Smoky Mountain News

07/25/2025

Singer-songwriter Wyatt Espalin will hit the stage at 5 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at Mountain Layers Brewing in Bryson City.

Born and raised in Hiawassee, Georgia, Espalin has been entertaining audiences since he was eight years old. A blend of Americana, bluegrass and indie-roots music, he’s a beloved fixture on the Southern Appalachian live music circuit.

Singer-songwriter Wyatt Espalin will hit the stage at 5 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at Mountain Layers Brewing in Bryson City.  Born and raised in Hiawassee, Georgia, Espalin has been entertaining audiences since he was eight years old. A blend of Americana, bluegrass and indie-roots music, he’s a ...

07/25/2025

The Haywood County Historical & Genealogical Society is hosting a Pioneer Heritage Festival in Clyde, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow.

The Haywood County Historical & Genealogical Society is hosting a Pioneer Heritage Festival in Clyde, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 26. The Festival is free to the public and will take place on the grounds of the Museum of Haywood County History at 178 Morgan St. The event is spo...

07/25/2025

If you applied for FEMA assistance following Helene but didn’t receive enough to fully cover your repairs, there’s still time to request additional help!

Visit the Haywood County Helene Recovery Center at 157 Paragon Parkway (next to Tractor Supply) for support and guidance. Residents from Haywood County, surrounding areas, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) are all welcome.

The recovery center is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Bring your receipts for repairs or disaster expenses, and FEMA may be able to help you with more funds.

You may be eligible if:
• You previously applied for and received any amount of FEMA assistance
• Your damage was in North Carolina and caused by Hurricane Helene

To make an appointment or ask questions, call 828-356-2119. Walk-ins are welcome.

Don’t miss out on this critical help—make sure your recovery continues today!

07/24/2025

Haywood County commissioners have adopted a resolution and corresponding ordinance that lays out how nearly $3 million in opioid settlement funds will be spent over the next 14 years, focusing heavily on treatment, recovery and mitigation within the criminal justice system.

Haywood County commissioners have adopted a resolution and corresponding ordinance that lays out how nearly $3 million in opioid settlement funds will be spent over the next 14 years, focusing heavily on treatment, recovery and mitigation within the criminal justice system.  The funding, part o...

07/24/2025

Ahead of tonight's show, Smoky Mountain News A&E Editor Garret K. Woodward caught up with Osborne.

When it comes to modern-day singer-songwriters, Justin Osborne is becoming a fast-rising face in the musical realms of Americana, alt-country and indie-rock, his poignant words cutting through the white noise and endless distraction of a chaotic, digital world.  Hailing from Charleston, South C...

07/24/2025

In its first regular meeting since a superior court judge ruled that Head of School Joshua Morgan was responsible for the “improper use of governmental authority to stop or inhibit the public from accessing public records,” Shining Rock Classical Academy’s governing board doubled down on Morgan’s leadership, bid farewell to two longtime advisors, took substantial steps to bolster transparency and voted not to appeal the case.

In its first regular meeting since a superior court judge ruled that Head of School Joshua Morgan was responsible for the “improper use of governmental authority to stop or inhibit the public from accessing public records,” Shining Rock Classical Academy’s governing board doubled down on Morga...

07/24/2025

Local author and award-winning Smoky Mountain News columnist Chris Cox will make an appearance at Smoky Mountain Roasters in Hazelwood from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, July 26.

Local author and award-winning Smoky Mountain News columnist Chris Cox will make an appearance at Smoky Mountain Roasters in Hazelwood from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, July 26. Sponsored by Blue Ridge Books and Smoky Mountain Roasters, the event will feature signing and sales of Cox’s latest book, “We...

07/23/2025

In The Smoky Mountain News core coverage area — Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties — 57 candidates seek 37 seats defended by 27 incumbents in 11 municipalities hosting 19 separate races from Canton to Franklin.

With the end of the municipal election filing period, candidates are now gearing up to take their message to voters as they look to claim seats on local government boards across Western North Carolina.  In The Smoky Mountain News core coverage area — Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties...

07/23/2025

Mountaineer Little League Baseball has been around since the 1970s, but like everything else, once Hurricane Helene hit, its immediate future was uncertain.

Mountaineer Little League Baseball has been around since the 1970s, but like everything else, once Hurricane Helene hit, its immediate future was uncertain.  The program, which allows kids from the western part of Haywood County to partake in America’s pastime, relies on the use of five field...

07/23/2025

Rock legends The Black Crowes will hit the stage at 9 p.m. Friday, July 25 at the Harrah’s Cherokee Resort Event Center in Cherokee.

With the Crowes touring again, The Smoky Mountain News is looking back at some conversations we’ve had with the siblings over the years. This includes in-depth interviews with Rich (2014) and Chris (2016), with both interactions talking about their solo projects at the time.

When it comes to American rock music, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more talented and sonically important act than The Black Crowes. Thankfully, in recent years, the Robinson brothers (Chris and Rich) have patched things up and put their storied music right back where it belongs — in front of ...

07/22/2025

Hurricane Helene devastated some of the few remaining healthy populations of an iconic Appalachian species—the eastern hellbender.

07/22/2025

Here's a look at this week's cover. Check it out online and on newsstands tomorrow!