News

Bryson City town officials get update on coronavirus

Officials from the Swain County Health Department and County Emergency Management provided an update to Bryson City board members in a workshop Monday evening at Town Hall.

USDA provides funding for a new BCPD fleet

Bryson City Police Department has recently had an upgrade in four police vehicles. The late model, used NC Highway Patrol cruisers were purchased recently and updated with equipment for the police officers.

Swain Schools now to close for at least 2 weeks

On Saturday evening, NC Governor Roy Cooper announced a statewide closure of all public schools for at least 2 weeks. Prior to the Governor's order, Swain County Board of Education’s emergency meeting on Friday, March 13, with plans to stay open.

Deeper cracks delay opening Nantahala Gorge

The underground issues at a slide location in the Nantahala Gorge are evolving. Over the past week, tension cracks and a new escarpment have developed above the slide location along U.S. 19/74 in the Nantahala Gorge.  A contractor for the N.C.

Hospital suspends visitors for inpatient unit over COVID-19

Hospital On Friday afternoon, Swain Community Hospital took steps to further limit the risks the novel coronavirus COVID-19 poses to patients and imposed visitor suspension at the inpatient unit at the hospital.

CANCELLED: Organizations pull the plug amid virus concerns

Despite Western North Carolina remaining clear so far of cases of COVID-19, an acute respiratory virus, Swain County residents are feeling the disruption of plans.

Oregon State’s Alex Gary, named WCU athletics director

Alex Gary, a former student-athlete on the Western Carolina University baseball team who is currently serving as senior associate athletics director for development at Oregon State University, is the next director of the Catamount athletics program. WCU Chancellor Kelli R.

School board may offer boost to teachers for extra work

The Swain County Board of Education held its regular meeting Monday, March 9. Items discussed included the plan to combat the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, trade time for teachers and possible changes to accreditation.

Target Date Set for Opening N.C. 28 After Slide

A highway in southern Swain County will remain closed for at least one week while N.C. Department of Transportation crews clear debris from a Thursday evening landslide. Division 14 maintenance engineer Wesley Grindstaff witnessed a sedan-sized rock and additional debris fall from a hillside on N.

Slide Closes N.C. 28 in Swain County

N.C. Department of Transportation officials from Division 14 closed the highway after noticing small amounts of rock and dirt in the road Thursday afternoon.