Human remains, believed to be of historic Cherokee origin, were found recently at a construction site in Macon County for the Parker Meadows recreation complex. Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tribal leaders have consulted with Macon County officials to resolve the issue in the best interest of the remains.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will now be able to provide native plants for various projects due to the opening of the Native Plant Nursery Facility in the Birdtown Community. The 2,200 square foot facility was officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 22.

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 9,354,695 visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2013 spent $734,086,600 in communities near the park. That spending supported 10,734 jobs in the local area. “Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains...