Sylva man pleads guilty in Jan. 6 riots

Application window extended for $350m grant to expand internet in rural N.C.

The N.C. Department of Information Technology today announced that qualified internet service providers and electric membership cooperatives providing internet service now have through May 4 to apply for up to $350 million in grants to expand broadband infrastructure in North Carolina.

This round of the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology grant program uses American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide matching grants to broadband providers that compete for funding to expand access to highspeed internet service to unserved households, businesses and farms. Organizations and counties across the state have expressed interest in participating in the GREAT Grant program, and several have requested additional time to meet the conditions required by the program’s authorizing legislation and federal rules.

“The grant program encourages partnerships between local governments and broadband providers to best leverage available federal funding. We are extending the application window to allow more time for county governments and internet service providers to create these partnerships and maximize the benefit to North Carolina residents,” said NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer James Weaver. “We want to fund as many eligible projects as possible so more North Carolinians can connect, learn and work online. This extra time will allow applicants to work through the grant conditions with their partners.”

Interested applicants should continue to review the GREAT Grant Guidance document and FAQs at www.ncbroadband.gov/grants/gre at-grant-federal/great-grant-20212022 and the NC OneMap GREAT Grant Mapping Tool and Online Mapping Tool Help Document at www.nconemap.gov/pages/broadb and for any updates.

Once all eligible GREAT Grant applications have been reviewed and scored, NCDIT will begin awarding grants on a rolling basis to expedite critical broadband infrastructure projects across the state. Additional details on the GREAT Grant are at ncbroadband.gov/grants/greatgrant-federal.

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER

ASylva man arrested for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty last week to a felony charge.

Lewis Easton Cantwell, 36, entered the plea during a March 24 Zoom hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Emmet G. Sullivan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

While the crime, Civil Disorder and Aiding and Abetting, carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, $250,000 in fines and one year of supervised release, sentencing guidelines based on the nature of the offense and Cantwell’s lack of criminal history recommend zero to six months of prison time. The plea agreement states Cantwell will pay a special assessment of $100 to the Clerk of Court as well as $2,000 in restitution for the $1.5 million in damage the riots caused the U.S. Capitol Building. It also commits him to cooperate with law enforcement investigations into the events of Jan. 6 — specifically, completing an interview prior to sentencing and allowing review of any social media postings on and around Jan. 6.

According to the plea agreement, neither the defense nor the prosecution will seek a penalty outside the guideline range. However, Sullivan will have the final say on sentencing, and he made it clear to Cantwell that he can’t guarantee what that sentence might be until he completes his own research. Sullivan will hand down the sentence in a hearing scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22.

Cantwell initially faced six charges at his arrest in February 2021, the most serious of which — obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting — carried a maximum sentence of 20 years. Had he been convicted on all six counts, Cantwell would have faced a maximum sentence of 28 years.

During the March 24 hearing, Sullivan repeatedly asked Cantwell to confirm his guilt, his wish to enter a guilty plea, and his desire to give up his right to a trial by jury.

“What’s your decision? Do you wish to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty?” Sullivan asked Cantwell at the end of a hearing in which he had repeatedly stated his intention to enter a guilty plea.

“I’ve chosen to enter a plea of guilty,” Cantwell said.

“Because you are guilty?” asked Sullivan.

“Because I am in fact guilty,” said Cantwell.

This was a departure from Cantwell’s initial story and even from sworn statements he made during a March 15 court hearing. In a phone interview with The Smoky Mountain News Feb. 22, 2021, shortly after his initial arrest, he insisted on his innocence.

“I didn’t go there with any intention to hurt anyone or storm the Capitol,” he told SMN. “I didn’t go inside the Capitol Building. I never attacked anyone. I was there filming. And I helped a bunch of people who were injured come out of the front lines.”

He maintained this narrative as recently as March 15 of this year, during a hearing when the plea agreement ultimately approved March 24 was expected to occur.

“Why do you wish to plead guilty?” Sullivan asked during the March 15 hearing.

“Just because I was there, and what they said is appropriate as far as I can tell,” Cantwell replied.

“Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty of a criminal offense?”

“Yes sir,” said Cantwell.

However, later in the hearing, when Sullivan asked Cantwell to confirm the government’s summary of events, he balked.

U.S. Prosecutor Jaqueline Schesnol told the court that, while hundreds of thousands of people were rioting at the Capitol, Cantwell made his way to the front of the Lower West Terrace tunnel entrance, where dozens of people were “battling and fighting and assaulting members of law enforcement.” There, she said, he used his cell phone to video the events.

“During one of the recordings, when watching rioters battle with law enforcement officers

near the entrance, Cantwell yelled for the rioters to ‘get the door open.’ At another point, Cantwell yelled that they needed ‘fresh patriots to the front,’” reads the court document whose contents Schesnol was relating. When he did that, Schesnol said, Cantwell knew that the officers were engaged in their official duties — thus the basis for the criminal charge. “Did it happen that way, Mr. Cantwell?” Sullivan asked. “Not exactly,” Cantwell replied, upending what would have otherwise been a routine plea agreement hearing. “What she said was correct, but it’s taken out of context in the shortness of the videos.” He then told Sullivan that he wasn’t advised on how to answer the question and wasn’t aware if he’d have a chance to speak at the hearing or not. Cantwell’s attorney Nic Cocis then advised him that he’d have a chance to make a statement at sentencing, but right now Sullivan just wanted to know if he agreed to the basic elements of the crime. Sullivan asked Cantwell if he needed to take another look at the plea agreeLewis Easton Cantwell ment. Cantwell then said he was trying to get medical aid to injured people, not perpetrate violence. While he did say the words Schesnol quoted, he was not trying to push people to go inside the building, he told Sullivan. “There was people stuck behind the doors that I was trying to help,” Cantwell said. “There were multiple opportunities I was trying to help people.” “Well, that’s contrary to what you just signed,” said Sullivan. “If you’re not guilty, I’m not going to take your plea.” After further discussion with Cantwell, Cocis and Schesnol, Sullivan decided to adjourn the hearing and set a new date, March 24. He had initially wanted a longer, 30day gap, but Schesnol said the plea process had already dragged on for months — it was delayed in December 2021 when Cantwell changed attorneys and twice more this year due to technical difficulties on the part of the court — and that the government did not wish to keep the offer open for another month. “Nobody’s trying to force him to do anything. It’s a very serious matter,” Sullivan said. “If he changes his mind and wants to go to trial, fine. We’ll pick a trial date.” When Cantwell reappeared March 24, he repeatedly and unequivocally acknowledged his guilt. “By pleading guilty, Easton accepted responsibility for his actions on January 6th,” Cocis said in an email. “However, at this time, any other comment will be made at Easton’s sentencing in September.”

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Nature never did betray the heart that loved her. —William Wordsworth, 1798

History Is Not Destiny

“So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains/ And we never even know we have the key.” The Eagles. We of the United States have been seen by historians as unique because of our “can-do spirit,” our optimism, our imagination. Those traits manifest themselves in our cures and treatments for diseases, our plentiful food, our arts, our architecture. Our institutions of learning still turn out scientists, business innovators, educators, artists, doctors and nurses.

Yet we also have not one, but two Achilles heels. First, some of us are as fatalistic and hide-bound as the most cynical people of the most under-developed societies. We think that “whatever happens, happens” and we are individually powerless to stop it. Second, because our ancestors fled countries ruled by elites, Americans tend to be anti-intellectual: many distrust authorities, especially when their research gives us inconvenient truths.

Both of these flaws, if not conquered by our positive traits, will be our undoing, individually and nationally.

Now we face two catastrophes that threaten not only the U.S., but all life. First, climate scientists are screaming this truth. “Any further delay in concerted global action will miss a brief and rapidly closing window to secure a livable future,” warned the chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change last month.

Second, Russia’s attempted destruction of Ukraine is accelerating climate warming as well as murdering thousands of innocent babies and adults. Wars do that.

Why should all this matter to us in WNC? Remember those August 2021 flash floods that washed away hundreds of homes and other structures, killing several people? Those formerly “hundred-year floods” are now every seventeen years; soon they will drown us in misery and debt every few. The 2016 wildfires we saw burning people to death around Gatlinburg will come for us again.

WIN-WIN-WIN: OURSELVES, OUR CHILDREN, OUR COUNTRY

“So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains/ And we never even know we have the key.” The Eagles’ songwriter gives us a universal truth. We do hold the key to our destiny.

Today’s descent into catastrophe doesn’t have to happen. Our blood-drenched history of raping and maiming Mother Nature, of wars and genocide do not have to keep happening.

The young adults giving their lives to keep Ukraine free remind us that war is passé, a relic of greed, lust for power, and arrogance. Ukrainians had a life of prosperity thanks to the freedom to get along with one another and with their peers in other free nations.

The young people leading climate mitigation movements are giving their best years to demanding that hide-bound, fossil fuel-funded “leaders” accelerate the transition to sustainable energy. They want leaders to lead, not cave in to cynicism.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW

Choose your better angels. Choose optimism and determination to save the future. Call your Senators to insist on a stronger Build Back Better Act now. Next week is too late. Find them at https://www.senate.gov/states/NC/intro.htm

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

IPCC issues ‘bleakest warning yet’ on impacts of climate breakdown,” https://www.theguardian.c om/environment/2022/feb/28/ipcc-issues-bleakest-warning-yet-impacts-climate-breakdown

“Ukraine war threatens global heating,” https://www.theguardian.com/environment/202 2/mar/21/ukraine-war-threatens-global-heating-goals-warns-un-chief

The WNC Climate Action Coalition is an all-volunteer group working to mitigate the effects of the climate crisis in our region. By WNC CAC volunteer, co-founder and Triple-win Editor Mary Jane Curry MJCinWNC@gmail.com https://WNCClimateAction.com Twitter: @WncAction

Lake Junaluska to host Easter sunrise service and brunch buffet

Lake Junaluska will celebrate Easter with an uplifting outdoor sunrise service at the Lake Junaluska Cross and a sumptuous brunch buffet at historic Lambuth Inn.

The sunrise service on Sunday, April 17, will begin at 7 a.m. at the outdoor amphitheater that overlooks the lake from beneath the Lake Junaluska Cross and is open to the public for in-person worship. The service also will be streamed live on Lake Junaluska’s Facebook page at facebook.com/lakejunaluska.

“This Easter we gather again at Lake Junaluska to share in the hope and the love of Christ,” said Ken Howle, executive director of Lake Junaluska. “We invite you to join us in person or online as we come together.”

A brass quintet will provide music, and the speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Hyung Jae Lee. The sermon title is “While It Is Still Dark,” and the selected Scripture is John 20:1-3.

“Darkness … we are at the end of the dark tunnel of COVID-19. We are exhausted, confused and even fearful in darkness,” said Lee. “‘While it was still dark,’ Apostle John shares the story of Mary Magdalene and her fellow disciples. Darkness pushes us into frustration and fear and leads us to courage and hope. Only those in darkness can see bright stars, and we are invited to see the hope of Jesus’ resurrection on a dark morning of Easter Sunday. So let us come and confront our darkness in faith!”

Lee serves as the Smoky Mountain District Superintendent of the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. Most recently, he has served as pastor of Calvary UMC in Charlotte since 2013. Previously, he was pastor of Wesley UMC and Thrift UMC, both in Charlotte, and associate pastor at First UMC in Brevard. Born and raised in South Korea, Lee completed his undergraduate and master’s degrees at Hanyang University in Seoul. Coming to the United States in 1997, he earned a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and a Doctor of Ministry at Duke Divinity School.

Sunrise service attendees are encouraged to dress warmly for cool mountain morning temperatures. In the event of rain, the service will be held at Memorial Chapel. Check lakejunaluska.com/easter for possible schedule changes.

Following the service, Lake Junaluska also will host a sumptuous Easter Brunch Buffet at the historic Lambuth Inn from 7:30-10 a.m. The menu features crustless quiche, Southern chicken and Belgian waffles, sliced honey glazed ham, Applewood smoked bacon, sausage, Southern biscuits and gravy, homestyle grits and more. The buffet costs $32 per adult, $16 per child age 4-12, and free for children age 3 and younger, plus tax and 18 percent gratuity. To request reservations, visit lakejunaluska.com/easterbuffet or call 800-222-4930.

Also Easter weekend, the Lake Junaluska Friends of the Lake 5K Road Race and Walk will take place on Saturday, April 16. The course takes participants along a scenic lakeside route. All profits from the 5K go toward improvements and annual maintenance of the lakeside walking trail and other recreation areas around the lake, which cost over $250,000 annually. For more information, visit lakejunaluska.com/run.

Following the 5K, Long’s Chapel will host Easter egg hunts for children ages 1-12 plus face painting, balloon animals and pictures with the Easter bunny at Lake Junaluska outside Stuart Auditorium. Long’s Chapel also will partner with Camp Ability to host an egg hunt for children ages 4-12 with special needs inside the Harrell Center. Check-in and activities begin at 11:15 a.m. with the first egg hunt at 11:30 a.m. A food truck will be at the event.

For guests who wish to spend the holiday weekend at Lake Junaluska, a 30% off Easter weekend lodging special at The Terrace Hotel and Lambuth Inn is available by calling 800.222.4930. lakejunaluska.com/easter.

Haywood County to celebrate National Library week

National Library Week is an annual celebration of libraries across the nation, to recognize library workers’ contributions, and to promote library use and support. This year’s theme is, “Connect with Your Library.”

From April 4-9, join the Haywood County Public Library in the festivities. Throughout the week there will be a variety of fun ways to connect with your library.

Haywood County Public Library will be offering pop-up story walks in downtown Waynesville and Canton, in partnership with the Friends of the Library and a variety of local businesses. For the month of April, businesses will host a panel in their window that features a two-page spread of the book Dear Librarian by Lydia M. Sigwarth. As families walk downtown, they’ll be able to read together about a young girl, Lydia, and the letters she writes to her favorite librarian about her adventures. After completing a story walk tracker, available in physical format or online, families will be entered to win a prize basket that includes a copy of the book, other fun gifts and library swag.

Throughout the week, the library will also be hosting a coloring contest for children and teens under 18. A special coloring page will be available for the occasion, and each entry will be displayed at the Waynesville and Canton branches. At the end of National Library Week, two entries will be selected to receive a coloring prize.

Finally, stop in to the Waynesville or Canton branches and check out an item on Friday, April 8, to receive some library swag to take home.

Mountain Projects receives investment from Nantahala Health Foundation

Mountain Projects Community Action Agency has received a $30,000 investment grant from Nantahala Health Foundation to increase home safety for underserved populations in Jackson County.

Grant investment funds from the Foundation will be used for housing rehabilitation projects in Jackson County. “We have a long waiting list for these services, and it will feel good to give these people some relief,” says Mountain Projects Rehabilitation and Weatherization Program Manager, Vivian Bumgarner.

The Weatherization and Rehabilitation Program manages urgent repairs for lowincome homeowners. Oftentimes, clients need accessibility modifications to their homes and other urgent repairs to prevent imminent displacement. Accessibility projects include ramp building and making bathrooms safe and usable, while other projects might include replacement of doors and windows or other weatherization measures that keep the household warm and reduce costly heating bills.

“These funds are essential in our effort to support the wellbeing of underserved households in Jackson County and will assist with the independence and self-sufficiency of local seniors,” says Mountain Projects Executive Director Patsy Davis. “This project would not have been possible without this support from Nantahala Health Foundation.”

Learn about Swain County History

Join the Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society for its first meeting of 2022.

On April 7, Frank March will present “Schools and Churches in the Swain County Section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.” Prior to the coming of the park, there were numerous flourishing communities, with a total of more than 50 schools and churches. Some of these were small lumber company schools, but they also included the only high school in the park, the large Calhoun-Coburn School at Proctor.

Churches ranged from simple log buildings in the early days to sizeable white frame structures in later years. Before the era of the County Board of Education, school may have been held in a building during the week and church services held in the same building on Sunday. For this reason, both schools and churches are approached together in this study. Frank has researched schools and churches throughout the park, but this presentation will be focused on the Swain County portion, which includes the Twentymile, Hazel Creek, Forney Creek, Deep Creek, Smokemont and Straight Fork sections of the park.

Frank was raised in Blount County, Tennessee and now resides in Wears Valley (Sevier County). He is a member of the SCGHS, has been a part of the Northshore Cemetery Association for the past few years and has been a long-term volunteer with the park. Over the last few years, he has hiked all the trails in the park at least six times and has done considerable research on park cemeteries, schools and churches. He is now focusing his research on identifying home sites that were in the area before the formation of the park.

Please join the Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society for this presentation on at 6:30 on April 7. Monthly meetings are held at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center, 45 East Ridge Drive, Bryson City.

For COVID cautionary purposes, please bring finger foods that are individually wrapped or select prepackaged snacks. This is open to the public and there is no admission charge.