Smoky Mountain News

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  • The Naturalist's Corner

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:42 am ET  

    Bob Olthoff and I took advantage of last Sunday’s (Nov. 29) Indian Summer weather for a couple of hours of birding at the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee’s Tessentee Bottomland Preserve (formerly Tessentee Farm). Not only was the weather cooperative, the birds were, too. Full Story »

  • News briefs

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:42 am ET  

    The Foundation for Angel Medical Center will host a silent auction to benefit the new Breast Health Center at AMC. The auction will be held in the cafeteria from Dec. 7 to Dec. 15 and will include items like a handcrafted wormy chestnut and walnut dulcimer created by Jeff Stanley and donated to the Foundation. Full Story »

  • Business briefs

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:41 am ET  

    A career in nursing can be just a year away for individuals who enroll in Western Carolina University’s new 12-month Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. Full Story »

  • Business notes

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:41 am ET  

    Jackie Cure has announced the opening of Scott Williamson’s LandCrazy.com new office at 34 N. Main Street in downtown Waynesville. Full Story »

  • New Sylva board member could help bridge rift

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:40 am ET  

    Sylva’s incoming Mayor Maurice Moody said he wanted to start his career with a consensus vote and that’s exactly what he did. In its first act, the newly seated Sylva town board unanimously voted to appoint Christine Matheson to the commissioner’s seat left vacant by Moody when he became mayor. Full Story »

  • Big Ridge mortgage holders say their loans being investigated

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:40 am ET  

    Editor’s note: These articles first appeared in the St. Petersburg Times and are reprinted with permission of the writer. Full Story »

  • Poore chosen as CEO for MedWest Health System

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:40 am ET  

    Haywood Regional Medical Center CEO Mike Poore has been named as the new chief executive officer of MedWest Health System following a unanimous vote of the MedWest System Board and the recommendation of Carolinas Heathcare System. Full Story »

  • Haywood’s lower classification pleases economic official

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:40 am ET  

    Haywood County was more economically distressed this year, according to state rankings that essentially classify the counties from wealthiest to poorest. Full Story »

  • Undocumented students receive helping hand from Franklin principal

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:40 am ET  

    Despite the daunting road ahead, Franklin High School principal Gary Shields is steering his undocumented students toward the naturalization process. Gaining citizenship would give his students a shot at higher education and better job opportunities. Full Story »

  • Expense keeps most undocumented immigrants out of community college

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:39 am ET  

    North Carolina’s community colleges may have flung open their doors to illegal immigrants once again, but only a handful of undocumented students are likely to trickle into area colleges next fall. Full Story »

  • Defective slot machine zaps gambler

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:39 am ET  

    A slot machine at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino malfunctioned, delivering a shock that floored a gambler, according to a lawsuit brought by the victim. Full Story »

  • Tribal casino gets OK for gaming floor alcohol

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:39 am ET  

    Harrah’s Cherokee Casino may soon serve alcohol on the gaming floor, after receiving an unofficial go-ahead from a state attorney. The casino has already been offering customers beer, wine and mixed drinks at restaurants and lounges in its adjacent hotel. Full Story »

  • WCU trustees adopt tuition increase

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:39 am ET  

    Western Carolina University’s board of trustees voted to increase the school’s tuition by 6.5 percent next year. The vote to adopt a voluntary tuition hike will only take effect if the North Carolina General Assembly backs off on its proposed 8 percent tuition hike across the UNC system. Full Story »

  • Malicious prosecution lawsuit unfounded, magistrate rules

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:39 am ET  

    A malicious prosecution lawsuit by a woman accused of misappropriating flood relief donations should be dropped, according to the recommendation of a federal magistrate reviewing the case. Full Story »

  • Unpaid Ghost Town workers were warned pay might not come

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:39 am ET  

    Ghost Town in the Sky, an amusement park in Maggie Valley, failed to pay employees for their final two weeks of work before shutting down for the winter. Full Story »

  • Jonathan Creek park moves closer to reality

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:38 am ET  

    Haywood County commissioners decided Monday to move forward with the design phase for a proposed public park and sports field in Jonathan Creek. The county’s Recreation and Parks Department is accepting conceptual proposals from local consultants until Dec. 30. Full Story »

  • Steady stream of businesses look for federal help after rockslide

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:38 am ET  

    Small businesses struggling to pay bills after a rockslide shut down Interstate 40 now have the option of applying for federal low-interest loans. The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering up to $2 million in assistance to each company that demonstrates a serious impact from the rockslide. Full Story »

  • Rockslide cleanup could last through spring

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:38 am ET  

    The Interstate 40 rockslide cleanup could now take until May, according to Joel Setzer, head of the N.C. Department of Transportation for the region. At a Haywood County commissioners meeting on Monday, Setzer stated the cleanup could take between three to five more months. Full Story »

  • The kindest army

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:38 am ET  

    Though the bell ringers have seen how hard the recession has hit the local community, they are surprised at the amount of giving they witness. “It always amazes me,” said Fred Galloway, a Waynesville bell ringer. “The harder the times are, the more generous the people are.” Full Story »

  • Bell ringers cope with corporate regulations, recession

    Smoky Mountain News – Wed Dec 9, 10:38 am ET  

    Around Thanksgiving, they begin showing up outside stores with a red kettle, a jingling bell and a smile. In many people’s eyes, Salvation Army bell ringers are as integral to the holiday season as Christmas trees, carols and Santa Claus. Full Story »

Photo Highlight

Photo Highlight Slideshow

Jackass Penguins take a walk at Hakkeijima Sea Paradise in Japan. AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye

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