News

Mark Day speaks before the town board

Mark Day speaks before the town board

Patriots for Trump rally planned for Bryson City

News Staff
Wednesday, July 8, 2020
By Shuan Adams   Mark Day addressed the Bryson City Town Board of Alderman during public comment of the regular meeting on Tuesday, July 7. Day is organizing a Patriots for Trump rally to take place on Saturday, July 18 at 6 p.m. in Bryson City in front of the old courthouse.
Philip Bailie accepts the shadow box from his son, Jim Bailie.

Philip Bailie accepts the shadow box from his son, Jim Bailie.

Family honors dad for his service in the Korean War

Jessica Webb
Wednesday, July 8, 2020
Freezing temperatures, high-risk operations and knowing you could find yourself on the wrong side of a gun were just some of risks that the enlisted men in the United States Army were up against along the forward areas of the Korean War. PFC Philip G. Bailie, at just 16, was one of these men.

School board discusses new social distancing measures

News Staff
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
By Shaun Adams   The Swain County Board of Education held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 30. Under discussion were several board policies and ongoing plans for how instruction will be conducted in the fall. The school district is awaiting more guidance from the state, and Gov.

Commissioners appoint three new TDA members

News Staff
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
In a special session held Thursday, June 25, the Swain County Board of Commissioners appointed three new members to the Swain County Tourism and Development Authority and adopted rules to see its meetings run more smoothly.
view was taken from one of the overlooks along Lakeshore Drive, also called Road to Nowhere.

view was taken from one of the overlooks along Lakeshore Drive, also called Road to Nowhere.

Great Outdoors Act passes Senate

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2020
The US Senate passed the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act Wednesday, June 17, that would provide funding for the deferred maintenance backlog for national parks and public lands including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Rafting on the Nantahala

Rafting on the Nantahala

Tourism chugging along, just not at full speed

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Summer 2020 began with a lot of questions in terms of what the tourism season would look like for Swain County, since statewide closures were still impacting the area. A few weeks into reopening, and the signs are positive.

Swain County TDA shows support for Freedom Fest

News Staff
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Despite not knowing if the show can go on, planning is well underway for Bryson City’s Freedom Fest on July 4, 2020. Since concerns over the spread of the lung disease COVID-19 are still at the forefront, if this year’s event goes on, it will look a little different from years past.
Freedom Fest, Bryson City's Fourth of July festival and fireworks show, is one of the biggest events of the year.

Freedom Fest, Bryson City's Fourth of July festival and fireworks show, is one of the biggest events of the year.

Freedom Fest still up in the air, but plans are in the works

News Staff
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Shaun Adams   As of Monday, there has still not been a decision on whether Bryson City’s annual Independence Day celebration, Freedom Fest, will take place.

Virus cases steady in Swain County

News Staff
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Swain County added seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the previous week. The increase represents a steady rise of around 10 or less each week since restrictions were lifted at the end of May.