Word from the Smokies: Monarchs proposed for threatened species listing

Before National Geographic published its famous August 1976 cover story detailing the search for the monarch butterfly’s wintering grounds, nobody…
Read More

Comment

 

Word from the Smokies: Park embarks on cutting-edge hellbender study

With wrinkly skin that comes in various shades of brown, eastern hellbenders aren’t easy to spot. These giant salamanders, which…
Read More

Comment

 

Conservation Fund protects WNC woodlands

The Conservation Fund announced that a critical property in the Great Balsam Mountains is protected as forest and natural land.
Read More

Comment

 

Cat Classic returns to Cataloochee Ski Area

The call has gone out for snowboarders to submit their best clips for the Cat Classic, which offers cash prizes…
Read More

Comment

 

Cradle of Forestry and partners execute critical repairs

The Cradle of Forestry in America and the U.S. Forest Service (Pisgah Ranger District) announced a collaboration with the Conservative…
Read More

Comment

 

Cooperative extension offers hay for farmers

Haywood County offers resources for farmers needing hay are encouraged to contact the Haywood County Cooperative Extension Office to speak…
Read More

Comment

 

Jackson County seeks lifeguards

The new Jackson County Aquatics Center is hiring five full-time lifeguards. Employees are entitled to full benefits other Jackson County…
Read More

Comment

 

Haywood opens summer camp survey

Anyone interested in enrolling their child in summer camp in Haywood County should take part in the Waynesville Parks &…
Read More

Comment

 

Damage from Helene: Hellbenders may get endangered species listing

By now, the story of Hurricane Helene is a tragically familiar one: the endless rain, the swollen rivers, the angry…
Read More

Comment

 

Haywood Waterways announces Polar Plunge

The Plunge is back for its 13th consecutive year. On Saturday, Feb. 8, Haywood Waterways Association (HWA) and Lake Junaluska…
Read More

Comment

 

MountainTrue hosts plant workday

MountainTrue, in partnership with the Mainspring Conservation Trust and the Pinnacle Park Foundation, is hosting a community volunteer workday to…
Read More

Comment

 

Smokies seeks help in identifying historic homesites

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking help to identify and document former homesite locations within the park. Volunteer-In-Park Frank…
Read More

Comment

 

Grants available for agricultural projects

 The North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission is requesting applications from qualifying organizations that support the agricultural industry, impact rural…
Read More

Comment

 

Over the hills and far away: Tsali Ultra race returns to WNC

Returning for its 15th installment, the annual outdoor race, the Tsali Ultra, will be once again held at Tsali Recreation…
Read More

Comment

 

Haywood Waterways

Haywood Waterways Association sent word last week that its staff and vounteers are hearing from one of their partners that…
Read More

Comment

 

Wildfire danger high in WNC

The N.C. Forest Service has designated the fire danger for the state’s far western counties as high.
Read More

Comment

 

Bears are denning; what to and what not to do

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) advises the public that black bears in North Carolina are in their “winter homes,” which…
Read More

Comment

 

Fisheries update offered next month

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park fisheries department is offering an informative and educational workshop from 9 a.m. to noon…
Read More

Comment

 

Word from the Smokies: Volunteer roles critical to park operations

After years of vacationing in the Smokies, Scott and Jayne Young had no trouble deciding where they wanted to retire.…
Read More

Comment

 

Planning board opposes flood plain ordinance change

In a turn of events for the volunteers and members of the public that have been showing up in an…
Read More

Comment

 

Dozens of flood reduction projects to launch in 2025

With about 280 projects approved across the state, the new year will bring visible on-the-ground progress in the effort to…
Read More

Comment

 

Lake Junaluska pickleball courts completed

The pickleball courts renovations at Lake Junaluska are complete. This project, which highlights the growing popularity of pickleball in the…
Read More

Comment

 

Hike Panthertown with Jackson County Rec

The Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department announced a Jan. 17 hike on the Panthertown Loop trail. Trail is about…
Read More

Comment

 

WNC no longer abnormally dry

The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council continues to classify much of Eastern North Carolina as being in a moderate…
Read More

Comment

 

Haywood hosts Master Gardener advice session

NC State Extension Master Gardener volunteers are available to answer questions about lawns, vegetables, flowers, trees and ornamental plants; disease, insect,…
Read More

Comment

 

Word from the Smokies: Ramsey Cascades Trail reopens following multiyear rehabilitation

For the first time in nearly three years, the trail to Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s tallest waterfall is fully open…
Read More

Comment

 

USDA implements new wood processing program

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled a new program to support American wood processing facilities. 
Read More

Comment

 

Wilderness Wildlife Week

More than 90 free educational sessions, five days of outdoor excursions and key note speakers await attendees of Pigeon Forge’s…
Read More

Comment

 

Macon to address floodplain, Lake Emory Dam in new year

After almost a year of work, discussion and often tense disagreement on the issue, Macon County is set to continue…
Read More

Comment

 

Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust conserves 54.45 acres of forested land

The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust (HCLT) announced the permanent conservation of 54.45 acres of forested land just two miles from downtown…
Read More

Comment

 

Rehab efforts begin on popular Smokies trail

The National Park Service (NPS) will begin a major rehabilitation on Laurel Falls Trail, one of the most popular trails…
Read More

Comment

 

Burning permit requirement reinstated in WNC

The N.C. Forest Service has reinstated the requirement for open burning permits in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell,…
Read More

Comment

 

Drought conditions lessen in WNC

After several weeks of increasingly dry conditions, Western North Carolina has finally seen some much-needed rain, taking the whole region…
Read More

Comment

 

HCC hosts spring hunter safety courses

Haywood Community  College’s Department of Arts, Sciences and Natural Resources and the  North Carolina  Wildlife Resources Commission  will offer two opportunities for…
Read More

Comment

 

Design studies on tap for Foothills Parkway

The National Park Service will conduct additional design work and technical studies for Foothills Parkway Section 8D. This decision was…
Read More

Comment

 

Haywood Waterways creates jobs to clean up Helene litter

After Tropical Storm Fred moved through Western North Carolina in 2021, litter cleanup throughout the East Fork and downstream along…
Read More

Comment

 

Sylva to host Cycle NC Moutain Ride

North Carolina Amateur Sports announced that the Cycle North Carolina Mountain Ride is headed to Jackson County Aug. 1-3, 2025. …
Read More

Comment

 

Public comment sought on proposal to list hellbender as endangered

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposal to list the eastern hellbender as an endangered species throughout its…
Read More

Comment

 

State sees widespread moderate drought

Most of North Carolina continues to experience moderate drought, according to the latest advisory from the North Carolina Drought Management…
Read More

Comment

 

Troxler encourages watershed protection applications

N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler encourages communities impacted by Hurricane Helene to apply for the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program,…
Read More

Comment

 

House passes bill providing millions to dams, flood mitigation in WNC

A bill approved by Congress last week will provide money for improvements to the nation’s ports and harbors; inland waterway navigation;…
Read More

Comment

 

Word from the Smokies: Park and partners work to expand environmental education outreach

Anne Thomas-Abbott had a “profound” experience this October as she observed students taking part in a National Park Service curriculum…
Read More

Comment

 

Christmas Bird Count marks 125 years

Since its origin in 1900, the Christmas Bird Count has become a holiday fixture for ever-expanding numbers of birders across the…
Read More

Comment

 

HCLT to conserve 100 acre tract of pristine land in Cashiers

Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust (HCLT) is under contract on 100 acres of raw and pristine land in Cashiers. Fully surrounded by…
Read More

Comment

 

NCWRC votes to advance Red Wolf recovery

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission today voted unanimously in favor of a resolution to advance Red Wolf recovery in…
Read More

Comment

 

Sign up for night skiing at Cataloochee

Jackson County Recreation is offering four, five and six-week programs that will allow skiers to enjoy lessons under the night…
Read More

Comment

 

North Carolina announces drinking water awards

The North Carolina Division of Water Resources has honored 79 water treatment plants for surpassing federal and state drinking water…
Read More

Comment

 

Most of WNC now in moderate drought

The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council has again classified the whole state as at least abnormally dry with a…
Read More

Comment

 

Jackson County hosts youth spring soccer

Youth soccer is coming to Jackson County next month. Registration for spring soccer begins Jan. 1 and runs through Jan.…
Read More

Comment

 

WNC skier shares love of sport with family, community

On the weekdays, Alex Masciarelli proudly works as principal of Junaluska Elementary School in Waynesville. But, on the weekends during…
Read More

Comment

Page 1 of 3
Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.