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Robert Holland, 39, has been Macon County Sheriff for four years and with the sheriff's department since 1991. He is married. He graduated from high school in Florida, and attended Southwestern Community College and the N.C. Justice Academy.
Green Salamander — Although listed by the state as endangered and recognized as a species of concern by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the green salamander appears to be stabilizing its populations though the geographic range of its habitats is still quite small.
Here’s how Swain County plans to pay for the school land purchase.
Cowee Mound, a 71-acre site in Macon County and once a major Cherokee village, will be preserved thanks to a joint conservation effort between the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee.
If you’re not careful, you could miss it.
By Michael Beadle
It’s a chilly fall morning in downtown Bryson City, and U.S. Rep. Charles Taylor steps up into a fire truck to pose for pictures.
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
It’s 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, and Andrew Whalen, 11th Congressional District candidate Heath Shuler’s Deputy Campaign Manager and Communications Director, sits at a small desk in a small office strewn with small stacks of paper.
By Chris Cooper
Rafe Stefanini: Ladies Fancy
Rafe Stefanini is something of a walking encyclopedia of old-time fiddle and banjo music, having dedicated most of his life to hunting down and learning tunes both famous and obscure from all over this country.
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
Jacob Clark, a sixth-grader at Waynesville Middle School, likes the trumpet.
“It’s easy to play,” he says.
Freakonomics
OK, I’m often late to the game, but this book published a few years is just fascinating. While working Folkmoot this summer one of the guides was reading it, and she explained that it was the freshman summer reading assignment at Appalachian State University.
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
Mike Bonfoey defeated Republican challenger Donna Forga 34,445 to 29,771 to retain his position as 30th Judicial District Attorney.
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
District 119 incumbent Phil Haire, D-Sylva, has once against defeated Marge Carpenter, R-Waynesville, for state House of Representatives. Haire registered 13,099 votes to Carpenter’s 9,267, taking nearly 59 percent of the vote overall.
By Michael Beadle
When John and Suzanne Gernandt’s son Matthew began showing signs of schizophrenia, it might have been misread as teenage rebellion — a phase he would pass through once the hormones settled down.
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
Democrats swept the Jackson County Board of Commissioners as voters elected Cashiers’ Mark Jones over Republican challenger Geoff Higginbotham to fill the one remaining seat.
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
Ronnie Beale is the newest Macon County commissioner and will join incumbent Bob Simpson, who won re-election on Nov. 7. Republican candidate Brian McClellan upset incumbent Allan Bryson in the race to represent the county’s Highlands district, giving the board a Republican majority.
By Michael Beadle
Call it a fourth-quarter, game-winning touchdown. A stunning upset over the perennial powerhouse. Pick your sports metaphor.
Sen. John Snow, D-Murphy, handily won his second term in the North Carolina Senate, beating challenger Ken McKim 38,537 to 28,903.
By Al Smith • Guest Columnist
Hazel Creek Trail in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is located in the middle of the most extensive roadless area in the eastern United States.
Do the rules of our health care system work anymore? That is the question posed in this column two weeks ago.
By Rob Schofield
This year, those who care about preserving and expanding the common good in North Carolina would do well to treat Wednesday, Nov. 8, as less a day of celebration or mourning and more as the day on which they renew their commitment to studying and articulating a policy agenda that will help to build a modern, moral and progressive state.
By Kirkwood Callahan • Guest Columnist
Every election year there are always claims and counter claims over federal tax policy. Liberals claim Republican income tax cuts benefit the rich and ignore the lower and middle classes.
The non-profit Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation recently awarded a $98,000 grant for rangers to conduct educational outreach programs for students in communities along the Parkway.
By Mark Jaben
Last time, we talked about EMTALA (the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act), managed care and how far the pendulum has swung, leading to decreased capacity in the system. The availability and provision of health care is not determined by system planning, but by unintended downstream effects, resulting in uneven, unfair health care rationing. Do the rules of the system still work?
By Chris Cooper
Though Sylva might not qualify as a simmering hotbed of musical and cultural hipness, to a degree it does have it’s own thing going on. We have a reasonable variety of musicians and bands, with several — even some surprising — genres represented.
The New Yorker
Waynesville’s James Joyce is not only an excellent writer (as evidenced in his latest work Use Eagles If Necessary). He’s also a guy who appreciates fine writing.
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
Cable subscribers in Jackson and Macon counties are facing the possibility of losing local ABC affiliate WLOS Channel 13 unless cable provider Mediacom and Sinclair Broadcast Group can reach an equitable agreement before Dec. 1.
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
Officials with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on Monday unveiled plans for a new Associate in Fine Arts degree focusing on Native American art to be offered in collaboration with Southwestern Community College.
It’s time to change the voting laws and procedures in North Carolina to reflect today’s reality and to help alleviate a confusing situation that could hurt candidates and confuse voters.
By Michael Beadle
Like artists inspired by the drama of their own lives, some art studios have their own back story.
By Chris Cooper
Music, and the artists that make it, have no choice but to evolve as time goes by. For many rock-oriented instrumentalists that came into prominence during the 80s, this has been a difficult thing.
“Dexter”
There is so much bad television that I’m usually way behind the curve on good new shows because I lack the time or patience to wade through the dreck to find the occasional jewel. But I could not resist this show, which debuted a few weeks ago on Showtime, because it stars Michael C. Hall, who played David Fisher on the late, great, and much mourned “Six Feet Under.” Hall’s new show takes his old show’s La Danse Macabre to a new level altogether — the protagonist is a serial killer, albeit a serial killer who kills only people who “deserve it.” Hall is such an amazing actor that he somehow manages to make Dexter sympathetic without pandering and without the script conveniently providing a backstory of cliches that are supposed to account for the character’s tormented behavior. The show is well written and smartly paced, and the cast, although comprised mainly of relative unknowns, is good enough that Hall will not have to carry the show alone. In just five episodes, it has already become our favorite show. I wish Rachel Griffiths’ (Brenda, from “Six Feet Under”) new show, “Brothers and Sisters,” were half as good, but I had to bail after just two episodes because I found the show too weepy and cloying to bear, and the entire family — every brother and every sister — insufferable. If Dexter were somehow to make a guest appearance, that herd of whiners would be thinned considerably. I’d tune in for that.
Tom Petty, Highway Companion
Can it really be 30 years since Petty first invaded FM radio with American Girl, followed three years later by his breakthrough album, Damn the Torpedoes, an album right up there with Peter Frampton’s Frampton Comes Alive, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, and Cheap Trick’s Live at Budokan as 70s albums that EVERYBODY had and knew by heart. Highway Companion hardly marks a comeback for Petty — he’s been slugging away all these years, producing records on a regular basis with and without the Heartbreakers, but this is the first one since 1989’s Full Moon Fever to really register with me. Fast ones, slow ones, Mike Campbell on guitar ... all in all, vintage Petty. And on a sunny summer day tooling down the highway listening to FM radio, I’d as soon hear half a dozen of these songs as “Refugee.”
— By Chris Cox
An ongoing lawsuit against the owners of Smoky Mountain Golf Course alleges numerous problems with the course’s management under its out-of-state owners.
Recreation programs in Haywood County could get a huge boost from tourism dollars if commissioners follow through on a recommendation made at the Monday work session.
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
About 80 area residents gathered at the Jackson County Recreation Center Thursday night to learn more about the county’s new land development plan and discuss the future of growth.
Haywood County Commissioners made several changes to the slope development ordinance before passing it. The ordinance kicks in when a cut-and-fill slope exceeds a certain threshold. That threshold is what commissioners altered. Here’s the net effect of the changes:
• Proposed: A slope stabilization plan is required for any cut-and-fill slope taller than 10 feet.
• Change: This measure was eliminated.
• Proposed: A slope stabilization plan is required for any earth moving activity on natural slope cuts that exceeds 40 percent.
• Change: This measure was eliminated.
• Proposed: A slope stabilization plan is required for a cut slope that exceeds a 1 to 1 ratio of run to rise.
• Change: Applies only to slope cuts that exceed 15 feet in height.
• Proposed: A slope stabilization plan is required for a fill slope that exceeds a 1.5 to 1 ratio of run to rise.
• Change: Applies only to slopes that exceed 15 feet in height.
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
The Macon County Planning Board wants county commissioners to enact a moratorium on any construction over 38 feet in height to temporarily stop construction of a 10-story high-rise condominium just outside of Highlands.
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
Most business and property owners have reacted positively to a Downtown Sylva Association proposal to create a municipal service district that would tax the downtown area to pay for improvements, say DSA officials.
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
Several area governments are taking steps to keep constituents who subscribe to Mediacom cable service from losing the local ABC affiliate and with it their only source of local news.
The fine line between a cop doing one’s duty or overdoing his duty is once again in the grip of Monday morning quarterbacks to judge. Meanwhile, a pair of police careers are on the line.
By Jim Joyce
In five hours and twenty minutes it will be midnight and Veterans Day 2006 will be over. Thank God. I hate Veterans Day, and I don’t know why we have it. We already had Memorial Day. To me Veterans Day is painful and celebrating it is out of the question.
It’s time to end this debate.With another pro-settlement county board, the election of Swain Count native and pro-settlement congressman Heath Shuler, a new study showing the economic benefits of a cash settlement and an ever-increasing price tag for construction, it’s time once and for all for Western North Carolina’s leaders to take advantage of the moment and demand a cash settlement of at least $52 million in lieu of the construction of the North Shore Road.
By Michael Beadle
North Carolina’s population is expected to rise by nearly 3 million people in the next two decades. As we use up more and more natural resources like oil and coal, how will we handle the energy needs of the future?
Talking Trees Children’s Trout Derby is set for Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Oconaluftee River Islands Park in Cherokee. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is hosting the event, which is open to children ages 3 to 11 years old. Pre-registration is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds. Fishing begins at 8 a.m. Saturday and ends at noon with awards and prize presentations afterward.
On Friday, there will be traditional music and dance, food, games, zip lines, animal exhibitions, professional bull riders and the Madison Hornbuckle Children’s Cancer Foundation Cornhole Tournament with a $500 first prize. This is a non-sanctioned tournament, but American Cornhole Association rules are followed. All boards and bags will be provided. Registration is required. .
This event is accessible to Children with Disabilities.
843.909.0847 or www.cherokeetroutderby.com.
The Tsali Challenge Triathlon will take place Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28, at the Tsali Recreation Area outside of Bryson City.
The annual triathlon will feature a paddle, run and bike on some of the most famous trails in the Eastern United States. Racers will start out paddling a calm 3-mile water loop around Bear Island in Lake Fontana. Then they will head to the hills for a 5-mile run on the mountain bike single track at Tsali before ending with a 12-mile spin on mountain bikes.
The solo event will take place on Saturday and the team relay event on Sunday. Early registration is 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, July 26, at Bryson City Bicycles and day of registration is from 7 to 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the race site.
www.goneriding.com or 352.873.9279.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is accepting submissions for the “I am the Appalachian Trail” video contest, a nationwide search for the best video about the trail.
Contestants will submit video shorts, no longer than three minutes, emphasizing how they are connected to the trail.
The creators of the top three videos with the most votes will each win a one-year membership to the ATC and be featured in an issue of A.T. Journeys, the official magazine of the ATC. The winner will have his or her video featured in theaters during the 2014 ATC Membership Drive, shared with thousands of followers across ATC’s social media sites. The winner also will receive a hammock.
The public will vote for its favorite video through ATC’s Facebook page. Submissions are being accepted until Sept. 15, and voting will take place from Sept. 16 to Nov. 8. Winners will be announced on Nov. 11.
The Haywood Chamber of Commerce has released the 2013 Blue Ridge Breakaway jersey design.
The Aug. 17 ride will feature a custom jersey that combines the adrenaline-pumping nature of the breakaway with the needs of the everyday cyclist. The Hincapie Axis jersey features an edgy design, touting the mileage and cumulative elevation gain of each route in the Breakaway. The Axis is a relaxed, traditionally-styled jersey, featuring a lightweight fabric, a full-length hidden zipper and three pockets.
“This year’s jersey design represents the Blue Ridge Breakaway’s reputation as a beautiful but very challenging ride,” said Brian Birthright, one of the ride’s committee members.
The cycling event brought 500 or so riders to Haywood County last year. Early registration is open until Aug. 2 for this year’s ride and costs between $54 and $39, depending on the distance of the route. Jersey quantities are limited. Both can be purchased online.
BlueRidgeBreakaway.com or 828.456.3021.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has a new executive director and CEO.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is offering a citizen scientist program for a chance to be part of ongoing research program.
A 21-mile section of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina is closed — from Ox Creek Road to Mount Mitchell State Park.
Recreational Equipment Inc. has donated $5,000 to support trail work in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
