Local

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain County Sheriff’s Office deputies Tony Reynaldo and Chase Hughes eagerly help local students shop for Christmas during the county’s first Shop with a Cop event at Walmart in Franklin Dec. 8.

Shopping with a cop: Kids, officers form connections

Sara Eisinger

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Shop with a Cop has officially arrived in Swain County, thanks to a new community outreach initiative led by Sheriff Brian Kirkland and his team. “I thought it went really well, and I was happy to see support from other agencies and organizations,” said Kirkland after shopping Monday.

Photo/George Carter. Tracie Edwards and Gina Wiggins ride The Wiggins Family Candy Cane Lane float through town during the Annual Bryson City Christmas Parade Saturday afternoon.

Christmas is here!

Sara Eisinger

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

The Annual Bryson City Christmas Parade — themed “Candy Cane Lane” — filled the streets with holiday cheer and excitement over the weekend. A total of 57 floats and more than 80 vehicles took part as spectators lined Everett and Main streets, waving to their favorite entries.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Mike Shakar, owner at Everett Street Diner, collects Christmas gifts in partnership with Swain County Family Resource Center Dec. 1

Collecting toys for Christmas

Sara Eisinger

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Collecting toys for Christmas is a long-standing tradition in Swain County. This year, Everett Street Diner, La Dolce Vita Bakery and Mountain Layers Brewing Company have teamed up with Swain County Family Resource Center to ensure a Christmas for kids in need. Toys will be collected through Dec.

Photo submitted. WNC Lighthouse founder and director Melinda Shuler, MHS donates Thanksgiving food boxes to the Chris Morrison Family at Camp Living Water.

A beacon of hope in Western North Carolina

Sara Eisinger

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

WNC Lighthouse, Inc., a 501(c)(3) faith-based organization, opened its doors in August 2024, just one month before Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina.

Candidate filing opens for 2026 elections

Sara Eisinger

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Swain County Board of Elections has officially opened the filing period for the 2026 partisan primary elections. Filing began at 12 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1 and will continue through 12 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19. The board of elections office is open for candidate filing Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Tanner Lawson was formally appointed vice-chair during the Swain County Board of Commissioners meeting Dec. 2. Lawson was first appointed to serve as vice-chair on Dec. 3, 2024.

Commissioners appoint Lawson; approve America 250 NC Resolution

Sara Eisinger

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Tanner Lawson was formally appointed vice-chair during the Swain County Board of Commissioners meeting Dec. 2. Lawson was first appointed to serve as vice-chair on Dec. 3, 2024. “I was willing to do it, if that was the pleasure of the board,” said Lawson.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Troy Burns (left to right), Tammy Burns, Briar Lowe and Ethan McNelly (not present is Daniel Neal) of the Troy Burns Family band perform in front of Swain County Visitors Center and Heritage Museum before town’s Christmas tree lighting celebration.

Christmas tree lighting with the Troy Burns Family

Sara Eisinger

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Bryson City welcomed the Christmas season as the Troy Burns Family filled downtown with Southern Gospel favorites, including a spirited rendition of “Go, Tell It on the Mountain,” ahead of the town’s annual Christmas tree lighting Saturday night.

Photo/ Michelle Cochran. Ellie Hatton poses with Santa Claus aka Tim Marks at Portraits by Michelle this Aug.

Santa comes to Candy Cane Lane

Sara Eisinger

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Santa Claus is coming to Candy Cane Lane aka downtown Bryson City, in celebration of its annual Christmas parade Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.

Nicholas Dorman

Third suspect charged in relation to shooting

Sara Eisinger

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies have located a third suspect and vehicle tied to a shooting that left one person hospitalized. The original shooting incident occurred on Hyatt Creek Road near the intersection of Walker Woody Road at approximately 2:38 a.m. Nov. 6.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Howard Baker (left to right), Melissa Owen and Donna Baker have fun at Art Explorations of WNC on Nov. 20. Donna and Howard Wood Design is one of 16 vendors with art for sale at the studio.

Creating art for the community

Sara Eisinger

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Melissa Owen gracefully moves her brush with years of technique to paint a white lamb looking up to Jesus, Mary and Joseph at Art Explorations of WNC.