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Photo/Monica Brown. Town is packed in celebration of Bryson City Freedom Fest. Friday, July 4. There were fireworks, bands, bouncy houses, vendor booths to entertain people of all ages from all walks of life.

Photo/Monica Brown. Town is packed in celebration of Bryson City Freedom Fest. Friday, July 4. There were fireworks, bands, bouncy houses, vendor booths to entertain people of all ages from all walks of life.

Celebrating freedom in Bryson

News Staff
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
By Monica Brown Contributor   Bryson City’s annual Freedom Fest returned on July 4th with a full day of patriotic cheer, family fun and a show-stopping fireworks finale. From the crack of dawn, the spirit of community ignited the day.
Photo/Charles Bryson. Bryson City Fire Department responds to a structure fire on Jackson Line in the Tuckasegee Fire District Saturday, June 28. The call came in at approximately 10:15 a.m. and crews were able to prevent further fire damage.

Photo/Charles Bryson. Bryson City Fire Department responds to a structure fire on Jackson Line in the Tuckasegee Fire District Saturday, June 28. The call came in at approximately 10:15 a.m. and crews were able to prevent further fire damage.

Bryson City FD seeks funding for full-time firefighters

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Bryson City Fire Department Chief Charles Bryson continues his quest for seven fulltime firefighters, six 24-hour shifts and one superintendent, to provide more adequate fire protection to county residents 24/7, 365 days per year.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Elsie-Mae Clayton embarks on a week-long National History Day project concerning the Fontana Dam at the Smithsonian National Museum and University of Maryland Adele H. Stamp Student Union June 7-12.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Elsie-Mae Clayton embarks on a week-long National History Day project concerning the Fontana Dam at the Smithsonian National Museum and University of Maryland Adele H. Stamp Student Union June 7-12.

Elsie-Mae shares ‘broken promises’ with the world

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Elsie-Mae Clayton proudly represented Swain County at National History Day in Washington D.C. with her presentation on “The Federal government and the broken promises.” Clayton’s work was displayed and presented at the Smithsonian National Museum and University of Maryland Adele H.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain County Chief Deputy Brian Kirkland assumes sheriff duties amid Sheriff Curtis Cochran’s arrest and encourages department transparency at Swain County Sheriff Office the July 1.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain County Chief Deputy Brian Kirkland assumes sheriff duties amid Sheriff Curtis Cochran’s arrest and encourages department transparency at Swain County Sheriff Office the July 1.

Kirkland assumes sheriff duties

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Swain County Chief Deputy Brian Kirkland has assumed the duties of sheriff amid recent criminal proceedings placing Sheriff Curtis A. Cochran on suspension.
Curtis Cochran.

Curtis Cochran.

Swain County sheriff arrested, suspended

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Swain County Sheriff Curtis A. Cochran, 72, is now a criminal defendant facing charges of felonious restraint, assault on a female, sexual battery and solicitation to commit prostitution.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Noah Hunton visits Bryson City Brewing June 23. Hunton also shot content for his upcoming single, “‘Small Town Truth” while in town.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Noah Hunton visits Bryson City Brewing June 23. Hunton also shot content for his upcoming single, “‘Small Town Truth” while in town.

Country singer feels at home in Bryson City

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Up-and-coming country singer Noah Hunton visited one of his favorite towns in the country this week — Bryson City. “While in town, I’ll be shooting some of the content for my new single, ‘Small Town Truth,’” said Hunton, who stopped by Everett Street Diner to play for breakfast guests Monday.
Sunny Faulhaber protests next to her mother, Catherine D’Angelo, a Kent State University shooting survivor, during the “No Kings” demonstration in Bryson City June 14. Faulhaber said her mom has always encouraged her to stand up for what she believes in.

Sunny Faulhaber protests next to her mother, Catherine D’Angelo, a Kent State University shooting survivor, during the “No Kings” demonstration in Bryson City June 14. Faulhaber said her mom has always encouraged her to stand up for what she believes in.

Memories of Kent State shootings motivate D’Angelo

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Hidden in a crowd of more than 250 chanting “No Kings” demonstrators, Catherine D’Angelo disregarded the pain and trauma associated with the Kent State shootings of May 4, 1970, just to protest the current administration’s policies.
Submitted photo. Swain Cancer Support volunteers set up during Bryson City Freedom Festival July 4, 2023. Volunteers sold T-shirts and other gift items, while accepting donations.

Submitted photo. Swain Cancer Support volunteers set up during Bryson City Freedom Festival July 4, 2023. Volunteers sold T-shirts and other gift items, while accepting donations.

Swain Cancer: Sharing love and money

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Swain Cancer Support has helped upward of 120 local cancer victims since its March 2018 founding. “All the money raised stays in Swain County to help residents battling cancer,” said Cindi Woodard, president of the 501c3 nonprofit.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Rob Hawk, Swain County Cooperative Extension director, assesses the town’s walkability with staff and concerned residents June 11. A report will be presented to Town of Bryson City Board of Aldermen and Swain County Board of Commissioners to apply for possible grant funding.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Rob Hawk, Swain County Cooperative Extension director, assesses the town’s walkability with staff and concerned residents June 11. A report will be presented to Town of Bryson City Board of Aldermen and Swain County Board of Commissioners to apply for possible grant funding.

Walk audits through town — good, bad and ugly

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
A walk audit was completed by members and friends of North Carolina Cooperative Extension Swain County Center to assess Bryson City walkability in April, May and June.