Local

Luzene Hill says living near the Qualla Boundary enriches her art and life overall.

Luzene Hill says living near the Qualla Boundary enriches her art and life overall.

Cherokee artist Hill tries to open eyes

News Staff
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Luzene Hill didn’t start painting until later on in life, and now she aims to articulate truths about indigenous culture and womanhood while also inspiring people to draw their own conclusions, she said.
Swain West Elementary student Kevin Tuttle was recognized at the student awards portion of the school board meeting taking place Monday, Nov. 13. Tuttle was praised by teacher Lydia Sale for learning to self-regulate.

Swain West Elementary student Kevin Tuttle was recognized at the student awards portion of the school board meeting taking place Monday, Nov. 13. Tuttle was praised by teacher Lydia Sale for learning to self-regulate.

School board passes Parental Bill of Rights

News Staff
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Swain County School Board has passed its plan for adopting the Parental Bill of Rights at their meeting Monday, Nov. 13, which they discussed at length at their last workshop, which was held the previous week.
The annual parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m.

The annual parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m.

Bryson City Christmas parade will take regular route

News Staff
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Karen Proctor, Swain County Chamber of Commerce director, showed up to Bryson City Town Board of Aldermen’s recent meeting Nov. 14 with drawings for alternate Christmas parade routes in hand.
Bryson City Police Chief Charlie Robinson said his department has responded to multiple wrecks, like this one earlier this month, on Veterans Boulevard. Pedestrian crossings and speeding have also been concerns.

Bryson City Police Chief Charlie Robinson said his department has responded to multiple wrecks, like this one earlier this month, on Veterans Boulevard. Pedestrian crossings and speeding have also been concerns.

Town wants to increase safety on Veterans Boulevard

News Staff
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   “We’ve had a lot of wrecks on Veterans Boulevard,” Bryson City Police Chief Charlie Robinson told town board during their regular November meeting on Nov. 14.
Marne Harris, director of Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center.

Marne Harris, director of Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center.

Entrepreneurs, this way!

News Staff
Friday, November 17, 2023
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   You might think the uncertainties and shutdowns that happened during the Covid-19 pandemic would keep people from wanting to be business owners.
A heavy-lift helicopter prepares to drop water from a bucket on a hot spot in the Collett Ridge Fire east of Pisgah Road in Cherokee County near Andrews on Thursday.

A heavy-lift helicopter prepares to drop water from a bucket on a hot spot in the Collett Ridge Fire east of Pisgah Road in Cherokee County near Andrews on Thursday.

Collett Ridge Fire 5,335 acres

News Staff
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Air quality has returned for Swain County, but firefighters are still fighting the Collett Ridge fire outside Andrews in Cherokee and Clay Counties en masse as the blaze has grown in its third week to cover 5,335 acres.

Bryson City re-elects mayor, aldermen

News Staff
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Bryson City Town Board of Aldermen will remain unchanged after the 2023 Municipal Election held Tuesday, Nov. 7. The incumbent candidates for the four seats up for election were all uncontested. Tom Sutton was re-elected to serve as mayor.
Carrie Powell

Carrie Powell

Swain mourns loss of athletic trainer Carrie Powell

News Staff
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Carrie Powell, athletic trainer for Swain County Schools, unexpectedly died over the weekend, leaving a hole in the hearts of many in the school system who’d known her the 20 years she worked there. “She was loved by many people in Swain County.