Local

Firefighters are on the scene of a structure fire call at the old Powell Lumber building Monday afternoon.

Firefighters are on the scene of a structure fire call at the old Powell Lumber building Monday afternoon.

Bryson fire looks to adapt to having fewer active volunteers

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The need for more paid firefighter positions has been an ongoing discussion at the county level. Town of Bryson City has had paid positions for a few years now, which currently covers daytime calls.
Downtown Bryson City was covered in a dusting of snow Wednesday, Jan. 10 morning following heavy rains and high winds Tuesday.

Downtown Bryson City was covered in a dusting of snow Wednesday, Jan. 10 morning following heavy rains and high winds Tuesday.

Swain County sees heavy rain, light snow

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Bryson City woke up Wednesday morning, Jan. 10, to blankets of snow covering the ground and most rooftops in town following heavy rain and high winds Tuesday.
From left, Pam Dengler, Margaret McCarty, John Crisp, Bruce Billstein and Harold Parton play a rousing game of a variety of cornhole as part of the weekly group activities class held Monday mornings at the Swain County Center and led by Shannon Royce of TOA Bryson City

From left, Pam Dengler, Margaret McCarty, John Crisp, Bruce Billstein and Harold Parton play a rousing game of a variety of cornhole as part of the weekly group activities class held Monday mornings at the Swain County Center and led by Shannon Royce of TOA Bryson City

Seniors get moving at weekly group activities

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   This might be group activity for seniors, but between the laughs and the games, it’s reminiscent of gym class in elementary school. From 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
'What's Next:The Story of a War Baby Just Trying to Make It" is a memoir by Lance Holland. The photo on the cover is from the filming of "The Fugitive."

'What's Next:The Story of a War Baby Just Trying to Make It" is a memoir by Lance Holland. The photo on the cover is from the filming of "The Fugitive."

Holland tells his story in What’s Next

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   If you enter Appalachian Mercantile on Everett Street in downtown Bryson City, you’re sure to meet owner Lance Holland, an unassuming history buff with a hound dog.

Man breaks into West Elementary, steals food

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   A man was arrested for allegedly breaking into West Elementary School early Friday morning, Dec. 29 and charged with a list of crimes including identity theft, larceny and possessing drug paraphernalia.
Walgreens is now the sole pharmacy in Bryson City and Robbinsville and is often quite busy.

Walgreens is now the sole pharmacy in Bryson City and Robbinsville and is often quite busy.

People sound off on pharmacy issues

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Long wait times, big price increases and sometimes unavailable medicine are all issues facing Walgreens pharmacy customers since the giant drug store chain bought out Bryson City Pharmacy and Robbinsville Pharmacy last month.
Postal worker Angie Gibby sorts through the numerous package deliveries ready to go out in mid-December.

Postal worker Angie Gibby sorts through the numerous package deliveries ready to go out in mid-December.

Online package deliveries flood local post office

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The local post office is improving its operations since the disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic, but postmaster Chip Hendricks still thinks they could use more manpower. “We’re short staffed,” he said. “We have two carriers.
Cherokee artist Skye Tafoya specializes in patterned paper weaving art, which she sells to make a living.

Cherokee artist Skye Tafoya specializes in patterned paper weaving art, which she sells to make a living.

Cherokee artist Tafoya honors family’s basket-weaving past

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Skye Tafoya’s paper-weaved print art is made up of shapes and designs repeating in varying shades of color and texture. She hopes they will evoke her culture and personal memories.
Fight flu, other respiratory illnesses

Fight flu, other respiratory illnesses

Respiratory illnesses strike local schools

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   This past week, it wasn’t just Ferris Bueller who was missing from classrooms during roll calls in Swain County.