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Republicans on the hunt for Haywood commission seats
The only two seats that aren’t up for election on Haywood County’s five-member board of commissioners this November are both held by Republicans. The other three are currently held by Democrats, and have attracted two Democratic incumbents as well as a third Dem candidate seeking to maintain that majority.
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Haywood’s last female commissioner says we need more women in government
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there should be at least 31,614 women in Haywood County, but judging by this year’s commission race that number is actually zero.
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Tough fight expected in Haywood tax collector’s race
Incumbent Republican Tax Collector Mike Matthews is seeking re-election to an office many people don’t even think should be elected at all. In fact, Haywood County is home to the state’s only remaining elected tax collector.
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Macon commissioner incumbents run to keep seats
Two incumbent candidates running for re-election to the Macon County Board of Commissioners say they want to see the current board’s progress continue, but the two challengers — one Republican and one Democrat — say the county is moving in the wrong direction.
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Jackson sheriff faces challenge for second term
When former Sheriff Jimmy Ashe decided not to run for re-election in 2014, a field of six Democrats and three Republicans signed up for the race to replace him, including Chip Hall and Doug Farmer.
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Swain schools need expensive upgrades
Swain County Schools are looking at a long list of capital improvement needs to keep students safe and plan for…
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Raising boys and respecting women
As a child, I wanted to grow up and plan a big fancy wedding with a ruffly white dress, then…
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All amendments should be voted down
To the Editor: This fall's election will include six proposed amendments to the NC Constitution. All were drafted exclusively by…
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GOP brand has been tarnished
To the Editor: I was raised as a Republican and in my youth voted Republican. And I still concede that…
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Think about this come Election Day
To the Editor: On a religious broadcast, the host commented that 80 percent of Evangelical Christians voted for the current…
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The rule of law has prevailed
To the Editor: The column last week by Chris Cox does not address the question which is raised: “Is this…
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Brannon named Environmental Educator of the Year
The Highlands Biological Station and Nature Center’s Patrick Brannon was recently named 2018 Environmental Educator of the Year by the…
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Symbol of connection: A decade of collaboration yields 300-mile MST trail section
From towering mountains to shimmering seas, North Carolina has a little bit of everything — and for the trail that…
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Former Folkmoot director takes on Nature Center
Karen Babcock, former director of Folkmoot USA in Waynesville, has been hired as the WNC Nature Center’s new executive director.
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New Blue Ridge Parkway Association director hired
The Blue Ridge Parkway Association has hired Frederick “Tubby” Kubik as its new executive director, replacing previous director Tom Hardy,…
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New signs at Joyce Kilmer
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest now has a new trailhead map, replacing a sign that was previously stolen.
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Emerald ash borer found in Jackson County
The emerald ash borer has been found in Jackson County for the first time, making Jackson the 37th county in…
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Signs the Chinese are very good hoaxers
I’m sure many can remember what President Donald J. Trump, a legend in his own mind, has had to say…
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A start on that ever-growing pile of books
So many books, so little time. Many booklovers may have uttered that old saw with a sigh, but in my…
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This great life we wish to attend
When one is in pursuit of their dreams, once-feared obstacles become golden opportunities, where you see what it will take…
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Drifting back down to earth at the peak of beauty
With brightly colored leaves falling from nearby trees in my front yard, the mountains appearing in the morning fog, and…
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WNC goes to the polls
The 2018 Midterm Elections are upon us, and there is still time to register and learn where local and state candidates stand on important issues before early voting begins on Thursday, Oct. 18.
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Body of missing woman found in the Smokies
A week-long search for a missing woman in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park ended in tragedy Tuesday, Oct. 2,…
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New board leadership for Folkmoot
Folkmoot will say goodbye to one board president but welcome another after a late September meeting where new board members…
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Tribal budget looks to shrink spending
As the 2019 fiscal year begins for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the tribe is operating under a recently…
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‘Poverty simulation’ to be held at Mountain Projects
Mountain Projects, in conjunction with the Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency and the North Carolina Community Action Coalition,…
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Mountain Projects finds funds for health care enrollment
Worries last month over the potential defunding of local social service agency Mountain Projects’ Obamacare Navigator program became real when…
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New group forms to oppose N.C. 107 plan
During an Aug. 6 public hearing on the future of N.C. 107 in Sylva, Kel-Save owner Robert Kelley was the…
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Jackson commissioner challenges chairman
Ron Mau is still in the midst of his first term on the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, started in 2016, but this November he’s challenging incumbent Chairman Brian McMahan in McMahan’s bid for re-election.
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Sen. Davis up for fifth term
Franklin Republican Sen. Jim Davis is probably one of the most popular legislators in the state with his constituents, winning four straight elections and garnering support on the order of 75 percent in some counties.
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Sales tax hike back on the Swain ballot
Swain County is once again trying to increase its sales tax rate a quarter of a cent with the intent of putting additional revenue toward school improvements, but the final decision will be left up to voters.
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Three seats open on Swain commission
Six candidates are campaigning for three open seats on the Swain County Board of Commissioners — four of the candidates are competing for two seat while the other two are competing to fill a two-year unexpired seat left vacant by the death of David Monteith.
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Clampitt faces Queen for fourth time
While not quite reaching the level of Hatfield and McCoy, Western North Carolina’s longest running feud — that of Mike Clampitt and Joe Sam Queen — is no less competitive; after losses in 2012 and 2014, the Bryson City Republican Clampitt finally defeated the Waynesville Democrat Queen in 2016, and will predictably face him again this year in the race for House district 119.
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Schandevel challenges Presnell for state rep
Ask Canton native Rhonda Cole Schandevel why she’s running for House district 118 again after a disappointing yet decisive loss in 2016 and she’ll tell you, in not so many words.
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St. Paul warms the bones of Pisgah
Before Saturday night, I'd never heard of St. Paul & The Broken Bones. As such, I had no foresight of…
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Bethel student diagnosed with chickenpox
On the afternoon of Wednesday, Oct. 3, Haywood County Schools administration was notified by public health officials that a student…
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Is this the demeanor of a Supreme Court justice?
I did not go to college with Brett Kavanaugh, but I went to college at about the same time he…
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I’ll vote for candidates who support education
When I vote, I take a broad perspective. I care about the present and its immediate requirements, but I also…
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Shame on Raleigh for making teachers buy classroom supplies
By Lori Wright • Guest Columnist To all of my fellow teachers and parents, I only have one question: how much…
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Manafort worked against U.S. interests in Ukraine
To the Editor: In October of 2005, I arrived in Ukraine as a Peace Corps (PC) volunteer. At that time,…
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Voter fraud is indeed a real problem
To the Editor: Can we talk about voter fraud? It’s real, folks. And it’s spreading throughout North Carolina. I’m not…
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Economic system is a potent mix
To the Editor: We have seen, read, and heard a lot of fuss lately about the precipitous dangers of socialism…
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Thoughts on our elected leaders
To the Editor: We moved to Burnsville just over two years ago about two months before the 2016 election. When…
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Big political money is root of evil
To the Editor: About the political cartoon of September 12: Please don’t make horrible political divisions worse by repeating brain-bypassing,…
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Tax collector is doing a good job
To the Editor: Despite the best efforts of reporters, a newspaper article will not contain the entire story. This letter…
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Oil Nut, that most curious fruit
For Elizabeth and me, the fall season is one of the most invigorating times to get out in the woods…
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River access restored at Beechertown Road
Repairs have been completed to Beechertown Road and the Nantahala River access there in the Nantahala National Forest near Franklin.
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Agriculture losses from Florence top $1 billion
Initial estimates for crop damage and livestock losses in North Carolina due to Hurricane Florence are expected to top $1.1…
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Poor acorn crop leads to increased bear encounters
A nighttime breath of fresh air turned traumatic for 75-year-old Swannanoa resident Toni Rhegness when she spotted three bear cubs…
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