Mountain Pediatrics re-opens Canton office
 

Mountain Pediatrics re-opens Canton office

Mountain Pediatric Group’s Canton location, temporarily closed during the pandemic, has now reopened and is accepting new patients. 
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Transparency efforts underway for cops, teachers, other gov’t employees
 

Transparency efforts underway for cops, teachers, other gov’t employees

For the very first time, the North Carolina General Assembly will consider giving the public meaningful access to personnel records…
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Dr. Dana Ayers
 

New leadership for Jackson County Schools

Jackson County Schools Board of Education has selected Dr. Dana Ayers as its new superintendent beginning June 1. 
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Glenn and Evelyn Bannerman both died of COVID-19, 17 days apart.
 

COVID-19: Those We've Lost

By Sally Kestin | Asheville Watchdog They taught students in school, delivered the mail, advised Congress, and served the country in…
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Developers plan to breathe new life into Maggie Valley's Ghost Town in the Sky.
 

Ghost Town developers reach major milestone

In another encouraging sign of progress, ownership of the land upon which Maggie Valley’s Ghost Town in the Sky amusement…
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Vaccine distribution update from Haywood
 

Vaccine distribution update from Haywood

Key Updates: Haywood County has opened vaccination to all groups eligible under North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services…
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Macon reports two more COVID-related deaths
 

Macon reports two more COVID-related deaths

Macon County Public Health received notification that two Macon County residents diagnosed with COVID-19 have passed away.
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Detour Allows Crews to Finish Dillsboro Bridge
 

Detour Allows Crews to Finish Dillsboro Bridge

SYLVA – Just one short phase remains before a major bridge project in Jackson County is functionally complete.
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Environmental Review Process Complete for Corridor K
 

Environmental Review Process Complete for Corridor K

A major milestone has been reached in the planning phase of a project to improve Corridor K in Graham County.
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A History of the Food Pyramid
 

A History of the Food Pyramid

Have you ever felt confused when looking at any of the several iterations of the food pyramid? You’re not alone.…
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Q&A With Nutritionist Jennie Boothroyd
 

Q&A With Nutritionist Jennie Boothroyd

Dietician and nutritionist Jennie Boothroyd of Canton recently took time to answer some burning questions women have about nutrition and…
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Suzanne & Ricardo, owners of Wildcat Ridge Farm
 

Ways To Celebrate Spring in WNC

With warmer weather and some COVID-19 restrictions lifting in North Carolina, there are plenty of opportunities to get outside this…
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Stop Asian Hate
 

Stop Asian Hate

To the Editor: As a member of the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community in Jackson County, the attack…
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Canceling our freedom of speech
 

Canceling our freedom of speech

To the Editor: Protecting our freedom of speech may be one circumstance where liberals, conservatives, Republicans, Democrats, Independents virtually all…
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Vaccination volunteers, staff were wonderful
 

Vaccination volunteers, staff were wonderful

To the Editor: I can’t recall ever writing a letter to the editor in all my 64 years; but I…
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A healthy, diverse media landscape is a good thing
 

A healthy, diverse media landscape is a good thing

We who live in Western North Carolina are fortunate in many ways. We know that. It’s a beautiful place with…
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Finally, back to school for all
 

Finally, back to school for all

I’ve missed chaotic mornings fighting for the bathroom, looking for shoes under beds, packing lunches, slinging bagels in the toaster…
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Seagrass declining on N.C. coast
 

Seagrass declining on N.C. coast

A recently published report shows significant loss in seagrass along the North Carolina coast. 
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New StoryWalk in Cashiers
 

New StoryWalk in Cashiers

The new Cashiers Greenway Ramble StoryWalk is now complete, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Friday, April 2, set…
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New leadership at Jackson County Schools
 

New leadership at Jackson County Schools

  Jackson County Schools Board of Education has selected Dr. Dana Ayers as its new superintendent beginning June 1. 
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This cicada hatched in 2015 as part of Brood IV. It belongs to the species Magicicada cassinii, which is similar to, but distinct from, the Magicicada septendecim species that occurs in Western North Carolina. Greg Holmes photo
 

Year of the cicada: After 17 years, large cicada brood will emerge aboveground

This spring, the eastern United States will play host to one of nature’s great marvels — periodical cicadas, mysterious insects…
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Become a trail maintainer
 

Become a trail maintainer

Help keep WNC’s hiking trails in shape by joining on of the Carolina Mountain Club’s many ongoing maintenance crews. 
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Weigh in on Waynesville greenway project
 

Weigh in on Waynesville greenway project

A new project in Waynesville involving the Richland Creek Greenway and new park property across Richland Creek in front of…
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Wildlife Commission approves rule changes
 

Wildlife Commission approves rule changes

During its business meeting Feb. 25, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission reviewed proposed rule changes and accepted 40 of them. 
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Newfound Gap Road named All-American Road
 

Newfound Gap Road named All-American Road

Newfound Gap Road has been designated an All-American Road, joining the Blue Ridge Parkway in claiming a designation that recognizes…
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5 Ways to Burn More Fat While Running
 

5 Ways to Burn More Fat While Running

With spring in the air, we’re dusting off those running shoes and hitting the pavement. If your goals as a…
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Taking a vacation with Nicholas Sparks
 

Taking a vacation with Nicholas Sparks

February and early March were a little rough on your reviewer. We got slammed with some bad weather — snow…
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How can it be wrong if it grows wild: An afternoon with Songs From The Road Band
 

How can it be wrong if it grows wild: An afternoon with Songs From The Road Band

On March 14, 2020, Songs From The Road Band jumped onstage in the backroom of the Wicked Weed Funkatorium in…
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This must be the place: We sit together forever, by the color TV glow, telling stories, allegories
 

This must be the place: We sit together forever, by the color TV glow, telling stories, allegories

Stepping out of my old apartment in downtown Waynesville on Monday afternoon, I placed my old laundry basket on the…
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Hospitals offer incentives to attract providers
 

Hospitals offer incentives to attract providers

In 2019, registered nurses were listed as the third most in-demand job in the U.S., and even though enrollment in…
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Haywood Community College students work with a simulation lab ‘patient.' HCC photo
 

Growing the pipeline: Amid pandemic, educators train new generation of healthcare professionals

As a respiratory therapist, Bruce Moyle is trained to deliver breathing therapies to people who struggle to draw oxygen. As…
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A nursing student at Haywood Community College practices his skills on a                        simulation lab dummy. HCC photo
 

Nursing students find purpose amid difficulties of pandemic

For students in the nursing program at Western Carolina University, the Coronavirus Pandemic sauntered into their world during spring break…
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As cases recede, health experts urge caution
 

As cases recede, health experts urge caution

Vaccination numbers have nearly doubled in the four-county area of Haywood, Jackson, Swain and Macon counties over past month and…
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Tony Cope (left) and Bill Wilkie.
 

Early start for 2022 Haywood sheriff’s race

It’s been an open secret for a while now, but two-term incumbent Democratic Sheriff of Haywood County Greg Christopher made…
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As proposed, The Bluffs would add 150 bedrooms in a three-building, 75-unit apartment complex on Savannah Drive.  Martin Riley Associates image
 

Two apartment projects proposed for Sylva

A pair of public hearings slated for April 1 will determine the fate of two proposed apartment developments in Sylva. 
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Waynesville greenway survey needs your input
 

Waynesville greenway survey needs your input

The Town of Waynesville’s chances at being awarded a $500,000 grant for greenway infrastructure could drastically improve — with your…
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Casino employees stand ready to take the first bets at The Book in Cherokee. Harrah’s Cherokee photo
 

Sports betting opens at Harrah’s

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ new sports betting venue is now open following a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Thursday, March…
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WNC schools to finish school year in person
 

WNC schools to finish school year in person

North Carolina State legislators have voted to send more students back to in-person learning with the passage of Senate Bill…
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Investigators are seeking the public's help identifying the suspect.
 

Blue Ridge Parkway seeks help in identifying armed robbery suspect

National Park Service officials are seeking help from the public in identifying a suspect believed to be connected to a…
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Gov. Roy Cooper speaks during a March 23 press conference.
 

More COVID restrictions lifted in NC

As coronavirus case counts continue to decline and vaccination totals continue to rise, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper issued a…
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Restrictive Dieting Isn't The Answer
 

Restrictive Dieting Isn't The Answer

My friend wants to start the keto diet to lose weight. I asked her, “Why would you want to try…
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The drive-thru clinic operates at the Jackson County Department on Aging.
 

Jackson opens vaccine registration to all groups, WCU to follow

Anyone 18 or older can now schedule a vaccine appointment with the Jackson County Department of Public Health, regardless of…
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Sylva police arrest suspected drug trafficker
 

Sylva police arrest suspected drug trafficker

A Georgia resident suspected of supplying illegal drugs to the local community was arrested last week after a Sylva Police…
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Haywood County reports 94th COVID-19 death
 

Haywood County reports 94th COVID-19 death

Haywood County Health and Human Services have received notice of another COVID-19 death, bringing the total number now to 94.
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Jackson moves to new online vaccine scheduling portal
 

Jackson moves to new online vaccine scheduling portal

The Jackson County Department of Public Health (JCDPH) has transitioned to a new online scheduling portal, https://myspot.nc.gov/. To make an…
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Sheriff Greg Christopher, pictured here in 2017, confirmed a longstanding rumor today.
 

Haywood Sheriff Greg Christopher won’t seek reelection

It’s been an open secret for a while now, but two-term Democratic Sheriff of Haywood County Greg Christopher made it…
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More rabid raccoons found in Macon County
 

More rabid raccoons found in Macon County

Macon County has identified an additional rabies positive raccoon, bring the total of rabies positive wildlife detected in Macon County…
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Come Hell or High Water, Asheville Is Climate 'Winner'
 

Come Hell or High Water, Asheville Is Climate 'Winner'

By Tom Fiedler | Asheville Watchdog — Back in 2006, when Scott Shuford was Asheville’s planning director, he reluctantly accepted a…
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Palmer pleads guilty to murder
 

Palmer pleads guilty to murder

Thomas “Tommy” Glenn Palmer, 38, recently admitted in a Jackson County courtroom he shot and killed his stepfather, Tim Norris,…
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Go For A Walk And Look For The Overlooked Truths: Remembering Barbara McRae
 

Go For A Walk And Look For The Overlooked Truths: Remembering Barbara McRae

By Lilly Knoepp — Growing up in Franklin, Barbara McRae was everywhere. It felt like she has always been in…
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