Local

A boy works in front of a computer

A boy works in front of a computer

West Swain is a beta site for Starlink satellite internet

News Staff
Thursday, February 11, 2021
You don’t have to have  good internet to know who Elon Musk is, but did you know Swain West Elementary School is among a handful of beta testing sites for Musk’s company SpaceX Starlink’s satellite internet service?
Maroon Devils season is going to be different

Maroon Devils season is going to be different

Swain football starting out cold & without Blankenship at helm

Jarrett Van Meter
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Swain County High School varsity football season normally begins under the song of summer cicadas and ends with the smell of late fall wood smoke calling the boys inside for the winter. This year will be different. Preseason cold towels have been swapped for mittens.
The “Rock City” barn on US 19 in Bryson City- across the road from Bear Hunter’s Campground- is a relic of the past, a symbol of a time when tourists traveled mostly on two-lane highways.

The “Rock City” barn on US 19 in Bryson City- across the road from Bear Hunter’s Campground- is a relic of the past, a symbol of a time when tourists traveled mostly on two-lane highways.

Rock City Barn in Bryson City is a historic icon

News Staff
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Cliff Kevill Special contribution to SMT   Unbeknownst to many a passerby as they enter the town of Bryson City from the east, there lies a structural icon to an earlier time of automotive travel. Although dilapidated, the old “Rock City” barn on US 19 is a proud relic of a bygone era.

Return to Swain school campuses delayed one week

Jessica Webb
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
In a special session Friday, Jan. 22, the Swain County Board of Education unanimously agreed to continue with Plan C remote learning for the school system for the next week. Students will tentatively return to campus Monday, Feb. 1 barring COVID-19 conditions getting worse.
Smoke damage is visible on the metal siding of the building that was formerly operated as a lumber company. The cause is still under investigation, but arson is suspected.

Smoke damage is visible on the metal siding of the building that was formerly operated as a lumber company. The cause is still under investigation, but arson is suspected.

Arson being investigated at structure fire at old lumber building

News Staff
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Swain County responders were dispatched to 134 Ela Lane off Hyatt Creek Road at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14 for a structure fire. The building is vacant and previously operated as the Monteith Lumber Company. When responders arrived on the scene, the fire was about 10% involved. By 11:22 a.m.

Town takes simplicity as best approach

Jessica Webb
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
In its work session meeting Tuesday, Jan. 19, the Bryson City Town Board of Aldermen continued discussion on the introduction of a maximum building height restriction in town and on the town’s ordinance for garbage collection, primarily on how to handle commercial collection.
The Swain County Chamber of Commerce owns the domain for greatsmokies.com and has been paying for the visitor site since July. Previously, the TDA paid for the site.

The Swain County Chamber of Commerce owns the domain for greatsmokies.com and has been paying for the visitor site since July. Previously, the TDA paid for the site.

Swain TDA plans to invest in its own visitor website

News Staff
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
In the past, there was a tremendous amount of overlap between the Swain County Chamber of Commerce and Swain County Tourism and Development Authority, but efforts to create more clarity between the two—particularly when it comes to the budget— led the TDA to work to become its own destination...