News Staff

WCU selects alumnus as assistant vice chancellor for engagement

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CULLOWHEE – Following a national search, an alumnus has been appointed to the position of assistant vice chancellor for engagement at Western Carolina University. James D. Hogan started the job Jan. 1. A longtime resident of Statesville, and North Iredell High School graduate, Hogan said he couldn’t be happier to be back home. -0-

Mainspring Conservation announced it has renewed its distinction as accredited national land trust

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Mainspring Conservation Trust announced it has renewed its distinction as an accredited national land trust. Nationally accredited since 2010, Mainspring has stewarded more than 29,000 acres in the six western-most counties in North Carolina and northern Georgia, including the now Needmore Game Lands, Pinnacle Park, Old Cherokee Watauga [wa taw guh] Town and significant working … Read more

Parents rallying for stricter COVID safety measures

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BREVARD, N.C. (WLOS) – A group of parents in neighboring Transylvania County are rallying for stricter COVID safety measures. More than 270 people have signed an online petition created by the Parent and Community Alliance, calling on the board of education to address increasing COVID-19 cases with an emergency meeting. With more cases leading to … Read more

College students return to classes remotely due to COVID concerns

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CULLOWHEE, N.C. (WLOS) – As college students gear up to return to classes this week, some, like UNC Asheville and Charlotte, will be doing it remotely because of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the area. And, although Western Carolina University rturned to in-person, students and staff were welcomed back to classes in Cullowhee … Read more

COVID cases are rapidly rising in Cherokee

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COVID cases are rapidly rising in Cherokee. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas [Dec. 16] the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ Joint Information Center (JIC) reported there have been over 300 new positive COVID cases in the Cherokee community and one death. EBCI officials say the highly contagious Omicron variant, coupled with social gatherings during the holidays, … Read more

Waynesville Recreation Center gearing up to open

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The Waynesville Recreation Center is gearing up to open two days a week. At the summer’s end when lifeguards returned to class, the pool hours were drastically cut back because of the staffing shortage. With the start of the new year, the town was able to hire four lifeguards, two full-time and two part time, … Read more

Public comment period open on proposed pipeline in Buncombe County

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(Asheville, NC) – National Park Service officials are seeking public comment on a proposed 760-ft pipeline in Buncombe County. The Dominion Energy North Carolina (DENC) pipeline segment would be part of a natural gas pipeline under construction in the area that enables DENC to increase natural gas service to customers. A Environmental Assessment will determine … Read more

Haywood County School teachers getting more money

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Teachers and staff members in Haywood County Schools are set to receive pay raises and bonuses thanks to a newly passed state budget. The state budget will provide funding for Haywood County Schools to raise the base salary and provide bonuses for teachers and other school staff like principals, school counselors, bus drivers, maintenance and … Read more