Vicki Hyatt

3 weeks ago | themountaineer.com | Vicki Hyatt

Haywood commissioners have awarded a $1.3 million contract to build facilities for phase II of the Raccoon Creek Bike Park, and the work will be done by a local contractor. Phase 1 of the county’s most far-reaching recreation project yet is already complete, though the park is not yet open the public. It includes a bike pump track and skills courses for various proficiency levels.

3 weeks ago | themountaineer.com | Vicki Hyatt

A nearly $112 million county budget that includes no tax hike and a hefty dip into the county fund balance — a rainy day savings account for times such as these — was passed unanimously at the Haywood County Board of Commissioners meeting Monday. In the 2025-26 budget, county revenues were projected to change only slightly from the previous year. Property tax, sales tax, state and federal funding and revenue from licenses and fees were mostly flat.

3 weeks ago | themountaineer.com | Vicki Hyatt

A nearly $112 million county budget that includes no tax hike and a hefty dip into the county fund balance — a rainy day savings account for times such as these — was passed unanimously at the Haywood County Board of Commissioners meeting Monday. In the 2025-26 budget, county revenues were projected to change only slightly from the previous year. Property tax, sales tax, state and federal funding and revenue from licenses and fees were mostly flat.

4 weeks ago | themountaineer.com | Vicki Hyatt

In my first summer of retirement, I had the bright idea to work with our twin 9-year-old grandchildren, Harper and Hudson, in learning about small business by selling vegetables at the farmer’s market. Rich and I keep the twins a good bit in the summer while their parents work, so the rationale was twofold — to provide an alternative to the pleas for screen time and to teach them about gardening.

4 weeks ago | themountaineer.com | Vicki Hyatt

A Republican business owner has announced his intention to challenge N.C. House Rep. Mark Pless for the seat representing Haywood and Madison counties. A self-avowed political junkie, Ken Brown has closely followed local and state politics, especially as they impact Maggie Valley where he operates MarxBrown Consulting.