By Kristen Hammett • Guest Columnist

Our current Haywood County Animal Shelter is overcrowded, outdated, and unsafe for staff and the animals. Its present location in a residential district is no longer in accordance with Waynesville’s zoning, is far from the county center, and has traffic and parking limitations.  Changes to the current structure would require zoning variances from the town — an unlikely event.

Maggie Valley’s dream of having a viable downtown inched closer last week when a $7 million town center plan was unveiled.

Haywood County commissioner candidates were asked whether they think the county should spend $3.5 million on a new animal shelter.

On paper, the case for a new, bigger Haywood County Animal Shelter is hard to justify.

Meadowbrook Elementary in Canton is ending its long run as a year-round school.

A study conducted by Haywood County Schools justifying the closure of Central Elementary School was a sham and failed to meet state requirements for a school closure, two speakers argued before the Haywood County School Board last week.

State Republican lawmakers were strongly chastised for penning Central Elementary School’s death warrant during a rally prior to the Haywood County School board meeting last week.

On the right track or wrong track? That question was posed to candidates running for Haywood County commissioner and could offer insight for voters on which ones most closely align with their own views.

He got to me before I could get to him.

Turning into the large parking lot of the Canton Ingles last week, Paul Willis was already stepping out of his car to greet me. At 95, he’s as spry and vibrant as someone a third of his age. And before I could exit my vehicle and properly introduce myself, Willis had his hand extended into my open window.