Complaints about overcrowding on the Nantahala River have led the U.S. Forest Service to consider limiting fishing permits for outfitters and guides.

Duke Energy Progress’s plan to replace its coal-fired power plant in Asheville with natural gas has garnered partial approval from the N.C. Utilities Commission.

As the green season inches closer and visitation ramps up, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is looking for volunteers to engage with visitors and show off the park’s assets.

A public meeting will gauge support for a plan to give Jackson County’s Savannah community its first public park at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, at the Savannah Community Building.

Preliminary results are current as of March 15. Look for more in-depth coverage of the local and state races online Wednesday, March 16.

CULLOWHEE – The Western Carolina University Police Department is asking for assistance in an ongoing investigation into recent property damage around the soccer field and track at the Catamount Athletic Complex on campus.

Eggs are one of the least expensive and most versatile sources of protein that you can find in the supermarket. Think about it, you can cook or bake with eggs. You can eat eggs for breakfast, lunch or dinner or use them in a dessert. You can scramble, fry, poach, soft or hard boil eggs!

The forest floor surrounding Jackson County comes alive as wildflower season dawns — and a six-week course on spring wildflowers will give participants the knowledge to put names to flowery faces.

Defenders of Wildlife has walked off the Red Wolf Recovery Team, claiming it’s headed for a “dead end,” meeting only once in the past five months.

The Shelton House, which houses the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts in Waynesville, is in need of people interested in a number of rewarding volunteer opportunities including docents, gardening assistants, helpers for special events, and individuals interested in perpetuating the craft collection.

To the Editor;

Many people do not have enough information about Bernie Sanders to decide, on a rational basis, whether or not to support him.  Much of what you read and hear on the news is misleading. Luckily, Sanders supplies incredible detail about all his programs on his website. But I do business research for a living, so I look up everything. Here are some of the facts that swayed me:

• The Economy. Zero wage growth in 20 years, while the cost of everything — especially health care and education — has skyrocketed. In our consumer economy, if consumers are too broke to spend, everything grinds to a halt. A lot of folks have been fooled by center-right politicians into believing that the ultra-wealthy need more tax cuts, and that the poor, the elderly and veterans should take benefits cuts. Yet International Business Times, Forbes and The Economist have featured studies (for example, U. of Chicago/National Bureau of Econ. Research) showing that tax cuts for the lower middle class and working poor create more jobs and more economic growth.

Sanders’ plan to raise the minimum wage and create millions of jobs by investing in our failing infrastructure would mean a surge in basic spending. Unless you make over $500,000 a year — and only a tiny fraction of Americans do — Bernie’s plan would put more in your pocket. 

• Health Care. We have ruinously expensive health care, the most expensive in the world. Medical bills are the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the U.S. High deductibles are the norm. Americans live in constant terror of an accident or illness that can take away everything. It doesn’t have to be this way. And in Canada, Australia, Japan, Europe … it isn’t. They have systems similar to Medicare (“single-payer”) that everyone, not just the elderly, can enroll in. “Isn’t that expensive?” Yes, but less expensive than what you are probably spending now; and it would also save money for employers who provide insurance! “Isn’t that socialist?” Well, Reagan said Medicare was a socialist program that was going to destroy America. Ask your mother if she hates that nasty socialist Medicare.

• War, Terror, and the Military. Sanders voted against Iraq in 2002, which he rightly said was going to drag us into a quagmire and breed terrorists. Then, he aggressively fought for increased veterans benefits. His largest group of donors? Combat veterans and active-duty military. 

• Electability. Clinton’s unfavorability rating hit an all-time high last Tuesday and she is under imminent threat of indictment. In national polls, Sanders (unlike Clinton) beats all possible Republican challengers by a hefty margin. Why? Because for most of his career he was an Independent, and Independents now comprise nearly 40 percent of our electorate. Plus, he has a long career of working with Congress to get things done (just Google “Amendment King”).

Vote Bernie Sanders on March 15.

Jeannette Cabanis-Brewin

Tuckasegee

To the Editor:

Presidential candidates for both parties have been on the political or public dole for years even decades. All except Donald Trump.

Our country has some serious problems that need fixing. We are debt-ridden, spending is out of control, our borders are not secure, the numbers of illegal immigrants increases every day, unvetted refugees are about to enter the country, our military  personnel is at the lowest in years while terrorist enemies kill innocent people here and throughout the world and our reputation in the world is greatly diminished. 

It seems logical that now the President of the United States should be unlike any of the candidates who have been or are now a part of government. Trump is a successful businessman who solves problems. He is a negotiator and strong decision maker. He owes no lobbyist or big money donors as his campaign is self-funded. It seems logical that he has what we need as President in this country now.

Bill Adams

Glenville

To the Editor:

I consider myself to be a natural-born, modern rebel!

 I grew up in a family very proud and humble,to be Southerners. According to my mother I was born rebellious, questioning why I was to do something when told. I still am this way and thankfully so because it causes me to pause, to listen, and to critically analyze new information, experiences, and people.

We, as American citizens, are in dire need of a rebellious leader. There is no other way to change the varied courses of destruction we have been following for longer than I have been alive. We need a leader who has the strength of character to choose to be civil, to be respectful of us as their constituents, and of the peoples of all nations.

There is only one candidate for president of the United States who lives up to this, and his name is Bernie Sanders. His ideas are bold, well thought out, and well explained. His vision is one that I believe in for us, and matches what I was taught, and understand, our great nation to be about. As Thomas Jefferson stated, “What country ever existed a century and a half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance?”

I encourage you to support Bernie Sanders this March 15 in our state’s primary.

Christian Curtis Collins Jr.

Sylva

By Mark Jamison • Guest Columnist

I had planned to call this commentary “Dirty Money.” I would begin by quoting Teddy Roosevelt, “No amount of charity in spending such fortunes can compensate in any way for misconduct in acquiring them,” setting the stage for the argument that the grant from the Koch Foundation to fund a Center for Free Enterprise at Western Carolina University, a proposal which is problematic on its merits, also suffers from the fact that its source is tainted.

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.

When I was growing up, it seemed that I spent most of my time at Mark Dozier’s place. Mark was my best friend. His parents were divorced, and his father, Gary, had an apartment in town just below the high school. I thought Gary was about the coolest father ever.

Only 200,000 people in the United States have their birthdays fall on Feb. 29, and one of those lucky babies was born at Haywood Regional Medical Center this year.

A full-service restaurant, an outdoor equipment outfitter, a combination bookstore and coffee cafe, a popular convenience store and a nationally known sandwich shop are among the expected occupants of Noble Hall, the mixed-use facility being constructed on the site of a structure damaged by fire in 2013 at Western Carolina University.

Statewide:

Haywood:

Democrats scramble to recruit candidates for Haywood commissioner contest

Seven seek two commissioner seats in Haywood

Haywood primary offers platter of party positions

Haywood candidates come up empty on fresh ideas for economic development

Haywood commissioners question whether scattergun economic development approach is working

Some say time is right for land-use discussions

Blurred lines for Haywood commissioner race

Jackson:

Uncontested primaries on tap for Jackson

Republican candidate files for Jackson commissioner

Macon:

Five signed up to run for Macon commission

Two more sign on to run for Macon commissioner

Six candidates vie for two Macon commission posts

Republican candidates deliberate Macon’s future

Swain:

Seven in running for Swain commission

Democrat candidates for commissioner weigh in on Swain issues

Ingles Markets takes pride in offering our customers a variety of local produce and locally produced products.

A network of pollinator pit stops will begin spreading across the state with the launch of the Butterfly Highway Campaign, a program of the N.C. Wildlife Federation.

Drought has gotten bad in the United States over the past 15 years, and the combination of the dry weather and warmer temperatures in the future is likely to keep things volatile, according to a new report released by the U.S. Forest Service.

To the Editor:

I understand that our Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The majority Republican members of the committee are opposed to vetting any nominee for the position of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court that may be nominated by President Obama. I believe that Sen. Tillis’ position and that of the majority members of the committee in this matter are wrong.

Article II Section 2 of the U. S. Constitution states that:  “… he (referring to the President) shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint ... judges of the Supreme Court….” The President should confer with the Senate for advice then nominate a candidate. The Judiciary Committee’s job is to do the preliminary vetting before passing it the Senate.  

I know of no incidence in recent history when this process has been circumvented and sidetracked for political reasons. True, Robert Bork’s nomination was sent to the Senate floor with an unfavorable recommendation, but it was still sent to the floor. The nomination of Clarence Thomas was sent to the floor with only one nay vote and was sent without recommendation of any kind on the second vote of the Judiciary Committee. Scalia’s nomination was forwarded with a unanimous vote of 18-0 with all minority Democrats as well as the majority Republicans on the committee voting to move the nomination on to the Senate. 

To deny a hearing of a nominee and forwarding that nominee on to the Senate for purely political reasons is to deny the President the ability to do his job. Perhaps, that is what this is about.  

Our governmental system is currently gridlocked and fairly inoperative. To hamper the function of the Supreme Court by withholding the proper process as outlined by the Constitution is unconscionable. Let me be perfectly blunt. I am not a Democrat. I am registered to vote in the North Carolina as unaffiliated. But I do vote, and I have since Richard Nixon was President.  For the Judiciary Committee to not take this up means that the Judiciary Committee is abrogating its job and function. That would mean that Sen. Tillis, as a member of that committee and being in agreement with the Republican majority position,  would be remiss in doing his job as a senator. 

Sen. Tillis, if you cannot or will not do your job, get out of Washington and come home. As a taxpayer, I do not wish nor need to pay your salary for you to ignore your duty and responsibilities in this matter. 

Luther Jones

Sylva

To the Editor:

Imagine, if only there was a viable candidate for President who for decades has spoken with honesty, integrity and consistency regardless of who or where the audience is. 

 Imagine, if only there was a candidate who represents the interests of all the people and not just the wealthy and powerful. 

Imagine, if there was only a candidate who doesn’t accept money from and isn’t influenced by large corporate campaign contributors who expect their interests to be protected in return for their donations.

Imagine a candidate who believes it’s better to invest in education than in prisons. It’s better to provide health care for all. It’s better to address climate change than to ignore it. It’s better to provide a living wage than to force working people to seek public assistance.

You don’t have to imagine it any longer. His name is Senator Bernie Sanders. He’s running for President. The primary election in North Carolina is on March 15.

Avram Friedman

Dillsboro

To the Editor:

I have recently learn was told that the wording on the base of the Statue of Liberty has been changed. It now reads: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses — any who will undergo a two-year wait, a background check, a blood test, a cavity search, and pay a substantial fee, and provided they are white, Christian, speak fluent English, can climb a wall, and avoid the Border Patrol." The additional phrases are too long to appear on the statue's face, so to view them one must go behind it and lift the hem of Lady Liberty's skirts.

Doug Wingeier

Waynesville

The 2016 Primary Election will be held March 15 and polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Early voting for the primary will be held March 3-12. 

The Smoky Mountain News won more awards in the large circulation, non-daily newspaper category than all but one newspaper in the state during the recent N.C. Press Association Advertising and Editorial Contest.