Archived (30103)
Children categories
Wrong bear euthanized in Smokies incident
The case of a 400-pound bear euthanized after a hiker in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was bitten in…
Read More
A strained relationship: Suspicion of NPS lingers among some backcountry users, parkside communities
It’s been three years since a vigorous debate about charging for backcountry camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park…
Read More
Kids get creative with waterways
Haywood County’s young artists got some recognition for the T-shirt designs they dreamed up to celebrate Kids in the Creek,…
Read More
Local runners take top spots in half marathon
Runners from up and down the East Coast converged on Waynesville this month to try their stride at the Gateway…
Read More
Park Service archives get new home
A new home for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s collection of artifacts and archives recently opened its doors in…
Read More
Cashiers gets second farmer market
A new farmers market will launch in Cashiers this week, providing a weekly supply of local foods from 3 to…
Read More
See birds of prey up close
An up-close glimpse of creatures such as the Eastern screech owl and Northern bald eagle will show birds of prey…
Read More
Old-time remedies explained
See old-time remedies in action with a demonstration by Smokies naturalist Ila Hatter, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May…
Read More
Trout waters open
Delayed-harvest trout waters will open for the summer on Saturday, June 4, giving anglers the chance to catch a dinner…
Read More
WCU tops ‘best-of’ list for outdoors colleges
Western Carolina University came in on top in an online magazine poll looking for the region’s premiere outdoor adventure college.
Read More
Canucks amongst us
You’re hiking streamside through a rhododendron tangle when you hear a short, musical trill – it kind of mimics the…
Read More
Are we near the ‘who cares’ point for legal pot?
The last couple of years have brought a sea change in attitudes about marijuana. I’m convinced pot will be legal…
Read More
That’s us, using our children as ‘escape goats’
My wife and I like to host small parties or entertain our friends every three years or so, not because…
Read More
HB2 could be called ‘Hate Bill 2’
To the Editor: Recent letters have provided more smoke than light regarding HB2, also known as House Bill 2, which…
Read More
Trump cares only about being the winner
To the Editor: For one who has never held an elected office, Donald Trump is a brilliant politician. His TV…
Read More
Not your average tourist: Waynesville man reflects on decades of travel in the jungles of Ecuador
When life gets hectic, most people have a vacation spot where they go to unwind — perhaps a family cabin…
Read More
NOC paddler to appear in summer Olympics
When Team U.S.A. marches into the Olympic stadium this summer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the Opening Ceremonies of…
Read More
Sculpture winds through WCU trails
A nature-based sculpture project launched by Western Carolina University’s Fine Art Museum aims to feature outdoors art while promoting discussion…
Read More
Plant defenses are not-so-pleasant for us humans
Like poisonous serpents, some plants developed toxic properties in order to protect themselves against predators. Besides insects, the major plant…
Read More
Teaching children how to succeed at life
Near the end of The Collapse of Parenting: How We Hurt Our Kids When We Treat Them Like Grown-Ups, Dr.…
Read More
New stage to open next month
Sitting on a bench one recent sunny afternoon, Steven Lloyd gazes to his right, a big smile immediately rolling across…
Read More
Camera crazy: Downtown Sylva comes alive during filming of big-budget movie
An air of excitement and expectation reigned over downtown Sylva last week as crews and stars alike rolled in to…
Read More
The long road to the big screen
Getting a movie to come to town isn’t something that happens overnight.
Read More
‘Dirty Dancing,’ ‘Three Billboards,’ and economic ripples
“Three Billboards” isn’t the only major filming project going on in Jackson County this month. Last week, ABC wrapped up…
Read More
Seasoned administrator to take helm at HRMC
Rod Harkleroad has been named as the new chief executive officer of Haywood Regional Medical Center.
Read More
World Methodist Museum to mark 60 years
A celebration will be held May 22 to mark the 60th birthday of the World Methodist Museum, which is located…
Read More
Waynesville rolls out compromise in ongoing food truck debate
New rules for where and how food trucks can set up shop in Waynesville attempt to balance the popular and…
Read More
Haywood’s dropout program rescued
An innovative high school dropout program in Haywood County was rescued from the chopping block this week after county commissioners…
Read More
Democratic candidates face off in congressional election
Two Democratic candidates will face off in the June 7 election for a chance to unseat U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows,…
Read More
Obscure budget stats a ‘bellwether’ of economic recovery
Haywood County could be turning a corner after a slow, stubborn climb out of the recession, according to some obscure…
Read More
For a change, Haywood isn’t facing a dire budget year
Haywood County commissioners were greeted with silence at their meeting Monday night when they asked if anyone in the audience…
Read More
Predatory attack or ill-fated dinner search?
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is terming an incident that left a Las Vegas man with a puncture wound…
Read More
Bear euthanized following backcountry bite
Campers at the Spence Field Appalachian Trail Shelter in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park spent a harrowing evening in…
Read More
Cherokee pays off millions of debt
A massive load of debt left the shoulders of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians last week following enactment of…
Read More
Events for readers and writers
Salvation sought through moonshine Terry Roberts will present his new novel The Holy Ghost and Speakeasy and Revival at 3…
Read More
The Left still has something to learn about tolerance
I’ve been observing something for years — though recently it has snowballed — and it has always struck me as…
Read More
Let’s work toward a better Maggie Valley
To the Editor: Former President Ronald Reagan once said, “The republic is a dream. If we stop dreaming, we will…
Read More
Governor’s office is still in the dark
To the Editor: There you are, governor of North Carolina, and somebody pushes a stack of papers in front of…
Read More
Racism is not in the ‘eye of the beholder’
To the Editor: Sorry Dad, but in your column in last week’s edition of The Smoky Mountain News (www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/item/17607), you…
Read More
Connecting a new generation to 9/11
Recently, a group of Waynesville Middle chorus students were at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, and when they…
Read More
Hot Springs fire contained
The verdict is in on a fire that had been blazing for two weeks near Hot Springs — after burning…
Read More
Hanging Dog Campground reopens on trial basis
After two years of closure, Hanging Dog Campground in Cherokee County has reopened through a collaborative effort between the county…
Read More
Get the cheat sheet to buy local
Growing season has arrived in Western North Carolina, and the new Local Food Guide from the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project…
Read More
Trail mapping project earns award for tribal member
A Cherokee woman received recognition from the environmental organization Wild South for her tireless work with a project to map…
Read More
DuPont trails to close for blue ghost firefly protection
Closure of some trails will soon take effect in DuPont State Recreational Forest to protect the blue ghost firefly, a…
Read More
Rivers and restaurants: TV crew falls for Jackson County through its trout, tables and people
The sun is lowering toward a perfect spring evening as the crew from Fox Sports’ “Anglers & Appetites” pulls onto…
Read More
Novel mixes Cherokee folklore with real history
This astonishing “novel” was crafted by three multi-talented western Cherokees who live and create in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. It resembles a…
Read More
Roller derby to benefit Relay for Life
The Smoky Mountain Roller Girls will be hosting their second double header of the season on Saturday, May 14, at…
Read More
