News Headlines
Unpaid FEMA claims force Waynesville into budget reckoning
Crumbling promises and frozen FEMA reimbursements cast a long shadow over Waynesville’s budget retreat, where town officials confronted a stark reality — a $5.4 million deficit for the coming fiscal year, nearly $4 million of it tied up in lagging FEMA reimbursements from Hurricane Helene.
With insurance costs climbing, mandated retirement contributions rising and capital requests topping $20 million, Waynesville Town Council will now face what one member called “the worst ever” budget picture in recent memory.
Shining Rock votes to end high school instruction
The Shining Rock Classical Academy board at its Feb. 25 meeting voted unanimously to end grades 9-11 instruction effective June 30, 2026, and to close grade 12 after the fall 2026 semester, in front of an audience of more than 100 people. The high school had been consistently running a deficit, and the board argued that it has a fiduciary responsibility to move the organization in the right direction.
Noquiyisi transfer completes the circle
Just after 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, the drizzle became a downpour — a moment of serendipity for those gathered in what’s now the town of Franklin to watch the deed transfer of the Noquiyisi (Nikwasi) mound to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
“Any time it rains, it always washes away anything that’s happened. So, it’s like a cleansing so it’s almost a perfect weather, you know? That this rain is here. It’s kind of washed away for a new beginning,” tribal council member Adam Wachacha said to the audience.
In Waynesville, it’s market pay vs. municipal reality
At a Feb. 27 budget retreat, Waynesville aldermen confronted a familiar tension — how to keep municipal salaries competitive in a tightening labor market while staring down mounting infrastructure demands and lingering financial uncertainty tied to Hurricane Helene.
Two presentations from Human Resources Director Page McCurry outlined the first steps in an overhaul of pay classifications, beginning with public works positions and moving next to police and fire.
Steady hand steps aside in Waynesville
After nearly a decade at the helm of Waynesville government, Town Manager Rob Hites announced Feb. 27 that he will retire July 1.
Hites arrived in 2016 following a long career in local government across North Carolina. Born in Reno and raised in Alabama, he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. An urban government course led to an internship with the Greensboro mayor, setting him on a path that would lead to decades of local government administration.
Rising electric rates revive Waynesville solar push
Waynesville did not reject solar last year; it hesitated. Twelve months later, amid skyrocketing electricity costs, a shortened federal incentive window, a roof nearing the end of its life and more rate spikes on the way, council is again weighing whether the town’s recreation center should become its own power producer.
The solar push aligns with the town’s goal of carbon neutrality and net zero emissions by 2050.
Lake Junaluska looking to hire seasonal employees
The Human Resources Department at Lake Junaluska will host a recruitment event from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, March 5; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 19; and noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 9, in Room 202 of Harrell Center.
These events are for potential employees to learn more about Lake Junaluska’s open positions for full- and part-time seasonal opportunities and to interview on the spot.
Democrat Ager wins in NC-11, will face Rep. Edwards
Fairview farmer Jamie Ager has prevailed in an 11th Congressional District Democratic Primary Election that drew unusual national attention and substantial investment.
Despite Helene failures, Republicans stick with Edwards in NC-11
Incumbent Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards will go on to face Democratic nominee Jamie Ager in a high-profile contest later this year, after defeating his Primary Election opponent Adam Smith.
