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Fall event cancellations announced
With rising case counts showing that the Coronavirus Pandemic is far from over, a new round of cancellation announcements has…
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Who is your neighbor? Being Black in Waynesville
By Brandi Hinnant-Crawford • Guest Columnist | In 2014, on my 30th birthday, I got a call from my former department head…
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Haywood County Schools needs some lessons
To the Editor: I am writing this to the Haywood County School Board and the citizens of Haywood County. My…
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Advice for those ‘Walking Through Hell’
Many among us have committed crimes or wronged other people, dark deeds which we regret and which may well have…
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The abstract beauty of humanity: A conversation with painter Avery Rowan
If you’ve ever spent time in New Orleans, Louisiana, you know all too well the grandiose nature and immense splendor…
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This must be the place: Staring out at nothing, listening to an old dog bark
I’m currently sitting at the old kitchen table in my parents’ 1840 farmhouse in Upstate New York. Our family dog,…
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Artist grants now available
Artists in all disciplines are eligible to apply for grants to support their professional and artistic development through a partnership…
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Take it down? Crowds turn out in Sylva to oppose, support Confederate statue
July 11 dawned hot and sunny over the 131-year-old town of Sylva, sweltering rays pouring heat in equal fashion over…
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Protests were peaceful, but traffic caused problems
It was a long day, but July 11 was a success from the perspective of law enforcement, said Police Chief…
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Public sounds off on Confederate monument
Jackson County Commissioners saw a precursor to the intense public discussion ahead of them when 16 people gave public comment…
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Legal observers were present at Sylva demonstrations
Protests, rallies and marches have become commonplace in Western North Carolina over the past six weeks, but dueling demonstrations in…
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Turnaround time longer for COVID-19 test results
As more tests for COVID-19 pour into laboratories across the state, the time taken to get results continues to increase.
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Jackson County Schools plan for reopening
This week the debate has raged over whether — and how — to reopen schools next month. President Donald Trump has…
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Two COVID-related deaths reported in Jackson
The Jackson County Department of Public Health has confirmed that two recent deaths in Jackson County residents are related to…
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NC schools to reopen Aug. 17 as state remains in Phase 2
After weeks of speculation, Gov. Roy Cooper announced July 14 that North Carolina would again remain in Phase 2 of…
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Haywood School Board decides fate of superintendent who posted racially insensitive meme
After a social media post regarded by some as racially insensitive, Haywood County’s superintendent of schools has been temporarily relieved…
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Nonprofit grants available for COVID-19 relief
Nantahala Health Foundation has announced a call for grant proposals directed at regional nonprofits and governmental agencies with immediate needs,…
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Of 117 COVID cases in Haywood, 94 are recovered
Haywood County Public Health received notice on July 10 of two new cases of COVID-19. This brings the number of…
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Haywood schools develop summer programs
House Bill 1043 requires school systems to develop a Remediation and Summer Jump Start Plan for the 2020-2021 school year.…
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Successful search and rescue effort for lost hikers
The search for missing hikers Kelly and Mark Kleinbrahm and their son Noah ended successfully Tuesday afternoon around 1 p.m.…
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Health officials urge people with symptoms to get tested
Haywood County Public Health received notice on July 9 of six new cases of COVID-19. This brings the number of…
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COVID-19 cluster found at Macon County farm
Macon County Public Health has identified a cluster of 9 people who have tested positive at Norton Creek Farms. Employees…
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Sylva votes to prohibit Confederate imagery on town property
The Sylva Town Board approved a resolution tonight that creates a policy to prohibit the use of Confederate imagery on…
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Hemp farmers growing business in Macon
The Franklin Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony at Appalachian Growers located in the Cowee Valley.
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New assistant DA hired for western counties
District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch announced Wednesday that Michael Macht has joined the 43rd Prosecutorial District as an assistant district…
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WCU police chief runner-up in Campus Safety awards
Western Carolina University Chief of Police Steve Lillard was named national runner-up in the higher education division of Campus Safety…
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Haywood surpasses 100 COVID-19 cases
Haywood County Public Health received notice on July 8 of two new cases of COVID-19. This brings the number of…
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Scarlet tanagers spar in song
This seems to be a scarlet tanager kind of year. I’ve been seeing and hearing them at my house, along…
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Sanitation supplies available for farmers markets
A new campaign from EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems aims to make farmers markets safer for the public and vendors alike.
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DuPont considers entry fees
Visitors to DuPont State Recreation Forest could have to pay an entrance fee in the future following Gov. Roy Cooper’s…
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Trees for sale
Tree seedlings are now available from the N.C. Forest Service, with nearly 50 species of conifers, hardwoods and native understory…
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Freedom on foot: Cashiers man shares trail running passion through guide company
These days, Brendon Voelker’s life revolves around running, but eight years ago the Texas native was still struggling to complete…
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Tribe receives USFS grant for forest management
A grant from the U.S. Forest Service will help the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians expand and connect the Hall…
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Smokies creates emergency manager position
Liz Hall has been selected as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s first emergency manager.
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Garden offers music-filled summer evenings
The popular ArborEvenings after-hours series at the N.C. Arboretum will return this year with a toy-filled twist.
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In her own words
If you’re like me and are interested in or curious about the day-to-day life and especially the early life of…
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Half of 2020 is behind us, thank goodness
I was walking my animal last night at sunset, enjoying the evening views and cool temps, thinking back to the…
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Wishful thinking won’t get us out of this
Before wading into the murk of America’s bizarre tug of war with itself in the year of COVID-19, let’s first…
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Act now and vote absentee
To the Editor: I hope every eligible North Carolina resident plans to vote in the November election; the opportunity to…
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Trump is not fit for office
To the Editor: Major news sources inform us that Russian operatives have paid mercenaries to kill American soldiers in Afghanistan.…
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Economic development boom in Maggie Valley
After years of languishing in the shadows of a shuttered amusement park, Maggie Valley’s west end is now seeing substantial…
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Entwined with slavery: A brief local history
By Peter H. Lewis • AVL Watchdog | By 1860, about 15 percent of the population of Western North Carolina was enslaved. Only…
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COVID-19 cases curving up again
Haywood County Medical Director Dr. Mark Jaben has been keeping residents updated through the COVID-19 Pandemic with weekly video messages…
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SCC supports mask distribution efforts
On Monday, June 22, Southwestern Community College hosted Nantahala Health Foundation representatives as they set up a mask distribution site…
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WCU disbands Board of Visitors
Western Carolina University’s Board of Visitors no longer exists following the WCU Board of Trustees’ vote June 5 to repeal…
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Elliott to retire from Jackson Schools
After two years in the position, Jackson County Public Schools Superintendent Kim Elliott will retire as head of the school…
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Franklin restaurant wants to expand outdoor seating
As the Coronavirus Pandemic continues to impact local businesses, restaurants and bars have been trying to look for ways to…
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"Sylva Sam" draws debate at commissioner meeting
The public comment portion of tonight’s meeting of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners drew 16 people who spoke for…
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Don’t know where I’m going, all I know is where I’ve gone: Isaac Gibson of 49 Winchester
Hailing from the Southern Appalachian backwoods of Castlewood, Virginia (population: 2,045), 49 Winchester is a rapidly rising alt-country/rock act. For…
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This must be the place: Ain’t it funny how you feel, when you’re findin’ out it’s real?
Much like New Year’s Eve, the Fourth of July is one of those holidays that everyone you know will definitely…
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