News

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. First semester Carpentry I students Damien Ward (left to right), Jon Stephenson, Ted Sutherland and Kenzie Royce stand outside the 12-by-8-foot wooden shed they helped built this year on Jan. 27.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. First semester Carpentry I students Damien Ward (left to right), Jon Stephenson, Ted Sutherland and Kenzie Royce stand outside the 12-by-8-foot wooden shed they helped built this year on Jan. 27.

Building their future

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Swain High School carpentry students have built a 12-by-8-foot wooden shed that is now for sale for $2,500, with all proceeds returning to the school’s Career and Technical Education carpentry program.
Submitted photo. Shannon Royce, extension agent-family and consumer sciences for NC Cooperative Extension in Swain and Jackson counties, cooks Easy Meals from the Pantry at Southwestern Community College in January.

Submitted photo. Shannon Royce, extension agent-family and consumer sciences for NC Cooperative Extension in Swain and Jackson counties, cooks Easy Meals from the Pantry at Southwestern Community College in January.

Easy meals from the pantry

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Welcome to the N.C. Cooperative Extension cooking show with your host Shannon Royce, extension agent-family and consumer sciences. Royce pairs food assistance with cooking education in effort to address food insecurity in Swain County.
Photo/Charles Bryson. Bryson City firefighters practice fire scene setup for North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal inspection in the Ingles Market parking lot May 6.

Photo/Charles Bryson. Bryson City firefighters practice fire scene setup for North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal inspection in the Ingles Market parking lot May 6.

Fire department earns Class 4 rating

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Bryson City Fire Department has earned an improved Public Protection Classification rating from the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal, a change expected to significantly reduce homeowners’ insurance premiums for many local residents.
Photo/Charles Bryson. Bryson City Fire Department members practice fire scene setup for North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal inspection in the Ingles Market parking lot.

Photo/Charles Bryson. Bryson City Fire Department members practice fire scene setup for North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal inspection in the Ingles Market parking lot.

FIRE PROTECTION

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
The chief of the Bryson City Fire Department is urging county commissioners to consider adopting a fire service fee, arguing it would provide stable funding, improve staffing and expand fire protection across Swain County.
Submitted photo. Emma Adams goes airbound in a basket toss at the Spirit Brands Patriot Championship in Knoxville Jan. 10.

Submitted photo. Emma Adams goes airbound in a basket toss at the Spirit Brands Patriot Championship in Knoxville Jan. 10.

Smoky Mountain Cheer Club marks 10th season with competitive success

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Smoky Mountain Cheer Club is celebrating its 10th season in 2026, marking a decade of growth and competitive success for the regional youth cheer organization. Tonya Clark, known as “Momma” to athletes and families, serves as program director.
SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Good Endurance Running hosts 2026 North Carolina USATF 50-kilometer Trail Championships, in conjunction with the Tsali 50K trail race in Almond Jan. 17.

SMT photo/Sara Eisinger. Good Endurance Running hosts 2026 North Carolina USATF 50-kilometer Trail Championships, in conjunction with the Tsali 50K trail race in Almond Jan. 17.

Tsali 50K attracts top runners

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Good Endurance Running hosted the 2026 North Carolina USATF 50-kilometer Trail Championships, in conjunction with the Tsali 50K trail race in Almond Jan. 17. Brian Gajus, race director, said the race sold out at 300 people, representing approximately 34 states.
Submitted photo. About 30 county residents gather to honor individuals who died while in ICE custody or following encounters with federal immigration agents at The Square at Everett and Main streets Jan. 17.

Submitted photo. About 30 county residents gather to honor individuals who died while in ICE custody or following encounters with federal immigration agents at The Square at Everett and Main streets Jan. 17.

Swain citizens hold vigil for Good

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Approximately 30 county residents gathered to remember people who died either in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or after encounters with federal immigration agents at The Square on Everett and Main streets Saturday afternoon.

Fontana Regional Board discusses interlocal agreement

News Staff
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Mitch Stone reporter@highlandsnews.com   The Fontana Regional Library Board kicked off the new year addressing topics ranging from the 2024-25 audit to an interlocal agreement proposed by Jackson County. Jackson County proposed three amendments to the agreement.