A main entrée at Rivers & Rails Tavern: steak medallions with chimichurri sauce, roasted garlic mashed potatoes and garlic lemon wilted spinach.
 

Coast to Coast and Carolina, too: The Rivers & Rails Tavern opens in Dillsboro

Sitting at a table in the dining room of The Rivers & Rails Tavern in Dillsboro, Craig Szymanski looked out…
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Asbury Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains. (photo: Garret K. Woodward)
 

This must be the place: Olden times and ancient rhymes, of love and dreams to share

Though the baseboard heat was on in the living room, my downtown Waynesville apartment was quite chilly come Tuesday morning.…
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State releases new economic ranking for counties
 

State releases new economic ranking for counties

The North Carolina Department of Commerce released the county tier designations for 2021, showing that Haywood moved to a more…
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Coronavirus creeps into WNC nursing homes
 

Coronavirus creeps into WNC nursing homes

COVID-19 is surging in Western North Carolina counties, and eight nursing homes in Haywood, Jackson and Macon counties are currently…
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Jerry Wolfe was named Beloved Man of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in 2013, making him the first man to receive the honor in more than 200 years.
 

Jerry Wolfe Highway nears approval

UPDATE: The N.C. Board of Transportation unanimously approved the renaming during its Dec. 2 meeting.  The 4.2-mile stretch of U.S.…
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Shining Rock Classical Academy. A Shot Above photo
 

Shining Rock ends partnership with TeamCFA

Shining Rock Classical Academy’s Board of Directors recently voted to terminate its long-time partnership with TeamCFA, a national network of…
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F*ckface and Other Stories by Leah Hampton: the real stories of modern Appalachia
 

F*ckface and Other Stories by Leah Hampton: the real stories of modern Appalachia

The name of Leah Hampton’s new book will likely grab your attention. If it does, let it pull you in.…
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Few differences apparent in Haywood commission candidates
 

Few differences apparent in Haywood commission candidates

Round two of the Haywood County Republican Party’s candidate screening process is now complete, and after fielding more than two…
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The aquatic center would include a competition pool (pictured) as well as a leisure pool complete with splash pad, therapy pool and nets for both basketball and volleyball. ClarkNexsen rendering
 

Timeline announced for indoor pool project

After Jackson County voters narrowly approved a Nov. 4 referendum to bring an indoor pool to Cullowhee, the lanes are…
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The initial slope failure on Allen Street resulted in closure of a portion of the road, seen facing north on April 30. Kessel Engineering Group photos
 

Sylva grapples with slope failure fix

A 150-foot section of Allen Street in Sylva has been closed since April as the town board decides what to…
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COVID-19 cluster found at Hermitage Care
 

COVID-19 cluster found at Hermitage Care

Four people at Hermitage Assisted Living and Memory Care in Sylva have tested positive for COVID-19, constituting a new outbreak.
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Haywood NAACP holds diversity training for educators last fall.
 

Jackson NAACP Awarded $25K Grant

The Jackson County Branch of the North Carolina Conference of the NAACP was recently awarded a $25,000 grant from the…
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COVID-19 outbreaks at three Haywood living facilities
 

COVID-19 outbreaks at three Haywood living facilities

The Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency has identified COVID-19 outbreaks at Autumn Care of Waynesville, Maggie Valley Nursing…
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COVID-19 deaths in Jackson reach 10
 

COVID-19 deaths in Jackson reach 10

During the month of November thus far, three people diagnosed with COVID-19 have died in Jackson County, bringing the county’s…
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What is Watergate salad?
 

What is Watergate salad?

What’s in it? Does it really classify as a salad? Was it named after the infamous Watergate scandal? 
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Macon reports ninth COVID-related death
 

Macon reports ninth COVID-related death

A Macon County resident diagnosed with COVID-19 passed away Sunday. The person was over the age of 65 and had…
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Haywood reports 40th COVID-19 death
 

Haywood reports 40th COVID-19 death

Haywood County Health and Human Services has reported three more COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 24, bringing the county’s…
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Rare shrub seeds for sale
 

Rare shrub seeds for sale

Alarka Institute in Cowee is now selling seeds and young plants of the Franklinia, one of the most rare shrubs…
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Local climate group seeks new members
 

Local climate group seeks new members

Despite the pandemic, the recently formed WNC Climate Action Coalition is still hard at work.
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Blue Cross donates $275K to fight food insecurity
 

Blue Cross donates $275K to fight food insecurity

Blue Cross NC has contributed $275,000 to the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project this year to help combat food insecurity caused…
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Visitation has surged at Black Balsam in recent years, with the trail full of backpackers and retreating day hikers as sunset approached Saturday, Oct. 3. Holly Kays photo
 

Federal money coming to WNC public lands

Public lands in Western North Carolina are set to get a chunk of the $950 billion approved for deferred maintenance…
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Conservation groups sue over red wolf policy
 

Conservation groups sue over red wolf policy

A trio of conservation groups is suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for alleged violations of the Endangered Species…
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A young volunteer makes a face in a reflective piece of trash. Donated photo
 

Volunteers remove 1.8 tons of trash from Lake Chatuge

More than 50 volunteers showed up for MountainTrue’s 10th annual Lake Chatuge Shoreline Cleanup on Nov. 7, removing 1.8 tons…
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Frugal Backpacker closes Asheville store, moves online
 

Frugal Backpacker closes Asheville store, moves online

The beloved discount outdoor gear store The Frugal Backpacker has announced that it will close its stores in Asheville and…
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Tracing the human family tree
 

Tracing the human family tree

As someone who was an anthropology major in college and have been somewhat obsessed by the truth behind the idea…
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Abolishing college debt is unfair
 

Abolishing college debt is unfair

To the Editor: This is my first letter to the editor, ever.  So you know that I feel strongly enough…
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Those moving here threaten our lifestyle
 

Those moving here threaten our lifestyle

To the Editor: I read with understanding and sadness the article about people leaving the cities and moving to Western…
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Partnership provided valuable COVID data
 

Partnership provided valuable COVID data

To the Editor: Like government and business leaders across the country, I am continually looking for ways to help prevent…
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Prior elections had mail-in ballots
 

Prior elections had mail-in ballots

To the Editor: To counter the recent assertions from some suggesting that this past election was fraudulent and illegitimate, I…
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Be smart, and things don’t have to get worse
 

Be smart, and things don’t have to get worse

Let me wish each and every one of you a Happy Thanksgiving. Each year at the Passover celebration, there is…
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I am trying to understand
 

I am trying to understand

By Steve Wall • Guest Columnist | On Sept. 10, 2020, Donald Trump greeted a cheering crowd in Freeland, Michigan,…
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Shop local, be safe
 

Shop local, be safe

I’m semi-quarantining in the week leading up to Thanksgiving due to a potential exposure to COVID. At this very moment…
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Crews respond to the Chimney Tops overlook. NPS photo
 

Man dies following fall from Smokies overlook

An Alabama man is dead following a fall from an overlook in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.
 

Shop Local Saturday: Support local businesses onsite and online

By Boyd Allsbrook • Contributing writer | This year’s post-Thanksgiving weekend of shopping holidays will be unlike any other. This…
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More access proposed for Graveyard Fields
 

More access proposed for Graveyard Fields

The National Park Service announced it is partnering with the U.S. Forest Service on a project that includes a proposal…
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‘They deserve the best’: Culture is key to care for Cherokee geriatrician
 

‘They deserve the best’: Culture is key to care for Cherokee geriatrician

Blythe Winchester has known since a young age that she wanted to be a doctor. She remembers “doctoring” her dolls…
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An educational kiosk was recently installed at Nikwasi Mound in Franklin. Donated photo
 

Nikwasi Initiative moves forward with big plans

As November is recognized as Native American Heritage Month, it seemed like a perfect time for Nikwasi Initiative leaders to…
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Principal Chief Richard Sneed discusses the potential purchase in a video his office released Nov. 5. EBCI photo
 

Tribe considers Indiana casino purchase

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is hoping to close a deal to buy Caesars Southern Indiana Casino, with Tribal…
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Haywood County resident Stephanie Parsons tells commissioners that mask and vaccine mandates are unconstitutional. Screenshot from meeting
 

County applies for funds to renovate Clyde armory

Haywood County is applying for federal funds that would allow for a major renovation project at the Clyde armory building,…
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The new norm difficult for schools
 

The new norm difficult for schools

When the COVID-19 pandemic began spreading in North Carolina in March of 2020, public schools were forced to close their…
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The town center, the first section of the development to be built if approved, would feature a combination of residential and retail spaces. Nequette Architecture & Design rendering
 

Major development proposed for Cashiers crossroads

The face of Cashiers could change significantly if a proposed 55.52-acre development is approved. Planned as a mixed-use development in…
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Haywood GOP will fill commission vacancy
 

Haywood GOP will fill commission vacancy

A vacancy on the Haywood County Board of Commissioners will soon be filled, albeit through an unusual method that gives…
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Mark Letson (left) and Mark Jones.
 

Recount confirms Jones’ win in Jackson County

A recount of votes cast in the race for the District 4 seat on the Jackson County Board of Commissioners…
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Ashley Welch pictured in her office with her dog Bella. Donated photo
 

DA undergoes breast cancer treatment

District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch announced that she has breast cancer and is undergoing medical treatment.
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WCU presents femme-forward ‘Christmas Carol’
 

WCU presents femme-forward ‘Christmas Carol’

A Ghost of Christmas Past, femme-forward adaptation of Charles Dickens' ‘A Christmas Carol’ adapted by Ashlee Wasmund will premiere virtually…
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Lazy Hiker Brewing in Franklin.
 

Staying true to your roots: Lazy Hiker Brewing celebrates milestone, pushes ahead

It’s an unusually warm and sunny day for late November in Macon County. The patio tables at Lazy Hiker Brewing…
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Medicine Bow National Forest in Wyoming. (photo: Garret K. Woodward)
 

This must be the place: They’re cutting through the steady wind and landing on the ground

Like every Thanksgiving, I’ll figure something out.  With my family over 1,000 miles away back up in the North Country,…
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The Conards celebrate the dedication of their new Habitat home
 

Giving Tuesday - Q&A with Haywood Habitat for Humanity

Jamye Sheppard has been at the helm of Haywood Habitat for Humanity since 2014, but you may also remember her…
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Partner with these nonprofits to support the environment
 

Partner with these nonprofits to support the environment

As a writer focusing on the outdoors, some of my favorite people to work with are the ones who power…
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Eliada seeks holiday sponsors
 

Eliada seeks holiday sponsors

Eliada works hard to make the holidays a special time for the children in our care. This year, due to…
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