News Staff HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) – Recovery efforts continue from last summer’s flooding in the wake of Tropical Storm Fred in Haywood County, and analysts say cleanup will take years. But the community continues to band together, and they’re getting some help from several AmeriCorps team members who are at Lake Logan to help in the … Read more
St John the Evangelist Catholic Church will host a free food distribution with MANNA FoodBank Mobile Express next month. Fresh produce and other fresh food items will be available, along with baby diapers and hygiene products (while supplies last). The give away will be from 3-5 p.m. on Feb. 10. at St John’s located on … Read more
CULLOWHEE – WCU is seeing fewer locals applying for college. Amid the pandemic and its ongoing impact on finances of students and their families, total enrollment at Western Carolina University has dipped slightly by 2.7% for the 2022 spring semester, while the number of new graduate students and distance students enrolled increased. The semester began … Read more
CANTON – The Canton governing board authorized spending $105,000 to set up semi-permanent administrative offices on Summer Street. The four-trailer modular set up will replace the current shipping containers scattered across town which were set up after facilities were lost during the August 2021 flooding. The new temporary office space is expected to be move … Read more
A fire at the vacant Soft Cloth Carwash on Jan. 26 is being linked to the homeless crisis in the county. The carwash is adjacent to the Exxon gas station across from Best Buy in Waynesville where authorities were dispatched after someone reported smoke behind the car wash. Four firetrucks responded and crews reported they … Read more
In response to a deepening housing crisis and a growing casino enterprise in need of workers, The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the LLCs it owns are moving forward with a slate of residential development projects that will result in more than 1,000 new housing units over the next decade – in both the … Read more
The Jackson County Board of Commissioners has approved a pay raise for local Cooperative Extension Agents. The move comes after the North Carolina Legislature voted to give Cooperative Extension employees a pay hike of 2.5 percent. The state and county will split the 2.5 percent increase. The board voted unanimously to cover the cost. The … Read more
Rising attacks on places of worship have prompted the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office to offer free programs designed to help congregations learn to secure their facilities. The program, was designed similar to the Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events, or CRASE, training, and the classes are taught by a certified CRASE instructor who offers religious … Read more
North Carolina’s voting date has once again been changed. NC legislatures decided to move the voting date from May 17 to June 7th after the N.C. Supreme Court had rescheduled the primary date, originally set for March 8, to the May date. The latest move was pushed by state Republicans who argue they’ll need more … Read more
The City of Asheville is looking at possible changes to how some local non-profit organizations feed the homeless community at city parks A spokesperson says the City of Asheville has no intention of banning food distribution in city parks but, officials are looking for ways to keep parks clean and safe. One option would establish … Read more