Local

Swain agriculture fair

Swain agriculture fair

Swain TDA gives grant to support Agriculture Fair

News Staff
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
After approving the minutes from the board’s April 14 meeting, the Swain County Tourism and Development Authority heard from Rob Hawk with a request to support the Swain County Fair on Wednesday, April 28.
Juanita Lester holds a framed picture of her childhood home that was in the Bushnell community, one of several lost to the formation of Fontana Lake.

Juanita Lester holds a framed picture of her childhood home that was in the Bushnell community, one of several lost to the formation of Fontana Lake.

Under water: The stories of towns lost to Fontana Lake

News Staff
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Editor’s Note: Austin Campbell is a sophomore at UNCA and served in the Air Force before college. He writes for the UNCA Blue Banner. He is a mass communications major with a minor in German. His hometown is Asheville.
COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccine

Vaccine demand slows locally

News Staff
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
The COVID-19 vaccine has been available for months, with availability widening greatly about a month ago when it became available to all adults.
Fast food restaurants like McDonalds, pictured, are offering $10 or more an hour for new hires.

Fast food restaurants like McDonalds, pictured, are offering $10 or more an hour for new hires.

Now Hiring: the job market a year after pandemic hit

News Staff
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Drive by the fast food restaurants on Veterans Boulevard and you might notice not just one but every single business advertising it’s hiring. And it’s hard to miss the streets in town are already busy, with Great Smoky Mountain Railroad resuming regular train departures from downtown.
Earth Day celebration flyer

Earth Day celebration flyer

Swain High students organize Earth Day celebration for Saturday

News Staff
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Science club Project Endeavor, a team of nature enthusiasts and student volunteers at Swain County High School have organized a free Earth Day Celebration to be held Saturday, April 17 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Swain County High School Football Stadium. The event welcomes special speakers, Dr.
United Gift Fund and recipients of 2020 donations

United Gift Fund and recipients of 2020 donations

Swain County United Gift Fund celebrates 2020 fund drive success

News Staff
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
The Swain County United Gift Fund (SCUGF) celebrated the success of the 2020 fund drive with representatives from local nonprofits on Tuesday, April 12 at Swain County Recreation Park Morgan Pavilion.  The 2020 fund drive yielded $71,071 total for our community.
From left, Travis Smith,Kituwah Homes regional director of operations, and Jeremiah Wiggins, president, are pictured outside the eight model homes on the sales property that is located across the road from Food Lion in Cherokee. It’s slated to open in about a month.

From left, Travis Smith,Kituwah Homes regional director of operations, and Jeremiah Wiggins, president, are pictured outside the eight model homes on the sales property that is located across the road from Food Lion in Cherokee. It’s slated to open in about a month.

Kituwah Homes of Cherokee adding to local housing market

News Staff
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
It’s Thursday morning, April 1, and I’m standing inside what will become the sales office for Kituwah Homes, slated to open in about a month. It’s one of eight model homes for the company on a site located across the road from Food Lion in Cherokee.