Local

Wildfires are causing conditions to be hazy and smoky in Bryson City

Wildfires causing hazy conditions

News Staff

Monday, November 6, 2023

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com Swain County is experiencing smoke and haze from area wildfires that have been spurred by a drought. A wildfire deemed Collett Ridge Fire, four miles outside of Andrews, has grown significantly in the past few days. This morning, Nov.

Bryson City municipal Election Day is Tuesday

News Staff

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Staff reports Election Day for the 2023 Bryson City Municipal Election will be Tuesday, Nov. 7. The polling location for both BC1 and BC2 precincts is the Swain County Administration Building (former federal building) located at 50 Main Street, and the polls will be open from 6:30 a.m.

Little Hands Playskool in Bryson City has no openings for new kids currently, which is the case with many daycares now - even as staffing is becoming a challenge.

Swain County daycare facilities contend with staffing challenges

News Staff

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com The nonprofit Southwestern Child Development Commission closed its daycare centers in Clay, Cherokee, Graham, Haywood and Jackson counties as of Oct. 31 this year.

Swain County EMS and Graham Rescue County Squad were among area emergency response teams that responded to a car crash on Highway 28 around 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28. The crash ended up killing one man, Illinois resident Michael W. Sheets.

One dead and one seriously injured in crash over embankment on Highway 28

News Staff

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com One man is dead and another injured after their car went over the edge of the road on Highway 28 North near Turkey Creek Road on Friday, Oct. 27 slightly before 5 p.m., according to officials with North Carolina Highway Patrol.

The Town of Bryson City is almost done with its utility work under Everett Street.

Town utility work almost complete, DOT eyes early November start date

News Staff

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com The Town of Bryson City is close to finishing its portion of the road work on Everett Street that has been going on since July, according to Town Manager Sam Pattillo, who spoke at the weekly meeting at Anthony’s Pizza on Tuesday, Oct. 24.

Reports of people sleeping on Swain County East Elementary's campus have prompted school board to approve funding to add fencing.

Homelessness, economic insecurity persist in the area as agencies respond

News Staff

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com Recently, employees at Swain County East Elementary have noticed a trend of possibly homeless individuals sleeping on the campus at night, according to Superintendent Mark Sale.

Water Rock Knob is where the two victims were parked and threatened by Blankenship (Flickr image)

Whittier man indicted for attempted kidnapping on Parkway

News Staff

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Staff reports On Wednesday, Oct. 18, U.S. Attorney Dena J. King’s office announced the indictment of a Whittier man charged by a grand jury in Charlotte for attempted armed kidnapping on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

School board approved adding fencing to East Elementary (pictured) and West Elementary schools to deter people from sleeping on campus at night.

School board considers security, teacher pay raises

News Staff

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com The Swain County Board of Education discussed security needs at their last meeting on Monday, Oct. 9, amid a trend of homeless people sleeping on the elementary school campuses.

John Henning Jr. is pictured at the Bryson City Town Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday evening.

Bryson City board hires new lawyer

News Staff

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com On Tuesday evening, Oct. 17, Bryson City Town Board of Aldermen unanimously agreed to hire John Henning Jr., of Campbell Shatley Attorneys at Law, Asheville, to represent the town.

Early voting for municipal begins

News Staff

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Staff reports If all goes as anticipated, the Bryson City Municipal Election for 2023 will come and go uneventfully, as there are four candidates on the ballot this year who are all running unopposed.