News

Early voting begins today

Early voting begins today for the 2020 General Election. One-stop locations in Swain County are Birdtown Rec Center at Birdtown Road, Cherokee, and Swain Board of Elections Office locate at 1422 Hwy 19 South, Bryson City. One-stop early voting will be held through Saturday, Oct. 31.

Flood plain discussed by county leaders

On Thursday, Oct. 8, Swain County Board of Commissioners continued discussion on a flood plain variance request in Deep Creek that they tabled last month.

School board meets teachers, hears updates

On Monday, Oct. 12, Swain County Board of Education heard COVID-19 updates and about the district’s academic progress. Mark Sale, Swain Schools superintendent, also introduced new teachers and welcomed them to the Swain family, and invited each one to introduce themselves.

Regionally produced horror film set in Smokies

It’s mid-October, and you know what that means, it’s horror movie season. What better than a film that is set in Bryson City and is regionally produced?

Bars, movie theaters can reopen under Phase 3

North Carolina moved into Phase 3 of lifting COVID-19 restrictions on Friday, Oct. 2 beginning at 5 p.m. The latest restrictions lifted mean bars, movie theaters and outdoor entertainment centers can reopen, albeit under restrictions.

Pandemic equals inventory setbacks for local car & truck dealership

There’s something about a car lot full of shiny new cars and trucks that pulls at the capitalist impulses in all of us. The trouble, lately, is that the car lot is looking pretty bare.

Town secures FEMA funding to fix Island Park storm damage

A park that is equally popular among local residents as visitors has been closed in Bryson City since mid-February. Particularly as Delayed Harvest Waters opened to trout fishing on Oct. 1, it means trekking out a little further out of town for many to get into the cold water of the Tuckasegee.

Bennett indicted for first-degree murder

On Thursday, Sept. 24, a Swain County Grand Jury convened to hear cases. Nolan Billy Bennett was indicted for first-degree murder in the death of Austin Cody Fuller, who died on Aug. 12, 2020.

School board agrees to a modified Plan A to begin Oct. 19

Swain County School Board held an emergency meeting on Monday, Sept. 28 to hear updates on COVID-19 cases, positivity rates and plans on moving forward towards Plan A for K-5 students in the county. Following discussion, the board agreed to set Oct.

Heather Herron named Swain Teacher of the Year

Heather Payne Herron was recently named the Swain County Schools Teacher of the Year for 2019-20. Herron shares when she knew she wanted to become a teacher, what her challenges have been, rewarding experiences, and what it means to her to have been chosen for this title.