Local

First Lady Kristin Cooper enjoys the Swain County Heritage Museum during her Thursday, May 18 visit.

First Lady Kristin Cooper enjoys the Swain County Heritage Museum during her Thursday, May 18 visit.

First Lady Cooper visits Bryson City museums

News Staff
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper visited Bryson City on Thursday, May 18, as part of her tour of every county in the state.
Two people fishing from the shore at the Wilderness Marina on Greasy Branch discovered the body floating in the lake.

Two people fishing from the shore at the Wilderness Marina on Greasy Branch discovered the body floating in the lake.

Drowning cause of death for body found in lake

News Staff
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, Swain County deputies were dispatched to Fontana Lake at the Wilderness Marina in the Greasy Branch area of Swain County for a body that was found floating in the water.

Commissioners add own seat on TDA

News Staff
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The county commission chairman will now have a seat on the Tourism Development Authority (TDA), per a new rule the commissioners passed during their meeting Tuesday night, May 16.
The 8-piece Chicago tribute band Chi-Town Transit Authority, will perform at Swain County Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27. Tickets are only $15 and are available online at swainartscenter.com or at the door.

The 8-piece Chicago tribute band Chi-Town Transit Authority, will perform at Swain County Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27. Tickets are only $15 and are available online at swainartscenter.com or at the door.

Swain Arts Center to host Chi-Town

News Staff
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   On Memorial Day weekend, the 8-piece Chicago tribute band Chi-Town Transit Authority, will perform at Swain County Arts Center and hope to bring the house down. The shows, beginning at 7 p.m.
The Swain County High School Lady Devils varsity soccer team recognized May as Mental Health Month during their home game on Monday, May 8. Before the game, they gathered in a circle and prayed together to raise awareness for mental health issues.

The Swain County High School Lady Devils varsity soccer team recognized May as Mental Health Month during their home game on Monday, May 8. Before the game, they gathered in a circle and prayed together to raise awareness for mental health issues.

Area youth turn focus on mental health struggles

News Staff
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   It’s tough out there for the kids these days. Confusion, isolation and fear from the Covid-19 pandemic have only compounded more common threats from drugs, bullying and depression faced by children of all ages.
Dustin Dyer is pictured with a toy tractor, sailing ship and two doll houses that he has constructed out of paper lunch bags and other limited materials available to him at the jail.

Dustin Dyer is pictured with a toy tractor, sailing ship and two doll houses that he has constructed out of paper lunch bags and other limited materials available to him at the jail.

Swain inmate making crafts

News Staff
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Dustin Dyer, who grew up on Alarka in Swain County has a lot of time on his hands. He’s been putting it to good use—upcycling paper lunch bags and other materials that come into his cell at Swain County Jail to make crafts.
Grocery prices are up 8.4% since this time last year.

Grocery prices are up 8.4% since this time last year.

FRC sees strain as food benefits end

News Staff
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Swain County Family Resource Center’s food bank is seeing the strain now that pandemic-era benefits have expired.

DA says no charges will be pressed in Wilson death

News Staff
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Staff reports   In a press release issued Tuesday night, District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch said no criminal charges will be brought against a South Carolina resident who shot and killed Lambert Wilson last fall. Law enforcement officers arrived in the evening hours of Oct.