Local News

Press release from Haywood County Sheriff’s Office:

An inmate at the Haywood County Detention Center, Zachary Nathaniel Lambright, 20 years old, was pronounced deceased at Haywood Regional Medical Center on Monday, August 19, 2019, at 3:02 p.m. following an apparent suicide in his assigned cell in the Haywood County Detention Center.

Cullowhee Valley has been home to many over the centuries, most notably the Cherokee people, with transformative generations etched upon the landscape before the establishment of Western Carolina University.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray announced that Thomas Derreck Charlet, 40, of Valdese, N.C., appeared in federal court today on charges of illegal possession of a destructive device. 

Hendersonville -- Hendersonville Police Department Face Book Post August 15, 2019 

Raleigh -- NCDHHS --According to the  Division of Public Health, there were 3,150 heat-related hospital emergency department visits reported from May 1 to Aug. 10, due to the combination of heat and humidity — particularly during periods of extreme heat. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging precautions, especially on hot days.

NC -- (AP) — A coalition of 22 Democratic-led states has sued the Trump administration over its decision to ease restrictions on coal-fired power plants.
In June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency eliminated the agency's Clean Power Plan and replaced it with a new rule that gives states more leeway in deciding upgrades for coal-fired power plants.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, says the new rule violates the federal Clean Air Act because it does not meaningfully replace power plants' greenhouse gas emissions.
"We know what our energy future must look like, and we won't get there by following President Trump's misguided proposal," California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said. "Because we're prepared to confront the climate crisis head-on, we're prepared to confront President Trump head on in court."
The lawsuit was filed by attorneys general in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.
They were joined by six local governments: Boulder, Colorado; Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia and South Miami, Florida.
The EPA's analysis of the new rules predicts an extra 300 to 1,500 people will die each year by 2030 because of additional air pollution from the power grid. But EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler in June said Americans want "reliable energy that they can afford," adding he expected more coal plans to open as a result.
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Raleigh -- Press Release North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services  

NC- (AccuWeather)With the dog days of summer upon us, many residents may head to their local beaches or lakes to cool off from the heat. Some may want to take their furry friends to splash around in the water. But before diving in with your pets, beware of toxic algae that could be lurking in the water and is deadly to canines.

BRYSON CITY — Priceless crucifixes – one 7 feet tall that serves as a grave memorial – were destroyed at St. Joseph Church Aug. 7.