The new budget sets the foundation for $145 million in capital improvements, including the construction of a new high school. File photo
 

Macon passes budget with adjustments

After several lengthy discussions, Macon County Commissioners approved the fiscal year 2024-25 budget by a split vote with a couple…
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Democrats claim school vouchers detract from child care grants
 

Democrats claim school vouchers detract from child care grants

As the July 1 budget deadline for Child Care Stabilization grants approaches, it appears the Republican-led North Carolina House and…
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Chris Williams was approved as Western Carolina University's new chief information officer by the WCU Board of Trustees Friday, June 14. WCU photo
 

WCU Board of Trustees approves new CIO

On Friday, June 14, Western Carolina University’s Board of Trustees approved Chris Williams’ selection as its chief information officer. Williams,…
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Charlotte Joy Norris will receive the award on July 13 in Salt Lake City. File photo
 

Months after passing away, Haywood child wins national award

Less than six months after her death at just over two years old, Charlotte Joy Norris is posthumously receiving an…
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Cherokee museum receives $385,000 grant
 

Cherokee museum receives $385,000 grant

Museum of the Cherokee People has been awarded a major spring grant from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation.
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Franklin FUMC hosts bazaar auction
 

Franklin FUMC hosts bazaar auction

When it comes to staying the course, First United Methodist Church (FUMC), Franklin has a long history of supporting those…
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House finch. File photo
 

Big Atlas weekend is coming

Birders around the state are encouraged to grab their binoculars, guidebooks, hiking boots and best birding friends for a weekend…
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HBF continues ‘Appalachian Apothecary’ lecture
 

HBF continues ‘Appalachian Apothecary’ lecture

The Highlands Biological Foundation (HBF) continues its Zahner Conservation Lecture series at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 20. Registered Herbalist…
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Dedication set for viewing platform
 

Dedication set for viewing platform

The Friends of the Greenway and the Franklin Bird Club invite the public to the dedication of the Barbara McRae Memorial…
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Franklin Bird Club to lead nature walks
 

Franklin Bird Club to lead nature walks

The Franklin Bird Club will lead walks along the greenway on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. 
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Filing period opens
 

Filing period opens

Candidate filing has begun for Swain Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor. 
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Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Forest Resource Specialist and tribal member Tommy Cabe points to the “turkey foot”  portion of the sochan plant, which is harvested and eaten after being blanched and fried. Photo provided by Smokies Life, Holly Kays.
 

Word from the Smokies: Sochan gathering program grows relationship between tribe, park and plants

“There’s some legends and stories about this particular area, this place we’re at right now,” said Tommy Cabe, who is…
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Contract awarded to replace I-40 bridges in Haywood
 

Contract awarded to replace I-40 bridges in Haywood

The N.C. Department of Transportation recently awarded a contract to replace the two bridges on Interstate 40 over Beaverdam Road.
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Haywood Community Band Grows into Regional Ensemble
 

Haywood Community Band Grows into Regional Ensemble

A delighted crowd of more than 350 people responded with a standing ovation at the season’s opening concert of the…
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The grant will go toward developing tools that  utilize spectroscopy to anaylze vibrational signals from mosquitos. Donated photo
 

WCU gets grant to study mosquitoes

Brian Byrd, Western Carolina University’s mosquito expert and professor in the environmental health sciences program, along with Scott Huffman, professor…
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‘Appalachian Apothecary’ lecture is June 20
 

‘Appalachian Apothecary’ lecture is June 20

The Highlands Biological Foundation (HBF) continues its Zahner Conservation Lecture series at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 20. Registered Herbalist…
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Haywood Soil and Water receives farmland preservation grants
 

Haywood Soil and Water receives farmland preservation grants

The Haywood County Soil & Water Conservation District is a recipient of three of this year’s N.C. Grange grants to…
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Interested in healthy gardening?
 

Interested in healthy gardening?

Studies have shown that gardening has numerous health benefits for all ages and physical abilities, and mobility issues don’t mean…
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Big Brothers Big Sisters offers golf discount
 

Big Brothers Big Sisters offers golf discount

Haywood County golfers can take advantage of an offer that will give them discounts at Maggie Valley Club, Springdale Resort,…
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Jackson offers rec volleyball league
 

Jackson offers rec volleyball league

Jackson County Parks and Recreation is hosting a pair of volleyball leagues open to anyone over the age of 16,…
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Jacob Joliet will play Franklin June 15. File photo
 

Cowee School welcomes Jacob Joliff

A renowned Americana/bluegrass outfit, the Jacob Joliff Band will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at the Cowee School…
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Heidi Holton will play Waynesvlle June 13. File photo
 

The Scotsman gets the blues

Popular blues/folk singer-songwriter Heidi Holton will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, June 13, at The Scotsman Public House in Waynesville. 
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The Taste of Scotland rolls into Franklin June 14-16. File photo
 

Taste of Scotland Festival

The 25th annual Taste of Scotland Festival will be held June 14-16 at a variety of locations around Franklin. 
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Will you ‘Bee the Change’?
 

Will you ‘Bee the Change’?

Author John Kotab will present his latest book, “Bee the Change: If We Protect, Nature Will Provide,” at 1 p.m.…
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Waynesville Town Council Member Anthony Sutton speaks at a political event in Asheville. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

LGBT candidates look to build on last year’s successes

Hoping to build on the momentum of a successful off-year election cycle, even amid violent threats, members of Western North…
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Funding gaps for affordable housing persist even with Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. DFI photo
 

Jackson explores solutions to housing crisis

The Development Finance Initiative has continued to work on feasibility analyses for affordable housing in Jackson County since its housing…
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Vilsack offered remarks to a large crowd of NCAI members at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino’s exhibition center. NCAI photo
 

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture visits Cherokee

Last week, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians welcomed Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to the exhibit hall at Harrah’s…
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Haywood County budget passes without tax increase
 

Haywood County budget passes without tax increase

Commissioners voted unanimously June 3 to accept Haywood County Manager Bryant Morehead’s proposed annual budget which, in spite of inflation,…
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No tax increase for Jackson
 

No tax increase for Jackson

Jackson County is set to approve its budget next week, funding county operations for the coming fiscal year without a…
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Swain County to vote on alcohol sales
 

Swain County to vote on alcohol sales

Swain County Board of Commissioners added a referendum to November ballots that will allow residents to vote on the on-premises…
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Joey Robinson
 

JCPS announces new principal for Smoky Mountain High School

Jackson County Public Schools announced that current assistant principal Joey Robinson has been named the new principal at Smoky Mountain…
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Emily Ferguson (left to right) Taylor Sollie, Jacob Mills and Rylee Shoaf received scholarships ranging from $1,000-$3,500. Haywood County Farm Bureau photo
 

Haywood Farm Bureau awards scholarships

Established more than 20 years ago, the Haywood County Farm Bureau scholarship program assists graduating seniors who have a financial…
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Learn about Ukraine in Haywood County
 

Learn about Ukraine in Haywood County

On Thursday, June 13, 2024, David Crane, author, scholar and international prosecutor, will provide insights on the implications of the…
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Haywood Meals on Wheels seeks help
 

Haywood Meals on Wheels seeks help

After Covid, Haywood Meals on Wheels lost volunteers and was forced to drop meal deliveries to three days per week.…
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Where art and science meet: ‘Darwin and the Art of Botany’
 

Where art and science meet: ‘Darwin and the Art of Botany’

Charles Darwin was many things, but in the classic sense of the word, he was not an artist. Lacking in…
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Haywood Community Band grows to regional ensemble
 

Haywood Community Band grows to regional ensemble

The Haywood Community Band will perform at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 16 at the Maggie Valley Community Pavilion, 3935…
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The new arch frames downtown Waynesville, a bustling town of more than 10,000.
 

Word from the Smokies: Iconic arch returns to downtown Waynesville

The air buzzed with excitement as the crowd gathered in downtown Waynesville, North Carolina, on Saturday, June 1. A standing-room-only…
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Tribal Council voted June 6 to legalizes the sale and consumption of cannabis on the Qualla Boundary.
 

EBCI Tribal Council approves adult recreational cannabis

About nine months after members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians voted overwhelmingly to legalize the sale of marijuana…
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DeWayne Barton will speak in Waynesville June 13. File photo
 

‘Conversations with Storytellers Series’

As part of the “Pigeon Community Conversations with Storytellers Series,” social entrepreneur, veteran and visual and performing artist DeWayne Barton…
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Percussion Discussion Africa will play Waynesville June 13. File photo
 

Folkmoot LIVE! celebrates African culture

Folkmoot USA is pleased to present “An African Cultural Experience,” which will feature Percussion Discussion Afrika and Chinobay at 7…
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Art fundraiser for local schools
 

Art fundraiser for local schools

The annual QuickDraw art fundraiser will once again be held in-person from 4:30-9 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at Laurel Ridge…
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'The Gods of Comedy' will be at HART through June. Donated photo
 

HART presents ‘The Gods of Comedy’

A special stage production of “The Gods of Comedy” will be held at 7:30 p.m. June 27-29 and 2 p.m.…
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A recent piece by HCAC artist member Rose Hardest. Donated photo
 

Haywood Arts ‘Pets’ exhibit

The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) will unveil its latest exhibit, “Pets,” with an opening reception from 6-9 p.m. Friday,…
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Russ Wilson will play Waynesville June 8. File photo
 

‘Mouth of the South’ returns to Classic Wineseller

Jazz/swing duo Russ Wilson & Hank Bones will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at The Classic Wineseller in…
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Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling
 

Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling

The Cherokee Bonfire & Storytelling will be held from 7-9 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays through Oct. 31 at…
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The SBX-1 platform features a 280-foot dome in the middle. Wikimedia Commons photos
 

Appeals panel sends Kituwah LLC back to court: Lawsuit alleges theft of trade secrets from other tribally owned company

A lawsuit filed against Kituwah LLC that was initially dismissed is heading back to court after the 11th Circuit Court of…
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Waynesville’s public hearing for its annual budget will be held on June 11. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Waynesville budget will come down to the wire

A rare public impasse by Council Members over the Town of Waynesville’s proposed budget will leave things unsettled for the time…
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UNC Board of Governors repeals DEI policy
 

UNC Board of Governors repeals DEI policy

After the UNC Board of Governors approved a new policy on diversity and inclusion within the University of North Carolina,…
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A map of the Waynesville Inn and Golf Club’s recently  renovated course shows two areas, off the 10th and 12th  fairways where developers want to build 25 new homes. Raines Company photo
 

Waynesville Golf Club housing development stymied again

Amid complaints from neighbors, the new owners of the Waynesville Inn and Golf Club once again saw their proposed 12-unit…
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Generations of locals and visitors will upon arrival to Waynesville be greeted by a handsome decorative arch, just as in generations past. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Arch unveiled in Waynesville

June 1, 2024, was a historic day for a historic town, as members of Waynesville’s government and the Downtown Waynesville…
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