News

County Manager Kevin King (left) bid farewell to the county at the March 19 commissioners’ meeting. Commission Chairman Kevin Seagle presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation. King has worked for the county for 28 years. On April 1, he will start his new position as the county manager for Jackson County.

County Manager Kevin King (left) bid farewell to the county at the March 19 commissioners’ meeting. Commission Chairman Kevin Seagle presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation. King has worked for the county for 28 years. On April 1, he will start his new position as the county manager for Jackson County.

Commissioners award contract for animal shelter

News Staff
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Swain County Board of Commissioners selected a contractor to build a new animal shelter and passed a 2% occupancy tax hike as well as a grant to help a new restaurant come to town at their last meeting Tuesday, March 19.
Work was still being done in late March on the new buildings at the county pool, which will be able to be reserved for parties or other events once finished. Recreation Department Supervisor Taylor Woodard said she didn’t have a concrete date for them to be completed. There is also a new concession stand being built.

Work was still being done in late March on the new buildings at the county pool, which will be able to be reserved for parties or other events once finished. Recreation Department Supervisor Taylor Woodard said she didn’t have a concrete date for them to be completed. There is also a new concession stand being built.

County recreation introduces facilty fees

News Staff
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Swain County Recreation Park will be charging fees for people to use its various athletic facilities for organized events as of April 1. Plus, fees for youth programs have increased.
Questions were raised about Noland Creek trail and its maintenance.

Questions were raised about Noland Creek trail and its maintenance.

Commissioners raise North Shore concerns

News Staff
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   After a meeting between the commissioners, the North Shore Cemetery Association (NCSA) and National Park Service officials, commissioners are concerned with potential changes to the ways cemeteries are maintained in the park.
Swain school system is exploring the option of making the alternative school program to be its own school

Swain school system is exploring the option of making the alternative school program to be its own school

School board seeks to build new alternative learning school

News Staff
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Swain County Board of Education hopes to expand its alternative learning program for troubled high school students into an entirely new, separate school to help them get back on the right path.
Marianna Black Library Campaign Planning Committee has just released updated design plans for the expansion and renovation of the building. Above is a corner street view of the library, where the new community room is front and center. It will have its own entrance, bathroom and prep kitchen.

Marianna Black Library Campaign Planning Committee has just released updated design plans for the expansion and renovation of the building. Above is a corner street view of the library, where the new community room is front and center. It will have its own entrance, bathroom and prep kitchen.

Library awarded $1 million

News Staff
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Fundraising for the Marianna Black Library’s Expansion Project is finally to a point where dreams are to become a reality.
Contractors began work last week where a bus drop off will be constructed on Everett Street next to the train depot.

Contractors began work last week where a bus drop off will be constructed on Everett Street next to the train depot.

NCDOT road construction begins on Everett Street

News Staff
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Those traveling on Everett Street in downtown Bryson City can see that road construction work started last week next to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot, where contractors began digging up the existing concrete at what used to be Fry Street.
The commission is considering an extra 2% occupancy tax in the county, which would collect extra money from those staying at hotels and vacation rentals such as the Stonebrook Hotel on Main Street.

The commission is considering an extra 2% occupancy tax in the county, which would collect extra money from those staying at hotels and vacation rentals such as the Stonebrook Hotel on Main Street.

Commissioners debate firefighters, TDA bed tax raise

News Staff
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   At their meeting Tuesday morning, March 12, the Swain County Board of Commissioners disagreed over a proposed raise of the occupancy tax and on what should be done about budgeting for paid firefighters.
Swain County Middle School students Conner Bowman (from left), Cara Aldridge and Brylee Shuler greeted Sen. Kevin Corbin (far right) for a walkthrough of the middle school on Thursday, March 7. Middle school principal Ryan McMahan (middle) was glad to welcome the legislator.

Swain County Middle School students Conner Bowman (from left), Cara Aldridge and Brylee Shuler greeted Sen. Kevin Corbin (far right) for a walkthrough of the middle school on Thursday, March 7. Middle school principal Ryan McMahan (middle) was glad to welcome the legislator.

Corbin, Clampitt see need for new Swain middle school

News Staff
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   State Sen. Kevin Corbin and Rep. Mike Clampitt visited Swain County Middle School Thursday morning, March 7, with the intent of seeing for themselves the condition of the current school and plans to build a new one on Black Hill Road.
A Bryson City Fire Department firefighter works on a structure fire last week. Fire Chief Charles Bryson wants to staff the department to have someone at the station 24/7.

A Bryson City Fire Department firefighter works on a structure fire last week. Fire Chief Charles Bryson wants to staff the department to have someone at the station 24/7.

Town says more funds needed for Tuck fire district

News Staff
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Bryson City Board of Aldermen and Swain County Board of Commissioners each adopt an annual fire district agreement for Bryson City Fire Department to cover the Tuckaseigee District in the county.