Local

From left, Guardian ad Litem District 30 intern Sarah Jane Stout, supervisor Tracy Hall and volunteer Anne Steele.

From left, Guardian ad Litem District 30 intern Sarah Jane Stout, supervisor Tracy Hall and volunteer Anne Steele.

Guardian ad Litem recruiting volunteers

News Staff
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Being in the court system isn’t something anyone would wish on a child, but having an advocate in their corner can ease the challenges involved. Guardian ad Litem is designed exactly for that purpose.
Bryson City is planning new sidewalks for Main Street from Veterans Boulevard to the square.

Bryson City is planning new sidewalks for Main Street from Veterans Boulevard to the square.

New sidewalks in Main Street's future

News Staff
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Mayor Tom Sutton’s vision for Main Street involves brand new sidewalks. The streets haven’t been replaced in decades.
North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall presents at the WeSpeak WNC Workforce Conference on Monday, Feb. 27.

North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall presents at the WeSpeak WNC Workforce Conference on Monday, Feb. 27.

Marshall talks small business needs at WeSpeak conference

News Staff
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   At the two-day WeSpeak WNC Workforce Conference at the Cherokee Convention Center, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall said small businesses needed to be raised up and supported by community resources.
Boyce Deitz spends most of this days working on his cattle farm now in Sylva.

Boyce Deitz spends most of this days working on his cattle farm now in Sylva.

Swain's Coach Deitz to receive NCHSAA Hall of Fame Honors

News Staff
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Former Swain County athletic director and head football coach Boyce Deitz lives these days on a farm in Sylva, where he takes care of cows and has a wide-open farm to spend his days on.
Smoky Mountain Community Theatre repairs liaison Tim Hall (left) stands with theater Board of Directors President Ricky Sanford outside the iconic downtown location, which recently had roof repairs finished.

Smoky Mountain Community Theatre repairs liaison Tim Hall (left) stands with theater Board of Directors President Ricky Sanford outside the iconic downtown location, which recently had roof repairs finished.

Smoky Mountain Community Theatre finishes roof repairs

News Staff
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Ricky Sanford, president of the Smoky Mountain Community Theatre Board of Directors, is happy the roof is back in working order on the historic building, Smoky Mountain Community Theatre.
The Bryson City Fire Department responds to a call. The station is staffed with two people during the work week.

The Bryson City Fire Department responds to a call. The station is staffed with two people during the work week.

Firefighters face strain, leaders fight for paid positions

News Staff
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   With the strain on the fire department in the area, if there are no firefighters working in Swain County when a house catches fire, there sometimes might not be anything anyone can do immediately.
George and Elizabeth Ellison are pictured at their home on Lands Creek.

George and Elizabeth Ellison are pictured at their home on Lands Creek.

Renowned naturalist George Ellison has died

News Staff
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Swain County resident and renowned naturalist and author George Robert Ellison II died on Sunday, Feb. 19 at the age of 81.
Pandemic-era added funds for SNAP benefit recipients are set to expire for North Carolina on March 1.

Pandemic-era added funds for SNAP benefit recipients are set to expire for North Carolina on March 1.

Extra SNAP benefits to expire at end of February

News Staff
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The extra SNAP benefits introduced to help people during the pandemic will officially expire for North Carolinians as of March 1, according to Janet Jones, Swain County Department of Social Services Economic Services Supervisor.
Fred Crawford, president of the Smoky Mountain Beekeepers Association, shows off one of his beehives at his farm in Whittier.

Fred Crawford, president of the Smoky Mountain Beekeepers Association, shows off one of his beehives at his farm in Whittier.

Smoky Mountain Beekeepers president shares the joys of managing beehives

News Staff
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Smoky Mountain Beekeepers Association president Fred Crawford currently has three beehives on the 13-acre farm where he lives in Whittier, which he hopes will produce fruitful bounties of honey and wax as the weather warms.