News

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. WNC Pharmacist Erin Kirkpatrick and her husband, Eddie, threw all the money they had into opening the pharmacy on Slope Street Monday, June 16. Kirkpatrick opted to open in Bryson City due to its welcoming community.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. WNC Pharmacist Erin Kirkpatrick and her husband, Eddie, threw all the money they had into opening the pharmacy on Slope Street Monday, June 16. Kirkpatrick opted to open in Bryson City due to its welcoming community.

WNC Pharmacy opens for business

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Husband and wife team United States Air Force Vet. Eddie Kirkpatrick and Pharmacist Erin Kirkpatrick have thrown every last dollar into WNC Pharmacy, which opened next to Merritt MedCare on Slope Street Monday morning. “This is our money, we are using,” said Eddie Kirkpatrick.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Jacqueline Ortlip (left to right), Lola Carlisle and Carli Beisel support democracy on the corner of Everett and Main streets Saturday, June 14. Swain County Democratic Party members and supporters held a peaceful demonstration. More than 250 Swain County resdients and visitors attended the local “No Kings” demonstration in Bryson City Saturday, June 14.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Jacqueline Ortlip (left to right), Lola Carlisle and Carli Beisel support democracy on the corner of Everett and Main streets Saturday, June 14. Swain County Democratic Party members and supporters held a peaceful demonstration. More than 250 Swain County resdients and visitors attended the local “No Kings” demonstration in Bryson City Saturday, June 14.

‘No Kings’ in America; no kings in Bryson City

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
“No Kings” protesters were heard across the nation into Bryson City, where upward of 250 Swain County Democratic Party members and supporters held a peaceful demonstration on the corner of Everett and Main streets Saturday afternoon.
Photo submitted. Bryson City Freedom Festival is set for July 4. Organizers say they expect 9,000 people to fill the streets during the event.

Photo submitted. Bryson City Freedom Festival is set for July 4. Organizers say they expect 9,000 people to fill the streets during the event.

Bryson City Freedom Festival

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Bryson City Freedom Festival is right around the corner and Swain County Chamber of Commerce has offered a sneak peek at what is in store this Independence Day. According to the chamber, Bryson City’s July Fourth celebration is the biggest in all Western North Carolina.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. HMC Paving Co. works on Mitchell Street, from Slope to Everett streets Monday, June 16. Work continues at Carringer Street.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. HMC Paving Co. works on Mitchell Street, from Slope to Everett streets Monday, June 16. Work continues at Carringer Street.

Public hearing set

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Town of Bryson Mayor Tom Sutton said that the 2025-26 fiscal year budget would be put to bed next week. “We will have public comment as required by law on the 24th,” said Sutton. “Once that ends, we will pass it. As far as the board and staff are concerned, we are done with it.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Cayden (left to right), James, Snow and Ares play together at the park Sunday.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Cayden (left to right), James, Snow and Ares play together at the park Sunday.

Summer at Swain County Recreation Department

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Summer is in full swing at Swain County Recreation Department where summer camp, flag football, cheerleading, swimming, birthday parties and family reunions are happening. Summer camp kicked off the year Monday with 65 kids, ages 5-12, and six counselors.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Katelynn Ledford-McCoy stands by husband Kallup McCoy’s side through his 3,000-mile intercontinental run from San Diego to Wilmington Sunday, June 8. McCoy finished the run on Memorial Day.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Katelynn Ledford-McCoy stands by husband Kallup McCoy’s side through his 3,000-mile intercontinental run from San Diego to Wilmington Sunday, June 8. McCoy finished the run on Memorial Day.

Transcontinental run ends

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Kallup McCoy II of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians kicked off his transcontinental run in San Diego, California on March 22 with the goal of raising $300,000 to help fund his men’s recovery nonprofit in Cherokee — RezHOPE Recovery & Consulting Services.
SMT photo/ Sara Eisinger. Paul Medrano, owner of Angry Elk Brewing in Whittier, is looking forward to opening his second Swain County tavern – Red Star Tavern – in Bryson City.

SMT photo/ Sara Eisinger. Paul Medrano, owner of Angry Elk Brewing in Whittier, is looking forward to opening his second Swain County tavern – Red Star Tavern – in Bryson City.

Red Star Tavern coming soon

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Red Star Tavern is coming to Main Street in approximately three months. Entrepreneur Paul Medrano has leased the 2,200-square-foot building across from Stonebrook Lodge, owned by Mark Fortner, to transform it into a “warm and welcoming, sophisticated dive, rock and roll bar” open 365 days a year.
SMT photo/ Sara Eisinger. Merritt MedCare owners Dr. Benjamin Gans and Danielle Smiley serve Western North Carolina residents in Bryson City at their medical clinic. The clinic is currently taking new patients.

SMT photo/ Sara Eisinger. Merritt MedCare owners Dr. Benjamin Gans and Danielle Smiley serve Western North Carolina residents in Bryson City at their medical clinic. The clinic is currently taking new patients.

Merritt MedCare

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Dr. Benjamin Gans fell in love with Bryson City, electing to devote his life to its many residents and visitors when he opened Merritt MedCare with Danielle Smiley on Oct. 21, 2024.
Submitted photo. 4-H Sewing Spin Club begins with Hand sewing 101 April 15. Swain County 4-H has much to offer kids 5-18.

Submitted photo. 4-H Sewing Spin Club begins with Hand sewing 101 April 15. Swain County 4-H has much to offer kids 5-18.

Summer at Swain County 4-H

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Summer fun has begun at the largest kids’ organization in the nation — 4-H. Whether into livestock, bows or horses, Swain County 4-H has free year-round programs for youth, ages 5-18.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Sammy Bowers makes a P.A.W.S. Thrift Shop donation on Saturday. Apart from paying the lease and two employees, 100% of proceeds collected go back to the animals at P.A.W.S.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Sammy Bowers makes a P.A.W.S. Thrift Shop donation on Saturday. Apart from paying the lease and two employees, 100% of proceeds collected go back to the animals at P.A.W.S.

Connecting people and pets

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
P.A.W.S. Thrift Shop moved its business location to 95 Slope Street last year, leaving some wondering where it went. It simply moved behind its previous location. Apart from paying the lease and two employees, 100% of proceeds collected go back to the animals at P.A.W.S. Animal Shelter.