Macon County Public Health has identified a COVID-19 cluster of positive cases in an area church located in Franklin.

Town Manager Robert Hites announced that he has appointed Jesse D. Fowler as Waynesville’s Assistant Town Manager. Fowler is currently serving as a Planner for the Town.

Western Carolina University is among the institutions of higher education that will be participating in “North Carolina Countdown to College,” an annual campaign to support college access through the waiving of standard application fees.

Macon County Public Health has identified possible exposure to COVID-19 among those who attended a volleyball game at Franklin High School gym from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 10.

Statement by Biden for President Campaign Manager Jen O'Malley Dillon:

For fun Halloween treats and more, visit ingles-markets.com/recipes.

To the Editor:

Recent letters have railed against a Democratic plan to make America into a “socialist country.” History shows that part of that plan has already succeeded. In the proceeding 75 years Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, clean water legislation, housing subsidies, disabilities protections, and welfare in various forms have all become part of American life. These programs and a hundred more like them have formed the basis of our modern American society.

To the Editor:

On a full-page ad in the October 7 edition of The Smoky Mountain News, Joe Biden supporters cited their reasons for being Biden supporters. Mistakenly, their reasons have nothing to do with Joe Biden’s agenda.

To the Editor:

I received several campaign ads for Thom Tillis over the past several weeks. The ads say “I’ve cut your taxes before — and I’ll cut your taxes again, and again, because you deserve to keep more of your hard-earned money.”

To the Editor:

Recently we have read about the discovery of the universe black hole by astronomers. The United States is about to enter a black hole of our own if Joe Biden and Kamala Harris win the presidential election.

To the Editor:

If you’re a Republican planning to steal the election, here’s how you do it.

To the Editor:

As a Jackson County resident, I am excited to vote for the indoor pool at the Jackson County Recreation Center. This pool could be used for so many activities such as swimming, pool parties, exercise classes, water aerobics, SUP yoga, and serve the needs of many people who suffer from medical conditions and injuries.

Several years of research, compilation and collaboration by two writers from Western Carolina University have resulted in a scholarly book about Horace Kephart, a pivotal and sometimes controversial figure in the region from the early 20th century. 

Haywood County water treatment plants received top honors among the 55 plants honored statewide with the N.C. Area Wide Optimization Award for surpassing state and federal drinking water standards in 2019. 

Two lifeguards at the Waynesville Recreation Center have been officially certified as American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructors.

Friends of the Smokies raised $53,000 to support the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the second annual Smokies Cup, held Sept. 17-19 at the Biltmore Sporting Clays Club.

By Carrie Griffin

We opened 828 Market 15 months ago.  We’ve really enjoyed making soups for the market.  We’ve just eased back in to making them since shutting down the kitchen due to Covid and it’s bringing back memories of which soups guests liked and the stories they’d tell me about soup recipes they grew up with.  Seems like soup and memories go hand in hand.

Early voting runs from Thursday, Oct. 15 through Oct. 31. Early voting sites in The Smoky Mountain News coverage area will include:

Haywood County Health and Human Services is reporting four COVID-19 deaths. The individuals died within the last few weeks either at Mission Health or at Haywood Regional Medical Center. 

Haywood County Health Director, Patrick Johnson, recently confirmed that two residents of Haywood County has been diagnosed with La Crosse Encephalitis Virus (LACV).

Whittier resident Billy Hicks, 48, is being held without bond in the Jackson County Detention Center after his wife Danielle Hicks, 34, died as the result of a gunshot wound.

Macon County Public Health has identified  a cluster of employees at the Macon County Sheriff’s Office who have tested positive for COVID-19.

NC MedAssist is partnering with Swain County Health Department to host a Mobile Free Pharmacy event, providing residents in need with free over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Such items include cough and cold medicine, vitamins, allergy medication, first aid supplies, etc. This partnership comes at a crucial time, when remaining healthy and stopping the spread of germs is more essential than ever.

An initiative by Cyndy Caravelis, associate professor of criminology and criminal justice at Western Carolina University, will include a pilot program to use a therapy dog to aid domestic violence victims and their families in Jackson County. 

Life in quarantine is hard. 2020 is hard. And if you’re feeling the stress and pain and heartache of this year, I suggest you write it out.

By Heather Hyatt Packer • Guest Columnist | When our government leaders deliberately mislead or lie to us, there is no immediate consequence. We would never hire or retain an employee who lacks personal integrity or responsibility, yet we seem to accept that the lack of integrity in political leadership is the norm — even at the local level. 

To the Editor:

“I hope they both die” are words expressed by some lefty Trump haters when they heard that President Trump and the first lady tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. This attitude is no surprise because the name calling, scandal tattling, mocking, dredging up of prior comments and false accusations are what we are subjected to from some supporters on both sides.

To the Editor:

I recently received a mailer from the Trump campaign purportedly to tell the truth about what Trump has accomplished. However, several of Trump’s accomplishments were omitted in the brochure.

To the Editor:

I noticed in your Sept. 30 edition that all your letters to the editor are nothing but political ads catering to the socialist left. Also they contain many lies.

To the Editor:

Trump tends to project onto others what he is planning to do or has done. When he says that Democrats can’t win the election without cheating, what he really means is that he needs to cheat to win. We have seen this being before our eyes with Trump and Republicans dismantling of the Postal Service to hinder delivery of mail in ballots, removal of voting locations in a number of states controlled by Republicans, and various forms of voter suppression.

To the Editor:

Simply put, I’m a Texas tourist (airline pilot on leave of absence) who was on my first trip to the Hendersonville area in our motorhome. This morning, my wife of four decades mentioned Waynesville for about the fifth time, and I decided a convertible cruise down the parkway with lunch and shopping in Waynesville was in order.

A visitor to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park died Tuesday, Sept. 29, following a cardiac event in Cades Cove. 

Gordon Meyers, retired executive director of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, has received the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ top honor in recognition of his 30-year career with the Commission. 

The official 2021 Great Smoky Mountains Association wall calendar, featuring stunning macro photography of butterflies and moths found in the Smokies, is now available for purchase. 

A new subscription-based program from the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont aims to connect families through nature-based activities and learning. 

As the 2020 election draws near, The Smoky Mountain News will continue to interview all willing candidates at the local, state and federal level to give voters the information they need before casting a ballot.

Macon County’s Robert C. Carpenter Community Building will begin to open under limited capacity.

William Ray Hartsell, 27, of Charlotte, was arrested in Haywood County on Sept. 23 by the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Division. 

In September, students in Dr. Bucky Dann’s Social Problems class hosted debates featuring candidates for national and local office.

Have you ever been cooking or baking and unintentionally left out or forgotten an ingredient?  Sometimes missing that one crucial ingredient can ruin a dish or a baked product.  A recipe is a little like a performance in a theatre; each ingredient has a role or a purpose. Without that ingredient you may end up with a failed dish or baked item or one that disappoints in terms of quality.