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WATR holds meeting and annual Walk ‘n Talk
The Watershed Association of the Tuckasegee River members and all who are interested in clean mountain streams are invited to…
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Hosta, hosta, hosta
The Dixie Region Hosta Convention will be in Waynesville Friday and Saturday, July 16 and 17, at Rux Gardens. Lovers…
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“America’s Great Outdoors” comes to WNC
Whether you’re a birder or mountain biker, paddler or hiker, photographer or hunter, now is your chance to bend the…
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It’s hot, and the lizards are in heaven
The sweltering heat this summer is restricting some outdoor activities, but it’s a prime time for lizard watching. Lizards don’t…
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County health rankings yield mixed results
Measuring the overall health of a population at the local level is an elusive and cumbersome task. As a result,…
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Yates named Kimmel Professor of Construction Management
The only woman to head a college or university construction management department in the United States has joined the faculty…
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SCC recognized for performance
Southwestern Community College was one of only 11 colleges to earn an exceptional rating in the annual performance measures report…
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Martial arts master leads small-town team to unlikely victory on the mat
Armando Basulto had his opponent’s arm sandwiched between his legs. He leaned forward, putting pressure on the man’s shoulder. The…
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Builders fear slope rules aimed at safety could drive up costs
As Macon County closes in on a steep slope ordinance, some members of the building and real estate industry fear…
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Rekindling memories of High Rocks
This is about a place, High Rocks, a lookout situated at just over 5,000 feet on Welch Ridge in the…
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Jackson farmers roll out the welcome mat
A staggering 15 farms and gardens will open their fields and greenhouses to the public during the Jackson County Farm…
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Parkway’s glories honored by Congress
A resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway is slated for passage by Congress. “The Blue Ridge…
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Kick up your heels for Folkmoot 5K
A race with an international flare, the annual Folkmoot 5K, will be held on Saturday, July 31, in Waynesville. The…
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Into the wild at Mountain Wildlife Days
Mountain Wildlife Days will bring a line-up of nature talks, wildlife programs and guided hikes to the Cashiers area on…
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Bear country tutorial uses new medium to reach hikers
A new video podcast called “Day Hiking and Wildlife” has been created to educate hikers in the Great Smoky Mountains…
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Smokies gala a success
Smokies gala a successFriends of the Smokies raised $20,000 to support special projects in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park…
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Green spaces — good places
We were in Rock Hill, S.C., this past weekend enjoying our annual Fourth of July ritual of visiting my little…
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Ornithologist unravels mysteries behind song sparrow personalities
Last Thursday morning was atypical for song sparrow IR-IF. While defending his territory from the song of an intruding male,…
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McCrumb, Jim Casada, and Gary Carden stop by City Lights
A national bestselling author, a local icon, and a well-known regional outdoor writer and photographer will all make their way…
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Shakespeare still valuable in space
Muse of Fire by Dan Simmons. Subterranean Press, 2008. 105 page In recent years, it has become fashionable for writers…
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Public Art Commission appreciates support
The Waynesville Public Art Commission members would like to express their gratitude to all of the artists and all of…
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Tourism industry has to market a moving target
Tourism leaders in the mountains agree they’ve got to re-invent their marketing tactics over the next decade to stay competitive.…
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Full Spectrum Farms seeks auction items
Full Spectrum Farms is accepting silent auction donations for its annual Starlight Night fundraiser, Oct. 2. The local non-profit helps…
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Shuler announces WNC job fairs
Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., has announced a series of job fairs throughout the summer month. Workforce training and employer training…
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Information offered to small businesses
Two informational sessions will be available for Western North Carolina’s small businesses. “Ask the Experts: What’s new for small businesses…
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Haywood Habitat for Humanity celebrates 20 years
Haywood Habitat for Humanity marked its 20th anniversary at the organization’s Annual Meeting. To celebrate, Habitat Executive Director Marnette Colborne…
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County, HCC still at loggerheads over craft building price
An ongoing debate over the cost of a new building on the Haywood Community College campus lacks a clear resolution,…
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Replacement to Sylva town board sets stage for new voting majority
The make-up of Sylva’s town board shifted this week when board members voted 3-1 to replace outgoing board member Sarah…
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Poll shows majority in Jackson tired of trekking to town for beer
Though many Jackson County residents shy away from publicly airing their views on alcohol, a recent poll shows that a…
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Strong on momentum, but shy of real power, TEA Party’s political weight remains to be seen
A year ago, Scott Cummings would never have pictured himself standing on the sidewalk pumping a homemade sign in the…
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Poll shows little confidence in government
Government approval ratings are low all over the country. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that they’re also low in…
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Jackson County Poll Results
1. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Jackson County government? Favorable 33% Unfavorable 46% Not Sure 20%…
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WCU poll is first attempt of its caliber to measure political opinions on solely local scale
A new polling project developed by Western Carolina University’s Public Policy Institute and The Smoky Mountain News aims to get…
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Senate clamps down on sweepstakes
If Rep. Ray Rapp has his way, the state House will crush video sweepstakes as fervently as the state Senate…
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Maggie Valley first in region to pursue food and beverage tax
Restaurant and bar patrons in Maggie Valley may see an extra tax on their bills to support tourism promotion and…
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With cash settlement rolling in, ideas fly on how to spend it
After decades of bitter division among Swain County residents concerning the North Shore Road controversy, people on both sides have…
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Josh Fields Band on tap for Concert on the Creek
The rich, downhome sound of the Josh Fields Band will be showcased from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 2,…
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Karen ‘Sugar’ Barnes brings blues to Bryson
What do you get when you mix the pristine vocals of Ella Fitzgerald with the guitar licks of Robert Johnson?…
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Lonesome River Band to play in Stecoah
The Lonesome River Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 10, on the Grand Old Stage at Stecoah Valley…
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Twain impersonator comes to Franklin
Marvin Cole, a Western Carolina University graduate famous for his impersonations of Mark Twain, will entertain at 7 p.m. on…
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Mountain Heritage Center camp to focus on Cherokee heritage
Middle school students in the area will have an opportunity to learn about Cherokee heritage during a “Mini-Camp for Middle…
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American Craft Today seeks submissions
Craft artists are invited to submit digital images of their work by July 19 to be considered for inclusion in…
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Native tribes across North America converge in Cherokee for Festival of Native Peoples
Witness the arresting culture of Apache, Totonac, Aztec, Crow, Navajo and Cherokee through ancient wisdom, song, dance, legend, arts and…
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Skyships over Cashiers? Local women track extraterrestrial activity
Eight-year-old Devon Heenan stood with her arm extended in the parking lot of the Ingles in Cashiers. With her cell…
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A unique old time reporter
Many characters surface in stories related to Horace Kephart, regional author and one of the founders of the Great Smoky…
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What is Buy Haywood?
Supported by the Golden LEAF Foundation since 2007, Buy Haywood has enjoyed success promoting the county’s farms. Its first project…
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Bringing poetry back to life
Once upon a time the queen of literature, poetry finds itself nowadays, like the tale of Cinderella run in reverse,…
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Ridge law questions renew development debate in Jackson
Tony Elders didn’t realize quite how much on-the-job exercise he was in for when he was hired to oversee Jackson…
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New Jackson library built as regional showpiece
The Jackson County Courthouse, Sylva’s most distinctive building, was built in a rush. C.J. Harris, a prominent industrialist and wealthy…
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