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Photo/Lauren Waggoner. The community and disaster relief victims enjoy a free Thanksgiving meal in the Volunteer Hall at Camp Living Water last November.

Photo/Lauren Waggoner. The community and disaster relief victims enjoy a free Thanksgiving meal in the Volunteer Hall at Camp Living Water last November.

Thanksgiving at Camp Living Water

Sara Eisinger
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
The community enjoyed a free Thanksgiving meal in the Volunteer Hall at Camp Living Water on Tuesday. On the menu was ham, turkey, mashed potatoes and veggies, sweet potato casserole, rolls and more. Kyle Palmer, guest experience manager, said most of the food was locally donated.
Submitted photo. A Kia K5 belonging to Melissa Schlarb, 28, of Robbinsville, gets hit by a cat falling an estimated 100 feet from a bald eagle’s grip when driving on US-74 in Swain County at approximately 8 a.m. Nov. 19.

Submitted photo. A Kia K5 belonging to Melissa Schlarb, 28, of Robbinsville, gets hit by a cat falling an estimated 100 feet from a bald eagle’s grip when driving on US-74 in Swain County at approximately 8 a.m. Nov. 19.

SUDDEN IMPACT

Sara Eisinger
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Melissa Schlarb, 28, of Robbinsville hopped in her Kia K5 and headed to work in Cherokee Wednesday. It was around 8 a.m., and the drive along US-74 was about as mundane as every other morning.
Photo/Sara Eisinger. Toby Allman (left to right), Mike Drinkwater, Kenzie Cochran, Michelle Cochran, Tony Cochran, Tim Marks, Monica Brown and Ricky Sanford celebrate the opening of Portraits by Michelle in a ribbon cutting ceremony Nov. 13

Photo/Sara Eisinger. Toby Allman (left to right), Mike Drinkwater, Kenzie Cochran, Michelle Cochran, Tony Cochran, Tim Marks, Monica Brown and Ricky Sanford celebrate the opening of Portraits by Michelle in a ribbon cutting ceremony Nov. 13

Portraits by Michelle opens on River Street

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Swain County Chamber of Commerce welcomed Portraits by Michelle to 1 River Street in a ribbon cutting ceremony with family and friends last Thursday. “I just love being able to create that legacy,” said Michelle K. Cochran, owner and photographer.
Photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain County Commissioners voted to approve the Swain County Board of Education’s request for $115,000 to address equipment needs during their Nov. 18 meeting.

Photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain County Commissioners voted to approve the Swain County Board of Education’s request for $115,000 to address equipment needs during their Nov. 18 meeting.

Board approves $115K for school needs

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
In a Swain County Commissioners meeting Nov. 18, commissioners voted 4-1 to approve the Swain County Board of Education’s request for $115,000 to address equipment needs. According to Mark Sale, superintendent, as of Oct. 13, Article 46 account balance is $774,981.29.
Photo/Sara Eisinger. Shelly Foreman, community relations regional director at Vaya Health, provides a brief update at a Swain County Commissioners meeting Nov. 18.

Photo/Sara Eisinger. Shelly Foreman, community relations regional director at Vaya Health, provides a brief update at a Swain County Commissioners meeting Nov. 18.

Medicaid cuts anticipated

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Shelly Foreman, community relations regional director at Vaya Health, provided a brief update at a Swain County Commissioners meeting Nov. 18. Vaya Health is a public agency that manages Medicaid, federal, state and local funding to connect residents with health and behavioral healthcare services.
Photo submitted. Skye Woodard and Corbin Cochran display their whitetail mounts at Great Smokey Mountain Bait and Tackle aka Jack’s Nov. 18.

Photo submitted. Skye Woodard and Corbin Cochran display their whitetail mounts at Great Smokey Mountain Bait and Tackle aka Jack’s Nov. 18.

Jack’s: Where hunters gather

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Great Smokey Mountain Bait and Tackle aka Jack’s, owned by Jackie Parton, is a staple in Bryson City, family owned and operated for nearly 30 years. A 1965 Swain High graduate, Jack Parton and his wife, Joanne, returned to the area upon retirement from Duke Energy.
Photo/Sara Eisinger. Nate Bowe, Town of Bryson City engineer (left to right), Hazel Edmond, director rural engagement and investment rural economic development division, Lyric Thompson and Lee Lilley, North Carolina’s Secretary of Commerce at Bryson City Town Hall Nov. 14.

Photo/Sara Eisinger. Nate Bowe, Town of Bryson City engineer (left to right), Hazel Edmond, director rural engagement and investment rural economic development division, Lyric Thompson and Lee Lilley, North Carolina’s Secretary of Commerce at Bryson City Town Hall Nov. 14.

Town to replace water main with $1 million grant

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Bryson City was awarded a $1 million grant to support the installation of a 1,600-foot, 12-inch HDPE water main under the Tuckasegee.
Swain County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Sgt. Eli Kirkland with his detection dog, Toro, a five-year-old male German shepherd and Belgium mix in summer 2025. (Submitted photo)

Swain County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Sgt. Eli Kirkland with his detection dog, Toro, a five-year-old male German shepherd and Belgium mix in summer 2025. (Submitted photo)

Kirkland, Toro join Swain Sheriff’s Department

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Meet Swain County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Sgt. Eli Kirkland and his detection dog, Toro, a five-year-old male German shepherd and Belgium mix. Kirkland served with Franklin Police Department 18 years and handled dogs for five of those years.
Photo/Sara Eisinger. Alita Cunningham (front, left to right), Kaye McConnell, Jeannie Lerch, Marsha Sherrod; (middle, left to right) Tonya Clifton, Melissa barker, Terri Lynn Crider; (back, left to right) Nancy Jones, Candy Benton, Candy Wilson and Rhonda Tschida donate shoes and socks to kids in need at as part of a Shoes for Steps initiative headed by Swain County Resource Center to keep children’s feet warm this season at New Attitudes Hair Salon Friday, Nov. 7.

Photo/Sara Eisinger. Alita Cunningham (front, left to right), Kaye McConnell, Jeannie Lerch, Marsha Sherrod; (middle, left to right) Tonya Clifton, Melissa barker, Terri Lynn Crider; (back, left to right) Nancy Jones, Candy Benton, Candy Wilson and Rhonda Tschida donate shoes and socks to kids in need at as part of a Shoes for Steps initiative headed by Swain County Resource Center to keep children’s feet warm this season at New Attitudes Hair Salon Friday, Nov. 7.

Shoes for Steps

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Shoes and socks for kids 0-18 are being collected at New Attitudes Hair Salon and Swain County Resource Center as part of the Shoes for Steps initiative to keep children’s feet warm this winter season. New Attitudes Hair Salon hosted a shoe drive fundraising event Friday, Nov. 7.
Submitted photo. Chrome Angels Misty Dawn (left to right), Heather Osborne and Shelly Gable seek to bring Christmas joy to every child in Swain County.

Submitted photo. Chrome Angels Misty Dawn (left to right), Heather Osborne and Shelly Gable seek to bring Christmas joy to every child in Swain County.

Christmas Parade to include toy drive

News Staff
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Doreen Guma Contributor   Memories will be made during the 51st Annual Bryson City Christmas Parade Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. where the Chrome Angelz of Bryson City will participate in its first ever Toy Run. Parade attendees are asked to bring a new and unwrapped toys with them to the parade.