News

COVID-19 a hot topic at commissioners meeting

Shaun Adams   Swain County Commissioners held their monthly meeting Thursday, June 11. Swain County Health Department Director Alison Cochran presented the board with an update on COVID-19, and there were 38 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Swain County, which has increased to 40 as of Tuesday.

A unique celebration for a one-of-a-kind year

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Graduation 2020 is one for the history books.

Drive-thru Pop Up Market serves community

A drive thru Pop Up Market was held Wednesday, June 3 in downtown Bryson City, with a line full of cars filling the gravel lot throughout the morning hours. The market is hosted by the Bryson City Presbyterian Church in coordination with MANNA Foodbank.

Confirmed cases, testing for COVID-19 continues to increase

Swain County, like much of the United States, is slowly returning to business as usual following the widespread closures that began in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, health officials warn that the public still needs to take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.

School athletes can return to workouts Monday

By Shaun Adams Athletics was a top subject for discussion during the monthly Swain County Board of Education meeting held Monday, June 8, with updates on when football workouts will start, and possible changes in the way coaches are paid.

COVID-19 cases on the boundary up by seven

Cherokee reported seven additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 today, Thursday, June 4. That brings the total of confirmed cases tested at the Cherokee Indian Hospital to 36. According to the tribe, 16 have recovered. There have been a total of 2,625 tests administered.

Darnell Farms adapts

Darnell Farms in Bryson City has made a name for itself by putting the fun into farm over the last decade, playing host to school groups, annual festivals and serving as a place where you can pick out your produce, and enjoy a picnic complete with a pineapple dream whip by the Tuckaseegee River.

COVID-19 cases rise in Swain as more reopens

In mid-March when Swain County residents were first subject to social distancing and quarantining measures against the virus COVID-19, it was mostly a preventative measure as there were no recorded cases.

Black Lives Matter rally coming to Bryson City

During public comment in the regular town of Bryson City meeting on Monday, June 1, Jeff Helpman addressed the board about having a Black Lives Matter rally planned for Bryson City next Monday.

Commissioners set budget hearing for June 11

On Thursday, May 28, the Swain County Board of Commissioners accepted the 2020-2021 draft budget and set a hearing for the budget at the next regular meeting to be held Thursday, June 11. “This is a skeletal budget similar to last year’s,” County Manager Kevin King told the board.