News

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Charlie Kirk vigil attendees sing “Amazing Grace,” light candles, listen to the televised memorial and shared testimonies about the many ways Kirk touched their lives in Bryson City Sunday, Sept. 21.

250 attend Kirk vigil

Sara Eisinger

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Charles “Charlie” James Kirk, 31, died Sept. 10 when shot while speaking to a crowd at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012, a conservative advocacy group and well-financially backed national organization.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Addison Blankenship (left to right), Maddie Izquierdo, Caroline Freshour, Claire Freshour, Joylyn Stillman, Julianna Meraz-Quijada, Khloe French and Madison Mashburn wash the car of Ted Duncan, associate pastor at Bryson City First Baptist Church, at United Community in Bryson City Saturday, Sept. 20.

Car wash funds soccer play

Sara Eisinger

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Swain Youth Soccer Association team members from Swain County High School, Smoky Mountain High School, Cherokee Central High School, Jackson County Early College and Franklin High School raised money to play the game they love over the weekend.

Submitted photo. West Swain Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on Licklog Road in the Needmore Community at approximately 6:29 a.m. Friday.

West Swain fire fully engulfs house

Sara Eisinger

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

West Swain Fire Department was dispatched to reports of a structure fire on Licklog Road in the Needmore Community at approximately 6:29 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19. Ervin Winchester, chief at West Swain Fire Department, was the first to arrive on scene. “It was fully involved,” said Winchester.

Photo/Joanna McMahan. Alexa Aldridge is crowned homecoming queen at half time Friday, Sept. 19.

A queen rises: Tears to tiara

Sara Eisinger

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Alexa Aldridge stole the spotlight, pretty in pink, as this year’s Swain County High School homecoming queen. “I was very surprised,” said Alexa, who stood arm-in-arm with her older brother, Braylon Aldridge, on the football field Friday evening.

Submitted photo. Qualla Boundary Missing Murdered Indigenous Women protestors stand together in silence as former Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran enters Swain County Courthouse Wednesday, Sept. 24.

Deafening silence as Cochran heads to court

Sara Eisinger

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Qualla Boundary Missing Murdered Indigenous Women protestors stood together in silence at the Swain County Courthouse in resistance of predatory behavior Wednesday. Former Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran was indicted on a second-degree forcible rape charge by a grand jury on Monday, July 21.

Shots fired after suspect rips Trump banner

Sara Eisinger

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Swain County Sheriff’s Office has identified a vehicle from which shots were fired on Sept. 6. The sheriff’s office was dispatched to the area of 14611 Highway 19 West in the Nantahala Gorge for a report of gunshots Sept. 6 at approximately 5:52 p.m.

Submitted photo. Florida Highway Patrolman and Korean War Vet. Philip Guy Bailie, 91, passed away in Asheville Sept. 10.

Going home to Christ

Sara Eisinger

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Florida Highway Patrolman and Korean War Vet. Philip Guy Bailie, 91, passed away in Asheville Sept. 10. Philip was an 18-year member of Bryson City Church of God. He attended Sunday service when staying at the cabin he shared with his late wife and love of his life, Shirley – 1935-2022.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Gail Dellinger (left, front to back), Jeanette Frady, Linda Vaughn; (right, front to back) Margaret McCurry, Richard Schaddelee, Judy Stroup and Sandy Estep congregate for lunch at Swain Senior Center Monday, Sept. 15.

Center connects seniors, services

Sara Eisinger

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Swain Senior Center is thriving with active participants, guest speakers, Bible study, public transportation and highly sought after programs such as Meals on Wheels.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain County seniors dress in blue to represent their county’s senior center at the 7th running Senior Celebration in Bryson City Saturday, Sept. 13

Senior Celebration

Sara Eisinger

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

A weekend sock hop with Bobby socks, poodle skirts and leather jackets drew 15 classic cars, 28 vendors and 800 seniors from Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and seven counties to Great Smoky Mountains Event Park over the weekend.

Photo/Nick Nichols. Volunteers cleanup around David Monteith County Park boat launch after Hurricane Helene last year.

Swain Clean’s Hurricane Helene cleanup mission

News Staff

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Nick Nichols Contributor I remember watching the weather maps as we endured several days of nonstop rain. On the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 29, 2024, maybe a dozen people watched from the Everett Street bridge as the Tuckaseegee waters rose.