News

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Approximately 250 participants lined the sidewalks of Everett and Main Streets at the No Kings rally on Oct. 18.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Approximately 250 participants lined the sidewalks of Everett and Main Streets at the No Kings rally on Oct. 18.

No Kings rally

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
The chants of No Kings erupted from approximately 2,600 gatherings around the nation into Bryson City on Oct. 18. “Swain County residents joined nearly seven million people nationwide in peaceful protest,” said Swain County Democratic Party Chair Garrett Lagan.

County chair appointment tabled

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
A special Swain County Board of Commissioners session will take place Tuesday, Oct. 28,  at 5:30 p.m. to ensure commissioners thoroughly understand the appointment process of county chairperson as it pertains to moving Commissioner Phillip Carson to the position. This meeting is public.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. A school bus driver takes students home Aug. 18. Swain County Public Schools is facing a school bus shortage.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. A school bus driver takes students home Aug. 18. Swain County Public Schools is facing a school bus shortage.

Help! School bus drivers needed

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Swain County Public Schools is in dire need of school bus drivers. “We are short approximately six afternoon routes a day that we have to seek out substitute drivers to fill their routes,” said Dennis Jones, director of safety and transportation. “We run 22 routes, right now.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain County resident Courtney Dills addresses members of the Swain County Board of Commissioners at the Oct. 21 meeting.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain County resident Courtney Dills addresses members of the Swain County Board of Commissioners at the Oct. 21 meeting.

Residents oppose animal control ordinance

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
With a full room and nearly 1,000 YouTube viewers as of Wednesday morning, the Swain County Commissioners meeting was well attended Tuesday evening.
Submitted photo. Great Smoky Mountains National Park donated a surplus brush truck to Bryson City Fire Department.

Submitted photo. Great Smoky Mountains National Park donated a surplus brush truck to Bryson City Fire Department.

Fire department receives $50K OSFM grant

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Office of State Fire Marshal awarded the Bryson City Fire Department a Disaster Relief Grant in the amount of $50,000 Aug. 18. Section 10 of S.L. 2025-2026 (House Bill 1012) provided OSFM $18 million to grant eligible fire department and rescue squads $50,000.
Photo submitted. A Marvelous Mayhem Magic Show advertisement alerts those passing by about the “family friendly” magicians scheduled to perform at Swain Arts Center Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. 

Photo submitted. A Marvelous Mayhem Magic Show advertisement alerts those passing by about the “family friendly” magicians scheduled to perform at Swain Arts Center Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. 

Marvelous Mayhem Magic Show

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
The Marvelous Mayhem Magic Show is coming to Swain Arts Center Saturday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m.  Swain County High School students will experience the same show during a special assembly to close the school day Friday.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Sutton (front, left to right) and Wyatt Williams meet Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland and NC State Highway Patrol 1st Sgt. Kevin Milligan at Everett Street Diner where local law enforcement celebrated National Faith & Blue Weekend Monday morning.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Sutton (front, left to right) and Wyatt Williams meet Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland and NC State Highway Patrol 1st Sgt. Kevin Milligan at Everett Street Diner where local law enforcement celebrated National Faith & Blue Weekend Monday morning.

Faith & Blue weekend in Bryson

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Swain County Sheriff’s Office deputies and NC State Highway Patrol troopers met at Everett Street Diner to celebrate National Faith & Blue Weekend Monday morning.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Joan Bailey sells customer Leah Frazier apparel at Pursenality Marketplace Oct. 11.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Joan Bailey sells customer Leah Frazier apparel at Pursenality Marketplace Oct. 11.

Pursenality returns

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Paula and husband Jeff Fuller reopened Pursenality Marketplace on 184 Everett Street Saturday, Sept. 27.  Pursenality originally opened under Matt Kirkland in 2005. The fullers purchased the business, then located next to Heavenly Fudge, in 2019. They remained in business only three more years.
Submitted photos. Aldermen candidates Tim Hines, W. Kent Maxey and Ben King.

Submitted photos. Aldermen candidates Tim Hines, W. Kent Maxey and Ben King.

Candidates talk

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Two seats on the Bryson City Board of Aldermen will be filled during the General Election, with three candidates to choose from: Tim Hines, Ben King and W. Kent Maxey. Incumbents Hines and King presently occupy the two  board seats up for election.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Mike Tabor, Town of Bryson City street supervisor, helps remove the tree and root system from Bryson City United Methodist Church Oct. 7.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Mike Tabor, Town of Bryson City street supervisor, helps remove the tree and root system from Bryson City United Methodist Church Oct. 7.

Patching sidewalks

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
The Town of Bryson City Board of Alderman meeting scheduled Monday, Oct. 6 was adjourned and rescheduled to take place at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 20. Mayor Tom Sutton said the city is working to repair water leaks and patch sidewalks in the meantime.