Canton a ‘workplace of first choice’

haywoodCanton’s new budget includes a provision making it the first living wage certified government in Western North Carolina, but at the town board meeting June 23, aldermen took that measure one step further. 

Haywood Schools to make layoff announcements this week

haywoodBudget cuts are forcing Haywood County Schools to lay off 10 teachers and staff at the end of this school year.

Fired WCU worker will return to work

WCUWhile most people are mourning the coming of another Monday, Rob Russell will be rejoicing as he returns to his job at Western Carolina University Feb. 15. 

Fired WCU worker wins wrongful termination suit

WCUAfter a former employee won a lawsuit claiming that Western Carolina University had fired him without cause, the university is appealing the decision.

New compensation rules for disabled workers worry local organizations

coverIn his 38 years at the helm of Haywood Vocational Opportunities, George Marshall has seen his share of change in the regulations and trends surrounding the intersection of worlds in which HVO deals. 

HVO, a not-for-profit social enterprise that produces medical supplies, is Haywood County’s fifth largest employer and the nation’s largest producer of custom medical drapes.

Former deputy pleads guilty to obstructing justice

fr deputyA former Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstructing justice following an Oct. 25 party that involved underage drinking and led to charges of statutory rape against two other men.

Horseplay results in fired Jackson detention officer

law enforcementA Jackson County detention officer was fired this summer after firing a Taser gun on a coworker.

Taking the good with the bad

haywoodCommissioner Kirk Kirkpatrick remembers many Haywood County budget hearings in which the public was absent from the process, but that was not the case this year.

Haywood proposes 2.5-cent tax hike to pay for employee raises

fr haywoodtaxesHaywood County commissioners say a property tax increase is needed to dig the county out of a recession-era backlog.

WCU bucks national trend toward more part-time hires

Western Carolina University has held steady on its rate of tenured and tenure-track professors over the last decade, keeping numbers of permanent faculty that far outstrip the national average.

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