The Cherokee High School Choir performs “Amazing Grace” during this morning’s inauguration ceremony for officials elected in the September General Election. For more inauguration coverage, pick up the Oct. 9 issue of The Smoky Mountain News.
Another gorgeous sunset over Waterrock Knob Friday, Oct. 4
Revolutionary War monument
Revolutionary War monument being installed at the Haywood County Courthouse.
Haywood County Special Olympics now underway!
Riley Howell's funeral will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at Stuart Auditorium - Lake Junaluska will provide a livestream video of the service. Check back Sunday at 5 p.m. for a link to the live feed or visit Lake Junaluska's page directly.
Riley Howell procession back to his hometown from UNC Charlotte .
Rockslide-I-40
A NCDOT contractor has already started removing debris from the area of Friday night's rock slide on I-40 near the Tennessee state line. The Pigeon River Gorge will be closed about one week. Many roadways in the mountains are closed due to flooding. Visit DriveNC.gov for the latest travel conditions. Video courtesy of A Shot Above - Aerial Photography/Videography of Western North Carolina
The rain may be over, but Jonathan Creek is still flowing swiftly at Maggie Valley’s Parham Park.
The Pigeon River at Waterville in Haywood County was running high and fast on Saturday. Holly Kays video.
The dam at Lake Junaluska.
Richland Creek in Frog Level.
Live from the Waynesville Apple Harvest Festival
Western Carolina University's "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band band is a big draw for prospective freshmen, with more than 10 percent of that class joining the band each year. Pick up next week's issue of SMN to find out why, and in the meantime enjoy this video from band practice Oct. 5.
This cascade is one of many beautiful places on the 912-acre property in Jackson County that The Conservation Fund and Mainspring Conservation Trust are working to conserve, but a state-level dispute is causing a delay in grant award decisions vital to the project. Pick up The Smoky Mountain News tomorrow to learn more.
Standing on a 5,462-foot peak in Jackson County, you can see Bryson City, Cherokee, Waterrock Knob and Sylva, as well as mountain waves far beyond those towns. If requested grant funding from The Clean Water Management Trust Fund comes through, the 441-acre property and likely the 471-acre tract adjoining it will be conserved. Pick up SMN on Wednesday to learn more.
Flooding near Charlie’s Corner in Hazelwood.
Flooding during the storm at Charlie’s Corner in Frog Level.
Cherokee storyteller Kathi Littlejohn is on a mission to record the places and stories important to Cherokee history through a series of videos she's creating through a grant from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation. Read more next week in the Aug. 22 issue of The Smoky Mountain News, and in the meantime watch Littlejohn tell the story behind Soco Gap, today located along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Her completed videos are on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLhmpuYfZ8pw9NWXINQATTQ.
Smoky Mountain News is at Elevated Mountain Distilling Company tonight watching an amazing performance from Thailand. 🇹🇭 Folkmoot USA The "Official" North Carolina International Folk Festival
A pair of elk out for a Tuesday evening stroll in Maggie Valley. Probably getting ready to head over to Folkmoot.
After a long journey away from his herd in Maggie Valley, this young male elk was spotted browsing backyards in Henderson County earlier this summer, but he met his match when a vehicle hit him when he wandered onto I-26 July 1. Pick up the July 11 issue of The Smoky Mountain News to learn more. Video courtesy of Bradley Jones.
One and a half years after wildfire swept through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the effects are still visible along various trails near Gatlinburg, as shown in this video taken on Rainbow Falls Trail. Pick up the May 23 issue of The Smoky Mountain News to learn more.
After two trips up the steep trail to Rainbow Falls, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's mule team descends the trail for a well-earned rest. Pick up the May 16 issue of SMN to learn more.
Ever wondered how huge logs and other building materials make it miles up the trail in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Pick up the May 16 issue of The Smoky Mountain News to get the inside scoop on the park's mule packing program.
Appalachian dinner at Elevated Mountain Distilling Company featuring Ol’ Dirty Bathtub to raise funds for Folkmoot USA The "Official" North Carolina International Folk Festival
Be sure to pick up tomorrow's paper for a story about an alternative view of kudzu, "the vine that are the South." Here kudzu enthusiast Zev Friedman smashes up freshly harvested kudzu for processing.
Did you know that the much-hated kudzu plant actually has many culinary and medicinal uses? Here Kudzu Camp organizers Justin Holt and Zev Friedman are using it as a thickener for sumac honey tea. Learn more in the March 28 issue of SMN.
Richland Creek is looking more like a river after all this rain!
Richland Creek in Waynesville flows between snow-covered banks for a few more hours Jan. 18 before warmer temperatures melt the white stuff away. Video by Holly Kays
The first falls on the Cullowhee Falls Trail is pure ice right now! Holly Kays video.
These weeks of extra-wintery weather have gone a long way toward freezing up Cullowhee Falls below Lake Glenville! It's a chilly hike but definitely worth the experience. Holly Kays video
Frozen Lake Logan
A quick video of a frozen Lake Logan this afternoon. Footage by Liam McLeod.
Icy Tuckasegee River in Bryson City this morning!
The view from Thunder Struck Ridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway was nothing short of amazing this morning! Though, as evidenced by the whining in the latter part of the video, a certain dog was eager to stop looking and continue adventuring. Video by Holly Kays.
Have you been to Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville? The display is open nightly through Dec. 31!
Swain County commissioners held a dedication ceremony to rename the Old NC 288 Park after David Monteith. Monteith passed away this March and served as a commissioner for over 20 years. He was a adamant activist for the needs of his community. The park project was something he was very proud of.
A great time was had at Folkmoot USA The "Official" North Carolina International Folk Festival Scottish Dinner event last night. Great food from Absolutely Yummy Catering and Scottish music and dance!
If you heard seven loud cannons going off in Bryson City don't be alarmed - it was just the dedication ceremony for the Swain County Charters of Freedom. Now you can view a replica of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights outside the County Administration building.
Free, independent, weekly news covering Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties. Submit news tips, press releases or calendar items to: news (at) smokymountainnews.com.
