News

Swain County residents will receive this notice in the mail asking them to check the FCC broadband coverage map and confirm or contest information about their internet. This will be used in the next round of grant funds for deploying broadband in the county.

Swain County residents will receive this notice in the mail asking them to check the FCC broadband coverage map and confirm or contest information about their internet. This will be used in the next round of grant funds for deploying broadband in the county.

Broadband: is your house right on the map?

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Members of the Swain County Broadband Committee have been hard at work for years now to see more residents of the county gain access to broadband internet.
Island Park remains closed as a new pavilion is under construction. The work is anticipated to be completed next month.

Island Park remains closed as a new pavilion is under construction. The work is anticipated to be completed next month.

Pavilion going up at Island Park

Larry Griffin news@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Town was quiet for most of last week as Swain County High students were on spring break between Monday, April 8 and Friday, April 12. Rainy weather kept many people inside, too.
Great Smoky Mountain Cannabis Co. will open its dispensary at 91 Bingo Loop Road in Cherokee on Saturday. Medicinal sales will start with patients issued a medical card by the EBCI Cannabis Control Board and to individuals with out-of-state medical cards or other tribal medical cannabis cards.

Great Smoky Mountain Cannabis Co. will open its dispensary at 91 Bingo Loop Road in Cherokee on Saturday. Medicinal sales will start with patients issued a medical card by the EBCI Cannabis Control Board and to individuals with out-of-state medical cards or other tribal medical cannabis cards.

Cherokee starts medical cannabis sales April 20

Thomas Sherrill reporter@thefranklinpress.com   As the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians plan to begin medical marijuana sales on April 20, eyes turn to the areas surrounding the Qualla Boundary, where it is still illegal. “Our world-class dispensary is a seed-to-sale operation.
Swain County voters casting Republican ballots can return to the polls for the statewide second primary on Tuesday, May 14, with early voting to be held April 25-May 11.

Swain County voters casting Republican ballots can return to the polls for the statewide second primary on Tuesday, May 14, with early voting to be held April 25-May 11.

Second North Carolina primary is May 14

Staff Reports   Swain County voters casting Republican ballots can return to the polls for the statewide second primary on Tuesday, May 14, with early voting to be held April 25-May 11.
The Nantahala General Store is not allowed to sell alcohol, which prompted owner Jessica Rogers to ask the county commissioners to add a ballot item to allow county alcohol sales for voting this November.

The Nantahala General Store is not allowed to sell alcohol, which prompted owner Jessica Rogers to ask the county commissioners to add a ballot item to allow county alcohol sales for voting this November.

Town requests county funds for firefighters

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.
Board of Education met with commissioners to discuss the next fiscal budget for the schools.

Board of Education met with commissioners to discuss the next fiscal budget for the schools.

Commissioners, school board mull funding tactics

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Swain County Board of Education had a joint meeting Tuesday night with the commissioners in which they tried to find a path forward to more funding for the next fiscal year.
The United Gift Fund awarded a total of $57,635 raised over the last several months to local nonprofit agencies in need.

The United Gift Fund awarded a total of $57,635 raised over the last several months to local nonprofit agencies in need.

United Gift Fund awards $57K for community needs

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Swain County United Gift Fund (UGF) gathered in the United Bank meeting room Thursday, March 28, and over hot soup and fizzy drinks celebrated raising $57,635 to go towards local businesses in need of funds.
Sally Hall competes in the softball throw competition.

Sally Hall competes in the softball throw competition.

A cheerful time as Senior Games return to Swain County

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The starting whistle blew for the North Carolina Senior Games at the Swain County Recreation Center on Monday morning. This was the first time the games have been held in the county since 2007, so it was a welcome return.
Henry Chambers with North Shore Cemetery Association is pictured at a workday at Fairview Cemetery last year.

Henry Chambers with North Shore Cemetery Association is pictured at a workday at Fairview Cemetery last year.

Frustration stirs over cemetery maintenance

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Cemeteries are sacred places that are meant to last as a place for future generations to return to honor those who have come before, but it takes work to keep them up.