39 minute read
Outdoors
Long Branch flows brown from the construction site on July 23. Ken Brown photo The site is still in violation of environmental standards, but the parking lot at The Husk is full following student move-in this month. Holly Kays photo Buildings are complete, but bare dirt is still visible on the site. Holly Kays photo
Erosion issues ongoing at Millennial Campus
State issued 16 notices of environmental violation in 14 months
BY HOLLY KAYS S TAFF WRITER
Despite multiple outstanding environmental violations, a new student housing complex located on Western Carolina University’s Millennial Campus off Killian Road welcomed its first group of tenants this month.
Called The Husk, the 500-bed development was envisioned as a public-private partnership that would increase student-housing opportunities at a time of explosive growth for the university at a location situated just barely off the main campus. In December 2018, the Board of Trustees of the WCU Endowment Fund entered into a 40-year ground lease with ZP No. 335, LLC — a limited liability corporation whose listed address and contacts mirror those of Zimmer Development Company — entrusting that corporation with building and operating the planned development.
LACK OF LOCAL CONTROL
Work on the project started in 2019, and it wasn’t long before community members began to notice mud flowing from the construction site, down through Long Branch and into the Tuckasegee River. On June 17, 2019, the site received its first of many notices of violation from the N.C. Department of Water Quality. The aggregated results of multiple public records requests and documents provided to The Smoky Mountain News show a total of 10 notices of violation issued by the Division of Energy, Mining and Land Resources and six such notices issued by the Division of Water Resources.
The issue has come up in multiple Jackson County Commission meetings, with commissioners expressing anger and frustration over the situation but finding themselves unable to do much other than to appeal to the state. The state has control over the project, not the county.
“I think we all agree if this was a problem we had direct control over, we wouldn’t be sitting here talking about it,” said Commission Chairman Brian McMahan during an Aug. 18 meeting. “The reality is this is a state problem. We have no jurisdiction over it. We have no control over it. We have no ability to intervene in this project, change the course of the outcome. There’s very little we can do. I know it’s frustrating.”
As students were moving into the completed buildings, many of the violations were still in effect, according to Jackson County Building and Code Enforcement Director Tony Elders. The violations described within them had not yet been sufficiently addressed by the developer.
“So when they get ready to move people in, if things in and around that place have not been taken care of properly, they’re still going to move in?” asked Jackson County Commissioner Boyce Deitz during an Aug. 4 meeting.
“Yes sir,” Elders replied.
“Well once that happens — really, am I wrong? — a lot of people that’s been damaged by this and they’ve done nothing else to hold their feet to the fire,” said Deitz.
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality has the authority to issue stop-work orders in cases where off-site sedimentation causes severe damage to adjacent lands or severely degrades a lake or natural waterway. The DEQ did not do anything to halt the project until Aug. 14, when it filed for injunctive relief. Injunctive relief is stronger than a stopwork order, as it halts all work except for corrective actions until it is removed, while a stop-work order expires after five days.
However, this action will likely have little practical effect on the project. At this point, the structures are all complete with the exception of the pool house. The pool itself is approved for occupancy, and Zimmer has temporary certificates of occupancy for all buildings except the pool house. Those certificates are good for 90 days, with final ones issued when zoning approval for final landscaping and such is completed.
CONTINUED VIOLATIONS
The violations in question have to do with erosion issues. Contractors have repeatedly failed to contain mud on the site, causing departing dirt to color nearby waterways various shades of brown, especially during heavy rainfall.
Ken Brown, executive director for the Watershed Association of the Tuckasegee River, grew up on a 78-acre property that includes the very land where the new apartments are located. He remembers when Long Branch, which flows right through it, was wider, shallower and good for fishing. Increased development in the area has forced the stream to become narrower and deeper, creating a whole different kind of aquatic ecosystem. Add in the continued onslaught of mud from the Zimmer project, and it’s become unrecognizable. All that sediment has had a detrimental effect on the ecosystem there, he said.
“The only way a bedrock mountain watershed carries such a turbid sediment load is from unmitigated soil disturbance,” he wrote in a July 5 post to WATR’s Facebook page.
Public records show that in 2019 the project garnered notices of violation from DEMLR on June 17, July 17 and Nov. 13. This year, DEMLR issued such notices on Jan. 1, Jan. 9, Feb. 13, April 20 and Aug. 7 — just a week before move-in was scheduled to begin. The Division of Water Resources, meanwhile, issued notices of violation on June 19, July 31 and Nov. 4 of 2019; as well as Jan. 21, April 8 and July 9 of 2020.
The issues on the site came to a public head on Halloween last year, when a landslide originating from the Zimmer site resulted in extensive damage to a student housing development located downhill. One of the 12 small houses owned by Sherri Deitz was condemned after the landslide knocked it off its foundation, and all the homes had to be temporarily evacuated, with extensive mud removal required. Nobody was injured.
Another, smaller housing project from Zimmer, constructed on the opposite side of Little Savannah Road from The Husk, has also violated environmental rules. The Division of Water Resources issued a notice of violation to The Helm apartments on Aug. 17. The document states that the project violated turbidity standards and illegally discharged waste into the water.
Multiple penalties have been issued and according to public records total at least $105,000. However, Zimmer is contesting the fines in court. The process of assessing and issuing penalties is a slow one, so fines have not yet been issued for F
A cyclist passed away in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park last week following an accident on a downhill section of Cades Cove Loop Road Sunday, Aug. 16.
Harold D. Pardue, 60, suffered severe head trauma and was unconscious following the accident at 10:58 a.m. He died as a
all notices of violation given in the project.
“Extraordinary rain events in the spring and summer of 2019, on occasion, overwhelmed the erosion and control measures,” reads a petition from Zimmer contesting one of the fines in question, dated June 3, 2020. “On those occasions when the site was found to be out of compliance, Zimmer promptly corrected and addressed deficiencies. Zimmer believes it should not have been subject to civil penalties for noncompliance.”
Brown doesn’t buy that defense.
“Never in one given day on a rainy day has that site been in compliance enough to keep soil from leaving the site,” he said in an interview for a March 4 story detailing the erosion issues.
Records show one instance in which Zimmer did not correct violations by the mandated deadline. On April 20, DEMLR issued a notice of violation stating that an April 14 inspection revealed violations of the N.C. Sedimentation Pollution Control Act and of the Construction Stormwater Permit. The notice informed Zimmer that it was required to correct the violations within seven calendar days of its April 23 receipt of the notice. However, according to a follow-up communication sent May 12, when the site was inspected on May 6 — nearly a week after the May 1 deadline to correct the violations — those violations were still ongoing. The notice informed Zimmer that it could be fined up to $5,000 per day for failing to correct the violations.
“The Division has lost confidence in your ability to prevent future water quality violations due to repeated violations and noncompliance with DEMLR,” Division of Water Resources Regional Supervisor Landon Davidson wrote in a July 27 email to Jeffrey Zimmer of Zimmer Development Corporation and Joe Walker of WCU, provided to The Smoky Mountain News by Brown. “Please respond to this email by July 31, 2020 and provide an explanation as to why the site remains unstable, why erosion from the site continues to impact surface water and how these issues will be addressed.”
LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE
County leaders are frustrated about their inability to compel Zimmer’s compliance with environmental standards, and in recent weeks the discussion in commissioners’ chambers has turned to the question of how to prevent such a situation from occurring in the future.
“There’s not much we can do about the result of those injuries on Monday, Aug. 17. Pardue, of Elkin, was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
Park rangers provided critical care at the scene of the accident for approximately 30 minutes before American Medical Response emergency responders transported Pardue by ambulance to a landing zone, where he was flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center by Mountain Area Medical Airlift.
past and not much we can do about the present, but in the future we do have opportunities for change,” McMahan said during an Aug. 18 meeting.
At 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, the Jackson County Planning Board will hold a public hearing on an ordinance amendment that would require developers of multi-family developments to have erosion control measures in place before obtaining building permits from the county. The proposal was “very well received” when introduced during a previous Planning Board meeting, County Attorney Heather Baker told commissioners Aug. 18.
The planning board could vote next month to recommend that commissioners adopt the ordinance. If that happens, commissioners could hold a final public hearing in October to consider the amendment before voting on final adoption.
“Speaking as an individual on this board, you can’t get the wording to us fast enough for us to change it for you,” said Commissioner Mickey Luker during an Aug. 4 meeting.
The county is also considering pursuing legislative change on a state level. During an Aug. 11 work session, commissioners discussed proposing a change to state law that would give counties the option of taking responsibility for local soil and water inspections rather than reserving that responsibility for the state in the case of projects like the Millennial Apartments, which is considered a state project due to its location on WCU Endowment Foundation land.
“Maybe we can just get some traction on that and rally with some of our colleagues around the state to see if we can’t get some control or at least in the future be more in the driver’s seat,” said McMahan during the Aug. 18 meeting.
For its part, WCU says it has also learned some lessons from the ordeal.
“We have been greatly disappointed by the violations and the ineffectiveness of the contractor and developer to address the issues with their site work, and we made our disappointment known throughout the project,” said Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Mike Byers. “We believed that our agreement (ground lease) did not provide us with enough leverage to litigate successfully and in a way that would offer the greatest possibility of rectifying the problem quickly.”
In the future, said Byers, the university will add language to its ground lease agreements that will improve its ability to influence the developer “in a number of ways” — including mitigation of regulatory issues.
Cullowhee | MLS 3540189 | $579,000 Follow the tree-lined winding road along the bold stream until you arrive at this private country farm.
Waynesville | MLS 3608641 | $700,000
Move in Ready! Located in the Waynesville Country Club above Golf course. 2 wooded acres offer privacy & quiet. Mountain views.
Billy Case, CCIM (828) 508-4527 billycase@naibeverly-hanks.com
Quality Trailers, Quality Prices
pricing starting at $499
Trailer Center
financing available, ask for details
HaywoodBuilders.com 828-456-6051 | 100 Charles St. | Waynesville
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
CUSTOM SEAMLESS GUTTERS 5”& 6” Replacement Gutters • New Construction
Western Carolina Home Exteriors 828.734.7399
A free seminar on ginseng production will be offered 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, via Zoom.
Topics will include state regulations for growing and hunting ginseng, plant physiology, present and historical use of ginseng and comparing Asian versus American ginseng. Major time and emphasis of the program will be dedicated to woods-simulated cultural practices such as site selection and preparation, sowing, harvesting, drying the roots and seed stratification.
The program is offered through the Macon County Extension Center. Register on Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.com/e/ginseng-production-tickets-115231454382.
DONATE SHOP VOLUNTEER
Now Open with
Limited Hours
268-267
Call or visit our website for updated info
WALNUT VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER 331 Walnut Street Waynesville
828.246.9135
haywoodhabitat.org
3. 1.
2.
Practice yoga SUP style
A beginner-level stand up paddleboard yoga class will be offered 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, at the Sylva pool.
Yoga postures will be from the seated or kneeling position to encourage stability while on the board, and all equipment will be provided. Social distancing will be required with masks at participant discretion. Attendees should wear water-appropriate clothing.
Register by 5 p.m. Aug. 29 at www.rec.jacksonnc.org. Cost is $10. Jenifer Pressley, 828.293.3053, ext. 7.
Input wanted on statewide trail project
The N.C. Department of Transportation is seeking input for a plan to develop a trail system that reaches across the state.
The Great Trails State Plan would link local and regional trails in all 100 North Carolina counties, building upon existing trails to identify one overall trail network that is focused on connections to state parks and populated areas.
Members of the public are encouraged to fill out a pair of online surveys before they close Sept. 30. An interactive map survey is available at ncgreattrails.altaplanning.cloud, with a survey online at www.ncdot.gov/divisions/bike-ped/greattrails-state/Pages/great-trails-survey.aspx.
Silver Run Falls closed for maintenance
The Silver Run Falls Trail in the Nantahala Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest closed for maintenance Aug. 24 and is expected to reopen Sept. 5.
A crew from the Conservation Corps North Carolina is completing maintenance on the trail. There is no public access during the closure, and the pullout off of N.C. 107 south of Cashiers is closed.
Nantahala Ranger District, 828.524.6441.
Offset Printing • Low Prices Forms • Flyers • Brochures • Newsletters Business Cards • Letterhead • Envelopes • Labels Complete Bindery • Mounting • Laminating • Coil Binding Addressing • Direct Mail • Complete Digital Imaging Center
THE PRINT HAUS INC. GROUP
Since 1982
Authorized ShipCenter
R
YOUR HOMETOWN PRINT, COPY, DIRECT MAIL, SHIPPING & SIGN SHOP
641 North Main Street, WAYNESVILLE, NC 641 North Main Street, WAYNESVILLE, NC 509 Asheville Hwy., Suite B, SYLVA, NC 509 Asheville Hwy., Suite B, SYLVA, NC
(3/10 Mile North of the Courthouse) (3/10 Mile North of the Courthouse) (Located in the NAPA Auto Parts Center) (Located in the NAPA Auto Parts Center)
828-456-HAUS 828-456-HAUS (4287) (4287) 828-586-HAUS 828-586-HAUS (4287) (4287)
Puzzles can be found on page 30
These are only the answers.
A young guest enjoys last year’s light show.
Cami Calnan photo
Drive through Winter Lights
The annual Winter Lights event at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville will be offered as a drive-thru experience this year due to COVID-19.
Guests will navigate through a 1-mile stretch of the Arboretum’s campus to see exhibits covered in thousands of lights. As part of the show’s redesign, visitors will enjoy several new nature-themed displays, including winter wildlife, colorful butterflies, a special insect lantern exhibit and a giant daisy “garden.” Upon arrival, guests will select a special radio station that features the sounds of their favorite holiday tunes to accompany the show from inside their vehicle.
To better accommodate guests, the Arboretum has extended show dates and times, with the event running daily 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. from Nov. 20 to Jan. 10, 2021. Incoming gates close at 10 p.m.
When purchased in advance, tickets are $25 per vehicle and $30 at the gate. Rates are higher for commercial vans and coaches. Arboretum Society members receive a $3 discount, and discounted pricing is available on Tuesdays. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 1 at ncwinterlights.com.
Proceeds directly support the Arboretum’s mission-driven programming.
GSMA publishes children’s chapter book
A new fictional chapter book for young readers is now available from the Great Smoky Mountains Association.
Singing Creek — by Morgan Simmons with illustrations by Don Wood — tells the story of a talented crayfish with big ambitions named Molly McGee. An aquatic resident of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Molly hopes to record her very own music album, and, to achieve her dreams, she recruits other native aquatic species to join her band. Just as they’re about to record, however, a mysterious stranger with a bad reputation appears, and Molly’s dreams take an unfortunate turn. Written first and foremost to be entertaining, the book also teaches young readers about aquatic life in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. “We wanted to bring the characters to life and make them attractive, but also represent the truth about aquatic life,” said Lisa Horstman, lead publications specialist for Great Smoky Mountains Association, who designed the book. “The goal was to treat the readers with respect and value their intelligence, since there is a lot to be learned from the book.” Author Morgan Simmons, a native of the area, spent 28 years telling true stories of the Smokies as a former Knoxville News Sentinel reporter. Singing Creek is his first foray into fiction. The book is available in the park’s visitor center bookstores and online at www.smokiesinformation.org/singing-creek.
COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
• The Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society (CHHS) is presenting a free pet food drive-thru event from noon - 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29. The drive-thru will take place in the parking lot of the Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center located at 355 Frank Allen Road in Cashiers. Pet food will be distributed for two hours or until all food has been donated. Call CHHS at 828.743.5752 or email info@CHhumanesociety.org. • Sylva First United Methodist Church will host an Open Door Meal “To Go” from 5 - 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, and Tuesday, Sept. 1. Guests are asked to drive into the church parking lot and stop in the area indicated. A church volunteer will deliver the free prepared meals to the cars. This method of serving is in keeping with the governor’s policy of no group gathering during the current pandemic. • The North Shore Cemetery Association will be hosting a downscaled version of the Reunion from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Deep Creek Picnic Shelter north of Bryson City. There will be no organized services or agenda. Participants should bring lawn chairs and other items necessary for an outdoor picnic while maintaining social distancing. • The 2020 “Friends of the Lake 5K Road Race, Walk and Fun Run” originally scheduled to take place at Lake Junaluska at Easter and rescheduled for Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7, has been canceled due to COVID-19 and the restrictions on group gatherings.
BUSINESS & EDUCATION
• Award-winning professor and consultant Dr. Betty Farmer will be offering an online workshop from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m on Friday, Aug. 28, focusing on emotional intelligence. This workshop will be offered online via Zoom. Registration fee for this workshop will be $139. Contact Julia Duvall at 828.227.7397 or email jduvall@wcu.edu. • The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University will hold its quarterly meeting at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4, on center stage in the performance hall of the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center. The board also will hold committee meetings and discussions beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, in various locations in the Bardo Arts Center. The meetings will be streamed live over WCU’s YouTube channel. • Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment will be offering a live online Digital Marketing & Public Relations Certificate program Sept. 18 – Nov. 6 (6 Fridays) from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Registration fee for the full program is $640, individual workshops are $119 each. For more information and to register, visit pdp.wcu.edu or email jcthompson@wcu.edu. • Get schooled in the Smokies with one of the varied programs offered through the University of Tennessee’s Smoky Mountain Field School this fall. Programs will be held on Saturdays, Aug. 22 - Nov. 7. Courses cost $69 apiece with the exception of Fall Nature Photography, which costs $99. They are led by a variety of experienced and skilled instructors. For a complete course list or to register, visit aceweb.outreach.utk.edu/wconnect/ace/ShowSchedule. • SCC’s Small Business Center will offer expanded counseling opportunities in more than 40 different categories that are uniquely suited for small businesses in Jackson, Macon, Swain Counties and the Qualla Boundary. Interested businesses are encouraged to apply for the program by visiting southwesterncc.edu/sbc. n All phone numbers area code 828 unless otherwise noted. n To have your item listed email to calendar@smokymountainnews.com
CIVIC GROUPS & CLUBS
• The meeting of Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society that is normally held on the first Thursday of the month is once again being postponed. The society will continue to evaluate month to month and resume meetings when it is safe for all to be in such a gathering.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
• Waynesville Yoga presents a “Two Week Journey to Self Discovery” with Amber Kleid beginning Sept. 13. The program will explore setting boundaries, designing your future, your creative self, simple acts of self-care and kindness, mindful eating and more. For more information, or to register, visit waynesvilleyogacenter.com.
A&E
• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host Tyson Leamon at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 and Bona Fide Band at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4. Free and open to the public. www.froglevelbrewing.com. • Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host Silas Reed 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28 and Sly Sparrow 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 and Larry Joe Lambert 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5. • Elevated Mountain Distilling Company will host The Maggie Valley Band (Americana/indie) 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29. www.elevatedmountain.com. • Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host live music semiregularly on the weekends. Free and open to the public. www.nantahalabrewing.com. • Mountaintop Art & Craft Show (previously the Village Square show) will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 29-30 in downtown Highlands at K-H Founders Park. The free event features regional potters, jewelers, woodworkers, fine artists, etc. Call 828.787.2021. • The annual Cashiers Designer Showhouse will be held Aug. 5 - Sept. 5, at 144 Cove Drive in Highlands. Admission is $30. For more information, click on www.cashiershistoricalsociety.org/showhouse. • The Haywood County Arts Council “Artist Member Show” will be held through Aug. 29 at the HCAC Gallery & Gifts showroom in Waynesville. Featuring 42 artists, the show is a celebration of our community, allowing locals to share their great work at the height of the summer season. www.haywoodarts.org. • The “Haywood County Medical Exhibit: 1870-1950” will be held at The Shelton House in Waynesville. The showcase will run through October. Admission is $7 adults. $5 students. Children ages 5 and under free. Admission includes Shelton House. 828.452.1551 or www.sheltonhouse.org. • Part of the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville, the Kids at HART program will offer classes in acting, directing and musical theatre dance. Registration is currently underway. Classes will run Sept. 14 through Nov. 16. Visit www.harttheatre.org or email kidsathartwvl@gmail.com. • Artists in all disciplines are eligible to apply for grants to support their professional and artistic development through a partnership of the North Carolina Arts Council and Asheville Area Arts Council, Haywood County Arts Council, Arts Council of Henderson County, Tryon Fine Arts Center, Rutherford County Recreation, Cultural, and Heritage Commission, and the Transylvania Community Arts Council. Applications are available www.haywoodarts.org/grants-funding. The deadline is Sept. 30. www.haywoodarts.org or 828.452.0593. • The Jackson County Arts Council is now accepting applications for Grassroots Sub-grants. Interested organizations can obtain application information at www.jacksoncountyarts.org or by email at info@jacksoncountyarts.org. The deadline for acceptance of applications is Sept. 15. 828.507.9820 or info@jacksoncountyarts.org.
FOOD & DRINK
• The Great Blue Farms Brunch & Blooms will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays from Aug. 8 through Sept. 12 at 1101 Briartown Church Road in Nantahala/Topton. Admission is $75, which includes a tour, brunch, all flowers, supplies and container to take home your floral masterpiece. To register, visit www.greatbluefarms.com or call 828.508.1502. • There will be a free wine tasting from 2 to 5 p.m every Saturday at The Wine Bar & Cellar in Sylva. 828.631.3075. • Bosu’s Wine Shop in Waynesville is offering lunch on Saturdays, “Lunch with us” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring fresh seasonal menu with outdoor seating weather permitting. 828.452.0120 or www.waynesvillewine.com. • Bryson City Wine Market offers a glass of wine and a Market Plate Monday through Saturday as well as special flight tastings from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday.
ON STAGE & IN CONCERT
• The Tanya Tucker show scheduled for Friday, Sept. 25 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort has been postponed. Harrah’s actively working to reschedule the show for a future date. Fans are encouraged to hold their tickets and they will be honored at the rescheduled show.
Outdoors
• Alarka Expeditions has launched the Pandemic Blues Series, which features four different outings into the great outdoors along with the option to purchase a Tshirt. The last outing is Tuesday, Sept. 1 Five Miles of Silence. For more information or to register, visit www.alarkaexpeditions.com. • Enrollment is now open for the Eco-Gardening Certificate of Merit Program at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville, with an overview of the program planned for Thursday, Aug. 27. Participants earn their certificates through a 120-hour program including courses in ecology, permaculture, wildlife gardening and more. To apply, visit www.ncarboretum.org/education-programs/certifications/blue-ridge-naturalist-registration. • A beginner-level stand up paddle board yoga class will be offered 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, at the Sylva pool. Register by 5 p.m. Aug. 29 at www.rec.jacksonnc.org. Cost is $10. Jenifer Pressley, 828.293.3053, ext. 7.
Visit www.smokymountainnews.com and click on Calendar for:
n Complete listings of local music scene n Regional festivals n Art gallery events and openings n Complete listings of recreational offerings at health and fitness centers n Civic and social club gatherings
• A free seminar on ginseng production will be offered 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, via Zoom. The program is offered through the Macon County Extension Center. Register on Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.com/e/ginseng-production-tickets-115231454382. • Tremont Institute is offering support and resources for schools this year as they prepare for teaching and learning during a pandemic. The annual Teacher Escape Weekend will this year be offered as a virtual workshop, with sessions Sept. 11-12 and Sept. 25-26 at a cost of $50 per weekend. Register at gsmit.org/educators/teacher-escape. • A new weekday dropoff program for children ages 6 to 9 will begin this fall at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville. Outdoor Adventure Kids — or OAK — is a safety-first approach to exploring the natural world with other kids. The program offers two options. The Sassafras Class meets three days per week — 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 8 to Nov. 19. The ecoEXPLORE Class meets Fridays only, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Sept. 11 to Nov. 20. Space is limited and registration is required at www.ncarboretum.org/education-programs/youth-family-programs/oak-drop-off-program. • Get schooled in the Smokies with one of the varied programs offered through the University of Tennessee’s Smoky Mountain Field School this fall. Programs will be held on Saturdays, Aug. 22 - Nov. 7. Courses cost $69 apiece with the exception of Fall Nature Photography, which costs $99. They are led by a variety of experienced and skilled instructors. For a complete course list or to register, visit aceweb.outreach.utk.edu/wconnect/ace/ShowSchedule. The Smoky Mountain Field School is offered by the University of Tennessee Knoxville. • Registration for the fourth annual Cades Cove Loop Lope is now open, with plans moving ahead to hold the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s only footrace on Sunday, Nov. 8. The event will offer 5K and 10-mile options, with participation limited to 750 people. A virtual race option will be offered as well, allowing runners to complete the mileage at the time and place of their choosing. Sign up to run or volunteer at www.looplope.org. • The annual Winter Lights event at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville will be offered as a drive-thru experience this year due to COVID-19. The Arboretum has extended show dates and times, with the event running daily 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. from Nov. 20 to Jan. 10, 2021. Incoming gates close at 10 p.m. When purchased in advance, tickets are $25 per vehicle and $30 at the gate. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 1 at ncwinterlights.com.
HIKING CLUBS
• The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a moderate 6- mile hike, with an elevation change of 700 ft., to Bee Cove Falls in South Carolina on Saturday, Aug. 29. The hike is limited to no more than ten people, with four people per car, wearing masks while driving and congregating. The club will meet at Cashiers Recreation Park at 10 a.m. Call leaders: Mike and Susan Kettles, 743-1079, for reservations.
Market PLACEWNC
MarketPlace information:
The Smoky Mountain News Marketplace has a distribution of 16,000 copies across 500 locations in Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties, including the Qualla Boundary and west Buncombe County. Visit www.wncmarketplace.com to place your ad! Rates:
• $15 — Classified ads that are 25 words, 25¢ per word after. • Free — Lost or found pet ads. • $6 — Residential yard sale ads.* • $1 — Yard Sale Rain Insurance
Yard sale rained out? Call us by 10a.m.
Monday for your ad to run again FREE • Legal N otices — 25¢ per word • $375 — Statewide classifieds run in 170 participating newspapers with 1.1+ million circulation. (Limit 25 words or less) • Boost Online — Have your ad featured at top of category online $4
• Boost in Print
• Add Photo $6 • Bold ad $2 • Yellow, Green, Pink or Blue Highlight $4 • Border $4
Note: Highlighted ads automatically generate a border so if you’re placing an ad online and select a highlight color, the “add border” feature will not be available on the screen. Note: Yard sale ads require an address. This location will be displayed on a map on www.wncmarketplace.com
p: 828.452.4251 · f:828.452.3585 classads@smokymountainnews.com www.wncmarketplace.com
Announcements
CASH FOR CARS! We buy all cars! Junk, highend, totaled – it doesn’t matter! Get free towing and same day cash! NEWER MODELS too! Call 1-866-508-8362.
Auction
ONLINE ONLY AUCTION, 2 Acre US Hwy 17/NC 58 Opportunity Site, Begins Closing 9/11/2020 at 2pm, Jones County, Pollocksville, NC, Does not have city or county zoning, ironhorseauction.com, 800.997.2248, NCAL 3936
Business Opportunities
NEW AUTHORS WANTED! Page Publishing will help you self-publish your own book. FREE author submission kit! Limited offer! Why wait? Call now: 888-910-2201
Medical
LIFE ALERT. 24/7. One press of a button sends help FAST! Medical, Fire, Burglar. Even if you can’t reach a phone! FREE Brochure. CALL 844-902- 2362
AVAILABLE POSITIONS
• Servers • Bartenders • Host/Hostess • Bussers • Sous Chef • Cook • Pastry Cook • Dishwashers • Housekeepers • Houseman • Laundry • Turndown Attendants • Reservations • Bellman • Night Auditor • Fitness Manager • Spa Attendants • Pool Attendants • Spa Concierge • Cosmetologist • Licensed Massage Therapist • Gardener’s Assistants
(Full-time year round, full-time seasonal, part-time seasonal) Benefits available for all FT employees (medical, dental, vision, long term/short term disability, life & 401K) Please apply online at oldedwardsinn.com/careers
ATTENTION DIABETICS! Save money on your diabetic supplies! Convenient home shipping for monitors, test strips, insulin pumps, catheters and more! To learn more, call now! 855-667-9944
MEDICARE Now’s the time to be sure you have the Medicare Advantage Plan that’s right for you. ([WUD EHQH¿WV PD\ LQclude prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing aids, in-home aides, and more. Some plans may have a $0 monthly premium - regardless of your income! Call an insurance agent to compare! 888- 571-1173
DENTAL INSURANCE From Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. NOT just a discount plan, REAL coverage for 350 procedures. Call 1-844- 496-8601 for details. www.dental50plus.com/ ncpress 6118-0219
Employment
AIRLINES ARE HIRING - Get FAA approved hands on Aviation training. FiQDQFLDO DLG IRU TXDOL¿HG students - Career placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-441-6890.
WORK FROM ANYWHERE You have an internet connection? 13 positions available. Start as soon as today. As simple as checking your email. Complete online training provided. Visit for details: https://bit.ly/2yewvor TOWN OF FRANKLIN POLICE OFFICER The Town of Franklin is accepting applications for Police 2I¿FHUV DW WKH )UDQNOLQ Police Department. The position will perform a wide variety of services directly and indirectly related to the enforcement of law, maintaining peace and dignity of the community and assisting the public. Work will include patrolling the Town during an assigned shift in a police car or on foot; preventing, detecting, and investigating disturbances and crime; performing WUDI¿F FRQWURO ZRUN DSprehending suspects; and executing related assignPHQWV $Q RI¿FHU ZLWKLQ his/her authority shall be responsible for the enforcement of the laws of the State of North Carolina, and the ordinances of the Town. Applicants must have a high school diploma/GED or greater, must have completed basic law enforcement training and possess a %/(7 FHUWL¿FDWH D 1& driver’s license, and have completed requirements established by the NC Justice Training and Standards ComPLVVLRQ IRU FHUWL¿HG ODZ HQIRUFHPHQW RI¿FHUV $ 2- or 4-year degree is preferred. Base salary is '24 %HQH¿WV include fully covered employee health insurance, dental insurance, and life insurance. The TOF utilizes a progressive pay plan while also providing 5% towards the successful candidate’s 401K. (828) 524-2516 ttallent@franklinnc.com
INSTALLER TECHNICIAN Carolina Mountain Cablevision, Inc., located in Waynesville, NC, is a privately-owned telecommunications company and is currently seeking resumes for an Installer Technician. We are looking for experienced cable TV or FTTP Installer or Cable Technician to help us grow our network and subscriber base. The applicant must: • Have experience installing TV, phone, and internet services for residential and commercial accounts • Have experience with hand tools, power tools, hydraulic equipment, ladders, etc. • Have a good driving record • Be self-motivated and dependable with the ability to work independently • Be quality and service focused • Be able WRGHDOZLWKGLI¿FXOW customers and members of the public in a professional, courteous manner • Be available for “On Call” Duty on weekends and overtime as needed with little notice • Live in or close to Haywood County, NC • Be able to pass a drug test and background check This person will be responsible for the installation of telephone, cable, and internet service from the utility pole into a customer’s home, will install and set up modems, digital equipment, etc. in a customer’s home, and be able to detect, troubleVKRRWDQG¿[SUREOHPV as they occur with the services offered to a customer. We will be accepting resumes until August 31, 2020. Salary is dependent on level of experience. Anyone interested should e-mail their resume to sanders@ccvn.com or fax it to 828-536-4510. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage veterans to apply. sanders@ccvn.com
RETRIEVER/DALMATION MIX DOG – SANTIAGO 1 year old bouncy boy; loves to hike, play with toys, and splash in water. Smart, sweet; crate-trained. (828) 761-2001 publicrelations@ashevillehumane.org
TORTOISE SHELL CAT, VIOLA About 2 years old, beautiful, friendly girl. I love to engage in conversations and sit on your lap. (828) 761-2001 publicrelations@ashevillehumane.org
USE HAPPY JACK® KENNEL DIP™ TO CONTROL FLEAS, TICKS, MANGE, & STABLE FLIES & MOSQUITOES WHERE THEY BREED. N.C. CLAMPITT HARDWARE 488-2782. (WWW.KENNELVAX. COM)
Real Estate Announcements
LEASE YOUR LAND FOR HUNTING. Prepaid annual lease payments. $5M liability insurance. We handle everything for you. Base Camp Leasing 1-866-309-1507 www.basecampleasing.com Promo Code: 339
SAVE BIG On HOME INSURANCE! Compare 20 A-rated insurances companies. Get a quote within minutes. Average savings of $444/year! Call 866- 414-8635! (M-F 8am8pm Central)
ATTENTION SENIORS 62+! Get a Reverse Mortgage Loan to access tax free cash & no monthly mortgage payments as long as you live in the home. Retire with more Cash! Call 888-704-0782
GOT LAND? Our Hunters will Pay Top $$$ to hunt your land. Call for a FREE info packet & Quote. 1-866-309-1507 BaseCampLeasing.com The Strength of Teamwork The Reputation for Results
71 N. Main St., Waynesville (828) 564-9393
Phyllis Robinson OWNER/BROKER (828) 712-5578 lakeshore@lakejunaluska.com The Only Name in Junaluska Real Estate
91 N. Lakeshore Dr. Lake Junaluska 828.456.4070 www.LakeshoreRealtyNC.com Conveniently located in the Bethea Welcome Center
Climate Control Storage
Sizes from 5’x5’ to 10’x 20’ Indoor & Outdoor Climate Controlled 64 SECURITY CAMERAS AND MANAGEMENT ON SITE
1106 Soco Road (Hwy 19), Maggie Valley, NC 28751
Call: 828-476-8999 MaggieValleySelfStorage.com MaggieValleyStorage4U@gmail.com
Find Us One mile past State Rd. 276 and Hwy-19 on the right side, across from Frankie’s Italian Restaurant
I Am Proud of Our Mountains and Would Love to Show You Around!
Randall Rogers BROKER ASSOCIATE ————————————— (828) 734-8862 RROGERS@BEVERLY-HANKS.COM
Haywood Co. Real Estate Agents
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate- Heritage • Carolyn Lauter - carolyn@bhgheritage.com Beverly Hanks & Associates- beverly-hanks.com • Ann Eavenson - anneavenson@beverly-hanks.com • Billie Green - bgreen@beverly-hanks.com • Michelle McElroy- michellemcelroy@beverly-hanks.com • Steve Mauldin - smauldin@beverly-hanks.com • Brian K. Noland - brianknoland.com • Anne Page - apage@beverly-hanks.com • Brooke Parrott - bparrott@beverly-hanks.com • Jerry Powell - jpowell@beverly-hanks.com • Catherine Proben - cproben@beverly-hanks.com • Ellen Sither - ellensither@beverly-hanks.com • Mike Stamey - mikestamey@beverly-hanks.com • Karen Hollingsed- khollingsed@beverly-hanks.com • Billy Case- billycase@beverly-hanks.com • Laura Thomas - lthomas@beverly-hanks.com • John Keith - jkeith@beverly-hanks.com • Randall Rogers - rrogers@beverly-hanks.com • Susan Hooper - shooper@beverly-hanks.com • Hunter Wyman - hwyman@beverly-hanks.com • Rob Roland - robroland@beverly-hanks.com Christie’s Ivester Jackson Blackstream • George Escaravage - george@IJBProperties.com ERA Sunburst Realty - sunburstrealty.com • Amy Spivey - amyspivey.com • Rick Border - sunburstrealty.com Jerry Lee Mountain Realty Jerry Lee Hatley- jerryhatley@bellsouth.net Keller Williams Realty - kellerwilliamswaynesville.com • The Morris Team - www.themorristeamnc.com • Julie Lapkoff - julielapkoff@kw.com • Darrin Graves - dgraves@kw.com Lakeshore Realty • Phyllis Robinson - lakeshore@lakejunaluska.com Log & Frame Homes - 828-734-9323 Mountain Dreams Realty- maggievalleyhomesales.com Mountain Home Properties- mountaindream.com • Cindy Dubose - cdubose@mountaindream.com McGovern Real Estate & Property Management • Bruce McGovern - shamrock13.com Nest Realty • Madelyn Niemeyer - Madelyn.niemeyer@nestrealty.com RE/MAX Executive - remax-waynesvillenc.com remax-maggievalleync.com • Holly Fletcher - holly@hollyfletchernc.com • The Real Team - TheRealTeamNC.com • Ron Breese - ronbreese.com • Landen Stevenson- landen@landenkstevenson.com • Dan Womack - womackdan@aol.com • Mary & Roger Hansen - mwhansen@charter.net • David Rogers - davidr@remax-waynesvillenc.com • Juli Rogers - julimeaserogers@gmail.com The Smoky Mountain Retreat at Eagles Nest • Tom Johnson - tomsj7@gmail.com • Sherell Johnson - sherellwj@aol.com WNC Real Estate Store • Melanie Hoffman - mhoffmanrealestate@gmail.com • Thomas Hoffman - thoffman1@me.com
LEAVING L.A.
ACROSS
1 Most minuscule 8 "The lady -- protest ..." 12 Subjective newspaper section 20 Slightly 21 Opera part 22 Scrams 23 Spicy stew that's so thick it takes more than two people to stir it? 25 Commits in confidence 26 Mon. follower 27 With 75-Down, lightcolored pub drinks 28 Sticky sealer 30 Very mad 31 Create the wax figure of the Police's frontman? 38 "-- be an honor" 39 Dinero dispenser 40 Glass plate 41 Cause of a stuffy nose 46 Speed at which a Roman emperor walks? 53 Diner dispenser 54 Bucolic 57 Many '90s music sales 58 Auditoriums 59 Mailed item containing a bill from a nail salon? 63 Replies to irritably 65 Imprint 66 On the safe side, at sea 67 -- B'rith 69 Skywalker's mentor 70 Attach a certain package covering to a corkboard? 75 Chorus voice 78 A.J. of auto racing 79 "Psst" cousin 80 Navigate 84 In a lax way 86 Taking a long time to grow, just like some velvety plants do? 89 Born earlier 90 Sci-fi craft 92 Daisy's kin 93 -- Palmas 94 Wound protector that causes sorrow? 98 Hot pepper variety 101 Folk tales 102 MPG org. 105 Suffix with salt 106 Hairless inmates in an old English prison? 116 Related to the kidneys 117 GI tour gp. 118 Tyke, in Baja 119 Sis, e.g. 121 Restricted-access computer linkup 124 Product for scrubbing your noggin? 129 Wash lightly in advance 130 Beige-like 131 Painter Watteau 132 Mountains between France and Spain 133 River of myth 134 Most orderly
DOWN
1 William Howard -- 2 Pelvic bone 3 Big name in skin care 4 Suffix with Tokyo 5 SFO guess 6 Camera type, in brief 7 Work fill-ins 8 Mexican flower 9 Get aligned 10 Up to, in brief 11 Port-au-Prince's land 12 Highway bridge 13 Skillet, say 14 Trauma-trained pro 15 Singer Day 16 Rains heavily 17 Verdi's "very" 18 Reach 19 Ruhr city 24 Bill the -- (comics character) 29 All fired up 32 Billy the -- (outlaw) 33 & so forth 34 Gussy up 35 SUV biggie 36 Gene stuff 37 Alway 41 Motor noises 42 QED part 43 Paquin of "True Blood" 44 Sweetums 45 Dismal 47 Hotshot 48 "-- -La-La" (Al Green hit) 49 Old writing scroll 50 And 51 Dressed (in) 52 Juan's "this" 55 Dole out 56 Theater mogul Marcus 60 Interloped 61 Center or Pen lead-in 62 Like prisons 63 Weaken 64 Bit of a chill 67 Beer and tea 68 Quarterback great Joe 71 Org. for 68-Down 72 Lad 73 "Easy there!" 74 Big head 75 See 27-Across 76 1970 hit by the Kinks 77 Chuck of NBC News 81 Tahiti, e.g. 82 Sweetums 83 Fuel brand up north 85 Be incorrect 86 Many an heir 87 Salty waters 88 Hotshot 90 American hwys. 91 Feudal lords' estates 95 Kay-em link 96 Lawn turf 97 "Golly!" 99 "Life of Pi" director Lee 100 Teachers' gp. 103 Larder 104 Farewells, in French 106 Linda in 1998 news 107 Actor Fonda 108 Step into 109 Dancer's handrail 110 Actor Delon 111 Riatas, e.g. 112 Kin of Ltd. 113 Film director Christopher 114 Actor Davis 115 Claims on homes, say 120 Writer Harte 122 Ark.-to-Ill. dir. 123 Suffix with Nepal 125 Opera part 126 Hydrocarbon ending 127 -- glance 128 NSFW part
ANSWERS ON PAGE 26
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise ‘any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination’. Familial status includes children under 18 living with parents or legal guardians and pregnant women. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate in violation of this law. All dwellings advertised on equal opportunity basis.
Rentals
TIMESHARE CANCELLATION EXPERTS. Wesley Financial Group, LLC. Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 844-213-6711
Home Improvement
LEAFFILTER Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-877-649-1190
CASTILLO Tree Service, Etc, Inc.
• Dangerous Tree Removal • Pruning • Creating Views
FREE ESTIMATES • INSURED
828-342-3024 saulcastillo7212@gmail.com IS YOUR HOME SMART YET? Get a FREE quote from Vivint, the #1 Home-Automation Company! Fast & Affordable! $100 VISA giftcard w / installation! Restrictions Apply. Call 855-589-7053
ENERGY SAVING NE W WINDOWS! Beautify your home! Save on monthly energy bills with NEW WINDOWS from 1800Remodel! Up to 18 months no interest. Restrictions apply. Call Now 1-877-287-8229
Legal, Financial and Tax
ATTENTION: AUTO INJURY VICTIMS If you have suffered a serious injury in an auto accident, call us! Our attorneys have the experience to get you the full compensation you deserve! Call Now: 844-545-8296
TAX PROBLEMS- Behind 10k or More on You r Taxes? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, un- ¿OHG WD[ UHWXUQV SD\UROO issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 855-828-0617
SUDOKU
Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!
