TDA: Visitors spent $357 million in Haywood County in 2024; director touts marketing recovery Haywood County Tourism Development Authority director Karina Ruffier told commissioners that 2024 visitor spending exceeded $357 million, supporting roughly 2,200 full-time jobs, and highlighted marketing wins, the OpenHaywood campaign and upcoming events including the Society of American Travel Writers visit.

Haywood County saw an astounding $357 million in visitor spending in 2024, fueling local jobs and showcasing the power of strategic marketing recovery!

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#HaywoodCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #TourismMarketing #CommunityRecovery #HaywoodCountyTourism

The Haywood Commute: Could I-40 Express Lanes Bridge the Gap to Asheville? | WNC Times Haywood County -- April 11, 2026: A major transformation is being proposed for the 16-mile stretch of Interstate 40 connecting Haywood and Buncombe co...

The Haywood Commute: Could I-40 Express Lanes Bridge the Gap to Asheville? wnctimes.com/article/the-... #Asheville #HaywoodCounty #ClydeNC #I40 #NC #NCNEWS #LocalNews #News #NCDOT

Speak Out: Public Hearing Scheduled for Duke Energy Rate Increase in Haywood County | WNC Times Haywood County residents to voice concerns over Duke Energy's proposed 18% rate hike at April 14, 2026 hearing. Impact on bills discussed.

Speak Out: Public Hearing Scheduled for Duke Energy Rate Increase in Haywood County wnctimes.com/article/duke... #DukeEnergy #HaywoodCounty #WNCnews #WNC #RateHike #PublicHearing #NCUC #DukeEnergy #LocalNews #ConsumerAlert #CostOfLiving #EnergyRates #CommunityAction #UtilityRates #Waynesvillenc

Haywood County Roadside Blooms Secure Top Honors in 40th Annual NCDOT Wildflower Awards | WNC Times Haywood County -- Drivers traveling along I-40 have likely noticed the vibrant bursts of color lining the highway, but now those blooms have official ...

Haywood County Roadside Blooms Secure Top Honors in 40th Annual NCDOT Wildflower Awards wnctimes.com/article/hayw... #WNC #WNCnews #Asheville #AshevilleNews #AvlNews #NCDOT #HaywoodCounty #RoadSideBlooms #LocalNews #NC #NorthCarolina #NCNEWS #Wildflowers #WildFlowerAwards

The "Missing Middle": Why WNC Needs More Than Just Luxury Retirement wnctimes.com/blog/the-mis... #WNC #SeniorLiving #HealthyAging #MountainLiving #AgingInPlace #Community #Seniors#WNCnews#SeniorHousing #ActiveSeniors #HaywoodCounty #Asheville #WaynesvilleNC #MissingMiddle #AffordableHousing

WNC Update on Area Wildfires | WNC Times Red Flag Warning issued for WNC! High winds & low humidity create extreme wildfire danger. Stay safe, avoid outdoor burning.

WNC Update on Area Wildfires wnctimes.com/article/wnc-... #WNC #WNCnews #WNCmountains #Asheville #AVL #HaywoodCounty #McDowellCounty #WildFires #BurnBan #LocalNews #Local

WNC Backyard Escapes: The Haywood County Parks You Might Be Missing | WNC Times We move to Western North Carolina for the fresh air and the mountain views, but how often do we actually stop to enjoy them? Between the daily commute...

WNC Backyard Escapes: The Haywood County Parks You Might Be Missing wnctimes.com/article/wnc-... #WNC #WNCnews #LocalParks #FamilyFun #OutdoorFun #LocalFun #BackYardEscapes #WncMountains #HaywoodCounty #ClydeNC #MaggieValley #CantonNC #PicnicFun #CoupleFun #DayFun #Parks #LocalRecreation

Haywood County Pre-K Applications Due May 1, 2026 | WNC Times Haywood County Pre-K applications for 2026-27 are due May 1, 2026! Learn about eligibility and how to apply for the NC Pre-Kindergarten program.

Haywood County Pre-K Applications Due May 1, 2026 wnctimes.com/article/hayw... #PreK #Children #HaywoodCounty #CantonNC #ClydeNc #WaynesvilleNC #MaggieValley #Education #WNC #WNCnews

State of the County: Haywood Releases 2026 Community Health Update | WNC Times Haywood County -- Tracking the well-being of a community is an ongoing mission, and this week, Haywood County officials provided a fresh look at the ...

State of the County: Haywood Releases 2026 Community Health Update wnctimes.com/article/stat... #Community #CommunityNews #LocalNews #HaywoodCounty #WaynesvileNC #CantonNC #ClydeNC #MaggieValley #WNC #WNCnews #Asheivlle #HaywoodCounty #HealthNews #MentalHealth #SubstanceAbuse #ChildhoodPoverty

Waynesville Nominated for USA TODAY’S "Best Main Street": How to Cast Your Vote | WNC Times Waynesville's Main Street vies for 'Best Main Street'! Asheville residents, vote now to support this WNC gem in the Garden & Gun contest!

Waynesville Nominated for USA TODAY’S "Best Main Street": How to Cast Your Vote wnctimes.com/article/wayn... #WaynesvilleNC #BestMainStreet #10Best #USAToday #VisitWaynesville #WNC #WNCnews #Asheville #HaywoodCounty #SmokyMountains #NCMainStreet #wnctimes #VoteDaily #SupportLocal #MainStreetUSA

Severe Weather Threat Followed by Arctic Blast: What WNC Needs to Know | WNC Times Western North Carolina is bracing for a "double-whammy" weather event starting Sunday afternoon. A dynamic storm system will bring a risk of severe th...

Severe Weather Threat Followed by Arctic Blast: What WNC Needs to Know wnctimes.com/article/seve... #WNCweather #Asheville #WesternNC #SevereWeather #WeatherAlert #SpringStorms #WNCnews #wnctimes #WeatherSafety #NCPiedmont #WinterIsBack #FlashFreeze #HaywoodCounty #NCwx #StormWatch #WNCMountains

Haywood County Sheriff Race Heads to November After Divisive GOP Primary | WNC Times WAYNESVILLE — A contentious Republican primary for Haywood County Sheriff concluded March 4, producing a nominee who will face Democrat Tyler Howell, ...

Haywood County Sheriff Race Heads to November After Divisive GOP Primary wnctimes.com/article/hayw... #HaywoodCounty #HaywoodCountySheriff #Election2026 #WNCNews #WaynesvilleNC #MaggieValley #HaywoodCountyNC #NorthCarolinaPolitics #MarkMease #TylerHowell #SheriffElection #ClydeNC

Waynesville's Growing Green: Tree Board Aims to Expand Town Canopy | WNC Times Waynesville establishes a Tree Board to expand its canopy, combat urban heat, and enhance green spaces. Apply by March 20, 2026!

Waynesville's Growing Green: Tree Board Aims to Expand Town Canopy wnctimes.com/article/wayn... #WaynesvilleNC #HaywoodCounty #WNCNews #WesternNorthCarolina #wnctimes #WaynesvilleTownCouncil #TreeCanopy #UrbanForestry #GreenSpaces #ArborDay2026 #TownOfWaynesville #SustainabilityBoard

State Funds Finally Secured Canton’s Future State Funds Finally Secured Canton’s Future wnctimes.com/.../state-fu.... #CantonNC #Papertown #Infrastructure #PactivEvergreen #NCStateBudget #CleanWater #HeleneRecovery #Wncbusiness#NorthCarolina #NCNEWS #LocalNews #LocalBusiness #HaywoodCounty #WNCnews

State Funds Finally Secured Canton’s Future | WNC Times State funding secured: Canton moves forward with land purchase for new town-owned wastewater plant at the former mill site.The money keeping Canton af...

State Funds Finally Secured Canton’s Future wnctimes.com/article/stat... #CantonNC #Papertown #WNCNews #Infrastructure #PactivEvergreen #NCStateBudget #CleanWater #HeleneRecovery #wnctimes #HeleneRecovery #NorthCarolina #NCNEWS #LocalNews #LocalBusiness #HaywoodCounty #WNCnews

Ager Cruises to Victory in NC-11 Democratic Primary | WNC Times Jamie Ager wins the NC-11 Democratic primary! The Hickory Nut Gap Farms CEO advances to the general election. Get the latest Asheville area results.

Ager Cruises to Victory in NC-11 Democratic Primary wnctimes.com/article/ager... #NC #WNC #WNCnews #Asheville #avl #avlnews #Elections #LocalNews #LocalElection #SwingState #Democrats #BuncombeCounty #HaywoodCounty #WaynesvilleNC

Southwestern NC HOME Consortium to reallocate returned HOME funds to rental construction; opens 30-day public comment period Southwestern Commission staff told Haywood County commissioners they will move two returned HOME project amounts ($125,000 from 2021 and $120,000 from 2022) into a rental construction fund, described a $1.9 million HOME-ARP allocation for homelessness-related projects, and opened a 30-day public comment period on plan amendments.

Haywood County is reallocating $245,000 in returned HOME funds to tackle homelessness and boost rental construction—find out how this will impact the community!

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#HaywoodCounty #NC #HomelessnessSupport #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment

Haywood County audit issues clean opinion; FEMA capital projects fund overspent $3.6 million due to invoice timing Independent auditors gave Haywood County an unmodified ("clean") opinion on its FY2025 financial statements and on federal and state grant compliance, but reported one instance of reportable noncompliance: the FEMA capital projects fund was overspent by $3.6 million because of invoice timing related to debris cleanup.

Haywood County received a "clean" audit opinion for FY2025, but a $3.6 million overspend in the FEMA capital projects fund raises questions about timely invoicing during debris cleanup.

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#HaywoodCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #BudgetaryOversight

Haywood County Emergency Alert Siren Testing March 3 - 6 | WNC Times Haywood County -- Haywood County Emergency Services: Over the last year, Haywood County has been building out its network of Emergency Alert Sirens, w...

Haywood County Emergency Alert Siren Testing March 3 - 6 wnctimes.com/article/hayw... #WNC #WncNews #HaywoodCounty #Asheville #EmergencyAlertSiren #WaynesvilleNC #ClydeNC #MaggieValleyNC #CantonNC

Haywood County 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys: Attorney911’s Federal Court Admitted Ralph Manginello Brings 25+ Years Fighting Trucking Companies and $50+ Million Recovered Including $5+ Million Brain 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys in Haywood County, North Carolina When the Mountains Meet the Interstate: Why Haywood County Truck Accidents Are…

I-40’s Pigeon River Gorge sees trucks descending at speeds that make stopping impossible—brake failures here cause multi-vehicle pileups. Black box data vanishes in 30 days, but we extract it fast. #TruckAccident #HaywoodCounty

Candidates outline fundraising totals and argue grassroots strategy at Haywood County forum Candidates disclosed disparate fundraising totals and debated whether grassroots small-dollar donations or larger-scale fundraising are decisive for defeating Rep. Chuck Edwards in November.

Candidates in Haywood County are revealing their fundraising strategies as they vie to unseat Rep. Chuck Edwards, sparking a heated debate on the impact of corporate money versus grassroots support.

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#HaywoodCounty #NC #GrassrootsSupport #CitizenPortal #HaywoodCountyCandidates

Haywood County staff gives update on state private roads and bridges program; reimbursement deadline Feb. 28 noted Assistant county manager Garen Bradish updated commissioners on Western North Carolina’s private roads and bridges rebuilding program, noting Western NC has over 6,500 applications and roughly 3,610 projects identified; Haywood County has 433 applications serving about 2,458 households and a reimbursement deadline of Feb. 28 for certain funds.

Western North Carolina faces a monumental task with over 6,500 applications for road and bridge repairs, and a looming reimbursement deadline of February 28—are you prepared to take action?

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#HaywoodCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #DisasterRecovery

Haywood County commissioner candidates spar over jobs, drug treatment, infrastructure and fund balance Six Republican candidates for Haywood County commission discussed priorities including economic development and job attraction, drug treatment and law‑enforcement funding, aging population needs, infrastructure and the county’s fund balance and FEMA reimbursements ahead of the March 3 primary.

Six Republican candidates clashed over critical issues like economic development and drug treatment at a heated Haywood County forum, revealing their visions for the future.

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#HaywoodCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #EconomicDevelopment #DrugTreatment

Haywood County sheriff candidates debate jail staffing, jail expansion and constitutional policing Incumbent Sheriff Bill Wilkie and challenger Mark Meese debated handling a planned jail expansion, staffing shortages and how the sheriff’s office should protect constitutional rights. Wilkie cited operational gains and infrastructure needs; Meese emphasized recruitment, detention culture and scrutinized office overtime figures.

In a heated forum, Sheriff Bill Wilkie and challenger Mark Meese clashed over jail expansion, staffing strategies, and the crucial balance of civil liberties in Haywood County.

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#HaywoodCounty #NC #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CriminalJustice

Forum candidates urge stronger protections, oppose selling public lands and debate park fees Candidates at a Haywood County forum called for restoring funding for national parks, warned against mining and selling public lands, and debated whether maintenance backlogs should be covered by congressional appropriations or park entry/parking fees.

Candidates at a Haywood County forum are calling for stronger protections for our national parks, warning against harmful mining practices, and debating how to tackle the multibillion-dollar maintenance backlog.

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#HaywoodCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #SustainableForestry

Democratic primary candidates press for Hurricane Helene recovery funds, fault Rep. Chuck Edwards At a Haywood County forum, five Democratic candidates for NC's 11th District said Hurricane Helene recovery remains incomplete and criticized Rep. Chuck Edwards for failing to deliver aid; candidates proposed audits of FEMA, direct appeals to federal officials and prioritizing climate-resilient rebuilding.

Five Democratic candidates are demanding accountability in Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, claiming that less than 15% of the federal aid needed has been delivered to North Carolina.

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#HaywoodCounty #NC #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #DisasterRecovery

Impeachment divided candidates at Haywood County forum; answers ranged from day-one support to caution Forum candidates differed on whether Democrats should file articles of impeachment on day one: some supported immediate action, some urged fact-based restraint, and others warned about weaponizing the process; candidates tied the debate to broader questions of accountability.

As the debate heats up, candidates at the Haywood County forum reveal stark divisions on whether Democrats should pursue impeachment against Trump from day one or tread carefully with fact-based strategies.

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#HaywoodCounty #NC #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal

WNC Let’s Go to the Movies: Showtimes for Feb 13–19, 2026 | WNC Times This week in Western North Carolina, the silver screen is alive with a mix of high-octane sequels, chilling horrors, and prestige dramas.

WNC Let’s Go to the Movies: Showtimes for Feb 13–19, 2026 wnctimes.com/article/wnc-... #WNCTimes #WNCNews #WesternNorthCarolina #AshevilleNC #WaynesvilleNC #HendersonvilleNC #HaywoodCounty #828isGreat #LetsGoToTheMovies #MovieNight #WNCEntertainment #NewReleases #SupportLocalNews #AshevilleEvents

WNC Let's Go to the Movies: Feb 6 – Feb 12, 2026 | WNC Times Grab your popcorn and settle in! From the heart of Waynesville to the screens of Asheville and Hendersonville, here is your complete guide to what’s paying in Western North Carolina this week.

WNC Let's Go to the Movies: Feb 6 – Feb 12, 2026 wnctimes.com/article/wnc-... #wnctimes #wncmovies #WNCNews #wnc #westernnorthcarolina #WNCnews #asheville #waynesvillenc #haywoodcounty #hendersonvillenc #avlnews #movietheater #movienight #cinema #nowplaying #filmnight #localentertaiment

Canton NC: Public Hearings on the Horizon This February? | WNC Times Canton, NC residents await public hearings on a moratorium for data centers and crypto mining near the former paper mill site. Get the details!

Canton NC: Public Hearings on the Horizon This February? wnctimes.com/article/cant... #Datacenter #CantonNC #HaywoodCounty #WNC #WNCNews #Environment #NCnews #NorthCarolina #smalltowns