News

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Lim sisters Uhura, 11, and Cosima, 8, of Washington, D.C. bravely ride through the mountainous Nantahala National Forest with their mother and Nantahala Village Riding Stables guide Saturday afternoon. The girls visit the riding stables when vacationing in Western North Carolina every year.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Lim sisters Uhura, 11, and Cosima, 8, of Washington, D.C. bravely ride through the mountainous Nantahala National Forest with their mother and Nantahala Village Riding Stables guide Saturday afternoon. The girls visit the riding stables when vacationing in Western North Carolina every year.

An equestrian gem

News Staff
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
The Lim sisters, Cosima, 8, and Uhura, 11, of Washington, D.C. bravely saddled up and rode through the mountainous Nantahala National Forest with their mother and Nantahala Village Riding Stables guide Saturday afternoon.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Upward of 30 residents, county employees included, attend a Swain County Commission meeting July 15. Adjustments to the pay schedule were based on a salary study completed by The Archer Company, a contracted company out of Ohio that provides compensation and pay classification plans.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Upward of 30 residents, county employees included, attend a Swain County Commission meeting July 15. Adjustments to the pay schedule were based on a salary study completed by The Archer Company, a contracted company out of Ohio that provides compensation and pay classification plans.

Swain County makes pay adjustments

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Swain County employee salary adjustments for 2025/26 summoned more than 30 residents, county employees included, to a regular commission meeting July 15.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Location approximate to where the line break occurred near the Valley Village Shopping Center

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Location approximate to where the line break occurred near the Valley Village Shopping Center

Town issues boil water advisory

News Staff
Thursday, July 10, 2025
The Town of Bryson City is issuing a boil water advisory.  The Town has been made aware of a potential leak in one of our main lines under the Tuckaseegee River. As a precaution, the Town is recommending that all water for consumption be boiled.
Photo/Marie VanDervoort. John and Marie VanDervoort take over as McKinley Edwards Inn innkeepers in Bryson City April 1. Together, the couple has a combined 50 years in hospitality management.

Photo/Marie VanDervoort. John and Marie VanDervoort take over as McKinley Edwards Inn innkeepers in Bryson City April 1. Together, the couple has a combined 50 years in hospitality management.

Heart behind hospitality; introducing McKinley Edwards Inn

News Staff
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Perched on scenic Schoolhouse Hill, near downtown Bryson City, McKinley Edwards Inn is a tranquil, charming boutique motel bed and breakfast that blends rustic mountain character with cozy comfort.
Marianna Black Librarian Jeff Delfield

Marianna Black Librarian Jeff Delfield

Marianna Black Library is not closing

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Marianna Black Library is not closing. “A lot of people have asked if the library is going to close and we are not going to close,” said Jeff Delfield, librarian. “People think Jackson will close, too. That’s not going to happen. I am concerned for my colleagues who work in Jackson.
County seal

County seal

County to appoint sheriff

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
On July 1, Curtis Cochran, 72, notified the Swain County Board of Commissioners that he would retire from his position as sheriff effective July 1. Cochran’s notice followed a request for suspension by Superior Court Judge Tessa Sellers on June 27.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Scott Barnes makes a traffic stop after noticing no plates on the afternoon of Friday, July 4. A citation was issued.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Swain County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Scott Barnes makes a traffic stop after noticing no plates on the afternoon of Friday, July 4. A citation was issued.

On duty with Swain Co. Sheriff's Office

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Smoky Mountain Times rode along with Swain County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Scott Barnes from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. during the 2025 Bryson City Freedom Festival Friday, July 4. The shift started with only two other sheriff deputies on road patrol despite numerous calls throughout the day.
Photo/Monica Brown. Town is packed in celebration of Bryson City Freedom Fest. Friday, July 4. There were fireworks, bands, bouncy houses, vendor booths to entertain people of all ages from all walks of life.

Photo/Monica Brown. Town is packed in celebration of Bryson City Freedom Fest. Friday, July 4. There were fireworks, bands, bouncy houses, vendor booths to entertain people of all ages from all walks of life.

Celebrating freedom in Bryson

News Staff
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
By Monica Brown Contributor   Bryson City’s annual Freedom Fest returned on July 4th with a full day of patriotic cheer, family fun and a show-stopping fireworks finale. From the crack of dawn, the spirit of community ignited the day.
Photo/Charles Bryson. Bryson City Fire Department responds to a structure fire on Jackson Line in the Tuckasegee Fire District Saturday, June 28. The call came in at approximately 10:15 a.m. and crews were able to prevent further fire damage.

Photo/Charles Bryson. Bryson City Fire Department responds to a structure fire on Jackson Line in the Tuckasegee Fire District Saturday, June 28. The call came in at approximately 10:15 a.m. and crews were able to prevent further fire damage.

Bryson City FD seeks funding for full-time firefighters

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Bryson City Fire Department Chief Charles Bryson continues his quest for seven fulltime firefighters, six 24-hour shifts and one superintendent, to provide more adequate fire protection to county residents 24/7, 365 days per year.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Elsie-Mae Clayton embarks on a week-long National History Day project concerning the Fontana Dam at the Smithsonian National Museum and University of Maryland Adele H. Stamp Student Union June 7-12.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Elsie-Mae Clayton embarks on a week-long National History Day project concerning the Fontana Dam at the Smithsonian National Museum and University of Maryland Adele H. Stamp Student Union June 7-12.

Elsie-Mae shares ‘broken promises’ with the world

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Elsie-Mae Clayton proudly represented Swain County at National History Day in Washington D.C. with her presentation on “The Federal government and the broken promises.” Clayton’s work was displayed and presented at the Smithsonian National Museum and University of Maryland Adele H.