News

Walgreens is now the sole pharmacy in Bryson City and Robbinsville and is often quite busy.

Walgreens is now the sole pharmacy in Bryson City and Robbinsville and is often quite busy.

People sound off on pharmacy issues

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Long wait times, big price increases and sometimes unavailable medicine are all issues facing Walgreens pharmacy customers since the giant drug store chain bought out Bryson City Pharmacy and Robbinsville Pharmacy last month.
Postal worker Angie Gibby sorts through the numerous package deliveries ready to go out in mid-December.

Postal worker Angie Gibby sorts through the numerous package deliveries ready to go out in mid-December.

Online package deliveries flood local post office

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The local post office is improving its operations since the disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic, but postmaster Chip Hendricks still thinks they could use more manpower. “We’re short staffed,” he said. “We have two carriers.
Cherokee artist Skye Tafoya specializes in patterned paper weaving art, which she sells to make a living.

Cherokee artist Skye Tafoya specializes in patterned paper weaving art, which she sells to make a living.

Cherokee artist Tafoya honors family’s basket-weaving past

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Skye Tafoya’s paper-weaved print art is made up of shapes and designs repeating in varying shades of color and texture. She hopes they will evoke her culture and personal memories.
Fight flu, other respiratory illnesses

Fight flu, other respiratory illnesses

Respiratory illnesses strike local schools

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   This past week, it wasn’t just Ferris Bueller who was missing from classrooms during roll calls in Swain County.
From left, Rep. Mike Clampitt presents Henry Chambers with the Certificate of Appreciation from Gov. Roy Cooper's Office.

From left, Rep. Mike Clampitt presents Henry Chambers with the Certificate of Appreciation from Gov. Roy Cooper's Office.

Chambers recognized by NC Governor for contributions

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   If you have an interest in local history, specifically that of the Fontana Dam and the families who once lived in the communities now under water, you probably know Henry Chambers.
Town of Bryson City plans utility upgrades for Island Street to begin as soon as January.

Town of Bryson City plans utility upgrades for Island Street to begin as soon as January.

Island Street utility upgrades coming in the new year

Downtown business owners have had a collective sigh of relief from utility and road construction this past month, but more upgrades are on the horizon. During Bryson City’s Town Board of Aldermen meeting on Tuesday night, Dec.
Nancy Jones, owner of New Attitudes Day Spa in Bryson City, started Shoes for Steps. She's pictured with donations this year by the tree in her shop.

Nancy Jones, owner of New Attitudes Day Spa in Bryson City, started Shoes for Steps. She's pictured with donations this year by the tree in her shop.

Shoe and sock donation drive seeks to boost confidence in kids

What to do with a pair of boy’s little blue shoes? That question is what prompted Nancy Jones, owner of New Attitudes Day Spa in Bryson City, to start Shoes for Steps, a holiday shoe and sock drive for local children.
Sixth grade Exceptional Children’s teacher Emily McClung helped her class at Swain Middle School publish a book on “How to Survive the 6th Grade,” which features tips from the students for incoming new students to take to heart.

Sixth grade Exceptional Children’s teacher Emily McClung helped her class at Swain Middle School publish a book on “How to Survive the 6th Grade,” which features tips from the students for incoming new students to take to heart.

Students publish book on ‘How to survive the sixth grade’

Swain County Middle School sixth grade exceptional children’s teacher Emily McClung wanted to give her class a way to stretch their creative muscles, so they published a book.

Commissioners at odds

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Swain County Board of Commissioners voted at their meeting Tuesday, Dec.