Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation is introducing a new way to help furry friends in its care by creating the first annual “2023 Furrst Responder Hero Calendar.” The new wall calendar will showcase 13 of Haywood’s First Responder Heroes, posing with their favorite adoptable Sarge’s cat or dog.

For the last two years, Southwestern Community College’s Boots, Blue Jeans and Bling gala had to be canceled due to the pandemic. This year, however, the gala was able to come back – and this time bigger than ever before.

Conservation projects in Western North Carolina will receive $6.6 million of the $70.3 million in N.C. Land and Water Fund grant awards announced this fall. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released a draft version of a plan to guide recovery of the critically endangered red wolf, with a virtual public meeting to offer an update on the Red Wolf Recovery Program 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5. 

To the Editor:

Most Americans who care about their country and who vote faithfully want desperately to believe that the candidates for whom they cast their vote will not only win but are honest and principled and will represent the time-honored values most of us were brought up to believe in. Have I been sorely misinformed about that, or am I just hopelessly naive?

To the Editor:

I am an independent voter. I belong to no political party, but rather base my choices on the issues and the candidates themselves. For that reason, I have voted for candidates of both the major political parties in the past. The first vote that I was able to cast was for Richard Nixon for president. I was young, ignorant and foolish. I had not realized how dishonest he was when casting my vote. Since then, I have striven to do more and better research into the candidates for whom I vote.

To the Editor:

Frankie Wood conned Alaska Presley into believing he could bring Ghost Town back and was able to get her financial backing. He also conned the Maggie Valley aldermen into re-zoning several properties so he could develop RV parks and small cottages to house over 200 Ghost Town workers. To date, no development has happened?

The NYC Big Book Award recognized “The Jolt Felt Around the World” in the category of Childrens Environment as a distinguished favorite. 

State and local officials celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony Monday for Corridor K, a project that will improve mobility in Western North Carolina and create a unique land bridge over a highway so hikers and wildlife can safely travel the area.

The debate over abortion rights now moves to the General Assembly — and therefore, the ballot box — but both sides have stepped up the name-calling and dehumanization, foreshadowing a bitter fight that’s becoming less about the actual issue and more about political demagoguery.

Every five years, the National Forests in North Carolina surveys its visitors to glean a wide range of information, and the process will begin in the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests Saturday, Oct. 1. 

The N.C. Mountain State Fair wrapped up another year with a total attendance count of 159,575, a strong showing assisted by near-perfect weather that came in 26.6% above 2021 numbers. 

To the Editor:

Why are teachers leaving?

To the Editor:

It makes me sick to think people would applaud Helping Hands not getting funding from Waynesville after such horrible circumstances occurred. 

To the Editor:

The Swain County “Rally for Health, Hope and Recovery” was a huge success. The event included about 30 providers of care who shared information concerning a wide variety of available help that is not readily accessible for most people. In addition, free items such as baby diapers and a hotdog lunch were provided. 

To the Editor:

I became a cyclist in June 2020, and it has changed my life for the better. I got healthier, I made new friends, and strengthened existing relationships around my new hobby. I ride about 3-4 times a week, usually around the back roads around Cullowhee.

The WNC: MADE X MTNS Partnership officially launched the Building Outdoor Communities Program (BOC) last week, welcoming over 100 attendees for an introduction to its two-year outdoor community economic development initiative. 

During a recent meeting, Southwestern Community College’s Board of Trustees unanimously agreed to name the new Health Sciences Center in honor of Dr. Don Tomas – SCC’s President.

Money can be a source of stress or a means to a fulfilling life. It all depends on how you manage your finances. It’s important to be intentional with money management and budgeting. Below are five tips to help you manage your money wisely. 

Last week, the U.S. Department of the Interior released new guidance aiming to strengthen the role of tribal governments in federal land management. 

The deadly disease white-nose syndrome has killed more than 90% of tri-colored bats in affected bat colonies, and now the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a proposal to list the species as endangered. 

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is celebrating a milestone in its Smokies Most Wanted citizen science project, with 100,000 observations now recorded by people using the iNaturalist app.

The Haywood County Arts Council’s annual Haywood County Studio Tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25.

To the Editor:

The article regarding the backlash over Biden’s forgiveness of student loans was another, “Well, Susie did it!” diatribe. The information about the PPP payments made to a particular Republican was more confusing than informative.

The Haywood County Board of Commissioners is accepting applications to fill two upcoming vacancies on the Smoky Mountain Event Center Board. 

National Manufacturing Day is Oct. 7, and to celebrate NCWorks will be hosting its second annual Manufacturing Day event. The event will be held Friday, Oct. 7, at the NCWorks Career Center in Waynesville from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Legal Aid of North Carolina is helping those recovering from the catastrophic flooding that occurred in August 2021 through free disaster legal services and clinics.  

Bethel Middle School teacher Sally Hundley was named Haywood County Schools’ 2023 Teacher of the Year.

FUR’s seventh annual Barnyard BBQ Blast fundraiser will be held on Sunday, Oct. 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. With music, raffles, games, a silent auction and, of course, a delicious BBQ lunch with all the fixins, this event will make any cat lover purr. The fun takes place at Barn Star Events in the Jonathan Creek area. 

As the world becomes more and more accessible in the palm of our hands, local governments must adapt to ensure the most up-to-date information is available for residents.

Nearly half of the 65 living Medal of Honor recipients and their families traveled to Knoxville last week for the Medal of Honor Celebration, with a delegation of 60 people embarking on a guided tour of Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Thursday, Sept. 8. 

The publisher of Burt Kornegay’s “A Guide’s Guide to Panthertown” has marked the 25th anniversary of its first printing with a $10,000 donation to Friends of Panthertown.

To the Editor:

The current issue of The Smoky Mountain News (September 7) has a sticker affixed to the front page that states: “Mike Clampitt NC House District 119 Conservative Values.” I assume that this was caused to be affixed by Mr. Clampitt’s reelection campaign.

To the Editor:

Every American should be troubled, attentive and very concerned about the mishandling of classified documents by the former president discovered by the FBI during their lawful investigation at Trump’s resort in Florida. 

The Town of Franklin Town Hall payment hours are changing effective Monday, Oct. 3, 2022.   

The Cullowhee Fire Department is teaming up with State Farm and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape.” This year’s campaign, Oct. 9-15, works to educate everyone about simple but important steps they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe. 

When Western Carolina University officials held a ribbon-cutting event to officially open “The Rocks” freshman residence halls on Sept. 2, it was more than just a ceremonial gathering. 

Tommy Cabe, Macon County resident and Board of Education vice chairman, died Thursday, Sept. 1, after undergoing heart surgery in Asheville. A celebration of life service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Franklin High School Fine Arts Center. 

Western North Carolina will see $1.5 million of the more than $17 million in grants approved Aug. 26 through the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund.

To the Editor:

I am not a semi-fascist. A ‘deplorable’, maybe. I am not a MAGA terrorist. 

To the Editor:

With the mewling and whining by Trumpian Republicans at having been accurately branded fascists by the president and other historically informed individuals, those Republicans need somehow to counter the walking like a duck, looking like a duck and quacking evidentiary conclusion.

To the Editor:

This election, remember our personal liberties and freedom to voice sentiments without fear. The risk to our liberties come from extreme right groups identifying as Christian Nationals. The positions of the Christian Nationalist Alliance include: 

To the Editor:

With the current Jackson County sheriff not running for re-election, we will have a new sheriff to lead our county law enforcement.

If you haven’t received your tax refund, it’s not too late. Families who make less than $58,000 per year can get free tax help at a series of tax clinics hosted by nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services.

There’s no such thing as a calm season when it comes to natural disasters.

A Jackson County man pleaded guilty Thursday in Haywood County Superior Court to killing one person and injuring two others on July 21, 2021, after he intentionally drove into oncoming traffic, District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said.

The Southern Environmental Law Center has named D.J. Gerken as its new president and executive director. This fall, he’ll take the role from Jeff Gleason, who is retiring after 30 years with the organization.