Local

The houses on Island Street owned by Slickrock Builders will likely be vacation rentals.

The houses on Island Street owned by Slickrock Builders will likely be vacation rentals.

New housing going up in downtown Bryson City

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Right behind Everett Street, there are new modular type homes being stacked and with further investigation, turns out they are new rentals. Town Manager Regina Mathis said that there was an application for water taps for four rental units.

Inflated food prices gobbling up family funds

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Food is certainly at the forefront this week with the Thanksgiving holiday, and rising costs are both increasing needs and making it harder for agencies that provide food.
Utility improvements were being conducted on lines at Slope and Bryson Walk last week.

Utility improvements were being conducted on lines at Slope and Bryson Walk last week.

Business owners frustrated over multiple power outages

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   When the power went out in downtown Bryson City around 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11 it was a not-again, de´ja´ vu situation for many businesses owners.
Swain School Board, county commisioners discuss uses for school land with NOVUS architects

Swain School Board, county commisioners discuss uses for school land with NOVUS architects

Swain Board of Education hears about its facilities needs

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   On Monday, the Swain County Board of Education met at a special called work session meeting to discuss possible uses for the land the school district owns above the high school and hear from NOVUS Architects about options.

Commissioners approve Covid pay policy

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Last Tuesday evening, Nov. 9, Swain County Board of Commissioners adopted a policy to provide premium pay for all full-time workers in a 4-1 decision with Commissioner Kenneth Parton voting against.

Swain County is 150 years in the making

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   If it wasn’t for the Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society, the year marking Swain County’s 150th birthday may have come and gone without any recognition.
Submitted photo From left are brothers Jerry, Jim, Tony and Sam Nations in 2007. The brothers all served their country and earned medals.

Submitted photo From left are brothers Jerry, Jim, Tony and Sam Nations in 2007. The brothers all served their country and earned medals.

Four Swain County brothers served, decorated in two war zones

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Nations brothers grew up in Bryson City roaming the mountains, hunting and fishing, and attended K-12 school at Swain.
Frank Jones is pictured in wartime in a field in Vietnam.

Frank Jones is pictured in wartime in a field in Vietnam.

Veteran describes hardships soldiers faced in Vietnam

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   American boots first touched down in South Vietnam on March 8, 1965, which began U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Beginning in 1969, men ages 18 to 26 years old were drafted in the U.S. to fight in war efforts.

Masks still the mandate for Swain County schools

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Swain County Board of Education met on Monday to discuss the current mask mandate, an after-school nutrition program and personnel changes. The board started off the meeting as usual, with public comment for those who signed up in advance.