Darren Nicholson will play HCC April 19. File photo
 

Carolina Heritage Weekend

A multi-day event celebrating Appalachian heritage, Carolina Heritage Weekend will take place April 18-20 around Haywood County. 
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The Maggie Valley Band will play Sylva April 27. File photo
 

Greening Up the Mountains

Presented by the Town of Sylva, the 26th annual Greening Up the Mountains festival will be held from 10 a.m.…
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HART presents ‘I’ll Eat You Last’
 

HART presents ‘I’ll Eat You Last’

A production of “I’ll Eat You Last” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. April 19-20, 26-27 and 2 p.m.…
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Alma Russ. FIle photo
 

Americana, folk at Mountain Layers

Rising singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Alma Russ will hit the stage at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at Mountain Layers Brewing…
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Blue Ridge Books welcomes Hall
 

Blue Ridge Books welcomes Hall

Author Tiffany Hall will present her new book, “Bigger,” at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at Blue Ridge Books in…
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Now that the ribbon has been cut, the new welcome center will be used for a variety of meetings and events while also providing a hub for park visitors. Kyle Perrotti photo
 

Smokies Life celebrates ribbon cutting at new welcome center

One of the four nonprofit partners of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Smokies Life, now has a new home…
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Park Superintendent Cassius Cash said the parking tag program has overcome some early hiccups and continues to improve. Kyle Perrotti photo
 

GSMNP Superintendent talks visitation, parking tag program

Great Smokies Mountain National Park has seen new changes in recent years, from soaring record attendance placing it head and…
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Volunteers help clean the Tuck each year. File photo
 

WCU celebrates 40 years cleaning up the Tuckasegee River

For four decades, Western Carolina University has participated in a daylong effort of cleaning up a portion of Jackson County’s…
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During its inaugural year in 2023, attendance exceeded expectations as thousands came out to enjoy the spectacle. Donated photo
 

‘Bloom with a View’ returns to Arboretum

The North Carolina Arboretum is heralding spring’s arrival with the return of “Bloom with a View,” May 4-19. 
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Work has already begun on the Ramsey Cascades trail. Donated photo
 

Ramsey Cascades Trail closes on weekdays

The National Park Service (NPS) will close Ramsey Cascades Trail on weekdays while trail crews finish the full-scale rehabilitation work…
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Square-foot gardens require less work and take up less space. Donated photo
 

‘Square-foot gardening’ class is April 30

The Haywood County Extension Office is presenting a free class on “square-foot gardening,” a simple, versatile system that takes up…
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Lake J hosts annual plant sale
 

Lake J hosts annual plant sale

Lake Junaluska’s yearly plant sale is May 4. For sale will be a few thousand plants, including an assortment of…
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GSMNP to improve Gatlinburg entrance
 

GSMNP to improve Gatlinburg entrance

Great Smoky Mountains National Park received approximately $11 million in funding from the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund to rehabilitate…
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Jackson hosts youth tennis lessons
 

Jackson hosts youth tennis lessons

Youth Tennis Lessons at Mark Watson Park in Sylva will begin on May 4. 
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Disaster relief available due to drought
 

Disaster relief available due to drought

Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack declared a natural disaster in North Carolina based on losses caused by drought that occurred…
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River Eure, pictured here with Misfit Mountain dog Zennia, has worked in animal shelters in the past, but Koda was the first dog he’d fostered for the rescue. Kyle Perrotti photo
 

Welcome to Summer Camp: Rescue program provides a lifeline for four-legged friends during hardship

Summer camp. Memories of the great outdoors, new friends, fun adventures. But around Misfit Mountain in Haywood County, the rescue’s Summer…
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According to the planning board’s staff report, STR rental compliance consultant Granicus said there were 319 such rentals within Waynesville’s town limits in 2019, but 444 in 2021. Stock photo
 

Waynesville planning board to study short-term rental regulations

Seeking to balance the economic benefits of short-term vacation rentals with the negative effects they have on housing affordability in…
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More than 50 people started at the fountain below the Old Jackson County Courthouse to march in support of a Pride Parade. Lilly Knoepp/BPR photo
 

‘We will march’: Sylva community members support Pride Parade

On Thursday night, Sylva community members marched to the town council meeting to show their disappointment in a recent vote…
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From left to right, WCU students Lola Hickey, Zekariah Lackey, Anjili Romero and Yiqing Yang, associate professor of sociology. Donated photo
 

WCU Faculty, students collaborate on Health Equity Data Consortium

Although it has been four years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the effects are still being felt around the world,…
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The Pine Grove School was built in 1912. Donated photo
 

Macon County will not sell Pine Grove School

After extensive input from Macon residents who wanted to see the old Pine Grove School remain available for community use,…
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The Smoky Mountain Robotics Team took first place at the recent event in Charlotte. Donated photo
 

Smoky Mountain Robotics Team makes an award-winning impact

The Smoky Mountain Academic Robotics Team (SMART) brought home the Impact Award at the Mecklenburg District FIRST (For Inspiration and…
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A crowd gathered in 2023 at the Lake Junaluska amphitheater below the Cross to participate in Haywood County's National Day of Prayer service. The National Day of Prayer is designated as the first Thursday of May each year. Donated photo
 

Lake Junaluska to host National Day of Prayer

A National Day of Prayer service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 2, at the outdoor amphitheater below…
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Natalie Newman. File photo
 

Newman resigns from Sylva Town Council

Natalie Newman has been serving her community on five different boards and associations for the past several years, but announced…
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NC launches Haywood Homeownership Assistance Program
 

NC launches Haywood Homeownership Assistance Program

UPDATED April 29: NCORR has received over the program budget in interested applicants for the Homeowners Assistance Program. NCORR is pausing…
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Jackson County man convicted in fatal collision
 

Jackson County man convicted in fatal collision

An intoxicated Jackson County man who drove at a high rate of speed and careened into two other cars, killing…
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Haywood to conduct property reappraisals
 

Haywood to conduct property reappraisals

The Haywood County Tax Assessors Office is currently conducting a comprehensive reappraisal of all properties within the county for the…
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A rendering provided by developers shows what the proposed apartment buildings might look like.
 

Large apartment complex appears likely for Canton outskirts

The Town of Canton’s governing board will soon consider approval of a substantial residential project after the town’s planning board…
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The Well Drinkers will play Waynesville April 18. File photo
 

Bluegrass, Americana at Folkmoot

In conjunction with Haywood County’s “Carolina Heritage Weekend,” Folkmoot USA will present The Well Drinkers at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18,…
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Cracker will play Murphy April 13. File photo
 

Cracker, Kevn Kinney to rock Murphy

Legendary rockers Cracker and Kevn Kinney (of Drivin’ N’ Cryin’) will perform on Saturday, April 13, at the Murphy Music…
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World music in Franklin
 

World music in Franklin

The Ubuntu Choir of the Great Smoky Mountains will perform a program of uplifting music from around the world at…
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The NC Symphony will play Cherokee April 18. File photo
 

Cherokee welcomes NC Symphony

The North Carolina Symphony will host a special concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at the Chief Joyce Dugan…
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Mill Town Market back for second year at Sorrells Street Park
 

Mill Town Market back for second year at Sorrells Street Park

The season for farmers markets, with all their fresh produce, local vendors and community engagement, is right around the corner,…
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Intersectional Peonies, also known as Itoh peonies, possess attributes that make them highly desirable landscape plants. Donated photo
 

Festival of the Peonies in Bloom begins

Wildcat Ridge Farm is welcoming visitors throughout May to enjoy the peonies in bloom. 
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Stations throughout Cades Cove will feature presenters from both the park and the deaf community discussing the work that goes into protecting our shared heritage. Donated photo
 

American Sign Language Day programs offered at Cades Cove

Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s “Signs of Spring” event celebrating National American Sign Language Day will be back for the second year…
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The Earth Day 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run start and finish in the same location at The Outpost venue located right by Carrier Park in Asheville. Donated photo
 

Green Built Alliance announces annual Earth Day 5K

The nonprofit Green Built Alliance will host the second-annual Earth Day 5K, presented by Pine Gate Renewables on April 20. 
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Mingus Mill. File photo
 

Parking fees generate $10 million

In the first year since Great Smoky Mountains National Park launched the Park it Forward program, the fee has generated…
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Lakeview Drive road project to conclude
 

Lakeview Drive road project to conclude

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with funding from the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund, will finish the approximate $15.7…
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Jackson County announces bike rodeo
 

Jackson County announces bike rodeo

Join Jackson County Parks and Recreation for the department’s bike rodeo. 
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Smoky Mountain Beekeepers to talk pollinator gardens
 

Smoky Mountain Beekeepers to talk pollinator gardens

The Smoky Mountain Beekeepers are welcoming N.C. Extension Agent Minda Daughtry to talk about how to support bees and other…
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Haywood County hosts the Senior Games
 

Haywood County hosts the Senior Games

The senior games are coming to Haywood County beginning April 17, and adults 50 and older are invited to participate…
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Smokies' first dispensary to open: Cherokee's long-awaited marijuana venture to finally generate some green
 

Smokies' first dispensary to open: Cherokee's long-awaited marijuana venture to finally generate some green

The path to cannabis legalization on the Qualla Boundary has been riddled with roadblocks, some of which the Eastern Band…
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Jo Ellyn Woodward, right, a.k.a. The Blunt Queen, is the driving force behind the Stoner’s Ball. Donated photo
 

Stoner’s Ball brings legal high to Haywood County

The Stoner’s Ball is coming to Haywood County, but it may not be quite what people think. 
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Recreational cannabis remains unlikely in NC
 

Recreational cannabis remains unlikely in NC

In recent years, more and more states have made the decision to legalize, regulate and tax recreational cannabis products —…
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Board members (left to right) Tim Shepard, Ralph Hamlett, Zeb Smathers, Gail Mull and Kristina Proctor attend a budget workshop on April 8. Cory Vaillancourt photo
 

Canton budget hole, thanks to Pactiv, approaches $1 million

Ever since Pactiv Evergreen announced back on March 6, 2023, that it would shutter its paper mill in Canton, town…
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One person hospitalized after officer-involved shooting in Haywood County
 

One person hospitalized after officer-involved shooting in Haywood County

The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting with the Haywood County Sheriff’s office over the weekend.
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Tessa Sellers gained Gov. Roy Cooper’s appointment to Superior Court after winning a vote to appear on the ballot in November. File photo
 

Cooper makes appointment to fill WNC judicial vacancy

Gov. Roy Cooper has appointed a new Superior Court judge in Western North Carolina. 
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Duotech to expand in Macon
 

Duotech to expand in Macon

Almost 100 high-paying jobs are expected in Macon County with the expansion of Duotech Services, LLC. 
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Two unaffiliated Swain commission candidates make the cut
 

Two unaffiliated Swain commission candidates make the cut

Swain County now knows who will appear on the November General Election Ballot for county commissioner. 
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Cherokee man charged in wife’s murder from 10 years ago
 

Cherokee man charged in wife’s murder from 10 years ago

A Swain County man is facing a federal charge for allegedly killing his wife in 2013, announced Dena J. King…
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From left to right, Mike Parker, Tribal Council chairman; WCU Chancellor Kelli R. Brown; Carmaleta Monteith, chair of the CIHA Governing Board; and Casey Cooper, CIHA CEO and WCU Board of Trustees Member. Donated photo
 

WCU, Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority sign agreement for McKee Clinic funding

Throughout Western North Carolina, there is a critical need for pediatric psychologists to conduct testing and provide other resources needed…
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