Kathye Shuman with her mother Meg Jones.
 

COVID-19 vaccine means getting back to ‘normal’

People who have been fully vaccinated can start to do some things they had stopped doing because of the pandemic,…
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Waynesville resident Sammie Conner is leery of getting one of the still-new COVID shots but plans to continue taking precautions while the pandemic persists. Donated photo
 

‘I don’t feel like it’s safe’: For many, concerns about long-term impacts drive vaccine hesitancy

When the pandemic first hit, Waynesville resident Sammie Conner was so scared of contracting COVID-19 that she wouldn’t even go…
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EMS Supervisor Toby Moore vaccinates Mike Taylor during a January clinic for employees of Jackson County Public Schools. David Profitt/JCPS photo
 

Vaccine hesitancy could impact employers, employees

The last time Americans lived through a global pandemic, the field of employment law wasn’t nearly as developed as it…
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Man pleads guilty in Haywood
 

Man pleads guilty in Haywood

A Buncombe County man pleaded guilty April 6 to two counts of first-degree statutory sexual offense and four counts of…
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Jackson County Senior Planner John Jeleniewski presents his staff report on The Bluffs development proposed by Southern Properties and Development LLC. Holly Kays photo
 

Sylva denies one apartment application, approves another

Despite gusting winds and a temperature of 42 degrees at the time the three-hour meeting began — it was 37…
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Lunsford pleads no contest to one count of animal cruelty
 

Lunsford pleads no contest to one count of animal cruelty

More than 16 months after animal cruelty allegations were filed against Haywood resident James Lunsford, justice has finally been served. 
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Lottery-funded renovation coming to former Central Elementary
 

Lottery-funded renovation coming to former Central Elementary

Students enrolled in Haywood County Schools’ exceptional children’s program will soon have a new home at no taxpayer expense. 
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Roberta Swank (middle) is presented with the 2021 Macon Matriarch Award from Women’s History Trail members Anne Hyder (left) and Claire Claire Suminski. Karen Lawrence photo
 

Swank named Macon Matriarch

By Theresa Ramsey • Guest writer | The Women’s History Trail project of the Folk Heritage Association of Macon County…
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Barbara Mcrae stands in the doorway of one of a sculpture at The Bascom in Highlands. Donated photo
 

A woman with vision: Barbara McRae leaves her mark on Macon County

Barbara McRae loved history — learning about it, sharing it with others and making it herself.  The long-time community organizer lost…
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A temporary, 500-slot pre-launch gaming facility will open this summer in Kings Mountain. Donated image
 

Kings Mountain gaming to start this summer

A federal lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Interior’s decision to allow the South Carolina-based Catawba Indian Nation  to build a…
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WCU clinic to provide its 10,000th vaccine
 

WCU clinic to provide its 10,000th vaccine

Western Carolina University’s regional COVID-19 vaccine clinic will deliver its 10,000th vaccine to a student around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April…
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Robert Rauschenberg, ‘Bubba’s Sister from the Ruminations.’
 

‘Connecting Legacies’: New art exhibit shines light on Black Mountain College

From 1933-1957, Black Mountain College was formed and thrived within the context of its seemingly unconventional methods and ways, only…
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The old Tacoma in the North Country.
 

This must be the place: I never ever saw the stars so bright, in the farmhouse, things will be alright

It was a flood of memories I hadn’t thought of in years. There I was on a date with this…
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Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Cullowhee.
 

WNC Tomorrow Black Oral History Project

Western Carolina University’s Special and Digital Collections at Hunter Library has digitized a collection of interviews conducted between 1986-1989 with…
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Responding from a number of jurisdictions, emergency vehicles lined up outside the mill's gates.
 

Fire at Canton mill contained

A potentially dangerous situation at the Evergreen Packaging paper mill in Canton earlier today is under control.
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Emergency vehicles line Champion Drive around noon on April 5.
 

First responders monitoring situation at Canton mill

Emergency services workers from several jurisdictions were responding this morning to reports of a fire at Evergreen Packaging’s Canton papermill.
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Haywood County COVID-19 update
 

Haywood County COVID-19 update

“To date, over 18,000 people in Haywood County are at least partially vaccinated. Mass vaccination efforts have been running smoothly,…
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CDC Extends Moratorium on Renter Evictions to June 30
 

CDC Extends Moratorium on Renter Evictions to June 30

Just as it was about to expire at the end of March, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…
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Dillsboro break-ins prompt caution for Jackson County businesses
 

Dillsboro break-ins prompt caution for Jackson County businesses

Sylva Police Chief Chris Hatton is urging local businesses to secure their buildings after multiple Dillsboro restaurants were broken into…
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Latino vaccine clinic to take place April 4
 

Latino vaccine clinic to take place April 4

The International Friendship Center, the Community Care Clinic of Highlands-Cashiers and Vecinos have hosted six weekly Latino COVID-19 vaccine clinics…
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Violet Lemon Pound Cake
 

Violet Lemon Pound Cake

As spring gets underway, Violet Season is officially here. Violets are some of my favorite spring flowers, for they signal…
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Easter then and now
 

Easter then and now

Growing up, my family had a little blue and white camper at Ocean Lakes Campground in Surfside Beach, South Carolina.…
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Spring & Easter Events
 

Spring & Easter Events

Easter Celebrations
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Self-care Tips for Stress Awareness Month
 

Self-care Tips for Stress Awareness Month

Chronic stress can cause depression, anxiety, insomnia headaches and other symptoms that affect our health. During Stress Awareness Month in…
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Dating an adult on the spectrum
 

Dating an adult on the spectrum

By Heather Nation Editor’s note: In recognizing World Autism Awareness Day April 2, we typically think of parents’ stories of…
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R&R on the Outer Banks
 

R&R on the Outer Banks

When my mom told me she wanted to rent a beach house somewhere for a week just for her, me…
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Revamped Bryson City market to start in May
 

Revamped Bryson City market to start in May

The farmers market in Bryson City is growing, with Swain County Cooperative Extension and the Swain County Tourism Development Authority…
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Podcast series explores Black Appalachian music
 

Podcast series explores Black Appalachian music

A six-part podcast mini-series exploring the intersection of Black history and Southern Appalachian music through the Great Smoky Mountains Association…
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The Storybook Trail of the Smokies will wind against a backdrop of peaceful forest and rushing waterways. NPS photos
 

Read through the woods: Storybook Trail promotes literacy and nature

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park hopes to help visitors experience the Smokies story in a new way thanks to…
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Ramsey Prong Bridge is in need of replacement, but supply delays are extending the project’s timeline. NPS photo
 

Road closures extended in Greenbrier

A delay in supplies for the Ramsey Prong Bridge replacement project is causing an extended closure for Ramsey Prong Road…
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Even as a drive-thru, Winter Lights drew high attendance
 

Even as a drive-thru, Winter Lights drew high attendance

The first-ever drive-thru Winter Lights experience at the N.C. Arboretum brought record numbers of people to see the bright holiday…
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Book details atrocities in Chinese factories
 

Book details atrocities in Chinese factories

Historically, and presently, the women at Masanjia experienced worse torture and degradation than men. The guards would jam and twist…
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Compromise on new jail project urged
 

Compromise on new jail project urged

Bob Clark • Guest Columnist | The request to the Haywood County commissioners from the Sheriff’s Department for $15 million…
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Emerging from a difficult year of COVID-19
 

Emerging from a difficult year of COVID-19

By Dr. J. Scott Hinkle • Guest Columnist | The COVID-19 crisis is winding down. This time last year we…
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Our republic’s future depends on virtue
 

Our republic’s future depends on virtue

To the Editor: I’m beginning to understand what Benjamin Franklin meant when encountering a woman on the street following the…
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Educational system is in real trouble
 

Educational system is in real trouble

To the Editor: I have often been critical of our educational system for being more enamored of trendy fashions than…
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Long overdue regulation bans rebel flag in Haywood County Schools
 

Long overdue regulation bans rebel flag in Haywood County Schools

J.D. Moore started his first year at Tuscola in 1999. He was an athlete, played football and basketball. He learned…
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Sen. Corbin again leads health care push
 

Sen. Corbin again leads health care push

With the support of a bi-partisan panel including commissioners from Macon and Graham counties as well as the head of…
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Reps. Clampitt, Pless make big ask for mental health
 

Reps. Clampitt, Pless make big ask for mental health

Filed in the General Assembly on March 15, House Bill 280  contains only 112 words, but if it gains legislative…
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Papadosio.
 

Just like the days: Papadosio celebrates milestone with Haywood drive-in show

In its 15 years together, Papadosio has remained on a steady, upward trajectory as one of the premier jam-bands currently…
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Preservation Pub, Knoxville. (photo: Garret K. Woodward)
 

This must be the place: Look in the mirror, who do you see? Someone familiar, surely not me

The sound of thunder and a heavy rain awoke me from a deep slumber. Opening my eyes, I relaxed into…
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William Rogers (far left).
 

Interested in metal art?

A new grant from the Center for Craft is supporting an effort to share traditional metal working techniques with the…
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Room tax increases proposed for Haywood, Bryson City
 

Room tax increases proposed for Haywood, Bryson City

Western North Carolina Republicans have introduced a bill in the General Assembly that would result in substantial changes to the…
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New tax values, fire protection costs drive rate discussion
 

New tax values, fire protection costs drive rate discussion

With the 2021 property revaluation now complete, Jackson County’s taxable value will rise nearly 20 percent over the value established…
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DWA leader announces retirement
 

DWA leader announces retirement

Downtown Waynesville Association Executive Director Buffy Phillips has apparently told members of the DWA executive board that she plans to…
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The newly unveiled vision for a road trip themed development along Interstate 40 in Sevierville is expected to welcome visitors starting in 2022. Donated rendering
 

Tribe approves $35 million for Sevier County project

Tribal Council voted 11-1 this month to allocate an additional $35 million toward a Kituwah LLC development project along Interstate…
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Tribe approves allocation plan for commercial gaming profits
 

Tribe approves allocation plan for commercial gaming profits

By unanimous vote, Tribal Council approved an allocation plan for future revenues from the Southern Indiana Casino during its monthly…
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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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