After enduring a series of unexpected, pandemic-related challenges, the latest group of Southwestern Community College graduates will celebrate their accomplishments with family and friends during the college’s first traditional, indoor commencement ceremonies in two years.

A Graham County sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot a Tennessee man on June 20 has been cleared of any wrongdoing, District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said today.

The N.C. Department of Transportation invites the public to a meeting next week to offer opinions and submit questions regarding proposed improvements to U.S. 276 between Interstate 40 and U.S. 19 in Haywood County.

If you’re considering donating food items to your local food pantry, food bank or a shelter that provides emergency food supplies; start with a call to that organization or a check of their website or Facebook page for what food or other items they most need and can accept.

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor | “May I have your attention, please? Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?”  This lyric of Eminem’s song The Real Slim Shady was playing again and again in my head as I woke up early one morning.  I love rap music. I enjoy running and shaking my tail feathers to the beat, but seriously, what’s this got to do with the price of tea in china? I’ve introduced psychic skills in the past and want to demonstrate how your inner guidance can communicate with you, if you’re up for a good ole game of psychic charades. 

Have you noticed orange bows and signs around Franklin? The Zonta Club is asking you to do your part in the campaign to end all forms of violence against women.

CULLOWHEE – Looking for study abroad opportunities in the midst of the pandemic, Brian Railsback, a professor of English at Western Carolina University, decided to try a virtual study abroad course – but unlike other digital efforts, he wanted to “team up” with a literature class from another country.  

With strong financial results, underpinned by industry leading client satisfaction, Drake Software is moving forward with plans to increase investment across all areas of the business, including product development, sales & marketing, and customer support. This is the first of many planned investments that will be overseen by interim Chief Executive Officer Euan Menzies.

While most people in the U.S. consume enough protein during the day, we often load it into our lunch and dinner meals instead of spreading it out throughout the whole day.

By Daley Hooten • Rumble Contributor | Adele is one of those artists that no one hates. I’ve never once heard someone ask to switch stations when she plays on the radio, nor have I ever had someone complain about her. Now this is either because people around me know I like her and don’t want to face my wrath — or because she is actually one of the most tremendous artists of our time (I think it's the latter). 

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor | Last weekend I had dinner with friends and felt so grateful to be with such awesome people.  Think back to the times that you gathered with those you hadn’t seen in a while and nutshelled each other as to what was new and different in order to share your lives. I was having one of these mini conversations with an old friend and she asked me to remind her of my date’s name.  As I did, I added a fun way to remember his name to avoid any awkwardness between them.  She looked at me and said, “I don’t need help remembering that name.  I had a good friend named ….”

Digital signs posted several counties away are warning of delays on Interstate 40 in the Pigeon River Gorge. They will be in place this week and for the next six months as a contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation replaces a bridge on I-40 over Harmon Den Road and Cold Springs Creek.

Flavortown has arrived at Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort. Guy Fieri's Cherokee Kitchen + Bar is now open and is serving up signature menu items and beloved favorites from famed chef and restauranter, Guy Fieri.

Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Franklin) and Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood) secured critical improvements for Haywood County in the compromise state budget approved by the state Senate on Nov. 17 and the state House on Nov. 18.  

Haywood County Sheriff’s Office deputies seized 4.1 pounds of methamphetamine during a traffic stop resulting in one arrest and trafficking charges.

This week marks the 90-day post-flood milestone after Tropical Storm Fred impacted Haywood County. As that date nears, the second pass of residential debris removal is nearing completion.

Washington, D.C. — On Nov. 2 on Capitol Hill, Congressman Madison Cawthorn accepted The Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) American PATRIOT Award for standing up against harmful policies currently being advanced in Washington, D.C., and by consistently promoting the American values of faith, family, and freedom.

In the last week, Haywood County has mourned the loss of two more people to COVID-19. Both were in their late 50s. As of the date of this release, Haywood County has now lost 152 people to COVID-19.

Jessi Stone and Susanna Shetley share their family favorite recipes for Thanksgiving.

Question: Often after I eat my stomach hurts. Could I be sensitive to a food and should I do one of those food sensitivity panels I can get on line?

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor | I’ve always been fascinated with time travel starting back when I saw the movie “Somewhere in Time” starring Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour.  If my imagination struggled to embrace this concept, the soundtrack alone could transport me to the love story unfolding on the big screen. 

HARMON DEN – A winding drive on Interstate 40 through the Pigeon River Gorge will soon take a little longer than normal.

Haywood Community College was selected by the Department of Labor, in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission, to receive a grant in the amount of $1.196M for Project UP, a program to support the development of short-term training programs in construction. The grant is part of the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities Initiative and is designed to build the workforce in our area and upskill the talent of those participating in the program. Twenty-three grants were awarded, two of which went to North Carolina.

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor | Over The River and Through the Woods! Thanksgiving is 2 weeks out and I’m sure many of you are scrambling around trying to prepare your homes for your family and friends.  As you are dotting I’s and crossing T’s, I want to give you some insight into creating a welcoming space for loved ones that takes them back to the early years of the warmth and comfort at grandma’s house. 

In the next few weeks, Haywood County Alerts will switch over to a new, streamlined message format for emergency text alerts.

• Sign up for an Ingles Advantage card 

Jason Clark of Canton tried his luck on a Cash 5 ticket and won a $668,202 jackpot.

In the last week, Haywood County has mourned the loss of seven more people to COVID-19. They ranged in age from their mid-fifties into their late seventies. All were beloved spouses, siblings, mothers, fathers, grandmothers, or grandfathers. 

Haywood Chamber of Commerce is hosting an event for Women Enlightened with guest speaker, Linda Plunkett, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 18, at Wells Event Center in Waynesville.

Betty Farmer, professor of communication at Western Carolina University and communication consultant, has been named Instructor of the Year, South Region, by UPCEA (University Professional & Continuing Education Association). 

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor | Go into any retail store and you will feel that you are already behind in buying gifts on behalf of Jolly Old Saint Nicholas.  As the retail industry sets you up to spend, spend, spend…I want to arm you with a secret feng shui weapon that will help you hold, hold, hold abundant energy in your home and bank account. I’m going to teach you to look for, identify, and shore up a major energy leak that most people feel but don’t know what it is or how to change it. I’m offering this info well in advance of Christmas as this remedy needs at least 30 days to take effect and I don’t want you to stress out during the most wonderful time of the year!

Question: What are some “superfoods” that you would recommend?

The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) is honored to announce they are sponsoring three performances at their downtown Waynesville gallery by Mental Health in Motion starting Thursday, Nov. 4, through Saturday, Nov. 6, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor |

All Souls Day

Celebrated on the 2nd of November, this Christian holiday is about remembering the dead.  Now is a good time to think ahead about who we want to connect with in spirit.  The veil will be thinner, meaning you stand a pretty good chance of feeling their presence as so many people are channeling their energy directly for the expressed purpose of making a connection.  Let’s get this party started!!! 

This notion of the fact that food was better or we were better off in ancestral times is a logical fallacy known as an “appeal to nature” and ignores the fact that in many cases our ancestors starved or suffered from malnutrition.

Bryson City author Renea Winchester will be reading from her debut novel "Outbound Train" at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, at Macon County Library in Franklin.

District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch traveled to Henderson County this week to add her signature to those of other cancer survivors on a pink-wrapped squad car.

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor | Life’s rolling along and you’re feeling confident and BAM out of the blue you have an experience that causes you to question yourself.  You notice that you’re having a few doubts about something that normally wouldn’t rattle you.  What’s that about?

By Daley Hooten • Rumble Contributor | Everyone! Mitski is back! I repeat, Mitski is back!

After a 3 year hiatus, singer-songwriter Mitski Miyawaki returned on October 5th with a new single and the exciting announcement of her U.S. tour. “Working for the Knife”' is the title of this new single and it's the perfect song to return with. 

Well-known Western North Carolina chef Ricardo Fernandez Battini announced dates for the seventh Culinary Wine Tour to Argentina, Nov. 7 - 21, 2022.

What is it and why do you need it? 

After over two years of work and delays, The Snowbird Cherokee mural is now available for viewing on the Appalachian Mural Trail site at muraltrail.com.

Following the curtain call for the opening night performance of HART’s current production of “Harvey,” the show’s director, Wanda Taylor got a major surprise.

Hundreds of local breast cancer survivors, caregivers, volunteers, and corporate and community members are uniting to make the greatest impact to save lives and ensure no one faces breast cancer alone at the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk. This noncompetitive, inspirational event raises awareness and funds for a world without breast cancer.

An autopsy has been completed by the North Carolina State Medical Examiner's Office on the body found Oct. 9, on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Boone.

For the next month, the Zonta Club of the Franklin Area is collecting new and gently-used bras at the Franklin Chamber of Commerce.

REACH of Haywood is urging everyone in the county to wear purple on Thursday, Oct. 21, to show support for healthy relationships and to stand against intimate partner violence in our county and around the world. This is a nationally recognized awareness initiative. Purple ribbons to wear are also available for free from the Within Reach Resale Store at 456 Hazelwood Avenue, starting Oct. 18.

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor |

“…every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.” - ZuZu Bailey “It’s a wonderful life”

Last week I introduced the Law of Attraction via the average Joe to demonstrate how we can attract scarcity into our lives when we really “think” we are relating to money from an abundant standpoint.  This week I would like to use the average Jane to examine yet another “hot” topic we are all eager to explore...relationships.