News

Businesses in 2021 have struggled with fewer staff people

Businesses in 2021 have struggled with fewer staff people

2021: Top news stories in Swain County

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Real Estate/lack of housing Swain County became a sanctuary in 2020 for those wanting to escape the city during the pandemic but the real estate market just kept booming throughout 2021.
One of the most impressive displays at the Swain County Heritage Museum is the historic log cabin upstairs, which is currently decorated for the Christmas season.

One of the most impressive displays at the Swain County Heritage Museum is the historic log cabin upstairs, which is currently decorated for the Christmas season.

Swain County Heritage Museum and Visitor Center is sharing the county’s rich history

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Swain County Heritage Museum was the brainchild of former Swain County Commissioner David Monteith who had the vision to build a museum showcasing the county and its people, according to Visitor Center Manager, Rita Jones.
Incoming NCDHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley speaks at the press briefing.

Incoming NCDHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley speaks at the press briefing.

Vaccines, booster shots stressed with arrival of omicron

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Omicron is here, and North Carolina leaders stress caution this holiday season. The latest widespread variant of the Covid-19 respiratory virus, omicron, is making its way into North Carolina. On Monday, ahead of the Christmas holiday, Gov.
From left, Stephanie Rose and Ona Huskey making their famous Christmas candy.

From left, Stephanie Rose and Ona Huskey making their famous Christmas candy.

Making Christmas especially sweet

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Many of us can think of a fond holiday memory from our childhood or maybe a tradition your family still carries on today, like stringing popcorn to decorate the tree, or placing the star on top on Christmas Eve.

Qualification for delivered meals for homebound changes

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Swain County Senior Center, which is run by the State of Franklin, an organization that is also over Swain Transit, received a grant waiver on restrictions at the start of Covid to allow more people to qualify for home delivered meals.

Covid cases rise after Thanksgiving

Hannah Styles hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com   It seemed that Covid cases had been declining in the county, but according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, a spike in cases occurred after Thanksgiving.

Local, state candidates begin filing for 2022 elections

Jessica Webb editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Filing for the 2022 election season opened on Monday, Dec. 6 at noon, with the filing period closing on Friday, Dec. 17 at noon. Candidates running for statewide primary elections and local county offices are making their campaigns official.