on Saturday, Sept. 14. This 5K is a…
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GSMNP employees receive education award
A team of Great Smoky Mountains National Park employees was recently awarded the 2023 Excellence in Education Award at a National Park Service…
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Join Franklin Bird Club for Macon County walks
The Franklin Bird Club leads walks along the greenway on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. Walks start at alternating locations:…
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Smokies spenders pump billions into local economies
A new National Park Service report shows that 13,297,647 visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2023 spent $2.2…
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Moderate drought expands in WNC
Last week brought a moderate drought back to parts of Western North Carolina, and the latest state drought monitor report…
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Word from the Smokies: Dedicated Smokies volunteer force protects elk and people
At 3:30 p.m., traffic flows smoothly along U.S. 441 past the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. The 80-some elk living in this…
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Haywood County reminds residents of mosquito dangers
As the summer season comes to an end, Haywood County Health and Human Services is urging residents to take immediate…
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Pause on ginseng harvesting continues in WNC national forests
The U.S. Forest Service announced that its pause on issuing permits to harvest American ginseng on the Nantahala and Pisgah…
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Smokies Life now accepting applications for writer’s residency
Smokies Life, a nonprofit partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is now accepting applications for its fifth Steve Kemp…
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Fall Plant Sale at Lake Junaluska
The Lake Junaluska Fall Plant Sale will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Nanci…
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Smoky Mountain Beekeepers hosting intro to beekeeping class
The Smoky Mountain Beekeeping Association is hosting an Introduction to Beekeeping class from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday,…
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Drought returns to Western North Carolina
After a month reprieve following an early-summer drought, parts of six North Carolina Counties — Haywood, Transylvania, Jackson, Swain, Macon…
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From mosquitos to medical school, WCU alumnus shares his story
Joe Davis, a double alumnus of Western Carolina University with a bachelor’s in emergency medical care and a master’s in…
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Local scout troop getting back on its feet
Scout Troop 318 of Waynesville, a troop with over 60 years of history, will be making a fresh start after…
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Enjoy the Mountain State Fair in September
Organizers with the Mountain State Fair sponsored by Ingles Markets are busy preparing to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the fair…
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Volunteers needed for Little Tennessee
Mainspring Conservation Trust seeks volunteers to participate in the annual Little Tennessee River Cleanup starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept.…
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Cherokee river cleanup honoring Long Man
Long Man, Ganvhida Asgaga, is a revered figure among the Cherokee, whose head lays in the mountains and feet in…
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Want to monitor water quality?
In 1996, the Volunteer Water Information Network (VWIN) program was established as a water quality monitoring program for many Western…
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Highlands to host native plant symposium
Highlands Biological Station is excited to announce the 2024 Native Plant Symposium, scheduled for Sept. 13-14. This two-day event will…
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Smokies announces Clingmans Dome closures
Clingmans Dome Road will be closed the mornings of Sept. 10, 12 and 16 to facilitate special educational programs for…
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Waynesville tennis courts to be resurfaced
The tennis courts located at Recreation Park at 285 Vance St. in Waynesville will be closed from Aug. 27 through…
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