The law of attraction: After a decade in Western North Carolina, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino continues to be an economic powerhouse
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer
In the 10 years since the opening of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in November 1997, a remarkable transformation has occurred among the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The casino has brought a surge of unprecedented economic growth to this once-depressed community.
With formulation of advisory committee, efforts to regulate growth along Hwy. 441 are well underway
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer
At speeds faster than 50 mph, drivers zoom down U.S. 441 into Cherokee’s business district, passing mostly billboards, a couple of gas stations and a few small businesses. The two-mile stretch of roadway is heavily used by locals and tourists, accommodating about 15,000 cars a day. Some use it to get to the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or the Blue Ridge Parkway, others make it their gateway to Harrah’s Casino and downtown Cherokee, while for many it’s just part of their daily driving route.
Cherokee asks for input into corridor planning
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer
As Jackson County officials work to develop a plan to regulate commercial growth along U.S. 441, officials from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians say a partnership needs to be formed to ensure that the area’s economic development fits both parties’ needs.
Studying the future: With public sewer on the way, Jackson aims to temper the tide of uncontrolled development along U.S. 441 corridor
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer
The rural landscape of U.S. 441 heading into Cherokee is changing. Drivers can see numerous realty signs touting “land for sale” along the four-lane roadway that leads into the Qualla Boundary’s business district.
Martin removed as editor in Cherokee
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer
Last week Eastern Band of Cherokee officials made the decision to remove The Cherokee One Feather Editor Joe Martin from his newspaper position.
Free press and tribal politics
The decision by Michell Hicks, chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, to do away with a column in The Cherokee One Feather was a mistake.
Chief’s newspaper decree leads to free speech debate
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer
The removal of an anonymous opinion column in the Cherokee One Feather has sparked a heated freedom of speech debate among Cherokee leaders.
Hicks declared winner in contested Cherokee vote
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Supreme Court ruled Saturday that a new election will not be held on the Qualla Boundary, putting to rest a month-long debate filled with accusations of eligible voters being turned away from the polls.
In a tight race for chief — decided by a mere 14-vote margin — 21 protests had been filed with the Election Board.
Incumbent Hicks wins in tight Cherokee election
The election for chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians came down to a mere 30 votes last week, and apparently isn’t over yet.
Sicklefin redhorse and the Cherokee
An article by Jon Ostendorff headed “Rare fish released into Oconaluftee River” appeared in this past Monday’s edition of the Asheville Citizen-Times. It caught my eye because of an ongoing general interest in the fish found in Western North Carolina waters as well as a particular interest in the methods utilized by the ancient Cherokees to capture and process them as a food source.
