Local

The indoor recreation center has new insulation and will get a new HVAC system this spring

The indoor recreation center has new insulation and will get a new HVAC system this spring

Commissioners to scrap unnecessary ordinances on the books

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Swain County Board of Commissioners plan to repeal several ordinances on the books that are outdated or unenforceable.
Rep. Mike Clampitt speaks before Swain County commissioners on Tuesday. Commissioner Phillip Carson looks on.

Rep. Mike Clampitt speaks before Swain County commissioners on Tuesday. Commissioner Phillip Carson looks on.

Clampitt tells commissioners to ask for money

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   North Carolina Rep. Mike Clampitt (R-119, Swain), spoke before Swain County Board of Commissioners during their first meeting of the year on Tuesday morning, Jan. 3. This was also the second meeting of the newly elected board.
The water above Ela Dam Tuesday morning is frozen over and covered with a dusting of snow.

The water above Ela Dam Tuesday morning is frozen over and covered with a dusting of snow.

Record cold temps wreak havoc on holiday weekend

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   We all dream of a cozy Christmas morning, opening presents in front of the fire, while snowflakes flurry outside, but this holiday weekend, extreme cold temperatures ruined much of the country's plans with power outages and travel cancellations.
Swain Emergency responders rescued tubers stranded on Deep Creek on Aug. 11— the rescue involved several small children who fell from their tubes on the upper part of the creek.

Swain Emergency responders rescued tubers stranded on Deep Creek on Aug. 11— the rescue involved several small children who fell from their tubes on the upper part of the creek.

Compelling headlines in 2022

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The year 2022 was newsworthy for Swain County including wildfires, high speed car chases, and even an emergency plane landing. Walk with us back in time as we jog your memory of these scary and noteworthy moments from the past year.
Volunteer firefighters work on a house fire in Deep Creek on Christmas Eve.

Volunteer firefighters work on a house fire in Deep Creek on Christmas Eve.

BCFD responds to multiple fires

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   On Friday night around 11 p.m., Bryson City Fire Department and additional Swain County emergency responders were dispatched to a structure fire on McCracken Road in Galbraith Creek community with people still inside the residence.
Generous people have donated toys, treats and more for the shelter animals

Generous people have donated toys, treats and more for the shelter animals

PAWS giving shelter pets a special holiday

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Shelter pets in Bryson City are set to have a happy holiday thanks to a local organization and donors.
Chunks of ice float in the Tuckasegee River here in January 2018 during a cold spell.

Chunks of ice float in the Tuckasegee River here in January 2018 during a cold spell.

Freezing weather on the horizon

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   If you’re dreaming of a cold Christmas it looks like your wish will come true with this upcoming weekend dipping into frigid single digit lows with a possibility of snow on Thursday night into Friday morning.
Inmates at the Sheriff’s Office got to have Christmas with family members. This family even wore matching outfits for the occasion.

Inmates at the Sheriff’s Office got to have Christmas with family members. This family even wore matching outfits for the occasion.

Sheriff’s Office spreading cheer this holiday season

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Swain County Sheriff’s Office continued in the footsteps of last year’s Christmas celebration where they reunited inmates with their families for the holidays.
From left, Cindi Woodard, Cabbott Cochran and Missy Sutton volunteer at the Christmas Spectacular to benefit local nonprofits including Swain Cancer Support.

From left, Cindi Woodard, Cabbott Cochran and Missy Sutton volunteer at the Christmas Spectacular to benefit local nonprofits including Swain Cancer Support.

Nonprofits, county pleased with light show

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   It sparkles, it wows and it gives back. The Smoky Mountain Christmas Light Spectacular, a drive-thru Christmas light show at the Great Smoky Mountain Event Park in Swain County and is being deemed a success.