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Spring is here, and it’s time for that childhood tradition of fishing at the local fishing hole. To honor and promote that tradition, the USDA Forest Service and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will host two “Kids Fishing Day” events during April in the Cherokee National Forest’s Ocoee/Hiwassee Ranger District.
Haywood County has partnered with Consolidated Waste Services and EcoFlo to hold its spring Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) located at 278 Recycle Rd. in Clyde.
The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Spring Litter Sweep kicked off April 12 and runs through April 26. This biannual cleanup event invites residents across the state to bag litter and beautify roadsides, all while helping protect North Carolina’s natural charm.
To the Editor:
Migrant/immigrant workers know what real work is, tending crops under a blazing sun that provide the food that we eat, doing jobs that no one else wants to do.
U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn, Jr. sentenced Brandon Tyler Buchanan to 30 years in prison for second degree murder, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
A series of recent bomb threats to multiple targets across Waynesville has law enforcement asking for tips that could help with arrests.
On April 14, the Hazelwood Ingles was evacuated due to a threat, the seventh in 10 days according to Waynesville Police Chief David Adams. Previously, Walmart had been evacuated at least twice.
“We don’t have any leads right now,” Adams said. “We definitely need the public’s help.”
Adams said his department had received assistance from the State Bureau of Investigation and that they were reviewing videotape from the incidents, which appear to involve written threats in bathrooms.
Anyone with information about the messages can submit an anonymous tip through the town’s police app, by calling Crime Stoppers at 877.92.CRIME or the WPD at 828.452.2491 or through WPD’s Facebook page.
On March 19, a threat cleared out the Haywood County Courthouse in the early afternoon; however, a suspect was apprehended less than four hours later.
Sheriff Bill Wilke said the courthouse threat was different from the others in that it was submitted by phone.
“Not to reveal too many methods, but with the utilization of witnesses and technology, that came to a close very quickly,” Wilke said.
— Cory Vaillancourt, Politics Editor
Shelley White, president of Haywood Community College, has been named the North Carolina Community College President of the Year by the North Carolina Community College System State Board and the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation.
The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) is reminding drivers that speeding has life-threatening consequences.
Three public information officers who serve the people of Haywood County were recently recognized in Asheville by the North Carolina City and County Communicators, a statewide network of dedicated professionals working in public information, communications, marketing and media across local governments and universities.
N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced that the Agricultural Disaster Crop Loss Program is open and accepting online applications through May 4 from farmers who suffered crop losses from Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Debby and drought and other weather-related conditions in 2024.
Panthertown Map Association, the non-profit publishers of Burt Kornegay’s popular map, “A Guide’s Guide to Panthertown,” recently celebrated the publication of the newly revised 30th anniversary edition with a $7,500 donation to Friends of Panthertown.
The Haywood County Farm Bureau Board of Directors is proud to announce the sponsorship of Central Haywood High School’s new tractor. This tractor will be used by Kevin Bailey, Ed.D., Central Haywood High’s agriculture teacher, to improve student understanding of agricultural equipment and give them real-world education and experiences directly related to the agricultural industry.
The Western Carolina University Office of Alumni Engagement is stepping up to the plate and taking a swing at a new summer event designed to bring together members of the Catamount family at baseball stadiums across North and South Carolina.
The Franklin Bird Club leads walks along the Greenway on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. through September. Walks start at alternating locations: Macon County Public Library, Big Bear Park and Salali Lane.
Over 49,000 people died by suicide in 2022 — one death every 11 minutes. Over one million people a year survive a suicide attempt, and 13.2 million seriously think about ending their life.
Contract crews for the N.C. Department of Transportation will be replacing guardrail along a stretch of N.C. 28 for the next several months.
The Night’s Watch, a student group at Western Carolina University, will hold a fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Helene at Sylva’s Bridge Park from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 12.
On April 4 by noon, the National Park Service (NPS) will reopen portions of Cataloochee Valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cataloochee Valley has been closed since September 2024 following significant damage from Hurricane Helene. Within the park, Cataloochee Valley saw the worst impacts from Hurricane Helene.
Featuring works from faculty artisans at Western Carolina University, the 2025 School of Art & Design Faculty Biennial Exhibition will be displayed Jan. 21 through May 2 in the Bardo Arts Center in Cullowhee.
The Haywood County Arts Council’s (HCAC) specially curated exhibit featuring the works of celebrated visual artist and author Ann Miller Woodford will run through April 7 at HCAC’s Haywood Handmade Gallery in downtown Waynesville.
FIND Outdoors is excited to announce the seasonal reopening of the Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah National Forest on April 5. This historic site, often referred to as the birthplace of modern forestry in America, continues to serve as a hub for conservation education and outdoor experiences.
Opening day attendees will enjoy complimentary admission and programming throughout the day, including:
10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. — Character Meet & Greets
11 a.m. — Book signing and reading with Carolyn Bennett Fraise, the author of “MOON TREE: The Story of One Extraordinary Tree”
1-2 p.m. — Up Close Encounter with Birds of Prey
• Jeff Curtis presents an exciting falconry demonstration featuring majestic birds of prey. Get up close to these incredible birds and learn about their role in the ecosystem.
3-4 p.m. — Fur, Feathers and Scales
• The WNC Nature Center brings an exciting educational presentation featuring animals with fur, feathers and scales. Meet live animals and learn how they adapt to their environments.
Guided tours of the Biltmore Campus Trail and Forest Festival Trail will also be available.
Admission:
$10/adult (13+)
$5/child (4–12)
$5/Federal Passholder
Season Passes to the Cradle of Forestry are also available for $35/individual or $55/family and include:
• Regular admission to the Cradle of Forestry during the season
• 15% discount at the Cradle of Forestry Gift Shop
• Half-off admission for special programs/events offered throughout the season
For more information, visit gofindoutdoors.org/sites/cradle-of-forestry.
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) recommends that homeowners check now for bats that may be getting into their home and evict them responsibly before pup-rearing season begins on May 1.
Officials at the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) report there are still areas that are unsafe to participate in water activities due to remaining debris from Hurricane Helene. Some locations are inaccessible to emergency responders in the event an incident occurs.
Hurricane Helene caused at least 57 landslides on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, damaging roads and trails across 200 miles, the National Park Service said.
The storm, which also damaged facilities in Virginia, led to the closure of parts of the 469-mile parkway. About 312 miles have reopened.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the agency has completed its work supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local health departments with hurricane response efforts in western North Carolina.
On the six-month anniversary of Hurricane Helene, Governor Josh Stein and Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler sent a letter to US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, requesting that USDA approve a block grant to support the recovery efforts of farmers in Western North Carolina.
As Spring begins, Great Smoky Mountains National Park reminds visitors of group size limits during the popular wildflower season at Whiteoak Sink. Individuals and small groups of eight or fewer people may access the Whiteoak Sink area throughout the wildflower season Tuesday, April 1, through Sunday, May 4.
The Pisgah Conservancy’s Invasive Plant Management Crew celebrates one year of tackling non-native invasive species in the forest this month.
The Invasive Plant Management Crew is the first and only of its kind fully dedicated to working in the Pisgah Ranger District.
In recognition of April as child abuse prevention month, KARE is inviting the community to join in celebrating the strength and hope that help families thrive.
To the Editor:
Every so often, some politician will say something so arrogant and tone-deaf as to be compared to Marie Antoinette, the doomed queen who supposedly said of France’s starving peasants, “Then let them eat cake.”
To the Editor:
I am a retired military officer (veteran); senior citizen; middle class; have grandchildren that are part of the LBGQ+ community; live in a rural area; have a grandchild still in school; and, I am a female.
Nearly six months after Hurricane Helene ravaged Western North Carolina, the region's recovery efforts continue.
Gov. Josh Stein's advisory committee, formed to aid in the recovery, held its first in-person meeting Friday at Western Carolina University.
The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity announced a $1.2 million Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program fiber project to connect 359 households and businesses in Haywood County to high-speed internet.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) offers helpful guidance when encountering wildlife as they become more visible this time of year.
Black bears emerge from their dens in spring and become more active. BearWise offers springtime tips, such as securing garbage and taking down bird feeders, to help people prevent conflicts with bears.
The Western North Carolina Orchid Society (WNCOS) and The North Carolina Arboretum will once again host one of Western North Carolina’s greatest annual plant shows: the 24th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Arcadia” from March 28-30. The festival is an American Orchid Society sanctioned judging event.
Haywood County has partnered with Consolidated Waste Services and EcoFlo to hold its spring Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) located at 278 Recycle Road in Clyde.
The Conservation Fund announced that a critical property in the Great Balsam Mountains is protected as forest and natural land.
The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council has classified most of the state as abnormally dry, while 56 counties are at least partially in a moderate drought, including almost the entire Smoky Mountain News coverage area.
Haywood Community College and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission will offer three opportunities for boater safety courses in Spring 2025. Classes will be offered from 6-9 p.m. April 2-3, May 7-8, and June 4-5 on the HCC campus in the Walnut building, room 3322.
Haywood Community College in Clyde will welcome multiple speakers, guests and partners to campus for the WNC Environmental Summit from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, March 21,.
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is welcoming a slate of community ambassadors to guide the next steps of its Blue Ridge Rising initiative. The group of leaders will help implement strategies to unify gateway communities surrounding the Blue Ridge Parkway for the betterment of the region.
The open burning of trash, metal, plastic and all other man-made materials not only harms the environment and poses a public health risk, it’s against state law.
Eddie Huffman will share his new book, “Doc Watson: A Life in Music.” and also be accompanied by musician Jerad Davis at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva.
An evening of old-time dancing (contras, rounds, squares and mixers) will be held from 7-9 a.m. Thursday, March 20, at the Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center in Franklin.
Ham radio is both a fascinating hobby and a great tool during a disaster, as folks recently found out during Hurricane Helene. Those interested in learning more about ham radio can now do so through a five-week course being offered in Haywood County.
Western North Carolina Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards will host an in-person town hall on Thursday, March 13, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Ferguson Auditorium at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.
Haywood County Democrats are gathering at precinct meetings beginning March 16 and ending March 30. A precinct is an area in which all voters go to a single place to cast their ballot on election day.
Haywood Health Foundation (HHF) announce its Request For Proposals (RFPs) for grants relating to unmet healthcare needs in Haywood County.
He now has big shoes to fill, but Waynesville officials think interim Fire Department Chief Chris Mehaffey has what it takes to guide the department into its next era.
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation received the 2025 Outstanding Public Engagement Award from the Public Lands Alliance (PLA) during the organization’s annual convention and trade show in Las Vegas.
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