News

Hines, King to fill aldermen seats

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Two open seats on the Bryson City Board of Aldermen were filled by aldermen up for reelection following the General Election Tuesday, Nov. 4. Alderman Tim Hines received a ballot count of 96 accounting for 41.03% of votes cast, while Ben King received 80 votes or 34.19% of votes cast. W.
Photo Submitted. United States Marine Corps Vet. Joseph “Gunner” Vasquez is a Swain County resident for whom the Marine Corps Birthday Celebration and Veterans Day Dinner Nov. 10 is named.

Photo Submitted. United States Marine Corps Vet. Joseph “Gunner” Vasquez is a Swain County resident for whom the Marine Corps Birthday Celebration and Veterans Day Dinner Nov. 10 is named.

Honoring veterans in our local community

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
With so many distractions in today’s fast-paced world, not all of us take the time to realize how we got here as a country. United States Marine Corps Vet.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain County Clerk of Courts Misti Jones swears Jason “Jay” Kirkland in as Chair of Swain County Board of Commissioners, alongside his wife, Aleisha Kirkland, Tuesday, Nov. 4.  

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain County Clerk of Courts Misti Jones swears Jason “Jay” Kirkland in as Chair of Swain County Board of Commissioners, alongside his wife, Aleisha Kirkland, Tuesday, Nov. 4.  

Kirkland takes oath of office; county supports MedAssist

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Jason “Jay” Kirkland was sworn in as Chair of Swain County Board of Commissioners Tuesday, Nov. 4.   Swain County Clerk of Courts Misti Jones conducted the swearing-in ceremony. Kirkland is married to Aleisha Kirkland. Together, they have one daughter and one granddaughter.
Photo/Doug Cochran. West Swain Fire Department arrives on the scene at a structure fire on Silvermine Road at approximately 7:53 a.m. Oct. 29.

Photo/Doug Cochran. West Swain Fire Department arrives on the scene at a structure fire on Silvermine Road at approximately 7:53 a.m. Oct. 29.

Fire on Silvermine

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
West Swain Fire Department was called out to a structure fire on Silvermine Road at approximately 7:53 a.m. Wednesday morning. The first apparatus arrived on scene at 8:06 a.m. Fire chief Ervin Winchester said that while the damage was minimal, it did reach the attic.
Photo submitted. Up to 25 people at a time sleep in warm cots at The Grove Church in the winter of 2024. Volunteers are needed to run The Warming Shelter again this year.

Photo submitted. Up to 25 people at a time sleep in warm cots at The Grove Church in the winter of 2024. Volunteers are needed to run The Warming Shelter again this year.

Volunteers shelter neighbors from cold, frigid temps

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Some people have nowhere to sleep when temperatures dip below freezing, so The Grove Church has offered them a warm place to rest their heads. “We give to the humanity of a person, not their moral character,” said Jeff Helpman, pastor.
Photo submitted. Mark Dessauer, Chief Communication Officer (left to right), Geoff Coltrane, Senior Director of Government Affairs and Strategy, Ryan McMahan, Middle School Principal, Mark Sale, Superintendent, Mo Greene, NC Superintendent of Public Education, Lydia Sale, Western Region Teacher of the Year and Dr. Brandon Sutton, Department of Public Instruction Regional Liason visit Black Hill, where plans for a new middle school are in progress.

Photo submitted. Mark Dessauer, Chief Communication Officer (left to right), Geoff Coltrane, Senior Director of Government Affairs and Strategy, Ryan McMahan, Middle School Principal, Mark Sale, Superintendent, Mo Greene, NC Superintendent of Public Education, Lydia Sale, Western Region Teacher of the Year and Dr. Brandon Sutton, Department of Public Instruction Regional Liason visit Black Hill, where plans for a new middle school are in progress.

Superintendent Green highlights vision during visit to Swain schools

News Staff
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Mark Sale Contributor On the evening of Thursday, Oct.
Photo submitted. Jason “Jay” Kirkland holds his granddaughter, Poppy Rae Crow Sept. 9.

Photo submitted. Jason “Jay” Kirkland holds his granddaughter, Poppy Rae Crow Sept. 9.

County chair selected

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Jason “Jay” Kirkland was named Chair of Swain County Board of Commissioners in a unanimous vote Tuesday evening. “I think what makes a good chairman is a lot of listening and a lot of common sense, but most important is doing what’s best for the people of Swain County,” said Kirkland.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Hanging out outside Alpine Dispensary with Jonathan Gonzales (left to right), Trinity Segredo, Dude (dog), Eddie Askeldsen and Finley Hamilton in August 2025.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Hanging out outside Alpine Dispensary with Jonathan Gonzales (left to right), Trinity Segredo, Dude (dog), Eddie Askeldsen and Finley Hamilton in August 2025.

Alpine Dispensary’s fight against pain

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Alpine Dispensary opened for business in the building that was once Unplugged Pub on Aug 1. Eddie Askeldsen, CEO of Alpine Dispensary, said business has been good, with over 14,000 email subscribers nationally. “We’ve been well received by the community,” said Askeldsen.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Paul Crawley serves a cup of ice cream to Nikki Stephenson Oct. 17. Soda Pops has been a town staple for 25 years.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Paul Crawley serves a cup of ice cream to Nikki Stephenson Oct. 17. Soda Pops has been a town staple for 25 years.

Soda Pops @ the Yard

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Soda Pops made a triumphant come back as Soda Pops @ the Yard on Depot Street Friday, Oct. 10. Soda Pops has been a town staple for 25 years, formerly located next to High Test Deli and 125 Everett Street. Paul Crawley, owner, is in cancer remission and was unable to operate the store while sick.