News

Ben King elected town’s mayor pro tem

Bryson City board members elected Alderman Ben King as the town’s mayor pro tem Monday evening in a public vote pitting King and Alderwoman Janine Crisp. King replaces Mayor Pro Tem Jim Gribble who opted not to seek reelection in November.

Filing for 2020 elections open through Dec. 20

Filing opened Monday for the 2020 election in North Carolina. As of Tuesday afternoon, just two people have filed for office in Swain County including Republican Mike Clampitt, R-Swain, for the 119 seat in the state house and Mitchell Carson for Swain County School Board.

Search leads to arrests for methamphetamine

On Monday, Dec. 1, Swain County Sheriff’s Office deputies along with Cherokee Indian Police, ATF, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the DEA conducted a search warrant at Jeff Watson’s residence at 255 Sherill Road for possession and sell of methamphetamine.

Man sentenced for meth trafficking in area

On Thursday, Nov. 21, U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced Frank Michael Lucas, 33, of Sylva, to 160 months in prison on drug trafficking charges, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Governor’s Office hears Swain County concerns

The community room at Marianna Black Library was packed on Thursday night, Nov. 21 with about 75 people mostly from Swain County attending a Community Listening Session with representatives from NC Governor Roy Cooper’s office.

Restoration House opens Sweet Dreams shelter

On Thursday, Nov. 14, Restoration House members and volunteers were on site completing intake paperwork for the following day’s opening of the emergency shelter, Sweet Dreams.

Jim Gribble steps down from town board

When the Bryson City Board of Alderman adjourned Monday evening, Alderman and Mayor Pro Tem Jim Gribble ended his nearly 14-year stint with town government, serving with three different mayors and handling numerous political frays.

Commissioners approve animal ordinance

Swain County Board of Commissioners adopted an animal control ordinance in the second vote of the law during the board’s regular meeting Thursday, Nov. 14. The ordinance passed 4-1 with Kenneth Parton opposing.

Man faces attempted murder charge after shooting another man in the face

Swain County deputies were dispatched to Conley’s Creek on a call of shots fired in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Nov. 6. Upon arrival, the deputies found a man who had been shot several times in the face, according to a press release from the department.

Bingo a lifeline for VFW Post 9281 veterans support

As I walked into Post 9281 last Tuesday night, I was greeted by Diane Ellis, treasurer for the post and bingo manager of 32 years. Ellis was selling bingo packs and extras to guests as they approached her table. She greeted them all by name and made jokes as they made their purchases.