Cory Vaillancourt

As Western North Carolina recovers from one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the state, residents alongside local leaders have been working to rebuild their communities just ahead of one of the most consequential elections in American history. Jason Simmons, chair of the North Carolina Republican Party, recently toured hard-hit communities in the region on a visit that was part political, part personal.

W hen the Coronavirus Pandemic resulted in the closing of millions of businesses across the United States in March 2020, federal response was swift and decisive, helping to save as many as could be saved with multiple forms of assistance.

Many small businesses in Waynesville’s Frog Level district were wiped out by flooding from Hurricane Helene. Jack Snyder photo

Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) returns to Washington for two more years. edwards.house.gov photo

Haywood County's board of commissioners will remain a 5-0 Republican majority for at least the next two years. Haywood County government photo

A coalition of Haywood County community organizations, quasi-governmental institutions, local businesses and private individuals have stepped in

In recognition of the exceptional public service provided by a trio of radio stations during Hurricane Helene — when nearly all other communication infrastructure had failed — the Town of Canton has named them grand marshals for the annual downtown Christmas parade. “When we lost cell communication...

The Town of Canton’s temporary operations hub on Summer Street, home to town hall and the police department since shortly after deadly flooding in 2021, is about to get a little bigger. On Nov. 14, Canton’s governing board approved a lease between the town and the owners of two parcels just ea...

Haywood County Emergency Management Coordinator Zack Koonce briefs commissioners on storm recovery on Nov. 18. Haywood County photo

President Joe Biden (center) meets with North Caroline Gov. Roy Cooper (center-left) and a group of Western North Carolina leaders, including Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers (far right). White House photo