Local

A mudslide is cleared

A mudslide is cleared

DOT clears landslide in gorge over weekend

News Staff
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
N.C. Department of Transportation crews cleared and reopened U.S. 19/74 in the Nantahala Gorge Saturday after a slide closed the highway on Friday night. Crews diverted water from the mountain to a ditch and pipe to prevent road erosion overnight.
A vacant house was a blazing fire. Photo by Tim Hall

A vacant house was a blazing fire. Photo by Tim Hall

Vacant house in town burns down

News Staff
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
An old vacant house on Deep Creek Road, just past Nantahala Burger + Bar (in the old R.C. Cola plant) downtown Bryson City, caught fire on Saturday morning and was completely destroyed. According to Bryson City Volunteer Fire Department Chief Charles Bryson, the call came in at 7:26 a.m.
Swain County Board of Elections Director Joanie Weeks is retiring after 37 years.

Swain County Board of Elections Director Joanie Weeks is retiring after 37 years.

Swain County Board of Elections Director Joanie Weeks retires

News Staff
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
It is an end of an era. Joanie Weeks, executive director for Swain County Board of Elections Office, retired this week after 37 years serving in the role. On Monday evening, board members took the opportunity to thank Weeks for her time with the county.
An alleged drunk driver crashed into the back of a Swain County Sheriff's Deputy vehicle

An alleged drunk driver crashed into the back of a Swain County Sheriff's Deputy vehicle

Deputy in patrol car struck by drunk driver

News Staff
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Swain County Sheriff’s Office reported that on early Sunday morning, July 26, an allegedly drunk driver rear-ended a deputy while the deputy was stationary in his patrol car. About 2:16 a.m.
Coach McMahan talks to her volleyball team

Coach McMahan talks to her volleyball team

Kayla McMahan: a strong connection with Swain sports

News Staff
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Kayla McMahan won a state championship in volleyball, is in the Swain County High School Athletic Hall of Fame for softball, and rounded out the year by playing basketball in the winter, yet her first love was…baseball?
Students and teachers will wear masks and social distance

Students and teachers will wear masks and social distance

Swain students will return to the classroom

News Staff
Friday, July 17, 2020
Swain County Schools are planning for in person instruction for the majority of students come this fall, pre-K-12, with plans in the works to meet the guidelines for social distancing as required by the state in light of the ongoing public health pandemic.
Fall sports like football will have to wait until September

Fall sports like football will have to wait until September

NCHSAA pushes fall sports back to Sept. 1

Jarrett Van Meter
Thursday, July 16, 2020
In a press release issue on Wednesday, the NCHSAA announced that it will push back the beginning of all fall sports until at least Sept. 1. The announcement comes on the heels of Governor Cooper’s announcement of the reopening plan for the 2020-2021 school year.