Support Pathways at fifth annual Empty Bowls fundraiser

Haywood Pathways Center will hold its fifth annual Empty Bowls fundraiser on Thursday, March 23 at Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church. More than 20 local potters will create bowls for the event, which features local restaurants competing for bragging rights with a wide array of soups or chili. Reigning champ, Waynesville’s Birchwood Hall Southern Kitchen, will defend its title. Presented by WNC Social Media Buzz and Smoky Mountain Group Inc, the event will also feature live music from Bohemian Jean and Arnold Hill. Haywood Pathways Center is a faith-based 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization in Haywood County that provides adult and family shelter, a short-term residential program for those seeking life transformation, a community kitchen providing meals to those living in the shelter and within our community, the Holy Cow food truck, support services within the county detention center and outreach to those who are unsheltered. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Purchase tickets at haywoodpathwayscenter.org.

“Hello,” the person says.

“Where in the motel are you?” the dispatcher asks.

“Did y’all call 911? Get the police. Thank you,” the person responds.

“This is 911,” says the dispatcher as the line goes dead.

In a death certificate filed Nov. 1 in Jackson County, Wilson’s death is recorded as a homicide. In legal terms, “homicide” means only that one human being caused the death of another. The definition includes murder and manslaughter, but also killings justified by self-defense or insanity. Thus far, no charges have been filed in relation to Wilson’s death. A spokesperson for District Attorney Ashley Welch said her office is still investigating, and that there has not yet been a decision on whether to press charges.

The 911 call’s release comes after three months of silence from officials on the circumstances surrounding Wilson’s death. Since Oct. 20, the Cherokee Indian Police Department had declined to say anything beyond the scanty information posted on Facebook in the hours following the tragedy: that an “incident” had occurred at El Camino Motel and CIPD and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigations were on the scene investigating. On Nov. 16, The Smoky Mountain News submitted a request for a copy of the 911 call, but the next day Superior Court Judge Bradley Letts ordered the records sealed for 30 days, ruling in favor of a petition from the State of North Carolina to prevent their release.

When the 30-day seal expired Monday,

Dec. 19, SMN submitted a renewed request, which was ignored until 31 hours later when a new order sealing the records for an additional 30 days was filed in Jackson and Swain County courts. However, no new motion to seal the call was filed when the Dec. 19 order expired Jan. 20, and Swain County Emergency Management released a copy of it Jan. 23. At the time of Wilson’s death, Jackson County’s dispatch center was down and dispatchers were using Swain County facilities, which is why Swain County is administering release of the call to Jackson County 911.

Wilson, 68, was a Swain County native who spent his life as “an advocate for ‘his’ children of Swain and Jackson counties,” according to his obituary. He began his career in 1975 as a teacher at Almond School and was a principal, first at Whittier School and then at East Elementary School, from 1980 to 2006. After his retirement he served on the Swain County Board of Education from 2008 to 2020 and was serving his 13th year on the Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees — and his third year as chairman — at the time of his death.

Wilson owned and operated the Drama Inn and El Camino Motel, and in October 2021 he opened the Queen House Gallery in Cherokee, hoping to encourage young Native American artists and feature renowned artists. Well respected throughout the Native American art community nationwide, Wilson judged several national art competitions and was a board member at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.

Open To The Public

Monday & Saturday Dinner Service

Monday 4 p.m.-8 p.m.

Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Experience a Casual, Relaxing Atmosphere

perfect for all walks of life, from families to golf groups to ladies who lunch. We pride ourselves on using fresh ingredients from our gardens and supporting local farmers. The details are priority.