The road to revival: A look at Canyon Woodward’s endurance race to reshape rural politics
 

The road to revival: A look at Canyon Woodward’s endurance race to reshape rural politics

The path for Democrats to win back rural voters who once aligned with the party decades ago isn’t smooth; it’s…
Read More

Comment

Located in Cherokee’s Cultural District, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian receives about 83,000 visitors each year. Holly Kays photo
 

Home for the past: Cherokee museum plans for archive facility

A new archival facility, reimagined exhibit space and a website overhaul are all on the horizon for the Museum of the…
Read More

Comment

Jackson to fund 8 positions for Sylva Fire Department
 

Jackson to fund 8 positions for Sylva Fire Department

With increasing call volume, fewer volunteers and an expected continuation of growth in town, Sylva’s all-volunteer fire department is in…
Read More

Comment

Over its 10 years, Women of Waynesville has raised over a quarter of a million dollars for local causes. Donated photo
 

Empowered women empower their community

In 2011, Nikki White and Michelle Briggs sat on a porch drinking wine, envisioning an organization by women, for the…
Read More

Comment

Legislature could finally expand Medicaid
 

Legislature could finally expand Medicaid

Not long ago, it was an issue so contentious that it resulted in a three-year budget stalemate, but with Republican…
Read More

Comment

Waynesville resolution opposes partisan elections bill
 

Waynesville resolution opposes partisan elections bill

A bill filed by Haywood County Republican Rep. Mark Pless to make all local elections partisan didn’t exactly receive a warm…
Read More

Comment

‘Lunchflation’ plagues WNC schools
 

‘Lunchflation’ plagues WNC schools

After three abnormal school years due to the Coronavirus Pandemic that included free breakfast and lunch for all public-school students,…
Read More

Comment

Board of Governors Member David Powers chairs the Committee on University Governance. UNC photo
 

Making conversation: UNC System considers state of free expression on campus

A five-part series exploring free speech and free expression on college campuses wrapped up last week in the University of North…
Read More

Comment

Canton presents ‘bold’ budget
 

Canton presents ‘bold’ budget

While the instances of personal heroism, professional bravery and private donations are well documented, perhaps the most incredible story to…
Read More

Comment

Tax increase likely for Jackson residents
 

Tax increase likely for Jackson residents

Jackson County residents can expect to see a two-cent tax increase in the coming fiscal year, rising from $0.36 to…
Read More

Comment

Gov’t Mule is fronted by rock icon Warren Haynes (far right). (photo: Jay Sansone)
 

Love is a mean old world: A conversation with Warren Haynes

The beauty of the blues is that it’s a style of music you grow up alongside, one where you may…
Read More

Comment

Lake Chatuge.
 

This must be the place: Followin’ the stars through the honky-tonks and bars, dream away on a country music pride

Last Thursday afternoon. Downtown Waynesville. Rifling through a fresh load of laundry, I was beginning to sift through my clothes…
Read More

Comment

Molly Herold.
 

‘Living With Pride’ art showcase

An exhibit dedicated to the Southern Appalachian LGBTQIA+ experience, the “Living With Pride” art showcase will run June 3-26 at…
Read More

Comment

Jackson County issues 'Code Red'
 

Jackson County issues 'Code Red'

At 10:30 p.m. last night Jackson County Emergency Management issued a “Code Red Message.”
Read More

Comment

State of emergency declared in Haywood amid flooding
 

State of emergency declared in Haywood amid flooding

A State of Emergency has been declared in Haywood County due to ongoing risk of flash flooding.  The proclamation was…
Read More

Comment

Jasmine Beach-Ferrara speaks in Haywood County in 2021
 

First poll in NC-11 predicts tight race between Beach-Ferrara, Edwards

An internal poll commissioned by the Democratic nominee for NC-11 just days after the May 17 Primary Election suggests the…
Read More

Comment

Bill seeks to prevent new bear sanctuary hunts
 

Bill seeks to prevent new bear sanctuary hunts

A bill seeking to strike down an N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission rule allowing bear hunting in three Western North Carolina…
Read More

Comment

Water monitoring available for local swim holes
 

Water monitoring available for local swim holes

Swimming hole monitoring season resumes this weekend as MountainTrue once again starts updating its Swim Guide, an online resource offering…
Read More

Comment

Reward offered for information on slain red wolf
 

Reward offered for information on slain red wolf

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering $5,000 for information regarding a federally protected red wolf found dead in…
Read More

Comment

Mark Singleton paddles the Chattooga River. Donated photo
 

Big water: Retiring American Whitewater director reflects on 18 years of conservation leadership

Mark Singleton was mingling with Outdoor Industry Association colleagues at a 2004 reception in Washington, D.C., when he heard that…
Read More

Comment

An angler reels in a brook trout. Thomas Harvey/NCWRC photo
 

Delayed Harvest waters open

On June 4, 34 trout streams and two lakes in North Carolina will reopen to trout harvest through Sept. 30. 
Read More

Comment

Collins to retire from TDA
 

Collins to retire from TDA

After nearly 13 years at the helm of the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority, Executive Director Lynn Collins has decided…
Read More

Comment

Making your business a success; making success your business
 

Making your business a success; making success your business

It’s not often, if ever, that I would review a book about “how to succeed in business.” But I’m in…
Read More

Comment

Partisan local elections have different outcomes
 

Partisan local elections have different outcomes

As Cory Valliancourt report s in The Smoky Mountain News, North Carolina House members Rep. Mark Pless , R-Haywood, and…
Read More

Comment

Our attitude toward time makes a difference
 

Our attitude toward time makes a difference

‘Tis the season is not only a motto for the Christmas holidays, but also an apt way to describe the…
Read More

Comment

A wise decision on Highlands STRs
 

A wise decision on Highlands STRs

To the Editor: The Highlands Neighborhood Coalition was formed by homeowners throughout Highlands to preserve the historic character of our…
Read More

Comment

Imagine if super-rich supported Ukraine
 

Imagine if super-rich supported Ukraine

To the Editor: Can you imagine this: Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerburg, Bill Gates, Larry…
Read More

Comment

Together once again: WNC festivals, events slowly return to normalcy
 

Together once again: WNC festivals, events slowly return to normalcy

It’s been just about three years since the Cold Mountain Music Festival took place in a large field within earshot…
Read More

Comment

 Festival ground fees are scheduled to increase beginning in 2023. Haywood TDA photo
 

Maggie Budget proposes additional staff

If the Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen accepts the proposed FY 2022-23 budget, taxes will remain at $0.40 for the…
Read More

Comment

Grant will help save more pets in Haywood County
 

Grant will help save more pets in Haywood County

Haywood County Animal Services announced a $7,500 grant investment from Petco Love to help newly adopted dogs, who are wonderful…
Read More

Comment

Veteran legislator Ralph Hise returns to Haywood County. NCGA photo
 

Haywood’s new senator 
is no stranger

In one of the most highly watched contests of the 2022 Primary Election season, voters gave their approval to six-term…
Read More

Comment

An artist rendering shows an initial concept for the future of the fair grounds. EBCI image
 

Big changes discussed for Cherokee Fair Grounds

A crack in an amphitheater canopy column at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds could lead to a complete overhaul of the…
Read More

Comment

Associate professor Channa De Silva (left), Brandon Sanders and Caleigh Gress Byrd work together in a lab in the new Apodaca Science Building. WCU photo
 

WCU research takes aim at nuclear waste problem

In global conversations about climate change, carbon neutrality and green energy, nuclear power plays a pivotal role. It’s responsible for…
Read More

Comment

Macon choses commission primary winners
 

Macon choses commission primary winners

The voters of Macon County have spoken, and three of the seven Republicans — John Shearl, Danny Antoine and Gary…
Read More

Comment

No Primary Election opposition for western Republicans
 

No Primary Election opposition for western Republicans

Unlike elsewhere, Western North Carolina’s westernmost legislators had a relatively quiet election night on May 17. 
Read More

Comment

Kim Moore (upper left), Lisa Buchanan (bottom left) and Lynn Dillard will join the Jackson School Board.
 

Jackson County elects new school board members

This election cycle there were 10 candidates running for three seats on the Jackson County Schools Board of Education. Of…
Read More

Comment

Rep. Madison Cawthorn speaks to a small group of supporters on Tuesday, May 17. Jeffrey Delannoy photo
 

Cawthorn’s loss means new dynamic in NC-11 race

Huddled in a semicircle around a blacked-out glass door in the bay of a former auto detail shop in downtown…
Read More

Comment

Bill Wilke (left) and Larry Bryson.
 

Voters pick Bryson, Wilke for November sheriff race in Haywood

Haywood County residents are a step closer to learning who will replace a longtime lawman in December, after convincing Primary…
Read More

Comment

Doug Farmer (left) and Rick Buchanan.
 

Farmer, Buchanan win Jackson Sheriff primaries

Republican Doug Farmer and Democrat Rick Buchanan will compete to hold the office of Sheriff in Jackson County this fall…
Read More

Comment

Seen from above, the solar array features 1,430 panels spanning about 3 acres of land right next to HEMC’s headquarters. Donated photo
 

HEMC flips the switch on new solar array

Haywood Electric Membership Corporation installed its first-ever solar array to power its own headquarters’ operations, and its likely not the…
Read More

Comment

Commissioner Jennifer Best led all candidates with more than 4,900 votes. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Familiar faces advance in Haywood commission GOP primary

Opting for experience over upstarts , Haywood County residents gave incumbent commissioners Jennifer Best and Tommy Long a vote of…
Read More

Comment

This must be the place: Sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own
 

This must be the place: Sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own

Standing on the sidewalk, I leaned onto the open garage door window of Sauced in downtown Waynesville. Sunday evening right…
Read More

Comment

The Mother Hips. (photo: Brian Rashap)
 

Me and you with the sunset blues: Tim Bluhm of The Mother Hips

At age 51, acclaimed singer-songwriter Tim Bluhm feels like he’s just getting started. The creative well of inspiration remains deep…
Read More

Comment

Bill seeks more partisanship in Haywood County elections
 

Bill seeks more partisanship in Haywood County elections

A bill introduced by Haywood County’s two state House representatives would make all of the county’s municipal elections — as well…
Read More

Comment

Nathan Clark
 

Maggie town manager announces resignation

Nathan Clark, longtime town manager of Maggie Valley, is set to leave his post in the coming months. 
Read More

Comment

Brent Holbrooks, left, and Derek Jones, right
 

Recount called in Macon Sheriff race

A recount has been called in the Macon County Sheriff’s race after Election day totals indicated Dereck Jones lost to Brent…
Read More

Comment

Warren Bielenberg photo
 

Bear canisters required in Panthertown

The U.S. Forest Service is now requiring anybody who stays overnight in Panthertown Valley to use a bear-resistant container or…
Read More

Comment

Body recovered from Little River
 

Body recovered from Little River

The body of a 72-year-old man was recovered from Little River in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park after somebody…
Read More

Comment

Deer harvest remains high as pandemic recedes
 

Deer harvest remains high as pandemic recedes

Deer harvest in North Carolina remains robust, with numbers from the 2021-22 hunting season remaining nearly level with those recorded…
Read More

Comment

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.