Local

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tribal leaders unveiled the new sign for the new stretch of Highway 441 honoring respected elder and storyteller Dr. Jerry Wolfe

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tribal leaders unveiled the new sign for the new stretch of Highway 441 honoring respected elder and storyteller Dr. Jerry Wolfe

Highway dedicated for Beloved Man Dr. Jerry Wolfe

News Staff
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
CHEROKEE – Jerry Wolfe’s voice crackled across the speakers telling one more story.   “If you’re ever lost in Great Smoky Mountains, don’t panic; the worst thing you can do is get excited, get upset.
COVID vaccine card

COVID vaccine card

Uptick in COVID-19 fueled by Delta variant

News Staff
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   For a long time, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Director Dr. Mandy Cohen said the goal was to have the percent of positive COVID-19 cases below 5%.
Evy Leibfarth

Evy Leibfarth

Leibfarth at Tokyo Olympics

News Staff
Monday, July 26, 2021
Bryson City’s own Evy Leibfarth, 17, made her Olympic debut on Team USA in the women’s kayak heats on Sunday, July 25. After a tough first run to get the jitters out, she had a successful second run to qualify herself for the semifinal of the WK-1.
With more visitors to GSMNP, the National Park Service advises visitors to make plans like reserving backcountry campsites, pictured, early.

With more visitors to GSMNP, the National Park Service advises visitors to make plans like reserving backcountry campsites, pictured, early.

Adapting to an influx of visitors to Smokies

News Staff
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Last year was the second highest year ever for tourism to the Smokies with 12,095,720 visitors, according to visitmysmokies.com, and it looks like tourists will continue to stream in to enjoy what these beautiful mountains have to offer.

Three file for Bryson City town board

News Staff
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Filing for the 2021 municipal election for Bryson City Town Board of Aldermen closed Friday afternoon, with three people filing. Two seats are up on the town board. The seats are currently held by Ben King and Janine Crisp. King has filed for re-election.

School board honors girls' track team

News Staff
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   This month’s regularly scheduled Swain County Board of Education meeting took place Monday, July 19, and began by honoring the Swain County High School girls track team for their accomplishments at the state competition.
The West Hellards crossing is pictured after the GSMR tore up the crossing last year that leads to NOC residential housing for about 60 people.

The West Hellards crossing is pictured after the GSMR tore up the crossing last year that leads to NOC residential housing for about 60 people.

NOC files suit against GSMR over impeded crossings

News Staff
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
The Nantahala Outdoor Center has had enough of Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and the ongoing dispute over railroad crossings. The outdoor company has filed suit against the railroad to reopen a crossing in Swain County Superior Court. The amended complaint was filed last month.
The owl can be seen perched at the top of the dam

The owl can be seen perched at the top of the dam

A tiny owl stuck in Fontana Dam gets help

News Staff
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Over the weekend, visitors to Fontana Dam had a nail-biting encounter with an Eastern Screech Owl stuck inside the dam.
Julia Hunt, right, with her granddaughter Karena.

Julia Hunt, right, with her granddaughter Karena.

Julia Hunt: A Swain County gem

News Staff
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Julia Hunt or Julia Child? Julia grew up a “military brat,” as she calls herself, and moved around a lot during her childhood.