By Barbara Durr • Asheville Watchdog | This story was originally published by Asheville Watchdog, an independent nonprofit news team serving Asheville and surrounding communities.

Haywood County’s emergency shelter operations for Tropical Storm Fred survivors have concluded this week, four months after sheltering first began on the night of Aug. 17. 

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor |

Whether you’re seeking winter sun in the north, or trying to stay warm in the south; it’s important to keep up your healthy eating habits and get your 30 minutes of physical activity a day.

The inaugural WNC Communities’ Youth Leadership Award was presented to Ryleigh Stevens of the Caney Fork Community Development Council of Jackson County at the 72nd WNC Honors Awards Ceremony on Dec. 2.

Q: My doctor has said to cut down on sodium. Why can’t I find foods that have no sodium?

“Nature never did betray the heart that loved her.” – William Wordsworth, 1798

Editor’s note: Since this article was written by meteorologist and biologist Neva Duncan Tabb in April, disposable mask pollution has worsened horrifically, damaging the health of people and the wildlife on whom we depend for a viable life.  See the video “More than 25,000 Tons of COVID-19 PPE Is Polluting Oceans,” November 19, by clicking HERE. 

Congressman’s invasion into new district is triggering an intra-party reckoning 

By TOM FIEDLER | When Madison Cawthorn revealed his plan to abandon western North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District to seek reelection in a neighboring — and seemingly friendlier — district, he exuded confidence, even cockiness, about the outcome.

The WNC Honors Awards, a program of WNC Communities, is built on a 72-year tradition of recognizing rural community development clubs for their innovative ideas and grassroots solutions. These centers and clubs are the backbone of community cohesion running through our beloved mountains. 

In the week since the last press release, Haywood County Public Health has received notice of 170 new cases of COVID-19, doubling our weekly new cases over last week.  As of 5 p.m. on Dec. 6, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has recorded a total of 8,004 cases in Haywood County since the pandemic began. 

When Dr. Dana Ayers became Superintendent of Jackson County Public Schools in June 2021, two of her top priorities were expanding the district’s preschool programs and placing a greater emphasis on early childhood literacy.  Ayers will see those goals accomplished next fall thanks to a $236,000 grant from Dogwood Health Trust.

The North Carolina Supreme Court on Wednesday suspended candidate filing for all offices for the 2022 primary election.

On the University of North Carolina Asheville campus, an established building now bears a new name. UNC Asheville’s campus community, along with members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, gathered to celebrate the presentation of Bird Hall, named for Ella Bird, Beloved Woman of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and 2017 UNC Asheville honorary degree recipient.

The Western North Carolina Historical Association recently announced Even As We Breathe: A Novel by Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle as the 66th winner of the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. The Award has been presented annually by the Western North Carolina Historical Association since 1955 for printed works that focus special attention on Western North Carolina.

By Tamika Walker Kelly | Since the beginning of this school year and through the final four months of state budget negotiations, we at the North Carolina Association of Educators advocated for meaningful salary increases, increased classroom funding and a fulfillment of the Leandro mandate. But above all, we fought for recognition of what’s happening in our public schools across the state.

By Karma Valentine Shuford | From my earliest memories, I have wanted to be a teacher.  I remember “playing” school with my neighbor’s granddaughter, Julie. I remember my older sister using a chalkboard to show me new words. I remember waiting anxiously for the year when I could go to school. And I’ve been in school ever since.

Have you ever bought a big bag of apples for yourself or your family with the intention of using them as a snack, only to watch as they sit, uneaten, on your counter or fridge? Tip: To keep apples fresh longer be sure and store them in your fridge in a plastic bag with holes punched in it

After enduring a series of unexpected, pandemic-related challenges, the latest group of Southwestern Community College graduates will celebrate their accomplishments with family and friends during the college’s first traditional, indoor commencement ceremonies in two years.

A Graham County sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot a Tennessee man on June 20 has been cleared of any wrongdoing, District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said today.

The N.C. Department of Transportation invites the public to a meeting next week to offer opinions and submit questions regarding proposed improvements to U.S. 276 between Interstate 40 and U.S. 19 in Haywood County.

If you’re considering donating food items to your local food pantry, food bank or a shelter that provides emergency food supplies; start with a call to that organization or a check of their website or Facebook page for what food or other items they most need and can accept.

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor | “May I have your attention, please? Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?”  This lyric of Eminem’s song The Real Slim Shady was playing again and again in my head as I woke up early one morning.  I love rap music. I enjoy running and shaking my tail feathers to the beat, but seriously, what’s this got to do with the price of tea in china? I’ve introduced psychic skills in the past and want to demonstrate how your inner guidance can communicate with you, if you’re up for a good ole game of psychic charades. 

Have you noticed orange bows and signs around Franklin? The Zonta Club is asking you to do your part in the campaign to end all forms of violence against women.

CULLOWHEE – Looking for study abroad opportunities in the midst of the pandemic, Brian Railsback, a professor of English at Western Carolina University, decided to try a virtual study abroad course – but unlike other digital efforts, he wanted to “team up” with a literature class from another country.  

With strong financial results, underpinned by industry leading client satisfaction, Drake Software is moving forward with plans to increase investment across all areas of the business, including product development, sales & marketing, and customer support. This is the first of many planned investments that will be overseen by interim Chief Executive Officer Euan Menzies.

While most people in the U.S. consume enough protein during the day, we often load it into our lunch and dinner meals instead of spreading it out throughout the whole day.

By Daley Hooten • Rumble Contributor | Adele is one of those artists that no one hates. I’ve never once heard someone ask to switch stations when she plays on the radio, nor have I ever had someone complain about her. Now this is either because people around me know I like her and don’t want to face my wrath — or because she is actually one of the most tremendous artists of our time (I think it's the latter). 

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor | Last weekend I had dinner with friends and felt so grateful to be with such awesome people.  Think back to the times that you gathered with those you hadn’t seen in a while and nutshelled each other as to what was new and different in order to share your lives. I was having one of these mini conversations with an old friend and she asked me to remind her of my date’s name.  As I did, I added a fun way to remember his name to avoid any awkwardness between them.  She looked at me and said, “I don’t need help remembering that name.  I had a good friend named ….”

Digital signs posted several counties away are warning of delays on Interstate 40 in the Pigeon River Gorge. They will be in place this week and for the next six months as a contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation replaces a bridge on I-40 over Harmon Den Road and Cold Springs Creek.

Flavortown has arrived at Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort. Guy Fieri's Cherokee Kitchen + Bar is now open and is serving up signature menu items and beloved favorites from famed chef and restauranter, Guy Fieri.

Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Franklin) and Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood) secured critical improvements for Haywood County in the compromise state budget approved by the state Senate on Nov. 17 and the state House on Nov. 18.  

Haywood County Sheriff’s Office deputies seized 4.1 pounds of methamphetamine during a traffic stop resulting in one arrest and trafficking charges.

This week marks the 90-day post-flood milestone after Tropical Storm Fred impacted Haywood County. As that date nears, the second pass of residential debris removal is nearing completion.

Washington, D.C. — On Nov. 2 on Capitol Hill, Congressman Madison Cawthorn accepted The Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) American PATRIOT Award for standing up against harmful policies currently being advanced in Washington, D.C., and by consistently promoting the American values of faith, family, and freedom.

In the last week, Haywood County has mourned the loss of two more people to COVID-19. Both were in their late 50s. As of the date of this release, Haywood County has now lost 152 people to COVID-19.

Jessi Stone and Susanna Shetley share their family favorite recipes for Thanksgiving.

Question: Often after I eat my stomach hurts. Could I be sensitive to a food and should I do one of those food sensitivity panels I can get on line?

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor | I’ve always been fascinated with time travel starting back when I saw the movie “Somewhere in Time” starring Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour.  If my imagination struggled to embrace this concept, the soundtrack alone could transport me to the love story unfolding on the big screen. 

HARMON DEN – A winding drive on Interstate 40 through the Pigeon River Gorge will soon take a little longer than normal.

Haywood Community College was selected by the Department of Labor, in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission, to receive a grant in the amount of $1.196M for Project UP, a program to support the development of short-term training programs in construction. The grant is part of the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities Initiative and is designed to build the workforce in our area and upskill the talent of those participating in the program. Twenty-three grants were awarded, two of which went to North Carolina.

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor | Over The River and Through the Woods! Thanksgiving is 2 weeks out and I’m sure many of you are scrambling around trying to prepare your homes for your family and friends.  As you are dotting I’s and crossing T’s, I want to give you some insight into creating a welcoming space for loved ones that takes them back to the early years of the warmth and comfort at grandma’s house. 

In the next few weeks, Haywood County Alerts will switch over to a new, streamlined message format for emergency text alerts.

• Sign up for an Ingles Advantage card 

Jason Clark of Canton tried his luck on a Cash 5 ticket and won a $668,202 jackpot.

In the last week, Haywood County has mourned the loss of seven more people to COVID-19. They ranged in age from their mid-fifties into their late seventies. All were beloved spouses, siblings, mothers, fathers, grandmothers, or grandfathers. 

Haywood Chamber of Commerce is hosting an event for Women Enlightened with guest speaker, Linda Plunkett, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 18, at Wells Event Center in Waynesville.

Betty Farmer, professor of communication at Western Carolina University and communication consultant, has been named Instructor of the Year, South Region, by UPCEA (University Professional & Continuing Education Association). 

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor | Go into any retail store and you will feel that you are already behind in buying gifts on behalf of Jolly Old Saint Nicholas.  As the retail industry sets you up to spend, spend, spend…I want to arm you with a secret feng shui weapon that will help you hold, hold, hold abundant energy in your home and bank account. I’m going to teach you to look for, identify, and shore up a major energy leak that most people feel but don’t know what it is or how to change it. I’m offering this info well in advance of Christmas as this remedy needs at least 30 days to take effect and I don’t want you to stress out during the most wonderful time of the year!